The 'Musician's Musician' (Created April 24, 2013)

What's the highest complement you can pay to a guy like Sonny Landreth? How about giving him the title of "musician's musician." That's the tag that's been bestowed on the Bluesman by the likes of Billboard magazine, and the title is oh so appropriate. The slide guitarist from southwest Louisiana has established himself as one of the most talented session players in the business, and has been making music for decades.

Landreth, who cites Elvis Presley's guitarist as one of his earliest inspirations, also learned from the recordings of Chet Atkins and the Ventures. He picked up his first guitar as a teen, and had his first professional gig with an accordionist. But it was when Landreth struck out on his own that he began to have true success, recording the first of his eleven studio albums (and counting) all the way back in 1981.

Known for a technique of slide playing where he also frets notes and plays cords and cord fragments, Landreth is quite famous for the technique. He wears a special thumb pick/flat pick hybrid during performances, and is known for a style which involves tapping, slapping and picking. Meanwhile, the thumb pick allows him to simultaneously use his finger style technique for slide. He is also recognized for his use of Fender Stratocaster guitars and Dumble Amplifiers.

Landreth has recorded with Jimmy Buffett, and accompanied him on three summer tours. He's also performed at Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival three times, and is scheduled to play at the 2013 event in New York.