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THE AXE MASTERS.COM
Interview December 16, 2010
with Eric Loy

This week's interview is with guitarist Eric Loy. To say that Eric is a highly
skilled guitarist would be an understatement. Eric is well known for his
dexterous playing and his harp guitar.

FIRST OFF, HOW DID YOU GET STARTED PLAYING THE GUITAR?
I saw The Beatles on that first Ed Sullivan Show and had to have a guitar!

WHAT TYPE OF GUITAR DO YOU PLAY?
I've played Rock, Classical, Jazz, Fusion and New Age for 45 years now,
so I've used Telecasters, SG's, various classical guitars and now for the solo
stuff, a steel-string guitar and a 24 string Harp Guitar. Every guitar I have is
custom with an extra wide and flat fingerboard.

DO YOU PLAY SOLO, IN A BAND, OR BOTH?
I've had a half dozen trios. I've jammed with lots of people, but never played
in a group with another guitarist. I like trios (jazz-rock).

WHAT TYPE OF STYLE OF MUSIC DO YOU PLAY?
I play straight jazz, rock and classical/baroque, but then the lines between
them become intertwined. So, it becomes, after decades of playing, "just
music". Lenny Breau, my favorite guitarist was the best at that. Effortlessly
and simultaneously playing across the borders of styles.

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INFLUENCES?
There are so many: Henry Mancini, Michael Hedges, Jeff Beck, Jeff Berlin,
Andre's Segovia, John Renbourn, John Coltrane, Jack Bruce, Dave Brubeck...

HOW DOES ONE ACHIEVE YOUR LEVEL OF MUSICIANSHIP?
Listen to more than just pop music. I truly like Baroque, Classical, Advent
Garde, Jazz, Fusion and Rock all equally. Transcribe pieces yourself. Develop
your ear and understanding of theory. Be willing to dig in and spend countless
hours transcribing and practicing. Then, do your own compositions and arrangements.

ARE YOU PARTIAL TO ANY TYPE OF BRANDS OR MUSIC STORES?
I have supported the local small business man music stores in my area for the
last forty-five years. I can tell no difference in string brands. I buy indivdual strings
and sometimes have 3 or 4 different brands on my guitar at one time to make up the set.

DO YOU HAVE CD's OR DVD's OUT RIGHT NOW?
Yes, a plethora of them. I've been composing and recording since doing vinyl records
in the Seventies. So, I've got a boatload of albums (CD's and DVD's, they call them today)
available.

WHERE CAN SOMEONE GO TO PURCHASE OR DOWNLOAD YOUR MUSIC?
www.EricLoy.Com, CD BABY or at gigs.

IS THERE ANY ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO ALL YOUR FELLOW
MUSICIANS OUT THERE?
Treat people as you want to be treated (The Golden Rule). Be humble. Love people
genuinely. I feel the stars and heroes of the world are not guitar players, but rather the
poor underdogs who slave away at jobs to support their familes.