At the age of six, Klugh commenced training on the piano until he switched to the guitar at the age of ten. At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by
Chet Atkins's guitar work on an episode of the
Perry Como Show. Klugh was a performing guest on several of Atkins' albums. Atkins, reciprocating as well, later joined Klugh on his
Magic In Your Eyes album. Klugh also appeared with Atkins on several television programs, including
Hee Haw and a 1994 TV special titled "Read my Licks". Klugh was also influenced by
Bob James,
Ray Parker Jr,
Wes Montgomery and
Laurindo Almeida. His sound is a blend of these jazz, pop and
rhythm and blues influences, forming a potpourri of sweet
contemporary music original to only him. He played on
George Benson's
White Rabbit album and two years later, in 1973, joined his touring band. For their album
One on One, Klugh and
Bob James received a
Grammy for
Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981. He has since received 12 Grammy nominations, millions of record and CD sales, and continues touring worldwide to this day. Klugh also was awarded the “1977 Best Recording Award For Performance and Sound” for his album
Finger Paintings by
Swing Journal, a Japanese jazz magazine. Klugh has recorded over 30 albums including 23 Top Ten charting records—five of them No. 1—on Billboard's Jazz Album chart. With 2008's
The Spice of Life, Klugh earned his 12th career Grammy nomination—his second nomination and release on the independent Koch label. Each spring, Klugh hosts an event called Weekend of Jazz, featuring jazz musicians at the
Broadmoor Hotel & Resort in
Colorado Springs. Jazz greats including
Ramsey Lewis,
Patti Austin,
Chuck Mangione,
Bob James,
Joe Sample,
Chris Botti,
Roberta Flack, and
Arturo Sandoval have all performed at the annual event. In November 2010, Klugh brought the 'Weekend of Jazz' to Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. ==Discography==