Dominic Miller (who is Sting's principal guitarist) is one of my guitar heroes. I emailed him a earlier this week and he actually responded to my question. Here what he had to say:


Hi Chad
Thanks for this. Lindsay Buckingham is one of the most creative song accompanists on guitar. His parts always sound perfect to me. I am flattered you should put me in the same paragraph as him. Yes I do in some way model my approach on his, but there are also many others. Classical playing has been of some help, mainly with technique which I sometimes use on electric and visa versa. But my main instrument is musicianship. I like to be true to the song and complenet it as much as it deserves, if not more. Having some classical backround and listening to people like Lindsay Buckingham helps make this possible.
Best wishes,
Dominic ---

(my initial email)
In your session work (most notibly with Sting), I appreciate that fact that the your guitar parts always seem to compliment the lyric or verse. Although sometimes quite subtle, the method in which your voicings weave in and out of the songs remind me quite a lot of Lindsey Buckingham. Do your feel that your classical reference point has contributed to your ability to express or restrain your session guitar work (as you always seem to "play for the song)
Chad C. from Tulsa, Oklahoma