Austin, Texas native Eric Johnson was born into a musically-inclined family. He started playing guitar at the young age of 11 and joined his first official band called Mariani, a psychedelic rock group, at only 15 years old. He wasn't even old enough to drive a car and yet was making a name for himself in the music industry!

His first album Tones was released in 1986 and his career sky-rocketed ever since. Guitar Player magazine quotes him as being "one of the most respected guitarists on the planet." Johnson is indeed a master of 'painting beautiful music' with his stunning guitar work, emotionally filled lyrics, and mastery of putting all together perfectly to make music that truly moves you. Johnson has had many award-winning songs such as "Cliffs of Dover" featured on the videogame Guitar Hero III. The song is also on his platinum-selling album, Ah Via Musicom released in 1990. Johnson won a Grammy award for Best Rock Instrumental performance for "Cliffs of Dover."

He was also enshrined in Guitar Player's Gallery of Greats and named one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century by Musician magazine. He is indeed a living guitar god playing amongst us!

His last album, Up Close, released in 2010 was created on his own record label Vortexan. He said in the album, he decided to let go a bit and allow things to happen and just go with the flow and energy of performing the music. It has been a widely successful album and some critics say it maybe even his best yet.

Times Square got a chance to talk to him before his upcoming show on September 24th, 2012 at B.B. King's Blues Bar in New York City.

Times Square (TS): Growing up in Texas, can you describe what the music scene was like?

Eric Johnson (EJ): It was great! There has always been a lot of venues to play in Texas and a lot of different styles of music. There are a lot of great musicians. Everything from cajun, jazz, blues, a lot of country, and rock of course.

TS: Who were bands or artists that you looked up to when you were first starting out?

EJ: Oh gosh, there were so many...Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton.

TS: How has your music evolved since you first started playing?

EJ: It's wide open [and] subject to interpretation...people can take it to wherever they want. [At the start] You try everything and anything...People are always trying to push the limits with each instrument...There's a point where everybody says 'this is as far as we can go'...Dream bigger and it's possible...If we believe it, we can make it possible. That corral [your career] widens with the years.

TS: If you were stranded on a desert island with only one guitar; which would it be and why?

EJ: Oh man it's hard...but probably the best thing would be an acoustic guitar because there wouldn't be any electricity. Haha. I would have to be a cowboy folk singer on a lonely desert island. I could climb to the top of the mountain wearing furry chaps singing folk love songs. Haha.

TS: What advice would you give to young musicians about starting out in the industry?

EJ: To follow your passion and joy. Find music that really inspires you and gives you a lot of joy. Because then you'll automatically want to work hard at it. It won't be work, it'll just be fun. And try to find your own unique voice; I think it is very important to develop a unique colouring to your art.

TS: What compelled you to create your 'namesake' guitar?

EJ: We tried to make a brand new instrument that had some of the good qualities that they did fifty years ago. Because there was a certain time in electric guitar making in the 50's and 60's where they were unparallel in quality. So we wanted to re-instil some of that. Those guitars cost a lot of money, so if a college student could go out and pay a fraction of the cost to get the same quality that was one of our motives.

TS: Your song "Cliffs of Dover" is featured on the video game Guitar Hero. What are your thoughts on that?

EJ: I think it's cool. I think it's a nice bridge towards people, kids in particular... [It allows them] to develop a passion for music and if nothing else have fun playing the game.

TS: Since it's geared towards kids who have probably have never heard of you, do you think it will broaden their music interests in you?

EJ: Yeah, that has happened. Especially when Guitar Hero was really at its height, we saw tons of kids in the audience.

TS: You're known for a myriad of music styles, what can people expect to hear at your show on August 10th at B.B. King's Blues Bar?

EJ: We do jazz pieces, rock stuff, some vocal, some instrumental, and a lot of improvisation. We do covers by others [like] the Beatles and John Coldtrain...selected tunes from others that we've rearranged to put on our own thing. [Also] Chris and Whinny are super talented musicians that bring a lot as far as improvisation and just ability.

TS: Aside from touring, what can fans look forward to? Any albums in the works?

EJ: Yeah, we're trying to work on a new solo acoustic record as well as an electric record.

TS: It was a pleasure to chat with you Eric. Thank you for the awesome interview and good luck with your upcoming shows!

MySpace page: www.myspace.com/ericjohnsonmyspace

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