Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke was born in Athens, Georgia, but left town after a year and a half. Raised in 12 different states, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning Stravinsky for the guitar at age 11.
After adding a love for the country-blues of Mississippi John Hurt to the music of John Phillip Sousa and Preston Epps, he issued his 1968 recording debut LP Twelve String Blues, for the Oblivion label.
Leo Kottke released his major-label debut, 'Mudlark', in 1971. Kottke flourished during his tenure on Capitol Records, as records like 'Greenhouse' (1972) and 'My Feet Are Smiling' (1973) found him branching out with guest musicians and honing his guitar technique.
His recent collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, 'Clone', caught audiences’ attention in 2002. Kottke and Gordon followed with a recording in the Bahamas called 'Sixty Six Steps', produced by Leo’s old friend and Prince producer David Z.