The musician, known for his unconventional picking style and baritone voice, dropped his most recent solo effort, "Try and Stop Me," in 2004. He followed that the next year with "Sixty Six Steps," an island-flavored collaboration recorded in the Bahamas with ex-Phish bassist Mike Gordon. That release marked the pair's second album together, following 2002's "Clone."

Kottke also put out the 2006 DVD "Home & Away Revisited," a reissue that captures his sold-out 1988 performance in Toronto. The film shows the entire concert and includes backstage footage from a gig in Nashville and a music session with Kottke, Chet Atkins and Doc Watson.

Despite obstacles including partial deafness and severe tendon damage, Kottke has released more than 30 albums in a career that spans nearly 40 years. His music delves into many genres, drawing on folk, rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass and classical styles.