Rory Gallagher for spirit and passion in his playing,Richard Thompson for being the finest British songwriter,Niel Finn for songwriting,Steve Earle,Dave Matthews and Sting for the same,Pick Withers(old Dire Straits drummer)for augmenting the song,Frazer Robb(drummer in my band)for always playing the right groove,Warner Hodges III(Jason & the Scorchers)for mixing shredding with C&W licks.