Folk music is a genre that is knit into the fabric of American culture. Steeped in tradition, this musical style laid the foundation for rock and roll, jazz, and rhythm and blues. The following artists have had a profound impact on folk music, and represent the top five guitarists of folk music.

5. Joan Baez – As early as age 8, the New York born Joan Baez was inspired to play folk music. It was her attendance at a Pete Seeger concert that sparked her interest in it. An accomplished singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Baez has had a storied career that began at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959. In the 1960s, she released several albums and also introduced her fans to Bob Dylan, who was not yet well-known. She has been an active folk artist for over 50 years, and her music is a vehicle for her beliefs on social and political issues. Her first guitar was a Gibson acoustic. To hear a sample of her work, listen to