Entrevista con - Rusty Cooley

GL - The amazing Rusty Cooley, thanks for your time!
RC - Hey Jorge it's my pleasure.

GL - Please tell us about your personal history and background for the Guitar fans at Mexico
RC - Well here's a brief run down. I have been playing for about 20 years and teaching for 17. I have an instrumental cd out on Lion Music. I play 7 and 8 string guitar an will soon have a 9 string. I have 3 instructional cd roms and a performance/clinic DVD on Chops From Hell. I also just got my own column is Guitar Player magazine called Metal Guru. I'm in a band called Outworld. We are currently in the studio working on material for our first cd. www.outworldband.com Also be on the look out for a cd called "Book Of Reflections" that will be released on Lion Music in April. I played 6 solo's on that cd.

GL - What motivated you to want to learn to play the guitar?
RC - Well me and some friends had been playing air guitar to some records and after a couple of months of that we decided to get some real guitars.

GL - When you were a kid, did you ever think that you would someday be one of the most talented guitar players of the world and that you will be awarded as one of the "Top Fastest Shredders of all time"?
RC - No definitely not, but it sure was cool!

GL - Who are your main influences?
RC - Rhoads, Malmsteen, Gilbert, Becker, Lane, Taylor, Paganini.

GL - Who is your favorite guitar player?
RC - That's a hard one probably Shawn Lane.

GL - What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
RC - I love all kinds of music. It just depends on my mood.

GL - What projects are you currently working on?
RC - Currently I'm working on finishing the material for the Outworld cd and I'm also working on a Shawn Lane song for the tribute cd that Lion Music is releasing.

GL - Do you love doing live performances?
RC - Oh yeah! That's the fun stuff. That's where you really get to connect with the people.

GL - You have a CD out titled "Rusty Cooley". Could give us a run down on the music that is included on the release?
RC - Sure the music on this cd is just flat out intense. My goal was to record the most intense instrumental cd ever. But at the same time without sacrificing the music. The songs always come first to me. So before I ever put a single lick down I have to be completely happy with the arrangement. The songs have elements of metal, prog, shred, neo-classical and even pop metal.

GL - What´s your favorite song from the album?
RC - I don't really have a favorite.

GL - Have you ever done a song or play in some album that you wish you could go back in time and un-do? If so, which one, and why?
RC - I guess I have been lucky so nope.

GL - What do you think about the new crop of talented Guitar player's that are currently out there making music?
RC - I think there always room for new talent and good guitar playing.

GL - What are your thoughts on the state of instrumental guitar these days?
RC - Well as funny as it may sound I really don't keep up with it that much. As far as I can tell it seems to be about the same. But I have seen a change in more popular music. More guitar players are starting to solo again so that's a good sign.

GL - Where is the line between performer and musician for you?
RC - I don't really separate the two like some people do. I'm a musician so you perform your music. I think there are a lot of performers in Pop music that are not musicians.

GL - So what do you see happening right now in terms of guitar, and where do you see yourself in a few years?
RC - In a few years I would like to have a couple of Outworld cd's done. Have done some touring and made some big cash! Hey wouldn't that be nice, to actually make money playing guitar.

GL - O.K. Time for the heady question that everyone here in the staff of Guitar Lords is wanting to ask. You are easily one of the most influential guitar player on the scene today for kids that are coming up. How does that make you feel?
RC - It's incredible to hear people say that! simply amazing. But I definitely don't feel that way about my playing, there are to many guitar players out there that just kill me. Listening to guys like Lane, Holdsworth and Gambale always remind me just how much further I have to go.

GL - What will be next for Rusty Cooley?.
RC - Outworld baby!! tons and tons of Outworld! We will be done with the music for the first cd in May. We are currently shopping our demo for a record deal and have already gotten a very nice offer from a label I wont mention yet. I'm also going to be doing a lot of writing with my 8 and 9 string guitars.

GL - And can we expect to see you in Mexico any time soon?
RC - I sure hope so!

GL - Is there anything else you would like to share with us that i have not asked?
RC - I think that about does it. Just make sure you come by for a visit at www.rustycooley.com and www.outworldband.com

GL - Thanks again for your time, we really appreciated it!, and we hope to see you soon, thank you very much Rusty!.
RC - Thank you!

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