What are your musical influences?

Over the years I’ve been deeply affected by a number of musical genres including folk, blues, old-time country, bluegrass, motown, pop, rock, reggae, classical, and jazz. If I had to point to one of these genres that had the greatest impact on my playing it would probably be blues. I spent countless hours listening to and learning songs by Josh White, Dave Van Ronk, Taj Mahal, and Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna fame. Currently, some of my favorite guitar players are Earl Klugh (jazz), Johnny Smith (jazz), Roland Dyens (classical/jazz), Tommy Emmanuel (contemporary), and of course, the undisputed king of melody, Chet Atkins.