Eric Johnson, the prolific Grammy-Award winning, Austin-based songwriter and guitarist, joins Alex to talk about his latest release - two separate albums: The Book of Making and Yesterday Meets Today. Alex and Eric discuss the process behind the making of the albums as well as the music that influenced his sound early on, the impact that Jeff Beck had on the world of guitar, and how he created the iconic opening to Cliffs Of Dover.

Eric Johnson has been traveling on a prolific odyssey over the course of more than four decades. Along the way, his creations have encompassed repertoire that cross-pollinate genres which include rock, blues, jazz, fusion, soul, folk, new-age, classical and even country. Among Johnson's many accolades are a Grammy award for "Cliffs of Dover ", ten Grammy nominations, a lifetime induction into the Guitar Player Gallery of Greats and his listing among the "100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century" by Musician magazine. In his hometown of Austin TX, a city full of guitarists, the readers of the Austin Chronicle have voted him the city's "Best Electric Guitarist" and "Best Acoustic Guitarist" in their yearly poll year after year. They also named him "Electric Guitarist of the Decade" and one of the top five "Musicians of the Decade". 

Listen to Eric’s two new albums here, catch him on tour this fall, then in early 2024 on the G3 tour with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Follow Eric @officialericjohnson

Follow Alex @alexskolnick and @moodsandmodes

Moods & Modes is hosted and produced by Alex Skolnick. Executive Producer is Kirsten Cluthe. Edited and Mixed by Tom Sullivan. Music by Alex Skolnick. Artwork by Mark Dowd. Distributed by Osiris Media.