10 Innovative and Noteworthy Acoustic Guitarists

It's difficult to make an objective list of the top 10 acoustic guitar players of all time, as there are so many great players with their unique styles and contributions to the instrument. However, based on their influence, technical skill, and innovation, here are ten acoustic guitar players who are often regarded as some of the best of all time:

1. Tommy Emmanuel - known for his fingerpicking technique and versatility in playing different genres
2. Andres Segovia - a classical guitar pioneer who helped elevate the guitar to a concert instrument
3. Doc Watson - a bluegrass legend who blended traditional and contemporary styles with his flatpicking technique
4. Chet Atkins - a country guitar innovator who incorporated jazz and pop elements into his playing
5. Michael Hedges - a unique fingerstyle guitarist who explored unconventional techniques and tunings
6. Django Reinhardt - a gypsy jazz guitarist who developed a distinctive style characterized by his virtuosic playing and improvisation
7. Leo Kottke - known for his intricate fingerpicking and slide guitar playing
8. Tony Rice - a bluegrass guitar legend who blended jazz, blues, and rock elements into his playing
9. John Fahey - a fingerstyle guitarist who blended American folk, blues, and classical elements in his playing
10. James Taylor - a singer-songwriter known for his fingerpicking style and melodic songwriting.

This list is by no means exhaustive and there are many other great acoustic guitar players who could be included.