Steve Vai equivalent in country music?

[27sauce]

Are we just naming country guitar players?

 

[USMarine75]

Are we just naming country guitar players?

Yeah at this point. Some terrible recommendations jeez.

That Redd guy was fun and all but he's not even in the same universe as Vai. He's not even a top 10 country Tele player IMO let alone in Vai's league. I'd take Jerry Donohue, Brent Mason, Paisley, Gatton, Hiland, Roy Buchanan (more blues than country), Jerry Reed all over him any day.

John5 is an interesting pick but by no means a country player. He's a guitarist who can play country.

Again more blues than country, but I think you have to go with Gregory Kochery.

 

[27sauce]

Maybe I just don’t get the premise. I don’t see how anybody can parallel Vai. And not because his ability/talent, but because of the limitations of the genre.

 

[sahhas]

Well that is what I wondered, I realize country doesn’t really have a lot of instrumentalists, but the suggestions have been good!

Maybe I just don’t get the premise. I don’t see how anybody can parallel Vai. And not because his ability/talent, but because of the limitations of the genre.

 

[27sauce]

There are a ton of instrumental country songs and albums from the ‘40’s-‘10’s. I’d venture() to say more than rock. It’s just different.

The difference between them and what Vai does is it’s still song based. Many(not all) of these are instrumental versions of standards, or songs in standard structure. The guitar is not necessarily the main idea. It’s, “your favorite song...on guitar”

 

[SonicTonic Seeker]

Isn't this his country cousin?:

 

[guitarjazz]

I have no idea why I was thinking of this, but for some reason I was wondering:
Is there an equivalent guitar player in country music who is like Steve Vai?
I guess: technically proficient and sort of whacky?

I have no idea why I was thinking of this.
I know that I don’t usually associate much current country w/ instrumental music- which is Vai’s forte.
I just don’t honestly know many current country guitarist ( or artists, honestly)
I know there is a good history of country guitar players who are really good guitarists... was just sort of wondering....

Zappa got it right with the New Age version of The Black Page:

 

[sahhas]

Well, speaking of Zappa , I was thinking of this:

 

[LReese]

Dann Huff?

 

[KHAN]

This is pretty "Vai-like".

 

[InGodWeTrust]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Vince Gil yet.

 

[iamdavea]

Of all the ones mentioned so far, I think Chet Atkins comes closer although Chet is more musical than Steve Vai, who is one of the best technical players on the planet at the moment and maybe the best.

Here is a great session player that no one has mentioned, likely because he is just quietly an excellent player.

There are scores of players who are better technicians than Vai. Scores. Jeff Loomis comes immediately to mind.

 

[iamdavea]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Vince Gil yet.

I can't believe you missed it.

 

[Datsyuk]

This is pretty "Vai-like".

Great mention! I’ve got it on now.

The Dixie Dregs...came to mind...but this record is great example of Morse’s country inspired blend of many genres and influences.

 

[Charvel951]

I have no idea why I was thinking of this, but for some reason I was wondering:
Is there an equivalent guitar player in country music who is like Steve Vai?
I guess: technically proficient and sort of whacky?

I have no idea why I was thinking of this.
I know that I don’t usually associate much current country w/ instrumental music- which is Vai’s forte.
I just don’t honestly know many current country guitarist ( or artists, honestly)
I know there is a good history of country guitar players who are really good guitarists... was just sort of wondering....

Andy Woods may fit that description. He's funny, witty and knows his theory! He's playing with "Rascal Flats."

 

[dreamspace]

Michael Lee Firkins?


His earlier stuff was much more rock, but with elements of country all over. His debut album is one of my favorite guitar albums

 

[USMarine75]

Never thought of MLF or Andy Wood as country. But they're awesome and deserve more recognition regardless.

 

[dreamspace]

Also, might be more on the jazz-bluesy side, but Scotty Anderson is lethal on the Tele.

 

[Tahitijack]

Another vote for Brent Mason. He is an amazing player and story teller. When I saw him with Richard Smith, Richard commented that if you listen to any country music station you have heard Brent.

 

[sonofspy]

I have no idea why I was thinking of this, but for some reason I was wondering:
Is there an equivalent guitar player in country music who is like Steve Vai?
I guess: technically proficient and sort of whacky?

I have no idea why I was thinking of this.
I know that I don’t usually associate much current country w/ instrumental music- which is Vai’s forte.
I just don’t honestly know many current country guitarist ( or artists, honestly)
I know there is a good history of country guitar players who are really good guitarists... was just sort of wondering....

Danny Gatton The Humbler.