Editing Eric Johnson (guitarist) (section)

===''Tones'' and ''Ah Via Musicom''===

In May 1986, ''Guitar Player'' magazine ran a cover story about Johnson. The article helped promote the release of ''[[Tones (album)|Tones]]'' and brought Johnson critical praise, as well as elevating his profile in the guitar and music community.<ref>Blackett, Matt. [http://www.musicplayer.com/article/editors-note/Sep-05/13498 "Editor's Note"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120310185142/http://www.musicplayer.com/article/editors-note/Sep-05/13498 |date=March 10, 2012 }} – ''MusicPlayer''.</ref> The album's track "Zap" was nominated for the 1987 [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance]], but as a whole, the album did not sell well, and [[Warner Records|Warner Bros.]] let Johnson's contract expire. He signed on with [[indie label]] Cinema Records, distributed by [[Capitol Records]].<ref>Hernandez, Raoul. {{cite web|url=http://www.ericjohnson.com/flash/skiesarticle.html |title=Up from the Skies: Eric Johnson's Lifelong Quest |access-date=2017-04-22 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211101230/http://www.ericjohnson.com/flash/skiesarticle.html |archive-date=December 11, 2004 }} – The ''Austin Chronicle''.</ref>

By the time Johnson released his 1990 Capitol Records debut album, ''[[Ah Via Musicom]]'', he was regularly winning awards for his musicianship in the guitar press. During this period, Johnson also drew recognition for the rich, [[violin]]-like lead sound he coaxed from his beloved 1954 [[Fender Stratocaster]], which he named Virginia. The album's second track, "[[Cliffs of Dover (composition)|Cliffs of Dover]]", exemplified his unique sound and won Johnson a 1991 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.<ref name="guitarhoo"/> ''Ah Via Musicom'' was a [[crossover (music)|crossover]] hit and was certified [[platinum album|platinum]].