This past month was filled with fire in my head and in my heart, and what is the best way to channel an inner fire? Playing that guitar until my fingers bleed. However, I experienced a big guitar roadblock in that I just was not feeling motivated to play. So, I looked to guidance from some phenomenal guitarists, and before I knew it, the inspiration was flowing. Here is a list of those musicians that helped me channel my feelings into music.
1. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Before rock even had a name, she was already doing it. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was unapologetically loud and electric. She defined a new wave of music. Her playing wasn’t clean in the typical sense, but was sharp in heavy picking, driving rhythm, and bright, almost biting lead lines that cut through everything. You can hear where Chuck Berry, Elvis and all of them pulled from (I should note that Chuck Berry gave her major credit, while Elvis did not). Watching her made me realize that the “rules” of guitar were literally built after people like her broke them first. It made me stop overthinking and just play.
"Rosetta Tharpe - Guitar Solos in Motion Picture"
2. Yvette Young
Best known for her work as lead guitarist in the band Covet, Yvette Young has been redefining what guitar can sound like. Her style uses a lot of tapping, alternate tunings, and really delicate, layered melodies that almost feel like piano. She motivated me to slow down and focus on how things sound and feel, instead of just trying to play fast or impressively.
"Yvette Young plays "Hydra" live on EMGtv"
3. Nancy Wilson
From the band you all know and love, Heart, Nancy Wilson is known for being insanely versatile, especially switching between acoustic and electric. Her style mixes intricate acoustic intros with strong rock rhythm and melodic leads. And even though Heart’s rise to fame was in the '70s/'80s, Nancy Wilson and the band are anything but rusty now. Check out how awesome she plays in this recent performance of "Barracuda".
4. Aanika Pai
Aanika Pai is a genuine guitar prodigy and young virtuoso who has been getting attention for way more than just her insanely good social media covers. She’s impressed legendary players in the guitar world too. Kiko Loureiro of Megadeth spotlighted her after hearing her solo at his guitar camp, noting her speed and clear pull toward classic rock and speed-metal-style playing. At such a young age, she is so multifaceted and well-rounded, using her own hybrid fingerstyle to shred like the greats. She plays with this fearless energy that reminds me to stop hesitating and doubting myself. Mistakes are nothing to be afraid of and should not hold you back.
"Aanika Pai - Inception - Live at NAMM 2026"
5. Nita Strauss
Widely regarded as one of the best modern-metal guitarists, Nita Strauss is known for her insane precision, control and complex skill. She is most noted for being Alice Cooper’s touring guitarist and has also built her own solo career. I have been following her since my freshman year of high school, always looking up to her for guidance. She’s always just been my guitarist. What I especially respect about her is how consistent and disciplined she is. Nothing about her playing ever feels random or sloppy. And don’t get me started on her insane her stage presence. Watching her over the years has always served as a reminder that there is no replacement for hard work as a guitarist, or anything in life.
"Alice Cooper (Nita Strauss Guitar Solo & Poison) Multi-cam + Live"
I think what I took from all of these musicians, in completely different ways, is that there’s no single way to “be” a guitarist. Some of them broke the foundation, some of them rebuilt it, and some are still reshaping it in real time. And somewhere in all of that, I found my way back wanting to play. Not perfectly, not impressively, just honestly. Coming out of this, I realized inspiration isn’t a constant state. It comes and goes, and sometimes you have to go searching for it. But when you do, when you find even a spark, it’s enough to start again.
And right now, I’m playing like I mean it again.
Until the cats eat the birds,
DJ Dracula