Artists
Denny Jiosa Signature Model
We are excited to have Denny Jiosa as part of our family. Denny is recognized and respected worldwide as one of the most dynamic and soulful guitarists on the scene today. He is best known for his six smooth jazz projects, all garnering Top 5, and 10 positions on the smooth jazz charts, as well as delivering his #1 hit single "Wounded Warriors" in the UK. His hit song, “Lights of The City” was SESAC’s #1 most played jazz song of that year, reaching #5 on the smooth jazz charts.He is equally at home in the studio as a renowned producer and engineer. With four Grammy nominations to his credit, his production skills range from Americana, rock, blues, latin, gospel,and jazz. He has worked with artists such as gospel sensation Yolanda Adams, Master guitarist Phil Keaggy, the late Bobby Hebb (Sunny), Saxophonist Kirk Whalum, Drummer Chester Thompson (Genesis, Santana), Country star Crystal Gayle, Phillip Baily, Ronnie Laws, and Take 6.
Denny plays a custom version of the Bolivian Pro, and more recently commissioned a Parlor Pro.The Bolivian Pro is a grand auditorium sized guitar with a solid book matched Bolivian Rosewood top and book matched Bolivian Rosewood back and sides. The bevel armrest adds comfort while playing. This model has the FXA electronics with built in delay, chorus and reverb, condensor mic and Bluetooth. Boliivian Rosewood grain is tighter than a typical rosewood specimen, and it is thought to have a more distinctly percussive tone. Its tonal response has tight lows, present mids and a clear, singing high end response. It has a rosewood fretboard and bridge, plus a bone nut and saddle for added tone. The custom gold tuning machines complete this guitar with a very unique combination of exotic top and back woods. The Parlor Pro is a "00" size with a solid cedar top, Indian rosewood back and sides, and an ebony fretboard. It also hs our FXA system.
Link to Denny Jiosa's website featuring his music.
Link to the JVM COLLECTIVE
George Marinelli
Welcome another family member to Willow Creek Guitars, George Marinelli.George was the guitarist with Bonnie Raitt from 1993 to 2022, and as an original member of Bruce Hornsby & the Range for which he received a Grammy for Best New Artist. He has recorded at least seven solo albums and his latest, Self Made Fool, is a marvelous culmination of his development as an artist.
George has recorded with Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Dixie Chicks, Robert Earl Keen, Ray Charles, Duane Jarvis, Faith Hill, Randy Scruggs, Wynonna Judd, Cliff Richard, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Colin Hay, Peter Cetera, Rascal Flatts, Cindy Bullens, Maia Sharp, Art Garfunkel, and many others. He also toured Europe with James Taylor.
Link to George Marinelli's Official Music Channel.
Patsy O'Brien
Welcome Patsy O'Brien to the Willow Creek Guitars family.As well as supplying the driving guitar rhythms on Celtic/World Music diva Eileen Ivers' last European tour, and frequently treading the boards and collaborating with many giants of the Celtic/World music scene (Paddy Keenan. Cathie Ryan among them), Patsy's songwriting reflects a strong interest in roots americana as well as Jazz influences.
With critically-acclaimed solo albums under his belt along with numerous live and studio collaborations, it's no surprise that Patsy's songwriting ability and guitar prowess are in demand. Patsy hosts guitar workshops all over the country, and NPR saw fit to feature one of his song arrangements on the prestigious All Songs Considered.
Link to Patsy O'Brien's website.
Paula Jo Signature Model
Paula Jo Taylor recently joined the Willow Creek Guitar family and we could not be more elated. Nashville based Paula Jo Taylor is an acclaimed lead guitar player who performs with her daughter Amanda and their Mama Tried Band. She was featured in Guitar World Magazine as their pick for top 10 female guitarist and performed live at their 2019 summer NAMM show booth in Nashville. A video of Paula Jo playing guitar at the 2017 summer NAMM has gone viral on the Internet. You can see her full bio here:Paula Jo plays the PAULA JO signature model, a grand auditorium sized guitar with a solid book matched sitka spruce top and book matched Indian rosewood back and sides. The bevel armrest adds comfort while playing. It has a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The custom gold tuning machines have "Willow Creek" engraved in them. All Willow Creek Guitars ship with bone nut and saddle and D'Addario coated strings.
Link to Paula Jo's biography.
Rhonda Milton Hampton with Ronnie Milsap
Rhonda sings and plays guitar with Mr. Ronnie Milsap. After playing Denny Jiosa's signature model, Rhonda showed an interest in having one. Her husband, Adam Hampton, decided to get one for her. We are excited to welcome Rhonda to our family!
