Andy Timmons (Danger Danger)

Name: Andy Timmons
Born: 26th July, 1963 (Evansville, Indiana)

Profile: He is an American guitarist who has played in the bands "Danger Danger", "Pawn Kings", and "Andy Timmons Band (ATB)". He has also released several solo albums and has worked as a session guitarist. He has also played alongside Steve Vai, Joe Satriani , Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent, and Pierre Bensusan.

History: Andy's musical career began in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana at the age of 13 with his first band, "Taylor Bay". The decision to pursue the studio scene led him to more serious music studies. He studied classical guitar for two years before moving to Miami to study jazz guitar at the University of Miami (largely because the Dixie Dregs, Pat Metheny, and Jaco Pastorius had all gone there).

He eventually ended up in Dallas where he was very fortunate to get a foot in the door of a very good studio scene. In 1988, the "ATB" was formed and he quickly gained a following in Texas. Around that time, Epic recording artists "Danger Danger" recruited him to finish their debut record, film several videos, and begin touring.

As guitarist for pop-metal band "Danger Danger, he toured the world opening for "Kiss" and Alice Cooper, sold over a million records worldwide, and had two #1 videos on MTV, plus amassing a discography that includes 7 solo releases that range from blazing guitar instrumentals, to blues, and even a Beatles/Elvis inspired collection of pop tunes.

After 4 years in NY with "Danger Danger", Andy returned to Dallas in 1993 to resume his studio career and the "ATB". His first solo release, ear X-tacy, was released in 1994 to critical acclaim followed 1997's ear X-tacy 2. He then released Pawn Kings (1997), Orange Swirl (1998), The Spoken and the Unspoken (1999), and And-thology 1 & 2 (2000).

In 2001 Andy signed with Favored Nations and released his first international record, "That Was Then, This is Now", a compilation of the first two ear X-tacy records and five new tracks. In 2006, Resolution marks Andy's first full-length new release for Favored Nations.

Andy has been consistently voted a “Top 20 Favorite Guitarist” in most of Japan's rock music magazine's reader polls, as well as being voted “Musician of the Year” four years in a row in the acclaimed Dallas Observer Music Awards. He also has become one of the most respected and sought after clinicians representing Ibanez Guitars, touring the world on their behalf.

Influences: Pat Metheny

Axology: Ibanez guitars

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgELKnnHtkc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36ToDxW_hns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKeMzevbcgw

"Early on, I realized that making it in a rock band was such a long-shot, that I better figure out other ways of making a living playing guitar. I began reading about players like Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton who made their living as session musicians. This really appealed to me, since I really loved a wide variety of musical styles." - Andy Timmons