Guitar Masters World Tour 2008, a three-day music festival to be held Labor Day weekend, features some of the most highly talented musicians in American pop music.

And if you get to the show, you just may have a chance to challenge a master at his own game.

Guitar Masters will feature performances by iconic folk artist Pete Seeger, world-famous musician/composer Eumir Deodato and country artist Pat Garrett, as well as the rock ‘n’ roll stylings of Rick Derringer.

Derringer, who’s music includes “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” is a featured artist on Guitar Hero II, and according to Guitar Masters promoter Kenn Moutenot, fans who attend the music festival might just find themselves matching notes with the musician during a video game challenge.

If you’re unfamiliar with Brazilian artist Deodato, Moutenot says he’s responsible for all of the hits from Kool and the Gang, and his work was used as the theme music for Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.” He’s also produced music for Bjork and the song “Tokyo, Paris” on Lupe Fiasco’s album, “The Cool.”

“He worked with Frank Sinatra in the 1950s and is now working with Lupe Fiasco in 2008,” Moutenot says about Deodato’s longevity. “Even this week, he still has a song on the charts,” he adds, pointing to “Tokyo, Paris.”

Of Derringer, Garrett and company, Moutenot says they are among the pioneers who helped shape the face of contemporary pop music.

To be held Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at the Pat Garrett Amphitheater, Route 78, Strausstown, the Pennsylvania date is the first show of the tour, and the only American date.

The festival will be a rebirth of sorts for the amphitheater, Moutenot says.

“There’s not many places in America that you can have a venue where you can camp and have a three-day event. It’s a beautiful, picturesque venue, and after a lot of research, this was the place.

“It’s been closed for many years and I convinced Pat Garrett to reopen it.”

Along with the above mentioned artists, the show will include more than 40 artists chosen through MySpace, as well as other invited regional acts, including AnnaRose, a female pop singer/songwriter. Moutenot says he spent months listening to mp3 selections from artists who wanted to be a part of the event, and was overwhelmed by the response when he put the word out about Guitar Masters.

Moutenot, a drummer with the Deodato band, says the diversity among artists on the bill will truly keep an audience’s attention. “Since I’m a musician, I can relate to how an audience can get bored easily.

“I think I’m an expert to get so many genres together to keep people entertained,” he says, adding he’s been to all corners of the globe, from where he has drawn music and influence to Guitar Masters.

But the event is more than a music festival, says Moutenot, it’s an experience. “We want to bring people to a higher level,” he says. “This is about a full three-day experience. When you walk away, it will be breathtaking.

“We’re really trying to create an environment where we can please everybody and for three days straight.”

Concert-goers are invited to camp on the amphitheater grounds, be it by tent, cabin or RV. Apart from the music, there will be health and wellness information, organic food offerings, “green” environmental presentations, and a voter registration booth. Moutenot says the vibe at Guitar Masters will allow for civil political or religious discourse, something he encourages.

But the festival isn’t rooted in politics. Moutenot says he simply wants to encourage anyone who isn’t already registered to register to vote.

Seeger, co-founder of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an organization dedicated to eradicating pollution in the Hudson River, will be shooting scenes during the festival for a music video for his song “Water Not Weapons.”

Garrett, too, will be shooting a video for his song “Wild Girls.”

The audience at Guitar Masters is invited to be a part of both productions, Moutenot says.

For more information on Guitar Masters World Tour 2008, call (201) 384-7760 or visit song3.com, where you can link to Ticketmaster to purchase tickets, which includes single-day tickets, and platinum, gold and silver VIP packages. Or call Ticketmaster directly at 215-336-2000. Guitar Villa of Quakertown/Bethlehem is among event sponsors, Moutenot says.