Where are the new guitar heroes?

What Tom said. It is a natural for blues.

Also, maybe learn some 'standards' just for grins. Try:

www.theguitarguy.com

Finally, have you taken a shot at open tunings? Slide?

 

Most of the really good guitar players never get discovered because they spend all their time developing their skills on guitar and not on songwriting. Most of the shredders can't write a truly great song that appeals to the masses. (Eric Johnson had big commercial success with Cliffs of Dover). David Gilmour has entered the charts with a song that has a lot of guitar solos in it. Rafael who played in the INXS show and with Pink and Christina Aguilera is a monster, but who would know. Guitar solos will make a comeback for sure. Most of the guitar heroes when out of their element suck. Go down to Nashville and you'll see players who are playing in country bands that are incredible players. 1 1/2 years ago I was down in Cabo with Sammy Hagar and Kenny Chesney and his band were playing. Kenny's 25 yr. old guitarist was amazing. Sammy kept calling out tunes and Kenny's band played everything from Van Halen, Montrose to Alice in Chains. Then some Dixie Dregs and other fusion style jams. At the end Sammy said, "You are By far the best guitarist I have Ever Played with". They are out there. The labels just don't care if you're a great player. It's about the bottom line. Money. Nickel Creek has great chops as do many of the good bluegrass bands. Country has many hot players. Rock, the players are out there, their just not reaching the masses.

 

Played with them last year. Good live band and agree guitarist is pretty accomplished. Jack, what type of guitars are you playing?

 

Another phenomenal player that I haven't seen mentioned yet here is Michael Romeo of Symphony X.