What are your influences?

I take influences from music I hear but of course there is few names which have influenced me most. I think the greatest of them all is Tommy Emmanuel. I am fortunate also to know him personally. He is unbelievable human being, musician, entertainer and guitarist. I've learned a lot from him by just watching him play and interact with the people. When I was young Stevie Ray Vaughan was the first guitar player I fall in love with. First band I really loved was AC/DC. From Finnish music I totally got hit by progressive rock band trio called Kingston Wall. Unfortunately the lead singer committed suicide in 1994. They made only 3 albums and I never had a change to see them live. Lead singer/guitarist Pete Walli was only 27 years old. I had a pretty big arsenal of LP's and later CD's of famous rock music and was fortunate to have a friend who was a crazy record collector and music lover.

I have never liked jazz that much but lately smooth jazz and its happy grooves have brought good vibes to me. I also like South American songs at the moment. All kind of music can be interesting and influential. I don't want to walk around with a label in my forehead stating my style interests. Music is music. You either like it or not, no matter how it is categorized.

 

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