My parents and I have been missionaries to Central America since 1992 and full time in Costa Rica since December, 1998. When we arrived I couldn't communicate in Spanish. And as a consequence I didn't have many friends, so I was pretty bored. So, in January of 1999 I decided that if I spent 15 minutes a day trying to learn chords out of a chord book it would be 15 minutes of less boredom. After about a month and a half I started to really enjoy it and I was practicing a lot more than just 15 minutes a day. So, I asked my dad if we could get a guitar teacher, but getting a teacher was out of our budget. So, I went to my room and prayed in the name of Jesus and asked God to teach me how to play the guitar. And so, I’ve never taken a formal guitar lesson in my life except through the Holy Spirit in my room! Early on God prepared a "Guitar University" for me which influenced and molded my techniques. I heard a master fingerstyle guitarist, Doyle Dykes. So, I started to study his techniques by listening to his music and watching every video I could get my hands on! God used Doyle’s playing to affect my playing style from early on and God has continued to use Doyle’s playing to inspire me in developing it further! I thank God for his sending people like Doyle Dykes into my life, Doyle has been not only my hero but my friend as well!

 After I had been playing the guitar for about 2 and a half or 3 years God also used another great guitarist to influence my playing. The fantastic flamenco guitarist, Paco de Lucia! The first time I heard Paco's playing I was blown away. And again I prayed and asked God to teach me that new style. By the leading of the Holy Spirit I've progressively picked up various flamenco techniques. The Lord has also used a number of other guitarists that have influenced my playing techniques in other areas as well.

 In April of 2004 I produced my first CD. Everyone kept encouraging me along the way and I had a great time putting it together. I titled it, “FOR THE RECORD “, because I wanted to put a variety of the different styles that I was playing at that time into one CD. It has been greatly received by everyone and the requests to produce another CD has been overwhelming...So, my new CD, "HAPPY FINGERS", which I produced in November, 2007. Is both long overdue and exciting for me as it represents the strides in my techniques and my abilities that have grown since my first CD!

 In 2005 I was a special guest at the 12th International Guitar Festival at the National Theater in San Jose, Costa Rica. When I called to inquire. I was told that "the festival was full for 3 years." But, I still asked for an audition. So, at my audition, the Lord opened a door where there was a "brick wall"! And after I finished playing my song "Happy Fingers" and later, Doyle's arrangement of "The Wabash Cannonball". The director told me that I would not only be welcome to participate in the finale concert, but that I would be paid as well! To God be the glory! As it turned out I was the first guitarist to represent country fingerstyle guitar on that stage in the festival! That was such an honor and it was a dream come true for me!

 The Lord has been more than faithful to supply for the needs of my family, myself and our respective ministries. He has NEVER failed to supply me with anything I truly needed!!! I thank HIM for HIS faithfulness, grace and mercy on and in my life. I’m also thankful for all the gifts God has blessed me with but especially for my parents! I also have some super friends that are more like family than friends in my life that keep me on the right track!

 On April 12th 2008 my Dad and I to started my first tour of Europe by flying into Frankfurt, Germany. It was the start of our "faith tour". But, about 2 1/2 years ago the Lord, through many ways started to let us know that we would be doing a tour throughout Europe. We knew that it would have to be the Lord as we are not funded by any large ministry, we are independents, and that when the time was right He would let us know, "this is the way, walk ye in it"! So, we took it to prayer, and have been waiting on Him to open the door to this call. Well, in the mean time, during our time ministering in the mountains of Panama, my Mom fell deathly ill, and we had to send her to the U.S.A. in a wheelchair to recover (this was in June, 2007). It was at this point that my Dad and I felt that we needed to close things down to fly back to the U.S.A. to be with my Mom. This turned out to be what the Lord used to call us off of that mission field to begin my ministry as a Fingerstyle Guitarist and opened the door for my first full length tour of the U.S.A. (2007). It was during this tour to many churches that the Lord started to confirm that the time to go to Europe was at hand. In the mean time, my Mom had regained much of her health, and she rejoined us in Ireland (1st of June, 2008) and from then on we toured Europe as a family.

 These are just some highlights and milestones to give you a brief history of who I am. You can always read my blog "Buddy's BITS" have continued following His calling both back in Costa Rica as well as in the U.S.A. So, this is my story up ‘til now and I’m excited about what God has in store for me. I know that , “good” or “bad”, it’s all for my benefit and His glory. I also hope you all enjoy God’s gifts in your lives. Don’t take your family, friends or talents for granted! Give God the glory!

 In His service,
 Buddy Tetreault