Acoustic Guitarist of the Year 2018 finalist - Casper Esmann 

That guitar tone brighter than my future.

Thanks for watching guys! The tune is called "D-Day" and can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play etc.

his face during this is so pure. he doesn't give a rats ass if he wins, he just wants to play this dope ass song.

Oh man I don’t know what is more fascinating the sound of the guitar or the passion on that dudes face

I don't think the day will ever come when we won't be surprised by someone new holding a guitar

Anyway, here's wonderwall

I don't fully understand how people compete at guitar but this sounds great

I caught my guitar watching this.. it stares at me back

My guitar doesn't do that.

I imagine him going back in time in a cowboy saloon, I would love to see their reactions ! It's awesome

This was even better live, you really should have won. Watching you play was the best part of the day for me, and I still listen to this regularly. It’s written so well and I can’t stop playing D-day scenes in my head. Keep it up!!

Man this is a crispy tune. Like a funky wood elf hitting the club after foraging for gems all day.

So glad they picked an acoustic player that doesn’t treat the guitar like a punching bag and actually plays quality notes! Edit: apparently this guy isn’t the winner, just a finalist, but at least he plays quality notes!

I went, and this, In my opinion was the best performance of the day. Absolutely stunning Casper

At 1:11 I was expecting “Eye of the Tiger” to be played

The dynamics are off the charts with this one, so many layers of melodies and beats. Using this instrument to make great music

Casper, you have an amazing gift of feel; many can learn to play well but few actually have it come from the Soul through the fingers.

it's not how many notes you play It's the heart and soul in the feeling that the music communicates through Transcendence!

When he cuts the reverb that hits HARD 🔥

Man this brought me to tears, I love all aspects of music. There was so much raw emotion and skill in this song. I like to think the music without lyrics(the music I love most) tells some of the biggest heartaches, triumphs, downfalls and everything that’s ever happened in the lives of who’s playing them. Bravo!!!!!

Absolutely unbelievable. So much going on but so tasteful. I could listen all day. Love the percussive side as well the killer technique!

One of the only things I've watched again immediately. This guy wrote such a good song and performed it just as well... What really made it special is his passion while playing

This jam just kept getting better and better the whole way through. Sick AF

Omg! Goosebumps and vibes in my soul and bones..amazing and gifted🔥

I found this to be unbelievably beautiful. Keep it up man, great melody.

This composition is brilliant, no point in playing a million notes if they don't sound well put together. I can literally feel the adrenaline when he strums the outro part.

This should be on the next Halo game soundtrack

Pure-unfettered-beauty. Amazing job Casper!

I would buy beers for hours to listen to this guy live. Talent is talent, being present and now is everything. Sure, there are better and worse, but this is here and now. Well done and tx.

aaah such lovely artistry..thats what lifes all about. Good work young man..you have another fan.

That was beautiful to watch. I'm a newbie; just started a couple of weeks ago. You're a true inspiration because you don't sound like an amateur guitarist!

WoW ! The best six minutes of my day. Thanks Casper. :)

Damn dude made me play this 3 times in a row. Took me to other places each time too. Ain't nobody got time for your magic fingers. Bravo Casper. Much props to your skill.

i thought Gabe Lewis only created soundscapes on his keyboard

This music makes me listen feel emotions and see pictures visualised by sound. Few musicians makes me stop what i am doing and just feel joy by the music. Now beat that.

What a fantastic performance and well written song! Some songs don’t need a vocal to totally captivate.

Just amazing! Such a great guitarist and such a beautiful song. I could listen to this all day long!

Needs more 0-3-5

This was fantastic. I had this stuck in my head at work all day lol

Beautiful. Im in tears. Very rare raw talent, refined to a razor sharp edge.

Wow he acually played what sounded like melody and no ripping. Wow. This is music

I’m liking this comp more and more

Great tune Casper! Gonna keeps eyes and ears open for your music!

beauty is not always in the eye of the beholder but in the ear of the listener this comes over with passion and presence it certainly held me in awe and appreciation thanks for the memory

My God! I will never play like that, no matter how much practice. Makes you proud that you're in the same species as this extraordinary young man. Well done sir. I bow to your awesome commitment and talent.

Feelin' calmer with the help of Casper Yess-Mannn 🤘🏽

Love the song and your style! Lots of great guitarists, and you’re one of them!

Excellent chops, great feel and nice nice voicings. Loved it, hope you won!

