My family were all musicians. I really wasn't interested in school or anything.

You're in direct contact with the music by having the strings under your fingers. It's not mechanical like a piano.

I have my own style, but it's different for each kind of music. There are certain little characteristic things every player has.

I started on drums when I was 13 and played them for two years. Then I went to guitar for a year, played keyboards for a year and a half, and went back to guitar.

I just started off on my own by learning the regular chords then the barre chords. Then I'd lean the notes that would go with them.

I used to try and take things in leaps and bounds. Now I've realized it's got to be step by step.

I came in with a completely new perspective. I would write songs and they would pick tunes they felt were in the Purple vein.