David berchtold
David Berchtold is an acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and singer based in Central Illinois, with more than 40 years on the instrument. He works in the space between blues, folk, roots and ragtime, with a particular focus on Piedmont blues–style fingerpicking—playing bass, rhythm and melody at the same time on a single guitar.
Born and raised in Central Illinois, Berchtold built his reputation as a solo performer and as part of projects like Berchtold & Stear and The Tucked in T’s, appearing at events and festivals including Spring Bloom Arts Festival, Sugar Creek Arts Festival, and Kewanee Hog Days, along with clubs, wineries and listening rooms across the region. His live sets mix original material with songs from the fingerstyle canon—artists such as Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Rev. Gary Davis, Leo Kottke and John Fahey.
On record, his work includes albums like Things I’ve Seen, Live on GLT and Ghosts of Music Past (with Brian Stear), showcasing detailed guitar work and songwriter-driven arrangements. He continues to gig regularly around Central Illinois, presenting “country blues and originals” in a stripped-down, guitar-and-voice format that keeps the focus on the playing and the songs.