“What an honor!” Michael Grande says enthusiastically, sitting on a stool outside his barn a few miles from Sierra Vista. “I love history and I’m so proud to be doing this.”

“This” is the concert Grande is doing June 30 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., to help celebrate the 125th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Tombstone, built in 1882.

We have been watching the Arabian horses he and his wife, Diane, raise, as they munch their dinner and Grande strums his guitar. It is the one he will play at the concert and he occasionally begins to pick out a few tunes as the horses prick their ears and stand, quietly listening.

“Wil Wiemer, the Sr. Warden of St. Paul’s, sent me a lot of information about the church and its founder, Endicott Peabody. I read it all and it’s fascinating. Mr. Wiemer not only sent articles, he sent me a book entitled ‘A Church for Helldorado’ written by S.J. Reidhead, and I really enjoyed it. It’s a diary written by Endicott Peabody, and I learned that the ‘Peabody Tombstone Diary’ is only the second ‘Earp Era’ diary to be discovered. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I enjoy history, and this is history about a great man and a great church that stands only seven miles from where I Live!”

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Grande begins playing the notes to “Me and My Uncle,” a song about the Old West he is practicing for the concert. It shows off his incredible five-fingered picking style. Then, he abruptly switches to a gentle melody called “The Picture.” A tune about the love of an older brother for his sister. Soon, he changes again, and is playing a beautiful devotional piece called “Faith is a Candle.”

No matter what Grande plays, it is obvious why he is ranked as one of the top acoustic guitarists in the world. His fingers dance over the strings and I look down at the T-shirt I’m wearing. On the front is a photograph of only Michael’s hands on his guitar. The guitar is in sharp focus, but his fingers are simply a blur. The caption reads: “Michael Grande...Live!” Remembering the first time I saw Grande live on stage, I envy the people who will come to St. Paul’s and see Michael Grande for the first time — an experience to remember, always.

Grande began his career in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was born and raised. While at the original Woodstock Festival, he was picked up by Richie Havens and toured the world for three years. Managed by the prestigious William Morris Agency and Neil Portman, Grande went on to share the stage with such greats as James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Jose Feliciano and many others.

He produced his first CD, “Hey Friend,” while living in Malibu, Calif., and it quickly made the Indi, Country, and Pop charts with a bullet. Eventually, it was Top Ten in 15 different countries. Grande continued to tour and was on the road as much as 340 days per year. He played a concert in Central Park in New York City and was positioned between Aaron Tippin and Credence Clearwater Revival at Country Thunder, the largest country venue in the world where he played before 250,000 people. He continued to play Tanglewood, Troubadours and the great opera houses in Europe, as he made his move to Arizona, settling in the Scottsdale area. A couple of years later he met Diane, and they made a trip to Sierra Vista to marry. Shortly thereafter, they moved here, where they plan to stay.

Grande’s reviews have been spectacular. One described him as “Mark Knofler with a Spanish heart.” New York’s Cue Magazine reported, “Michael is a brilliant lyricist-composer, and he has the warmth and charm which, when he performs, light up any room.” I think, however, Variety’s report is my favorite, and the most accurate. It reads simply: “Hot ... Blazing Hot!”

It is difficult to find Grande playing here at home. He does not play in the bars or clubs, and does only benefits. He has raised funds for: Habitat for Humanity, The Forgash House, The Arizona Folklore Preserve, Foothills Animal Shelter, Care For The Horses, The Bisbee Boys and Girls Club and many others. He also has played with the Sierra Vista Symphony. He is most proud of the concerts he did for the Simi Valley Hospital in California, where in three years, playing at The Forum, he raised enough money to build a wing on the hospital for disabled children.

He is now walking toward his stallion, Revelry, and I am following rather timidly behind him. The big bay horse in front of us is a star in his own right. A national champion top ten stallion and Arabian Sire of Significance, Revelry at nearly 15.3 hands high, is impressively built. He trots back and forth, eager to show off, as Grande casually props a foot on the fence and begins to play. Soon, the big horse has joined us, and is nickering softly, apparently trying to accompany Grande. “He’s my paisano,” Michael said, “That’s Italian for very good friend.”

“You know, I love playing the big venues. I mean, Carnegie Hall was a dream come true. The acoustics are so great a whisper can be heard anywhere in the hall. Country Thunder was another biggie. People paid up to $500 a seat to sit on white plastic chairs in the sun and watch performers.” Grande pauses and sips at his water bottle. “I also love doing benefits. But I am so excited about the concert at St. Paul’s, I can barely wait for June 30.”

Grande watches as the sun heads slowly behind the mountains and gently strums his guitar.

“Can you imagine what it must have been like back in 1882?” he asks. “Watching that beautiful church being built on the corners of Third and Safford streets ...” The guitar sounds like bells being rung as he picks softly up and down the neck.

“The town of Tombstone back in the days when a sheriff like Wyatt Earp was needed to keep the peace.” He sighs. “I would love to be able to listen to that church tell its own story. What it has seen over the past 125 years ...” He shakes his head.

“I’m planning special music for this very special occasion.” He said. “Mr. Wiemer wants me to play a variety of music, and I’ve got really good things planned.”

That’s really all Michael Grande has to say. When Grande has “really good things planned,” an audience can expect everything from ferocious, spectacular finger picking to gentle love songs and ballads. He will have at least two CDs available: “Hey Friend” and the European release “Especially For You.”

Although he will play from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., inside the church will be cool and comfortable. So come celebrate the 125th anniversary of St. Paul’s with Michael Grande, and enjoy this historic event with a concert by one of the finest musicians in the world.