Garrett Huffman
At only 21 years old, Garrett Huffman has accomplished an impressive amount of career milestones since teaching himself how to play the guitar during the pandemic of 2020. His original music landed him a record deal with Iron Gate Records in Nashville, TN and an endorsement deal with Willow Creek Guitars. Garrett has amassed countless fans across the United States and, on January 20, 2024, Garrett won the esteemed "2023 Carolina CMA Entertainer of the Year" award by the Carolina Country Music Association at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC. His victory was fueled by the overwhelming support of his fan base, earning him the highest number of votes ever recorded in the history of the competition. Garrett has performed over 500 shows across North and South Carolina, as well as Tennessee, since his performance debut in 2021. Garrett writes and produces his own original music and has written over 100 songs with many scheduled for release in 2025. Garrett has also played events with Warren Peay, Ronald Radford, Mark Herndon, and Dixiana and has opened for Mike Rogers, Cody Webb, Point of Grace, Marcus King, Mac Arnold, and Josh Turner in front of thousands of attendees. Garretts's original music has also been featured on multiple radio stations on 96.9 The Kat, iHeart Radio, Kicks 103.3, 93.9 Carolina Country, WFAY 100.1, WYAY 106.3, Z103.com, and Beach Waves Radio.Link to Garrett Huffman's website
Link to Garrett's Facebook page
Link to Garrett's Instagram page
Matt Burmeister
Meet Matt Burmeister, another member of the Willow Creek Guitars family. Songwriter/guitarist/singer, Matt was born in Danville, IL and now resides in Franklin, IN. A graduate of Musicians Institute, He has five #1 songs on Trop Rock radio with his band Tiki Tom Toms & The Pineapple Beach Party. His work has been heard by millions of people in his music for documentaries, indie films, tv and radio commercials, theme parks as well as live performing and writing/recording/releasing original material. ‘I Like Halloween’ song/video aired on regional PBS Stations.Matt selected the FX-PG91Y guitar for his main instrument. The FX-PG91Y is a hand made grand auditorium sized guitar with a solid "AA" book matched sitka spruce top and book matched Indian rosewood back and sides. The bevel armrest adds comfort while playing. It has a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The custom gold tuning machines have "Willow Creek" engraved in them. It has a bone nut and saddle and D'Addario coated strings. The fretboard is highly adorned with our custom morning glory inlay design. His guitar has our flagship FXA effects system with delay, chorus, reverb and Bluetooth. There is a built in condenser mic that can be blended with the under-saddle piezo for a warmer, more natural sound when amplified.
You can follow Matt here:
Tikitomtoms.com
Link to Matt's website
Music available on all major streaming platforms.
John Sullivan
Introducing another member of our family, John Sullivan, a singer/songwriter from Denver, North Carolina. John has been playing music his whole life and writing for the past 15 years or so. He started his journey on piano at the ripe age of 4 years old and steadily transitioned into guitar 18 years later. He has a steady, easy vibe comparable to Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, with a touch of Grateful Dead influence. John was Featured on season 19 of NBC's The Voice where he worked closely with coach Blake Shelton. He is a devout Christian with a loving family; his blessing of a wife, Staci, two young boys Hayes and Boone, and their white golden retriever Goose. John performs all around North Carolina from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks, and travels south a bit to play shows in South Carolina and Florida throughout the year as well. "The songwriting process unraveled for me as the guitar learning process progressed. The more I challenge myself, the more I learn, the more I become inspired to write/create. It has taught me to respect that process in many aspects of my life. I'm excited to continue my journey with my new friends/family at Willow Creek."John selected the FX-SG9CY, also known as the "Pirate Ship." The Pirate Ship custom shop hand made grand auditorium sized guitar with a solid "AAA" sitka spruce top and solid book matched cocobolo back and sides. The flamed maple bevel armrest adds design and comfort while playing. It has an ebony fretboard and bridge and florentine cut-a-way. The custom pearl and gold tuning machines, bone nut and saddle, 5 piece neck of mahogany, ebony and flamed maple make this a very unique guitar. The icing on the cake is the pirate ship design fretboard inlay. This guitar has our flagship FXA effects system with delay, chorus, reverb and Bluetooth. There is a built in condenser mic that can be blended with the under-saddle piezo for a warmer, more natural sound when amplified.
