Today we’d like to introduce you to Rusty Cooley.
Hi Rusty, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well I got my first guitar on my 15th birthday and immediately got serious about it. I tried local lessons and it didn’t really work out I wasn’t into learning beginner sight reading and playing open position chords I wanted to rock lol so I quit lessons and started studying the Metal Method by Doug Marks and it was exactly what I needed at the time. All through high school and my very short lived college days I was emersed in guitar and studying music. I actually began teaching guitar my senior year of high school following after one of my guitar hero’s Randy Rhoads. While in college I came to a crossroads where I had to make a decision in life as to what I wanted to do. I was reaching burn out due to my hectic schedule of taking 12 hours of college teaching guitar at two different guitar shops and working and a record shop on the weekends along with practicing with my band 4 to 5 nights a week. It didn’t take long to decide what I wanted to do soI quit the record shop and college and consolidated all of my students to one guitar shop and that was it, that set the stage for the rest of my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always obstacles that you encounter along your journey so no it has it’s ups and downs. Some of the struggles are dealing with bandmates ego’s and the baggage that they can bring along with them. Finding musicians that share the same goals, aspirations, work ethics and the commitment to showing up going the distance it’s mind blowing how quickly want to quit and give up as soon as things get difficult.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well I’m a professional guitarist and teacher/clinician I have been on over 40 albums. I write, record and perform my own music. and have taught some of rock and metals best guitar players either directly in person or indirectly though all of my available instructional books and video’s. I am known for my extreme chops as a guitarist.
How do you define success?
A work in progress I still have lots to do
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rustycooley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rustycooleyofficial
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rusty-cooley-20963182/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mrrustycooley
