I grew up near Bowdon, Georgia, a rural area about 45 minutes west of Atlanta. It was there at age 13 I first began taking private guitar lessons. Only a few months later I moved on to take lessons from Brian Jobson, a truly fantastic guitarist who was teaching in Carrollton, GA. I had heard Eddie Van Halen before and was blown away, but Brian was the teacher who introduced me to Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. It was one of the most jaw-dropping experiences I remember while learning guitar and showed me some of what is possible with the instrument. Throughout the eighties I was influenced by Van Halen, Yngwie, Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Steve Vai as well as bands such as Rush, Yes, and the Police. My next biggest influence came along in 1993 when I heard Dream Theater on a radio station in Norfolk, VA and immediately went to buy the album. From that point on, I enjoyed progressive metal more and more and now really enjoy musicians and bands such as Tony MacAlpine, Ron Thal, Virgil Donati, Andy Timmons, Freak Kitchen, Symphony X and Meshuggah. I also enjoy quite a bit of classical music such as J.S. Bach and Vivaldi and classical artists such as Christopher Parkening.

Teaching music has been an enjoyable part of my guitar playing. After teaching guitar and music theory lessons in music stores and privately for many years, I started the Raleigh Music Academy in Raleigh, NC, which is a company that offers instruction in guitar, bass, drums, piano and many other instruments.

In addition to teaching, I do a little bit of web design. I manage johnpetrucci.com, and do all web design for www.raleighmusicacademy.com. I used to do web design as a business, but really don't have the time anymore with my music academy demanding more and more of me. For now, I'm very happy to be working with music students and doing the occassional shows and clinics.