John and his music can be found here:
Links to John's website
Link to John's Facebook page
John's Spotify link
Ken Jehle
Ken is a life-long career musician and is currently the full time music director for Saint Joseph Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Music with a concentration in Classical Guitar and is equally skilled in rock and classical. Ken Jehle has recently recorded several solo guitar arrangements which can be heard on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. In college, he performed with the all original band ‘Angel X’ which opened up for many national acts including 38 Special, Quiet Riot, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat.Ken selected the FX-PGE4F, also known as the "Herringbone Pro". The Herringbone Pro grand auditorium guitar has a solid Englemann spruce top, mahogany back & sides, forward shifted “X” bracing for enhanced bass and projecioon, hand scalloped sitka braces, 5 piece neck Strength & Stability, rosewood fretboard & bridge for enhanced tone and feel, abalone cherry blossom inlay custom aesthetics, Volute on the back of the headstock, herringbone body binding, bone nut and saddle, custom die-cast tuners, and FXA digital effects system with delay, chorus, reverb and Bluetooth. There is a built in condenser mic that can be blended with the under-saddle piezo for a warmer, more natural sound when amplified.
Ken's Music can be found here.
Hoss Ridgeway
Hoss Ridgeway is a comedian, songwriter and singer from Franklin, IN. He has performed in 40 states and 2 countries using his musical comedy, storytelling and sound effects to entertain at comedy clubs, churches, cruises, corporate shows and TV. He is totally in love with Willow Creek Guitars!Hoss is using the Suncreek Mahogany guitar for his travel instrument. The 38" Mini Grand Auditorium has the FXB Digital Effects with reverb, delay and chorus. It has a solid mahogany top, mahogany Back & Sides, rosewood fretboard & bridge, wood, pearl & abalone Inlay and binding, custom die-cast tuning machines and a gloss natural finish. He also has also aadded the newest Jumbo Pro guitar to his collection.
Check out HOSS on iTunes and on the web at:
Hoss Ridgeway
The 25th Hour
We welcome The 25th Hour to the Willow Creek Guitars family. The 25th Hour hails from Knoxville, Tennessee. Joshua Lynn has been playing music independently for most of his life. He has developed his unique style of musical expression over the years. His music is characterized as bold and edgy, fun with relentless rhythms. The 25th Hour is currently performing the Knoxville and surrounding area. Be sure to catch Josh live for an unforgettable experience! https://www.facebook.com/The25thHourDuo/ @The25thHourDuoJosh have chosen the Koa Pro (FX-PGKKY) as his first instruments of choice, and has commissioned a new guitar with his band logo near the octave fret.
Link to The 25th Hour Facebook page.
Jack Gafford
We are happy to welcome Jack Gafford to the Willow Creek Guitars family.A passion for music has been one of the driving forces throughout my life, from playing country and bluegrass on a friend's back porch as a young teenager in my hometown of Auburndale, Florida, to chasing that "neon rainbow" in Nashville for a decade. Several major label deals were in the works, and although music was my life, it just wasn't my time. I was blessed to have many leadership opportunities while serving in the Air Force and the corporate world, including Lead Trainer for "Warrior PATHH," a program dedicated to helping post-traumatic veterans and first responders forge strength from struggle. In 2013, I reconnected with my faith through the help of a mentor. I finally came to the point where I gave it all up to God - my questions and frustrations, my dreams, and my future. During this time however, my love for music never flagged. In 2014, I returned to my roots, blending my faith and artistry to create what has been described as "cutting-edge Christian Country." Working with my longtime friend, Producer / Singer / Songwriter, Adam Wheeler, we recorded the album "Sinner to Sinner," and a second album in 2020, "Love is Louder." Now, as the founder of Sinner to Sinner Ministries, I'm living out my passion and faith by "connecting ordinary people to an extraordinary message through word and song."
Jack is playing the Ported Pro FX-PG94P and the Bolivian Pro FX-PG00.
Link to Jack Gafford's website.
Graylon Collins
Introducing Graylon Collins, an emerging guitarist from Hillsborough, NC. He began his musical journey at the age of ten. Deeply influenced by legends like Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel, Graylon has developed a versatile style, mastering genres from blues and rock to fingerstyle and bluegrass. His passion for music extends beyond playing; he is dedicated to building a vibrant community within the music world. Whether on stage or in an impromptu jam session, Graylon thrives on connecting with fellow musicians, sharing his faith, and spreading the joy of music.Graylon is playing a custom shop Parlor Pro FX-PP71.
