Although instrumental rock music has never been a consistently chart-busting genre, guitarist Steve Morse has based a career on his flamboyant chops. Originally influenced by classical guitarists like Juan Mercadal (who later became his teacher), he formed rock groups in college, one of which was the embryo of the band with whom he'd make his name, the Dixie Dregs. Their unique all-instrumental albums blended southern rock with jazz fusion and glints of metal. The band were a popular live attraction from the late 1970s through the '90s, with short breaks for Morse's gentler solo work. Since '94, Morse has played with Deep Purple, and has also done a stint with Kansas. He is in GUITAR PLAYER magazine's Guitar Player Hall of Fame, and has also made a living as a commercial co-pilot.