8.26.13 Adam at the VMA's

Aлександра Кв ‏@aleksandrakv 1m
Adam Lambert Guitarist Tommy Joe Ratliff is a Blues Player, Guyliner or Not www.americanbluesscene.com/2013/08/tommy-joe-ratliff/  … via @ameribluesscene


Tommy Joe Ratliff is the lead guitarist for international pop sensation Adam Lambert, who after achieving second-place on American Idol in 2009, shot to international stardom with his incredible vocal range and stage presence. Lambert’s debut solo album, For Your Entertainment, reached number three on Billboard 200, and his second album, Trespassing, opened at the coveted number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Tommy Joe has become an acclaimed musician in his own rite, bringing his blues-soaked brand and the rare real guitar work to the world of pop, while remaining true to his own passions and forging his style.

With their stage theatrics that include heavy makeup, top-ten charting pop-electronic music, and a new style dubbed Glam Rock, any member of Adam Lambert’s band, at first glance, would seemingly an unlikely focus of the world’s most popular blues network. Yet as Tommy Joe effortlessly proves, the powerful effects of the blues still continue to greatly influence even the most popular music on the airwaves.

We sat down to speak with Tommy Joe about his biggest influences (hint, it’s the blues), becoming a part of Adam Lambert’s band, his exciting projects (hint, it’s the blues), what Adam Lambert listens to when he throws a party (hint, it’s the blues), and much more! Don’t let the guyliner fool you; Ratliff is on a new and exciting path. Call it Glam Blues or call it what it is; a unique overdriven, rip-roarin’ guitar style. Whatever you call it, Tommy Joe Ratliff is one talented musician who’s succeeding with a guitar in an industry rife with of auto-tuners.