A Modern Blues Craftsman with Deep Roots and One‑Man‑Band Firepower
Pete Henry (Peter Henry Fisk) has become one of the most distinctive voices in the Upper Midwest roots and blues scene. A multi‑instrumentalist, songwriter, and one‑man‑band performer, Pete blends early Americana, contemporary folk‑blues, and inventive solo arrangements into a sound that feels both timeless and freshly personal. Whether he’s driving a groove with guitar, banjo, or mandolin, or delivering a stripped‑down blues ballad, Pete’s performances carry the unmistakable stamp of a musician who has lived inside his craft since childhood.
Early Musical Foundations & Formal Training
Born in 1985, Pete began playing guitar at age nine and quickly developed into a standout young musician. His teenage years were marked by competition wins and recognition for his technical skill — including 1st prize at the Stairway to Stardom concert (2002) and the Louis Armstrong Award along with Most Outstanding Jazz Soloist as part of the Escalon High School Jazz Ensemble. His formal studies took him to the University of California, Irvine, where he earned his MFA under renowned guitar virtuoso John Schneiderman. Pete performed with multiple ensembles — UCI, OCC, IVC Guitar Ensembles, and the Cal State Fullerton Orchestra — while continuing to immerse himself in blues, jazz, and folk jams across California.
A Performer with Range, Reach, and Relentless Drive
Since graduation, Pete has built a career defined by versatility and momentum. He has toured internationally, collaborated widely, and taken the stage at major events including SXSW 2021 at Native Hostel before Dave Chappelle. His opening‑act résumé spans genres and audiences — from Shine Delphi to Cowboy Diplomacy, and high‑profile shows at The Crystal Grand Music Theater for Scott Stapp, Gary Allen, and Diamond Rio. Now based in Southern Wisconsin, Pete performs throughout the Upper Midwest, including with his duo Long Gone Henry, bringing his one‑man‑band arrangements and Americana‑infused blues to venues large and small.
A Creative Force Beyond the Stage
Pete’s artistry extends into composition and sound design for film, as well as band‑building — forming HIYA (2013), Ellenwood Kitchen Club (2015), and The Burps (2019). He has also taught guitar and music for the South Orange County Community College District. His recorded catalog includes three full‑length original albums, showcasing his ability to move fluidly between early American traditions and modern songwriting. His recent focus on transcriptions — from early Americana to contemporary works — highlights his dedication to preserving and reinterpreting musical lineage.
Why Pete Henry Matters
Pete embodies the spirit of the Madison Blues Society: a musician who honors tradition while pushing it forward. His blend of technical mastery, creative independence, and deep respect for roots music makes him a standout contributor to the Wisconsin blues community. Whether performing solo, collaborating, or reinventing classics through his one‑man‑band approach, Pete brings authenticity, craft, and heart to every stage he steps onto.
Listen & Learn More
Explore Pete’s music, videos, and tour schedule: Website: petehenrymusic.com Bandcamp: A Moment in Time; Pete Henry YouTube Music & Apple Music: Official albums, singles, and live performances Tour Dates: Bandsintown (2026–2027)
Artist Website Biography
Peter Henry Fisk, b. 1985, is an American singer and instrumentalist. A guitarist since age nine, studying with Craig Sorrenti, Pete played professionally around the Stockton and Modesto areas of California. At age sixteen, he was recognized for his skills on the guitar, competing in different styles, and winning 1st prize at the Stairway to Stardom concert in 2002 with the rock group, Concrete Rose. In 2004, he received the Louis Armstrong Award and Most Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award as a member of the Escalon High School Jazz Ensemble.
Pete went on to study early music with guitar virtuoso, John Schneiderman, at the University of California, Irvine, where he earned his MFA. He was involved in a number of musical ensembles, including the UCI, OCC, & IVC Guitar Ensembles, and the Cal State Fullerton Orchestra. Meanwhile, he maintained a love and commitment to other traditions by attending blues, jazz, and folk jams around the state.
Since graduation, Pete has stayed busy as a professional musician, settling in as a singer with an extensive international tour schedule – opening act for Shine Delphi of Pennsylvania – Cowboy Diplomacy of Austin, TX – notable performances during the SXSW 2021 Festival at Native Hostel before Dave Chappelle – and opening act at The Crystal Grand Music Theater in Wisconsin Dells for Scott Stapp, the voice of Creed, in 2022, Gary Allen, and Diamond Rio in 2023. Pete enjoys collaborating with other musicians often while sharing his one-man band arrangements of classics and original music. Since 2024, Pete performs around the Upper Midwest with the duo, Long Gone Henry.
Other accomplishments include compositions and sound design for screen, forming the band HIYA in 2013, the Ellenwood Kitchen Club in 2015, The Burps in 2019, and teaching guitar and music for the South Orange County Community College District. Most recently, he resides in Southern Wisconsin, has completed three original, full-length albums, and has focused on guitar, mandolin, and banjo transcriptions of early Americana to the latest contemporary songs.