What exactly is influence? it's the electricity that propels our creativity ever forward  to its destination, or something like that.  Whenever I'm asked, who my musical influences are, I often feel compelled to cite names like the Doors, through to Neil Young, Steve Miller, Black Sabbath, Wishbone Ash, The Stone Roses etc. I end up reciting anything I've listened to whether it's Led Zeppelin or Tony Christie, Megadeth, 10cc.the Levellers the list is endless and just as diverse.
         Internet music sites, such as Soundcloud, ReverbNation or Myspace  constantly ask you to describe who you sound like. Many users tend to say themselves. If you upload a song, you're persuaded  to affiliate  it to a similar well known track. You have to commit to  a 'genre' be it indie, folk, alternative, rock. I guess this does make it easier to categorise in a 'marketing' sense. Although you can feel tied down.
          Personally, I prefer songs rather than bands anyway, how often have we bought an album for one favourite track with 14 unremarkable ditties, but I am going off 'track' here.
               The question is, have all these songs I've listened to, influenced me? well, a little perhaps, have the artists influenced me? ....not exactly, why? because I've not played music with them I've just listened.
                The musicians who have truly influenced me over the years thus, defining the musical point that I've now reached, have come from the people I've actually played with and  NOT my favourite pro acts. None of these players are very well known, but I owe my entire accomplishment to them, either in bands, jams or sessions, be it in public or in some ones living room. They may have taught me riffs, or accompanied me on songs, or played with me in full on bands, sometimes, I've played their music. At the end of the day, they are the people who've truly influenced me and stretched me, not the stars. I think I should name them and say thanks. If I hadn't listened to Jimi Hendrix, it would have been somebody else. But, if it hadn't been for all the musicians with a spectrum of varying abilities and styles, that I've actually had the privilege to play with, I'd never have progressed.
                     
                      If  you want to know my true musical influences, here is a list:-

A big thanks to;-    Rob Andrews, Andy Edwards, Gary Renshaw, Mike Porter, Dave Hallows, Keith Wells, Simon Evans, Simon Poole, Trish Keene, Andy Johnson, Ian Frizz Smith, Noel Jones, Ian Roberts, Anna Richards,Ian Blob Roberts, Simon Jones, Bob Pomeroy and Steffan, Neil Senior, Dave Macmillan, Matthew, Long John (from Weaveworld,) Duncan Hucker, Lynne Welsh, Danny Hucker, Steve the boron player, Mark Kesby at the Cross Foxes, Jan Hurst, Martin Hallet and Alice the fiddle player, Gary Richardson, James Raynor Viner, Hugh Harris, Gemma Hurst and I know there have been many, many more.
                    
                 I may not have made a full career out of music but it's been great playing with these people.These are the musicians that have truly inspired me not Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles etc. It has been these players that have given me my creative spark.