Ironton — Phil Osborne will present “A History of the Guitar in American Music”at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Ohio University Southern.

The event is free.

Born and raised in Ashland, Ky., Osborne learned to play the guitar around the age of eight and gave his first performance at age thirteen.

Osborne knew music would be his dream in life. He attended Ashland public schools and Morehead State University, where he studied music performance, music theory, classical and jazz guitar. Growing up, Phil was influenced by the Beatles, Kiss, Elvis Presley, and Chuck Berry as well as rhythm and blues, funk and soul.

Osborne’s musical career spans two decades of performing in many cities and countries with musicians ranging from country legends to local and regional artists. After college, Phil toured with a road band playing throughout the United States and Canada. He also played on a cruise ship for two and a half years.

After traveling for more than five years, he returned home to play with various bands and individuals, playing a variety of musical styles including classical, rock, pop, country, contemporary Christian, jazz, bluegrass, and rhythm and blues.

In 2002 he did a USO tour with Craig Morgan performing in Doha, Qatar, and Afghanistan for the troops.

Osborne regularly performs regionally and locally both as a soloist and with several bands. He also teaches guitar and bass.