Skylar Saufley

Skylar Saufley is already an inductee into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame! Skyler went from drums to guitar (his brother's) and then to paid gigs at the ripe old age of 16. Getting compared to Eric Clapton is a big deal for any blues guitarist, and Skylar Saufley frequently draws the comparison from those who are captivated by his playing. Born in Virginia, Skylar moved to Columbus in the 3rd grade, when his father was stationed at Fort Benning. He’s been here ever since and considers himself a Columbus native, but when people hear him play, they often ask, “where did he come from?” Some also ask, “and who is this tall, lanky white kids playing BB King?” Over the past few years, Skylar has built a stellar reputation and earned the respect of every musician he meets. He started playing the blues when he was 13, which gives him ten years of experience. Skylar is also the most joyful blues artist I have ever met, and when I asked him how he could feel lyrics like “The Thrill Is Gone” given his age, he said, “I don’t think about anything when I’m playing. I just go somewhere else.” His reputation in the music community is as a humble and gracious player. He’s also know to be hungry to perform as often as possible. When he was too young to play bars, he set up in coffee shops and restaurants, and even managed to find a few open mics where the organizers would turn a blind eye to the age laws, just so they could hear “the kid” play.