The California Guitar Trio has won a huge following and wide notoriety with its whirlwind of instrumental styles fusing classical, rock, blues, jazz, world music, and progressive—not to mention that most indispensable of genres, California surf music. From intricate originals to Bach's "Toccata and Fugue" to an unusual version of "Ghost Riders," stunning virtuosity and a sly sense of humor are the trademarks of this threesome, who have been featured on numerous television programs, including the coverage of the 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004 Olympics.

Paul Richards of Utah, Bert Lams of Belgium, and Hideyo Moriya of Tokyo founded the CGT in 1991, honing their intricate original compositions, surf covers, and classical re-workings with nearly constant touring and 11 CDs. The most recent of these, Highlights, is an anthology that showcases the CGT's 17-year journey of creative exploration and collaboration.