About Simon
Dr Simon Nelson PhD, MA, BMus
Simon Nelson has been a professional guitarist for 30 years, and a Worship Guitar teacher for over 25 years. Now based in London, UK; Simon has lived and toured all over the world, including the USA, Bermuda and Australia.
Initially self taught, he later felt he ought to “know” something about music, and took a Bachelor of Music degree at Goldsmiths College, a Master of Arts at City University followed by a PhD in Ethnomusicology at City University. For the latter he wrote a thesis on the origins and evolution of blues guitar.
Simon’s Music Career
Simon’s music career spans decades of working with fellow leading musicians and artists in the industry at a professional, commercial level. He loves to balance this with his faith life in the context of worship and passing his skills on to others, building a significant impactful music in worship learning-legacy and catalogue of work...
Simon’s Commercial Music
As a session musician Simon has recorded for the ABC in Australia, and the BBC in the UK. He has played in a touring band at Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Belfast and Newcastle Arenas, the O2 and the Albert Hall with Joss Stone, Ms. Dynamite, Heather Small, Beverley Knight, Paul Jones (Manfred Mann), Des’ree, Alexandra Burke, Tony Hadley, Helen Shapiro, Candi Staton, Mavis Staples, and Jocelyn Brown.
Simon also plays original music with his co-writer/brother Steve Nelson – www.nelsonbrothers.co.uk. The two brothers are also play in an original band (Sadie and the Hotheads) with Oscar nominated Hollywood actress Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey).
Simon’s Worship Music
In a worship context Simon has played in bands and worked with Christian based artists from Andy Piercy and Charlie Groves to Nick Herbert and Nick Drake. He has been in Dave Bilbrough’s band since 1997, appearing on Dave’s last 6 albums – including the award winning DVD This Is My Worship and People Of Promise. He has appeared regularly on The God Channel and Songs of Praise. He has appeared on Songs of Praise playing with Dana, Candi Staton, Paul Jones and Mavis Staples.
Teaching
Simon has taught guitar for 30 years, and has, over the last 20 years, taught courses for guitar in a worship context for Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), Kensington Temple, St. Michael’s Chester Square, St. Mary’s Bryanston Square, Holy Trinity Hounslow and Oasis, Colliers Wood.
Simon has taught at HTB, Holy Trinity Hounslow and St Barnabas, Kensington.
During lock-down, Simon seized the opportunity to hold his worship guitar courses on ZOOM – opening opportunities for world wide teaching music in worship where anyone of any ability – from zero experience to seasoned professional with inet access - can join in, individually or corporately, and benefit from his relaxed teaching methods. He’s had over 1,000 students globally from the UK to the US and keeps growing and developing 10 Week Worship Guitar.
CURRENTLY...
Simon is currently in pre-production with Elizabeth McGovern, Ann Cusack and The Hotheads for ‘What We Know Now’, a special, intimate musical show, blending much-loved classics with original songs; September 16 to the 20th at the Theatre at Tabard, W4 1LW.
Simon is currently developing his 10 Week Worship Courses with a book launch and new course levels out this Autumn - Courses beginning October 5th 2026