I have been playing guitar since I was 19 (I got a late start). I've been lucky enough to have been in a couple of really good bands. One of the highlights (so far) was opening for Live and Lynyrd Skynryd at The Pensacola Springfest in June 2004.
Long story
I've played live extensively, ranging all over the South-Eastern U.S.
As a guitar player, James Hetfield, Adam Jones, Jerry Cantrell, Kiss, AC/DC, Dimebag Darrell, lots of other 80's/90's hard rock and heavy metal.
As a songwriter, my influences range from very heavy (Meshuggah, Slayer) to pop (Janet Jackson) to almost ethereal (Kitaro, Jean Michel Jarre). Even though my tastes tend towards the heavier stuff, I think that having a wide range of sensibilities allow me to approach things in a way that won't sound the same as what Joe-Blow-Metalhead does. I'm not saying that I'm so completely and totally original that you wouldn't hear familiar influences in my music. I'm just trying to find different things to make the music I'm involved with more memorable for the listener, and more gratifying for me as a musician.
Current Live Rig:
Furman PM-8 Power Conditioner
AKG "Guitar Bug" UHF wireless System
ADA MP-1 Preamp (with the 3TM Modification)
TC Electronic G-Major Effects Processor
BBE 422a SOnic Maximizer
ADA Microcab Speaker simulator (For going direct)
Mesa 50/50 Stereo Tube Power Amp
Marshall 1960a 4x12" Speaker Cabinet
I use an ADA MXC Pedal Pack as my MIDI Switching System; The MXC MIDI Controller, a Quad Switch, and a CCP Expression pedal.
I have 5 guitars; A '94 Fender 1500sx Jumbo Acoustic, a '91 Gibson Flying V, an 80's Ibanez Destroyer, a Charvel with a Floyd Tremolo that I pieced together from parts, and another FrankenCaster that I built from parts. All of my Electric Guitars are loaded with EMG 81's in both the bridge and neck positions.
Trust me; it sounds ALOT more complex than it really is.