The aspect of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s musical ability that Eric Johnson rates “just as much as his guitar playing”

The aspect of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s musical ability that Eric Johnson rates “just as much as his guitar playing”

Eric Johnson has been reflecting on his roots in Austin, Texas, and its reputation as the live music capital of the world.
Austin and the wider Texas area has been home to a number of famous guitarists including Gary Clark Jr., Willie Nelson, and of course the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan, who Johnson has specifically outlined as a “fantastic” musician, and not just for his guitar skill.

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Speaking to Guitarist for its new print issue, Johnson says of Austin’s musical identity: “It was kind of like Nashville in that way. And it was all different styles, very eclectic, but yeah, a lot of really good guitar players and I feel fortunate that I got to grow up around all those people. I just thought that was normal.
“When I look back now, I realise, well, there’s certain little artistic pockets that are known for certain things, you know, like new art. Austin had its own thing and its own artistic pocket. A lot of the players there had that blues influence, no matter what kind of music they do; whether it’s country or country rock or blues or jazz, there’s an element of blues in what they do.”
Of SRV, he adds, “Stevie was fantastic. He was great. I got to do some touring with him and hang with him a little bit. He was a wonderful guy and obviously a tremendous talent. Just the way he could give it up and go out there and get out of the way of himself and channel this great, beautiful force and be a really, really fine singer in front of all the powerful music that he did.
“I really admire that, probably just as much as his guitar playing,” he states. “I think he was a great singer and he wrote really good songs; he had the whole package. I think I learned a lot from that – trying to put emotion into what you do. He certainly was a master at that.”

Last year, Stevie’s brother Jimmie Vaughan looked back on the death of his sibling, sharing that his death nearly made him want to give up guitar for good. “It’s a life-changing experience,” he told Guitar Player. “I didn’t know what to do or say about it when it happened. I almost didn’t even want to play anymore. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.”
Before Stevie’s death, the brothers recorded the album Family Style together. Of the experience, Jimmie said: “I couldn’t pick a particular favourite from this album — it was all real serious and heavy to me as we were working on it. And then Stevie got killed. We were together for three months making that record and had a real great time doing it.”
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