Beyond Competition: The Art of Guitar

The following is a lightly edited transcript of an interview between Grammy Award-winning guitarist Eric Johnson and Newsweek Radio's Jesse Edwards. You can listen to the full, unedited conversation here:

Jesse: Eric Johnson is a legendary guitar slinger from Austin, Texas, who covers everything from blues to jazz fusion, new age and beyond. He's back on the road with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai for the 2024 G3 reunion tour that kicks off January 23 in Tucson, Arizona, and wraps in Los Angeles on February 10.

Eric Johnson, thank you so much for being here with us, sir.

Eric Johnson: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.

Jesse: Take us back to what it was like as a kid growing up in Austin, Texas.

Eric: You know, it was great. There were so many different music styles that I drew from and learned. There were some great players like Johnny Richardson, Jim Cummings, John Staehely, and JoJo Gunne, incredible players who taught me. I had exposure to various music styles, which helped me appreciate different genres because people were so skilled in all those styles.

Jesse: When did your love affair with the guitar start?

Eric: Well, my brother's friend played in a band, and they practiced at our place. Drums, guitars, the whole setup—it was something entirely new to me. Around that time, I heard the Beatles and a bit before that, Delaney & Bonnie, which I really dug. That was the early '60s.

Jesse: Do you remember your first guitar?

Eric: Yeah, I had a white Fender Musicmaster.

Jesse: Whatever happened to it? Did you keep it?

Eric: I traded it for a Fender Mustang, then swapped that for a Gibson 335. I wish I'd kept those original guitars. It would've been neat.

Jesse: When did you realize this could be your career path and start taking it seriously?

Eric: Around 13 or 14, I began serious practice. By 15, I was playing with a drummer, Vince Mariani, who exposed me to original music, technique and the emotional aspect of playing. I just loved practicing and playing the guitar. By 17 or 18, I started making a living from it and thought, "I'll keep doing this."

Jesse: Did you feel you were a cut above the rest in your community?

Eric: Not necessarily. Many were really good. I just loved it enough to keep working at it until I got proficient.

Jesse: How does one stand out in today's music landscape?

Eric: Having a unique voice and bringing something refreshing to the table. It's about a different interpretation of those same 12 notes—infusing your intention and energy into your music, especially with the overwhelming options in today's music scene.

Jesse: Speaking of standing out, your tone is immediately recognizable. Is it in the hands, technique or equipment?

Eric: Mostly in your will, hands and technique. I drew inspiration from B.B. King, Clapton and others for that creamy tone. It's not something I invented but cherry-picked from various players.

Jesse: Watching players like you can be inspiring and demoralizing. Do you recognize the impact you have?

Eric: It's part of the whole spectrum. It's not just about technical prowess but what you do with what you have. Everybody's a little different, with diverse strengths.

Jesse: And they probably see you the same way.

Eric: Exactly. We all admire different aspects of musicality in others.

Jesse: It's fascinating how there's no real competition at the top, despite lists ranking the greatest guitarists.

Eric: Those lists are subjective. There are incredible guitarists like Wes Montgomery who may not make every list but are profoundly influential.

Jesse: How do you stay relevant and grow as a musician at your level?

Eric: The journey never ends. Sometimes it's about returning to your true nature and exploring new dimensions, keeping the inspiration alive. If it wanes, it might be time to explore a different path.

Jesse: What has changed in the last 28 years since touring with Vai and Satriani?

Eric: Everyone follows their own path. It was fantastic playing with musicians of that caliber in the '90s, and now, revisiting those tours brings back great memories.

You can catch Eric Johnson performing live with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai in the upcoming 2024 G3 reunion, go to g3tour.com for your VIP tickets and further information.