Johnny Hiland of Johnny Hiland
grew up in the small town of Baileyville, Maine. He was born legally blind with an eye disease known as nystagmus, which did not allow him to grow up like most children. He started playing guitar at age 2, and went on to perform his first tv show at age 7. His career took off when Johnny won the "Talent America Contest," at age 10, in New York City. His father had taken him to see Ricky Skaggs perform, and Johnny immediately went from pickin' bluegrass to wanting a telecaster. As a teen, Johnny spent countless hours learning and developing his own blend of chicken pickin,' rock, blues, and swing; while pickin' in a number of different bands around the state of Maine.. After finishing high school, and 3 years of college, he moved to Nashville in 1996. Since then, he performed with The Don Kelley Band down at Robert's Western World, which led him to perform on TNN's "Prime Time Country," and then as a headline artist at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Johnny has played on a number of records for artists like Toby Keith, Trick Pony, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Janie Fricke, Lynn Anderson, and Hank 3. He later signed a record deal with Steve Vai and his guitar based record company, Favored Nations. He released his first debut, self titled, album in 2004. Since then he has been touring the globe with his band, "The Johnny Hiland Band," and has released a 2nd guitar album, independently, called, "Loud and Proud." He has also performed on stage with super artists like Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent, George Clinton and P-Funk, Les Paul, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, G3, and many others. He loves to teach, and has his own line of guitar instructional material as well; 2 Hot Licks videos, and a number of books/cds with Mel Bay. He has had his own signature model PRS, and now has found his proper guitar home with Ernie Ball Music Man. Now, in 2010, he has teamed up with his long time friend, Ron Lutrick, and they have just released a new record called, "The Blues Connection." You will find The Blues Connection touring hard in 2011. Johnny will always reach out to show the young people of today that live music is really cool, and that guitar is awesome!!!! He has written a children's book called, "Tuff and Friends," to inspire handicapped children to follow their dreams. He feels, and shows every single day, that he has been very blessed, by God, for the gift of music/guitar, and to be able to continue to earn a living doing what he loves to do.Check out more here
Adam Wakeman of Ozzy and Headspace
guitarist and keyboard player for Ozzy Osbourne and son of legendary keyboardist, Rick Wakeman, has applied his superb talents across an eclectic list of artists and projects. He is currently in rehearsals with Ozzy Osbourne for the upcoming 2010 World tour and is featured and co-written with Ozzy on the new album. Adam's band "HEADSPACE", which has also opened for Ozzy Osbourne, can be viewed on Myspace and headspaceonline.com. Outside his busy tour schedule, Adam pursues his main professional interest of writing scores for TV and film. Adam attended the prestigious Bideford College, Bideford SW. Check out more here
Jonathan Montoya of Saliva
lead guitarist has an amiable, infectious personality and his bodacious on-stage antics are a treat to watch. The antithesis of lead singer Josey Scott's more reserved dark suited stage presence, Montoya is a make-up, knickers and striped knee socks kind of guy. With seven albums to date, Saliva's 14 year career is in great shape. Currently Jonathan is touring with SALIVA in support of their latest CD release "Take That Society".Check out more here
Erick Leonhardt of Tantric
is a member of the platinum album band Tantric, which was formed when original members of the highly successful Days of the New left to form a new band due to creative differences. With four albums released, including Tantric's eponymously titled platinum album, Erik is currently touring with Tantric in support of their latest release, Mind Control. Erik's talents cover both guitar and bass, and even with all the activity with Tantric, Erik has also formed his own band, Adrenaline Fueled Junkies. Check out more here
Jimmy Matajek of Motgomery Gentry
was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in a house where the sound of a guitar was commonplace- both his father Donald Sr. and his older brother Donald Jr. played guitar. He decided to try his hand at playing at around 8 years of age and soon set Chet Atkins as his first major guitar hero. Jimmy credits his family for exposing him to many forms of music at a young age- Chet and traditional country from his dad, Bill Doggett and 50's era-Elvis from his Mom, Judas Priest and Jimi Hendrix from his brother, and 70's-era Elvis and Lynyrd Skynyrd from his two sisters, just to name a few early influences. After many years of playing in church, then local VFW halls and parties, then nightclubs around the country Jimmy relocated to Nashville by way of Georgia in the late 90's and in 2000 started playing acoustic guitar, 6-string banjo and harmony vocals with Montgomery Gentry. Home recording, building guitar-based electronics projects and gigging locally in the Nashville area occupy his time when he's not on the Jim Beam bus. Jimmy "Check out more here