Graylon's Instagram link
Graylon's YouTube link
Tom Frye
We are very excited to welcome Tom Frye to the Willow Creek Guitars family. Tom is a singer/songwriter and the patriarch of the Frye Family Band, started with Tom and his three children; daughters Kaylyn and Maggie and son Jonathon. Current members are Tom, Jonathon, Jonathon's wife Mane (MAH-neigh), and longtime drummer Eric Reynolds.The Frye Family Band has toured throughout much of the United States and over the years has shared the stage with Jimmy Fortune (formerly of the Statler Brothers), Dailey and Vincent, as well as CCM Artists, Stars Go Dim, Jordan Feliz, Mitch McVicker and others. The Fryes have also enjoyed two charting songs, "Song of Hope," reaching #4, and "Creations Song," which made it to #1 on the CRW Christian Country Charts in January of 2016. Additionally, the Fryes have appeared on multiple television shows, including an episode of "Beats," on the Shalom Television Network, and have had their music featured on Focus on the Family's Plugged in Podcast.
Besides being the primary songwriter for the Frye Family Band, Tom has also collaborated with many other writers, including legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. Phil recorded two songs he penned with Tom. Another of Tom's songs, "Big Ole Stone," (Victory), co-written with Daniel Doss, was recorded by Grammy Nominated and Dove Award Winning Gospel Group, the Triumphant Quartet. It is currently #4 (February 9, 2025) and climbing the Singing News Radio chart.
Tom is playing the Explorer Elite (FX-SG9C).
For more on the music and ministry of Tom and the Frye Family Band, visit
Link to Frye Family Band's website.
Deliberate Family Ministries website.
KaeLeigh Pirkle
KaeLeigh Pirkle has spent the last 18 years of her life experimenting with many different ways to break into the music scene.Growing up participating in band & choir in school, to playing on local radio stations in her husband’s family band, her story is nothing short of intriguing. Growing up in a small town in northern West Virginia, KaeLeigh had many opportunities to expand her musical knowledge. She was gifted her first guitar at 7 years old & took guitar lessons for 10 years before venturing into learning how to play many songs by ear. Moving to Tennessee and beginning to engage in the Knoxville music scene opened her eyes to a new world of entertaining in public that would help push her to the next level. She helped form the acoustic duo “The 25th Hour” in 2023. In October the band won 2nd place for “Best Band in Knoxville” at the KnoxStars competition. She stepped away from the duo in early 2024 and Shortly after met another local musician, Kaine Pirkle. KaeLeigh joined his family’s band, “The Pirkles”, and married Kaine in November of 2024. The couple also performs around the Knoxville area as a duo under the title, “KaeLeigh & Kaine”.KaeLeigh plays the Rosewood Pro (FX-PG91Y).
KaeLeigh's Facebook page
Kaeleigh & Kaine Duo Facebook page
The Pirkle's Family Facebook page
Caitlin Mae
Caitlin Mae, a British artist, now living in Nashville since obtaining her O-1 Visa, is a multiple award-winning singer/songwriter, who has entertained audiences globally throughout her career thus far. Be it arenas, festival stages, headline tours, or sharing the stage with country megastar, Carrie Underwood, Caitlin Mae continues to garner attention, as she builds a fan base, and a name for herself, within the country music industry. Travelling far and wide this past year, both within the United States, and Internationally, Caitlin Mae has judged numerous award shows, played shows filled to capacity, donated her time, performing, and giving inspirational speeches, to school children from Kindergarten, through to 8th Grade, been interviewed live on radio, and reached #1 upon the release of new music, leading to a number of successful tours.Proud to be a Professional Tier CMA Member, Caitlin Mae, during her short time as a US resident, has already appeared twice at CMA Fest, where she was able to meet and greet her fans, play a variety of shows throughout the Nashville area, and participate in interviews via a multitude of media outlets inside the Music City Convention Centre, and beyond. With a constantly expanding social media fan base of over 100k followers, as well as rapidly growing streaming platforms, Caitlin Mae is thrilled to watch her army of Dreamers (fans named after her first single release, "The Dream") grow in numbers. Her Patreon account too, already boasts over 50 members who offer support and encouragement as her career blossoms. Furthermore, spending many a night backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, with Opry members that she is now able to call friends, Caitlin Mae has her sights firmly set on making her debut on the iconic stage this year.
This brings us to present day, where Caitlin Mae just released two back-to-back singles, seeing success in the radio, and streaming world. Set to release her newest self-penned song, "House Sitting", on March 28th, and having just signed her first distribution deal, with confirmed plans to embark on a house concert tour in celebration of this new chapter, the future is looking extremely bright for Caitlin Mae.
Caitlin plays the Ziricote Pro (FX-PG9Z).
Caitlin Mae's Facebook page
Caitlin Mae's Instagram page
Caitlin Mae's Spotify page
Caitlin Mae's Patreon page
Caiylin Mae's TikTok page
Caitlin Mae's X/Twitter page
Caitlin Mae's Youtube page