by Kelly Pearson

Sure, his original, finger-style, acoustic guitar compositions are pleasing enough to even the most casual listener’s ears. But how would two Bethany High School students respond when bribed into attending a Trace Bundy Concert? Both agreed enthusiastically, “Trace Bundy must not only be heard, but seen.”

When seeing the fan-dubbed ”acoustic ninja” play live, it is as though the synapses connecting the eyes and ears and brain stop in mid-fire because they cannot register how one man can do that with just two hands and ten fingers—harmonics, right-hand tapping, slapping, percussive, looping, multiple capos and lightning fast picking.

It happened to the three of us. I confess. I bribed my son Alex & Analicia Pederson to attend a Trace Bundy concert last summer. We turned from skeptical listeners into dedicated fans. Partially because of Bundy’s uncanny talent and partially because of his ability to connect with the audience via witty banter and amusing anecdotes.

Trace Bundy has shared the stage with many phenomenal artists-- including the likes of Shane & Shane (Shane Barnard & Shane Everett), Derek Webb (Caedmon's Call), three-time Grammy winner Carlos "Tapado" Vargas, Robbie Seay Band, Waterdeep, Peter Mayer, The Samples, and Enter the Worship Circle to name a few.

Combining their love for missions and music, the Bethany Presbyterian Youth Group will present Trace Bundy in Concert at Bethany on Friday, March 30 at 7:00 pm. All funds raised at this performance will benefit the BPYG summer mission trip to the Harambee Center in Pasadena, CA from July 6-16. This inner-city ministry was founded by John Perkins. The Bethany youth will be leading Vacation Bible study for neighborhood youth. Suggested ticket donation of $10.00 will be collected at the door of the performance and an offering will be taken.

Don’t take our word for it, go to www.TraceBundy.com and watch the videos. After all, Trace Bundy must not only be heard, but seen.