By Andrew Daly
Cover photo by Robert Maxfield II
He’s toured the world with Rascal Flatts, rocked out alongside Sebastian Bach and Scott Stapp, and cemented himself as one of the premier guitarists on the planet, but it’s Andy Wood’s latest record, Charisma, which showcases what he’s all about in 2024.
“Charisma is an emotionally heavy record for me,” Wood tells Buddy. “I started it during Covid lockdowns, during the process of being off the road and writing, I lost my father and grandfather, the two most important men in my life. I just tried to channel those feelings into music. It was the only therapy I had, and with every note I play, I still feel that connection with my grandad.”
September 2.0 featured cover artist, guitarist Andy Wood. Photo by Robert Maxfield
Wood’s emotional weight is present throughout Charisma, leading to bombastic solos and massive bouts of bluesy melodicism manifesting across the album’s tracks. Surely, all the songs mean something to Wood, given the record’s backstory, but he feels a few define him to this point. “There are three songs on Charisma that represent my sound,” Wood says. “They’re ‘Shoot the Sun Down,’ ‘Free Range Chicken,’ and ‘Storms and Sparrows.’”
Great as Charisma is, fans are already clamoring for a follow-up, but for now, they’ll have to wait, and Wood has his eyes fixed on touring for the foreseeable future. “All roads lead to playing live,” he beams.
He concludes, “Between my Woodshed Guitar Experience—a musical retreat I host with some of the best musicians on earth—to touring with Gary LeVox [lead vocals of Rascal Flatts], and touring my own music and this record, it’s just all about playing out for a live audience. Connecting with people and sharing the passion of guitar and music.”
What inspired you to pick up the guitar?
My family. My grandfather played, and it was always around. I started on Mandolin and didn’t get to guitar ’til I was 16- 17, and I began getting serious about electric at 18.
Do you remember your first guitar? What was the most important lesson it taught you?
My first electric was a blue tele, and I still have it. Teles are so special to me. They just sound honest and unforgiving. They are a magnifying glass for your own personality and touch.
What did your first proper guitar and amp look like, and do you still have it?
The first proper guitar and amp was a Fender B-bender tele and a Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket. I still have the Tele and use it on country sessions all the time!
When did it click for you as far as what type of guitarist you wanted to be?
That’s tough, but I’d say in my 20s, I was really trying to find the path. I feel like I’ve only recently found my voice on the instrument.
Tell me about your new record, Charisma. How have you evolved to this point?
The writing evolution really took shape on my previous album, Junktown. I really became comfortable in my own skin and was finding my way in combining the guitar nerd-shred-fusion-rock side with the southern-bluegrass-sassy-rootsy side.
Charisma was more ambitious, with huge cinematic-sounding sections with full strings and orchestration, and every song is 1000 percent melody first. I feel like these are some of the best songs I’ve ever written because the focus was on fat hooks and melody.
What’s your general approach to songwriting, and where do you pull inspiration from?
I get inspiration from everything: feelings, emotions, and tones from effects, amps, and gear, even from the video games I play and movies I like. Sometimes, I like to imagine I was the guy hired to create the soundtrack and then see what happens.
And what about riffs and solos? What’s the process there like?
Solos are a second layer to me. At this point in my life, the melody and the hook are the most important, which makes the song have its own identity and not sound like a bunch of ideas just glued and forced together. The melody is the driving force; from there, I’ll figure out what riffs and solos are needed to support the core melodic seed. From there, it just builds up the layers.
What did touring with Rascal Flatts, Sebastian Bach, and Scott Stapp teach you about songwriting and showmanship?
Let me combine all these artists into one answer. I’m so grateful to have toured with such a wide range of musical artists. All have huge careers, and I’m honored to have been a part of their journeys, no matter how much or how little I was on the road with any one of them.
With Flatts, it was mega domes, huge venues, and the biggest country music events in the world. We even were direct support for The Rolling Stones. So, needless to say, it was a masterclass in how the “pro” level works. All three of those guys are super musicians, too, so there’s an extremely high level of excellence. That’s expected.
With the rock and metal acts, I really learned the importance of energy, volume, and stage presence. I think most guys who play at home in controlled environments don’t understand how difficult playing a roaring full stack can be while trying to run and jump across the stage! Again, I’m just blessed and grateful to work with everyone that I have.
What’s the secret to your tone as far as pedals and amps, and do you have one guitar you lean on most?
Currently, my first-choice guitars are my Suhr signature models. They are a perfect blend of a traditional instrument but with all the modern hot-rodded playability. As for my signal chain, I worship at the altar of Eric Johnson and Andy Timmons, Dann Huff, Landau, etc.
So, I’ve found that staging my gain with pedals gets me that singing fat lead tone that sounds musical and vocal. I love a big, clean headroom amp with my pedals producing the gain. That said, I love EVH, and when it’s needed, there’s nothing like turning up the lead channel on a 5153 or Diezel and just letting it eat!
While touring, you’ll surely come through Texas. Do you have any favorite spots to shop?
Yeah, I’ve got a special place in my heart for Texas. I will always make time to see my friends over at Guitar Sanctuary when I’m there.
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