Rick Faris is both a talented award-winning musician and a skilled luthier. He and his company,
Faris Guitar, will serve as the primary tenants of Kentucky Guitar Works @ the Center for
Lutherie.
Born into a musical legacy and learning from his touring-musician dad, he grew up immersed in
Bluegrass and fiddle tunes. He co-founded the award-winning Faris Family Bluegrass Band,
touring for 12 years. Joining the Bluegrass band Special Consensus, he transitioned to mandolin
and thrived, winning awards and respect. Singing with Dark Shadow Recording as a solo artist
for three albums, he crafted his unique Bluegrass sound with hits like "Breaking in Lonesome"
hitting #1. His album The Next Mountain also climbed the charts, earning him "New Artist of
the Year" at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards (IBMA) in 2022. His most
recent Dark Shadow Recording album, Uncommon Sky, features a cover of Huey Lewis and the
News and their song “Power of Love” from the movie Back to the Future that has been
nominated for the "2023 Song of the Year" by IBMA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_SyKaJL_ow
Rick Faris has been building handmade guitars since 2001. He has developed his own sound
influenced by the 30's Pre-War traditions. Rick is a very rare builder in that he can play at a
professional level, giving him the pro's perspective. He understands how a superior guitar is
supposed to feel and sound. He came to guitar building as a picker who was searching for a new
level of instrument rather than from a woodworker’s background.
