Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke was born in Athens, Georgia, but shortly thereafter his family began a nomadic life that impacted his early years. Raised in 12 different states, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning his young dreams of becoming the next Stravinsky for the allure of the acoustic guitar. Subsequently, he began to love the country-blues of Mississippi John Hurt in addition to his affection for the music of John Phillip Sousa and Preston Epps.