SU: Hello Rusty, thanks for this interview! Tell us something about your debut album and for your next project.

RC: Your welcome! Well my debut cd was released in January on Lion Music. My goal with that cd was to record one of the most intense instrumental cd's ever heard. Whether I have done this or not It's definitely the most intense thing I could do at the time.

My next project is going to be a vocal band. I'm going to be moving back to Texas in a few weeks and I already have the makings of a new band lined up.It going to be heavy ,intense and progressive!! I already have the material for about 6 or 7 tunes so it's just a matter of getting in and starting to put it all together.

SU: How was the recording process? What did you use for recording guitars and for other instruments?

RC: The recording process was something else man I'm not to happy about it but I'll tell you what I used. I used my Jackson 7 string. My Fender M-80 , VHT poweramp , a Rocktron overdrive pedal and Marshall 4x12.

SU: Why did you waited so much before the releasing? In the meantime have you written new songs for a second CD?

RC: There is so much involved in putting out a cd it's crazy. Writing, recording, mixing, mastering, shopping for a record deal, getting a deal, and then the label has a million and one things to do to get it ready art work, pressing, distribution etc... The cd was done in early 2002. I'm working on material for my new band.

SU: You have released 3 killer instructional cd-roms, tell us some details. Have you got an idea to release new one? If yes when and what about?

RC: Sure, my first one Shred Guitar Manifesto kind of covers everything thing, Legato, tapping, sweeping, alternate picking, using 4 fingers on your left hand and using two on you right. Different arpeggio's and scales it's just a ton of info. My second rom is Extreme Pentatonics and that is just what it is a very extreme approach. The rom covers three, four ,five and six note per string penatonics shapes string skipping and linear patterns, extended and sequenced patterns and over 30 licks. My 3rd rom The Art Of Picking is all out alternate picking. This rom covers some very advanced ways to push your playing to the next level. 3 and 4 note per string ideas covering the entire fretboard. Mutlti directional ideas etc..

I'm also going to be doing a couple of new roms this summer on various topics.

SU: Which is in your opinion the best way for an undiscovered artist to be less unknown with his music?

RC: Ruthless self promotion:) It's all work man you just have to get out there and make yourself known. The internet is the best place to start.

SU: How can a guitar player transform his technical potential in music with melodies and structures and not only exercises?

RC: Don't base your songs around guitar licks. Start with rhythm guitar first. When I'm writing I always approach it as if someone was going to be singing over the changes. Most instrumental stuff has incredibly boring rhythm parts, you got to have cool rhythms man. Vibrato is also very important, there is nothing worse than hearing someone flying up and down the fretboard to end it with bad vibrato or a sour note because they are bending out of key.

SU: How much important is for an artist (instrumental player) to play live and make guitar clinics?

RC: I think it's very important that's promotion!!

SU: How much is improved the guitar techniques in these last years and how much thanks to you?

RC: I'm not sure, I know a lot of guitar players are doing the four note per string thing now.

SU: In your opinion what the labels are searching for before the releasing an instrumental album?

RC: I think the bigger indie labels want someone who already has made a name for themselves.

SU: Do you live with music or have you got a 'normal' job? If you live with music from how many years and how the things are there for a guitarist?

RC: No normal job for me thank GOD!! I teach guitar six days a week and I also have income from my cd and cd rom sales, guitar clinics etc.. I have been teaching since high school.

SU: If you want to add something more for the site, please feel free to say what you want! We wish you all the best for your music career you are a really GREAT player!

RC: Thanks for the interview!and don't forget to check out www.rustycooley.com

made on May 2003