JustinDerrico.com

While you may not know the name, Justin Derrico has a CV to rival some of the biggest stars. The guitarist has played with the likes of The Calling, Tina Turner, The Pussycat Dolls and Beyonce. Most recently, he’s served as Grammy Award winner Pink’s guitarist for four years, touring the world including multiple trips down under.

Now with Pink taking time off coupled with a break in his other commitments, Derrico has launched his first solo album, Boldly Going Nowhere, which he describes as, “a pretty cool instrumental guitar record with a bit of a musical journey going on.”

WHILE Pink is taking a well-earned break, her guitarist, Justin Derrico, is going solo down under.

Pink's right-hand man on her recent world tours is returning to Australia to perform around the country and it's clear Justin can't wait to come back to our shores.

"Australia's like a second home for me. It's more of a vacation than a tour," he says.

PINK'S guitarist Justin Derrico runs his fingers up and down the strings of his gold Gisbon Les Paul with incredible speed.  

Completely at ease in front of the camera in the small Geelong studio, the surprisingly down-to-earth musician talks and plays between flashes.

"Like this?" he asks with a goofy smile, suddenly swinging the body of the guitar over his shoulder. "Or I could hold it like a gun, like this!"

Being the permanent guitarist for one of pop's biggest singers could lead to a big head, but five world tours have done nothing to inflate the ego of this humble artist.

Despite being Down Under to tour his own debut solo album, Derrico answers the obvious first question  what's Pink like?  without a trace of bitterness.

"Oh, she is just the most awesome person. So supportive and talented and really normal," he says.

"She even offered to help me move the other week. She's my bud."

Derrico first picked up a guitar at 15 without any thought of making it his career.

Guitar hero: Justin Derrico has been Pink's guitarist for the last few of her tours. Picture: Nicole Cleary Source: National Features

IF you've seen Pink live - and her record-breaking Australian ticket sales suggest you probably have - you'll have seen Justin Derrico in action.

Derrico has been Pink's guitarist for her past few world tours.

"She lets me shred," he says. "It's really refreshing. A lot of people either want you to play exactly what's on the record or have some lame idea, she just says, 'Just be you'.

"She knows what she wants but she's not afraid to listen to other people's ideas."

You may not have heard the name Justin Derrico yet but all the stars have; he has supported some of the biggest names in the music industry, from The Pussycat Dolls, to Beyonce, to Tina Turner and is best known for touring as Pink‘s guitarist.

Derrico is taking some time out from his busy schedule to make a special trip Down Under to perform songs from his new album Boldly Going Nowhere.

JUSTIN Derrico is one of the music industry’s most talked about guitarists.

As a member of Pink’s band, the 29-year-old New Yorker has toured worldwide and will perform at Albury’s Albion Hotel this Sunday night.

Derrico, who has performed with Beyonce and The Pussycat Dolls, is a member of the band in the hit US talent show The Voice which made an impressive Australian debut.

His contemporary rock and bluesy style shine though on all 10 tracks of this debut album which is available from iTunes via justinderrico.com

Manic, Fricken Chicken and Goodnight Nurse are particularly good examples.

Although Justin Derrico is a well-established musician – particularly after his participation in the hit US television show The Voice – the performer perfectly understands that most Australians will simply know him as “Pink’s guitarist” ahead of his first solo tour Down Under.

He's known to millions as P!nk's guitarist, a self-styled showman who's become the subject of teenage fan sites himself.

But Justin Derrico's decision to go solo, starting with a series of shows around Australia, was born from something deeper than artistic frustration.

When pop/rock princess Pink was auditioning guitarists for a new world tour around four years ago, she pretty much decided on the spot to hire LA based axeman Justin Derrico. Pink quickly warmed to Justin's amiable nature, rock star looks, and his amazing versatility and dexterity on the guitar. Derrico has now circumnavigated the world several times with Pink's band, but the recent birth of her baby has finally meant some time off the road. Rather than rest however, Derrico has been busy working as part of the band on the successful American television talent show The Voice. More importantly though, the time off has allowed Justin to complete his debut solo album, Boldy Going Nowhere. So excited about this new album is Derrico, that he's packing his bags, pedals and guitars and is heading to Australia in August for the world debut of his own headline shows. Australian Musician's Greg Phillips spoke to Justin just prior to rehearsals for his upcoming Australian tour.

Justin Derrico might not be a household name yet, but he is the most talked about guitarist in the music industry. The 28-year-old New York native has toured all throughout the country, lending his dynamic skills to popular artists such as Pink, The Calling, Lil' Wayne and Robin Thicke. Although his debut album suggests that he is 'Boldly Going Nowhere,' the truth is Derrico is on the fast track to being a legendary guitarist. Throughout this instrumental 10-track collection, the innovative musician incorporates a bluesy vibe into his eccentric modern rock style. That is captured on songs like "Fricken Chicken," "Goodnight Nurse" and "Manic." There are also lighter records like "Easy Days" that'll fill the needs of the adult contemporary audience, and a Phil Collins cover of "In The Air Tonight," the latter of which features a computerized vocal rip. Derrico might claim to be 'Boldy Going Nowhere,' but it's clear that he is going somewhere and that somewhere is in the right direction.

Tracklist