Ritchie Kotzen began playing guitar at age 7, received 
national attention in the Spotlight Column of Guitar 
Player Magazine at age 17 and at 19 was featured on 
the cover of and recruited to do a monthly column for 
Guitar World Magazine.
In his debut album Ritchie Kotzen (Shrapnel Records), 
Rithcie's playing has been described as "a cross 
between Steve Vai and Joe Satriani but with his own 
unmistakabla style".