Who/What Inspires Your Playing the Most?

[Nailpicker]

Chet Atkins (still after all these years), Jerry Reed, Doyle Dykes, Wayne Johnson, Dick Yehl, Norbie Kaminski and Glen Eastman.

[goldenboy]

Doc Watson.

[Photojeep]

Jim Croce was my most important influence.

[Orfeas]

Good California "products"!

[itsLars]

Scottish fingerstyle player Ian Melrose (living/working in Germany)

[baimo]

Originally Posted by AMT

I'm just curious, who have you guys looked to for inspiration in your guitar playing? I think most people first start playing guitar to play a certain song or to try to emulate a certain artist. For me, this would definitely be Neil Young. His music has been very influential in my playing so far. Other artists like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and James Taylor have also been influential or inspiring to me as a guitar player.

Beatles and Bob Dylan

But now I just strum whatever feels and sounds good enough to make me smile.

[Acousticado]

For me, it’s really not what inspires my playing, and honestly, the only “who” is.....me. Since starting 41 years ago, I just can’t help myself.

I’m surprised that no one has said, even if in jest.....chicks!

[guitar george]

Welcome to the AGF, AMT. You are amongst a group of knowledgeable and friendly guitar aficionados.

My mother inspired me the most because she bought me a guitar and paid for a few lessons when I was 12 years old.

If you had joined a few weeks earlier you would have seen many posts in a thread with a similar theme. Never hurts to ask a good question again, however, and you are getting a bunch of good replies.

[Mycroft]

Alcohol...

[AMT]

Originally Posted by guitar george

Welcome to the AGF, AMT. You are amongst a group of knowledgeable and friendly guitar aficionados.

My mother inspired me the most because she bought me a guitar and paid for a few lessons when I was 12 years old.

If you had joined a few weeks earlier you would have seen many posts in a thread with a similar theme. Never hurts to ask a good question again, however, and you are getting a bunch of good replies.

Thank you! The amount of knowledge and experience with guitars here is pretty amazing. Hopefully I can add to it some way eventually.
It's good that your mother introduced you to guitar at an early age. I wish I had stuck with it when I first got guitar lessons, I would probably be a much better player at this point.
I assumed there had been threads like this before, but I figured some people would want to restate or update their current musical interest. Thanks again!

[AMT]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

For me, it’s really not what inspires my playing, and honestly, the only “who” is.....me. Since starting 41 years ago, I just can’t help myself.

I’m surprised that no one has said, even if in jest.....chicks!

Ha ha, girls are definitely a motive for learning to play guitar. People try not to admit it, but it's definitely there.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by HHP

I owe it all to American Express.

Quote of the day, HHP!

AMT, welcome to the AGF!

[L20A]

The reason that I wanted to play was because of the way that girls acted over the Beatles.
When I decided to learn to play, it was John Denver that got me started.
His music was do-able and yet it was inspiring.
After I was playing the guitar well enough to play a lot of John's songs, I got a Gordon Lightfoot music book and started to learn his songs.
Gordon uses chords that I had never seen or played before.
His music broadened my abilities.

From there, I moved on to Bluegrass which I will never master.
My inspiration for Bluegrass was Tony Rice, Norman Blake New Grass Revival.

[BBWW]

Oddly enough for me its gigging. I know that if I am going to be in front of a listening audience I really try to keep my playing level up.

[Dronfield]

Hi

In no particular order of importance; Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Ry Cooder, Albert Lee, Brian May, Hank Marvin and Carlos Santana.

Cheers

Rich