StarPolish Interview: Sonny Landreth

That was the dilemma confronting a newly rejuvenated John Hiatt when it came time to hit the road in support of his breakthrough 1987 album, Bring the Family, which featured a dream team of studio players that included slide guitar wizard Ry Cooder, bassist/songwriter Nick Lowe, and renowned drummer Jim Keltner. For Hiatt, the question was how to recreate the simmering smokiness, soulful grooves and straight-out rock n' roll of the album in a live setting. And in particular, who was ever going to be able to step in and fill Cooder's inimitable shoes?

Through mutual acquaintances, a largely unknown but locally heralded Louisiana guitar player and songwriter named Sonny Landreth—and his band, the Goners—nabbed a chance to audition for Hiatt's touring band. After heading down to Nashville, where Hiatt was based, they launched into a song from the album. By the time they were finished, Hiatt had cancelled the rest of the auditions, and Landreth and the Goners were Hiatt's new touring band—and launched into national recognition.

That Landreth was more than up to the task was no surprise to the initiated. Anyone who has heard or seen Landreth play guitar—particularly slide guitar—walks away knowing that they have experienced something remarkable. From glistening glissandos to searing leads—interspersed with otherworldly behind-the-slide hammer-ons—Landreth is clearly a force to be reckoned with, and one of only a handful of slide practitioners who are helping to reinvent the instrument.

Landreth's singular abilities were evident early on. At the age of 17, for example, he had a chance to sit in with zydeco legend Clifton Chenier—a turn that promptly resulted in Chenier inviting the young guitarist to join the band, making Landreth the first-ever white band member.

But despite his obvious instrumental prowess, Landreth brings more than chops to the table—he brings an incredible musician's ears that enables him to somehow unerringly always play the right note, whether he's sympathetically accompanying another artist, or ripping up center stage with the Goners on a set of original songs.

As a result, it's no surprise that Landreth has emerged as a much-in-demand session player for artists that span the gamut from Beausoleil to Dolly Parton, or from Muddy Waters to Mark Knopfler. It's also why a multitude of more-famous contemporaries frequently describe Landreth as one of the most criminally underrated guitarists playing today.

These days, those kinds of accolades keep Landreth extremely busy. In addition to recently completing another tour with Hiatt and being in the midst of one with the Goners, a few weeks ago Landreth learned that his album, The Road We're On, nabbed a Grammy nomination—his first—for "Best Contemporary Blues Recording."