Robert Shafer is one of West Virginia's great guitar players. I first saw him as a kid playing hot flattop guitar at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston. He's gone on from there to win the National Flatpicking Championship, but that's sure not what THIS album is about! Robert has many musical styles, and the one represented on "Hillbilly Fever" is what I have to call gonzo country. Blasting off with "Dixie Fried," and rocketing through tunes like "Beam Me Up, Scotty Moore," "Will Your Lawyer Talk to God" and "Cadillac Man," Robert showcases his fine guitar work alongside the excellent and appropriate vocals of Don Dixon.
Shafer CD cover
All photographs copyright Michael Keller
Shafer's speed and accuracy are enough to make him special

Shafer's guitars According to producer Michael Lipton, the idea was to make more than just a guitar album that only guitarists would want to listen to. It's a band album that features plenty of hot licks and amusing lyics. When it came time to produce the artwork, Lipton called me up and asked for a humorous photo of Robert that made him "bigger than life" and also featured his famous ring collection. Michael also needed a studio shot of some of Robert's axes. The work was then sent to Rocket Graphics for the final design and compositing.
As a result of the CD, Robert was profiled in the August 97 issue of Guitar Player magazine. For this Robert asked me to come up with a studio photo showing him with his Fenders (which is the kind of thing GP likes). This photo ran with the story on page 22.
Guitar Player spread

The West Virginian has forged his own over-the-top style

Another fun project, and a CD I recommend highly. Look for it at your favorite record store (why do they still call them record stores?). If they don't have it, tell 'em to order it from

Upstart Records #028 http://www.rounder.com/rounder/catalog/bylabel/upst/028/028.html

To book Robert Shafer call 1-304-342-4412.


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