Originally posted by jamesp Micheal Hedges w/o question.
But if I had to pick a living guitarist it'd be Pierre Bensusan.
Not sayin' they're "the Best", just my personal favs.
+1 to both Bensusan and Hedges.
There's a fingerstyle guitarist named Pat Kirtley, saw him at a Taylor clinic a few years ago, plays bluegrass and Celtic music. He was absolutely amazing.
There's a dvd called Blarney Pilgrim: Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar 2 and he's on it, worth a rent (can find it on Netflix).
Bensusan is on the dvd too
Paul Simon is also one of my favorites.
Tim Reynolds/Matthews
Willie Nelson
Keb Mo
to name a few more