On Friday at 8 p.m., Tim Sparks and his guitar will light up the stage at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. 

Sparks is the National Fingerpicking Champion from 1993, after having trained in classical guitar at North Carolina School of the Arts. Since then, he has traveled throughout the world, bringing his music to numerous countries. 

University of Iowa graduate Chase Garrett will host the concert. Garrett is the founder and host of Iowa City’s annual Blues and Boogie Woogie Piano Stomp, which held its fifth show at the Englert in November 2014. Garrett met Sparks in 2013 in Washington at a blues festival, and Garrett said they have been friends ever since. 

“I know Tim as just a phenomenal guitar player and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet,” he said. 

Sparks is a solo guitarist, which means he will have no backup band behind him at the concert. He tries to focus on getting back to the basics of music. 

Garrett said Sparks is one of the best guitarists in the world. 

“You have to hear him to believe him,” Garret said. “If you’re looking for some good music, then this is defiantly the place to be.” 

— by Devyn Young

MUSIC