8-Year-Old Guitar Prodigy

Tallan Latz was born on September 22, 1999 to Carl and Doris Latz of Elkhorn, Wisconsin in the United States. He received his first musical instrument, a drum kit, at the age of three and began playing acoustic guitar at age four. By the time he was five, a video of Joe Satriani had a major impact on the boy and he declared "That's what I want to do." At the age of eight, he has played on-stage with performers the likes of Jackson Browne and Les Paul. He appeared on the Rachel Ray show on January 21, 2009.


Latz's musical influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, BB King, Buddy Guy, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Steve Miller, Eric Johnson, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, Derek Trucks, Rush, Keith Urban, Craig Young, Collective Soul, Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven.


According to wikipedia, in 2008, Latz's father, Carl received a letter from the state of Wisconsin informing him that Tallan may not play club venues anymore, as a result of an anonymous e-mail sent to state officials complaining that he was too young to be performing in taverns and nightclubs. His booking agent also received an anonymous letter threatening her with death should she continue booking the 8-year old guitarist.


On July 14, 2009, Latz appeared as a contestant on America's Got Talent. He received a standing ovation from the audience, and all three judges approved of sending him to the next round. On the July 29, 2009 episode, he was eliminated at the Las Vegas airport at the start of the episode.