Kyle Reeder

Kyle lives in Mayfield, Kentucky. He is 25 years old and has been playing guitar since the age of 14. He is self-employed as a professional musician and guitar instructor. He won first place in the International Open-Style guitar contest in Muhlenberg County, KY in 2003 and was also inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in 2003- he was awarded the Horizon Award which recognizes up and coming musicians who are dedicated to that style of music.

A professional musician from Mayfield, KY, Kyle placed third and took home the trophy and a Gallagher GA-70 Rosewood Guitar by J.W. Gallagher & Son of Wartrace, TN. Kyle Reeder has been to the Festival twice and entered the contest twice as well. Only this time it paid off for him. In addition to being a professional musician Kyle also give private lessons. He also plays the mandolin. When asked about his first guitar Kyle said, “My aunt showed me a few chords when I was 14 and I bought a cheap guitar out of the Sears catalogue and as they say, the rest is history.” At least the last 11 years is history, because that’s how long he’s been playing the guitar. He likes to fish when not involved in music. Two other diversions are ping-pong and basketball.