Rooster

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to Rooster by Andy Wood from his 2024 album Charisma, spinning now on THE ZOO! This instrumental cover of the Alice In Chains classic is a standout track, reimagined with Wood’s soulful, bluesy guitar work. In an interview with My Global Mind, Wood shared that covering Rooster was a bold choice due to its deep ties to Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley, but he aimed to honor it with a precise, emotive interpretation. He channels Staley’s iconic vocals through sixties-style fuzz and a scorching solo, creating a version that Audio Ink Radio called “truly imaginative” and goosebump-inducing. The track’s music video, a concept Wood developed with producer Andy Jeffers and director Barry Rice, features him performing against iconic historical moments, adding a visual depth that’s as captivating as the music itself.

Wood’s journey to Rooster wasn’t just technical—it was deeply personal. During the COVID lockdown, he faced profound loss with the passing of his father and grandfather. In a Chasing Sound post, Wood explained how he locked himself in the studio, letting melodies flow as therapy. Rooster emerged from this emotional crucible, one of 54 demos he crafted during that time. He told Heavyocity that Charisma’s tracks, including Rooster, were chosen for their strong melodies, reflecting his grief and resilience. The song’s slower, bluesy pace and dynamic build showcase his ability to tell stories without words, a skill praised by Screamer Magazine for its accessibility to all listeners, not just guitar nerds.

Andy Wood, a North Carolina-born, East Tennessee-raised virtuoso, started his musical path far from the rock world. As a kid, he was an award-winning mandolin player, touring the bluegrass competition circuit with his cousin and grandfather, as noted on his official bio. By his late teens, he picked up the guitar, diving into Nashville country, rock, jazz, swing, and fusion. This genre-blurring foundation shaped his distinctive style, which Premier Guitar describes as “musical stories told with the relaxed confidence of a virtuoso.” His 2009 debut, A Disconcerting Amalgam, mixed fusion, rock, metal, and bluegrass, setting the stage for his evolution through albums like 2014’s Caught Between the Truth and a Lie and 2019’s Junktown.

Wood’s career took off with high-profile gigs, touring with acts like Rascal Flatts, Scott Stapp, and Sebastian Bach. He’s also a respected session musician and the Musical Director for Shiprocked!, as highlighted on Horizons Music. In 2020, he launched the Woodshed Guitar Experience, an annual guitar camp featuring heavyweights like Joe Bonamassa and Steve Morse. Fans can connect with Wood’s vibrant community on his official platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper engagement, check out his Patreon for exclusive tracks and tabs, or join the Andy Wood Music Fan Group on Facebook to vibe with fellow fretboard fanatics.