Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson has been named one of the top 100 guitarists of the 20th century by Musician Magazine and called “one of the most respected guitarists on the planet” by Guitar Player Magazine. His many achievements include a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance as well as five other Grammy nominations and a platinum album. He was a featured performer on the all-star lineup for the Experience Hendrix Tour 2010, named “Guitarist of the Year” in 2010 by Guitar International and was tapped by Eric Clapton to appear at the Crossroads Guitar Festival.

Eric’s hit single, “Cliffs of Dover”, is widely seen as one of the greatest guitar solos in history and is featured as the ultimate winning challenge in the video game “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.”

Eric’s reputation as a formidable musical talent began back in the Austin clubs he played in as a teen. As a young player he delved deeply into blues, jazz, country and other styles that still inform his music to this day. By the mid-1970s, Johnson began touring and sparking a buzz about his astonishing talents in the jazz-rock outfit Electromagnets. He then cut his teeth in the studio on sessions for Cat Stevens, Christopher Cross and Carole King, and by 1984 his stature in Texas and beyond was so strong that the unsigned artist was tapped to make his first appearance on the prestigious PBS concert show “Austin City Limits.”

Eric’s 1996 G3 tour with fellow guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai yielded a best selling album and platinum DVD, “G3: Live in Concert.” His dynamism as a live performer is captured on the 2008 DVD, “Anaheim” as well as the 2005 DVD/CD release of his second “Austin City Limits” show in 1994, “Live From Austin, Texas.” His latest album, “Up Close” presents 14 new Johnson compositions plus his version of the Electric Flag song “Texas,” and features guest appearances by fellow master players Jimmie Vaughan and Sonny Landreth.