EPK | Shaun Hopper

Shaun Hopper is a Clearwater based fingerstyle guitarist who turns one acoustic guitar into a full band sound. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay (Ray Roa, 2024) called seeing him “believing.” He opens and special-guests on major Tampa Bay stages, including BayCare Sound / Ruth Eckerd Hall with Deep Purple and Kansas (2026) and Dave Koz Summer Horns (2023). He has a long run of resort and lounge work at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa (Council Oak and Lobby Bar) and at the Don CeSar Lobby Bar. Theater credits include the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre and national arts center dates. Martin Guitars named him a String Ambassador; he has performed at NAMM, including for Stevie Wonder in 2012. Available for lobby, apres, wedding cocktail, private events, and theater.

SELECTED CREDITS

HEADLINERS AND AMPHITHEATER

Special guest with Deep Purple and Kansas — BayCare Sound (Ruth Eckerd Hall presents), Clearwater, Aug 8, 2026

Opener — Dave Koz Summer Horns — The Sound / BayCare Sound, Clearwater, 2023

Opener — B.B. King — Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, NYE Dec 31, 2013 and Jan 2, 2014

Shared stages with Bret Michaels (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, 2024)

RESORT AND LOBBY

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa — Council Oak Lounge and Lobby Bar (multi-year entertainment listings)

Don CeSar Lobby Bar — live set (video, June 22, 2025)

THEATER AND ARTS CENTERS

Ruth Eckerd Hall / BayCare Sound (Clearwater) — special guest and opener dates (Deep Purple and Kansas 2026; Dave Koz Summer Horns 2023)

Bilheimer Capitol Theatre (Clearwater) — returns and shared bills

The Grand (Wausau, WI)

High Point Theatre (High Point, NC)

ECC Arts Center (Elgin, IL)

Reif Center On the Road (Grand Rapids, MN)

Howard Auditorium, ABAC (Tifton, GA)

Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts (Valdosta, GA)

LOCAL STAGES (SELECTED)

Irish 31 (with Chris Barbosa)

St. Pete Grand Prix (with Chris Barbosa)

PRESS

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay — Ray Roa, July 2024: In Tampa Bay’s instrumental music scene, seeing Shaun Hopper is believing.

https://www.cltampa.com/music-2/in-tampa-bays-instrumental-music-scene-seeing-shaun-hopper-is-believing-18260001/

Rock At Night — live review, Deep Purple / Kansas / Hopper at BayCare Sound, Aug 2026

https://www.rockatnight.com/2026/08/splat-goes-the-sound-deep-purple-and-kansas-prove-classic-rock-is-alive-and-well/

Tampa Bay Music News — Deep Purple / Kansas opener coverage, Aug 2026

https://www.tampabaymusicnews.com/deep-purple-and-kansas-were-smokin-on-the-clearwater-waterfront/

Tampa Bay Music News — Dave Koz Summer Horns opener, 2023

https://www.tampabaymusicnews.com/dave-koz/

M Music & Musicians — New Martin String Ambassador: Shaun Hopper (2012)

https://mmusicmag.com/m/2012/01/new-martin-string-ambassador-shaun-hopper/

PARTNERS

Martin Guitars — String Ambassador

Beneteau Guitars — artist

Maton Guitars — sponsor

Elixir Strings — sponsor

Gator Cases — sponsor

BOOKING

For lobby, cocktail, private events, theater, and resort entertainment:

Email: shaunhopper@shaunhoppermusic.com

Site: https://shaunhoppermusic.com

Also: https://shaunhopper.music

Gig for Gold — working with Shaun Hopper.

Press photos

Shaun Hopper live at The BayCare Sound, Clearwater FL, Aug 8 2026. Photo: Chyrisse Tabone (@chyrissephotography), Rock At Night.

High resolution photos available for download. These photos are available for use in press and promotional materials, as long as the photographer is credited: Photo: Chyrisse Tabone (@chyrissephotography).

Video

PRESS

What writers and editors have said about Shaun Hopper.

“With a video feed from inside his hollow guitar ("looking outward"), along with a fretboard mounted camera, the audience could fully appreciate his talent and musical style. He brought music to a different level we don't usually see and hear.”
Rock At Night, August 9, 2026, live review by Eddie Hamp. Read the full review

“Shaun Hopper is the kind of artist you have to see with your own two eyes before you can believe he’s real.”
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Ray Roa, July 23, 2024. Read the article

“Starting the evening was South Georgia fingerstyle guitar wizard Shaun Hopper, who is well known and beloved by local Tampa Bay audiences for his unique approach to the instrument, which combines bass lines, rhythm, percussive beats on the guitar, and looping melodies…”
Tampa Bay Music News, August 12, 2026. Read the article

“Shaun Hopper brought the audience a unique concert experience with a custom video setup, wowing the audience with a glimpse of the complexity of his fingerstyle and amazing talents on guitar and percussion sounds.”
Rock At Night, August 9, 2026. Read the article

“Shaun’s entire band is in his hands as he plays multiple instruments with one guitar.”
Tampa Bay Music News, July 18, 2023. Read the article

“The Shaun Hopper Trio is one of my favorite Tampa Bay groups. Shaun Hopper’s fingerstyle acoustic guitar performances will dazzle you both on his original and cover songs (Chet Atkins, Andres Segovia, The Beatles, Queen).”
Paradise News Magazine, Nanette Wiser, August 10, 2021. Read the article

“His percussive elements combined with his finesse on the strings forces the audience to become absorbed in his art.”
Music Matters Magazine, Amanda Knight, March 8, 2016. Read the article

“blisteringly fast”
Registry Tampa Bay, November 27, 2019. Read the article

Best of the Bay 2013: Best Instrumentalist, Shaun Hopper.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, September 18, 2013. See the award

“Bay area transplant Hopper is a master of fingerstyle acoustic guitar.”
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, October 3, 2013. Read the article

“fingerstyle guitar fiend Shaun Hopper”
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, June 1, 2010. Read the article

“Martin Guitar artist Shaun Hopper will mesmerize guests with his extraordinary percussive, fingerstyle acoustic guitar technique.”
Daily Herald, February 23, 2015. Read the article

“Shaun Hopper can literally pluck out a symphony with just one guitar and his two hands.”
YES Weekly, March 6, 2018. Read the article

“Now Hopper is an unparalleled master of the fingerstyle guitar.”
Tifton Gazette, September 30, 2016. Read the article

“Shaun Hopper has one mantra for his musical success: Desire trumps talent.”
Valdosta Daily Times, Dean Poling, May 22, 2015. Read the article

“Hopper ready for latest Valdosta concert”
Valdosta Daily Times, Dean Poling, May 15, 2019. Read the article

“Back by popular demand, audience favorite Fingerstyle Guitarist Shaun Hopper”
The Tryon Daily Bulletin, May 13, 2015. Read the article

“Shaun Hopper is one of the most exciting new voices in the field of modern fingerstyle guitar.”
Veillette Guitars, Spring 2015 Newsletter. Read the article

“Acoustic ‘fingerstyle’ guitar player/wizard Shaun Hopper is at first glance an unassuming presence, a true southern gentleman whose humility stands in sharp contrast to the prodigious talents he unveils on stage.”
Beneteau Guitars, Artists. Read the page

“Virtuosic acoustic guitarist Shaun Hopper brings his incredible talent to Live Music Showcase.”
WMNF 88.5 FM, June 2, 2023. Read the article

“So, ‘Come Together’ and enjoy a master guitarist plying his craft.”
D. Michael Olive, January 21, 2012. Read the article