I wonder who the 320 smart ass people were who gave this a thumbs down. the man is obviously talented, so if it ain't your cup of tea just move on and keep your thumbs to yourself.

*This guy at a party* Random chick: "Hey so I heard you can play guitar, can you play Wonderwall??" This guy: "Yeah, something like that..."

I was expecting something great, but that blew my mind. Awesome.

From these comments it's so reassuring to know that we have so many wonderful guitarists out there. Hope we get to see their efforts on here too. 😉

Love​ this!

Have this on repeat whilst I work, lost count about 10 plays ago. Stunning.

Very cool song. Chill, subtle, exciting and brilliant all at the same time.

Absolutely brilliant!

Sounded good to me. I saw Tommy Emmanuel at the Balboa theatre 🎭 and it was one of the best shows for me ever. He is probably 10 years older than me and has been a musician since 5 yrs old. Dynamics in the song and the emotion he brings out of the guitar are so enjoyable. Casper does a good job 👏All the negative comments, are worthless, and contribute nothing. Add to the world. Don’t say anything if you don’t like, contribute, peace to all.

Great hands. A fine composition with excellent chordal movement

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing!

beautiful composition Casper, loved it.

What a talent this boy is. What a technique! Earned won!

I've watched several of these videos, and this guy is easily the best guitar player.

You shud have won that competition. Ure far better than the rest in my opinion. I love listening to you man.

Great tune man, I was bummed when it ended could listen to him play all day long :)

Amateur? Not for long man...that strum-pick-rhythm thing is really difficult to do and sounds soooo cool...you inspire me to keep trying...thanks.

started off slow but im so glad i stayed, i got 0 patience w youtube vids but this was well worth the build, well done

Thanx for playing it!

Incredible!!! And the fact it's on Tac makes it sound so much better!!!

It sounds like an electric guitar to me. Mic on stand is what I like. Excellent playing!

Can he play wonderwall tho ?

Yo this is niiiiiice. I love the variety of all the finalists. I wish I can be half as good as these musicians.

Rich and full playing...outstanding!

Slayed it! I could use a progression like that in one of my songs. Nice work

That was a great performance

I love raw uncut and.unplugged music.. Nothing but real talent.Its unbelievable!!!. I love guitar but im not that guitar nut that lives just for that solo in the middle . Im big time vocal guy. A man his guitar siting on a stool pouring out there souls .there emotion for everyone to feel and try to understand. Why so few people are giving that kind of gift the world wishes thay could play like that a beautiful outle to have. Just blow away. It's rare for me to just wach a guitarist for a entire song without any vocals.But this guy is flawless . never have I've been hypnotized mesmerized. He absolutely touch my soul I've watched the video over and over again ..He's not just playing.. it's like he is making love to that five string. And we get to wach.... Loving this dude

A pleasure to hear!

Sounds fantastic man👍 you have nice style. Qweston is the capo mounted half ways on EAD string. ?????

so many guitar talents outthere

Beautiful!!! Absolutely great!

Thank you Needed This today!

One of the most emotional intros I've ever heard!

At the beginning I was like “what’s the big deal” and then I was like “o”

From one acoustic player to another that was awesome bud very nice feel

Absolutley gorgeous, beautiful, perfect and emotional!

Lovely sounding acoustic guitar, not trying to be an electric one. Wonderful playing. Thanks for posting.

*0/10 - not enough smoke on the water*

One of my favorite songs. Brilliant brother....pure brilliance

That awesome sound of country rock flows through his veins..

He missed the 3rd note. Im out.

That had sooooo much “Shine on you crazy diamond” influence in the intro

absolutely amazing

yes a fine and concerted effort ,just happy to explore all the talent around.

Oh, look! Zach Woods from 'The office' xD Hello, Gabe!

The amount of emotion in this - speechless

Absolutely beautiful piece of music and played fantastically, but I don’t like to think of music as a competition. You’re feeling your music and at the end of the day that’s what real musicians and artist strive for, not someone else’s approval

I've never heard of Casper but I'm such a fan of your playing now. I'll be showing support by purchasing your music sir. You have great touch on those strings. Makes me want to become a better guitarist myself.

well, as the bestest geetarist of all dimensions and universes and castle greyscull, i say hes not bad

I like it.....

Love the feel , very expressive... Love the melody

Amazing mate love it you took my soul into heaven ty