Oli has played guitar since the age of 13. The first guitarist to influence him was, of course, Jimi Hendrix.
The Blues initially was a genre of music for him to solo over and he didn’t take the time to really understand its meaning, but, in 2005, when visiting America that all changed.
Carl Gustafson (who had invited him to the States) and the
rest of Carl's band Blinddog Smokin', took time out of their busy touring
schedule to explain some of the history and meaning of the Blues.
Whilst staying with Carl, Oli also learnt about stage performance, soloing
, timing, which have proved to become a major part of Oli's live gigs.
Oli has had the pleasure of playing alongside Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Devon Allman and many other great artists, including the legendary Godfather of British Blues John Mayall !
Oli has a number of guitarists that have influenced his
playing, far too many to name them all, but they include Chris Cain,
Albert Collins, Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King, Hollywood Fats,
Hendrix, Stevie Ray etc the list goes on. Oli's other musical influences
include Tom Waits, Jon Cleary, Jonny Lang, The Big Pill and Psychedelic
Zombies.
This is a full-time career for Oli and his education now comes from life on the road and the people he meets along the way.
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