In just a few days, Guitar Experience Vol. 4 will take place at Temple in Athens, Greece, with Sakis Dovolis playing a major part in the event! Dovolis is set to deliver an unforgettable live performance at a night dedicated to the electric guitar, and this is an event no guitar enthusiast should miss. Get ready to enjoy a true guitar masterclass! Myth of Rock spoke with Sakis Dovolis, and you can read our conversation below.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
What does the electric guitar mean to you personally? Is it more than an instrument?
Absolutely. For me, the electric guitar is a way of expressing things that I sometimes cannot put into words. It’s a voice, an extension of my personality, and a way to communicate with people. I’ve always believed that music can say things that words simply cannot. The guitar has been part of my life for so long that I don’t really see it as a separate thing from who I am.
Do you remember the first guitarist who made you want to pick up a guitar and play? In your opinion, are there any new guitarists that stand out? Name three of them please!
Stevie Ray Vaughan was the guitarist who really made me want to pick up a guitar and play. There was something incredibly powerful about his playing. The tone, the attack, the phrasing, the emotion — everything felt so raw and honest. He showed me that the guitar could be much more than an instrument. His influence on me goes beyond the notes he played. It’s about the way he made you feel every single one of them.
As for today’s guitarists, I’d mention Eric Gales, Kingfish and this guy, Ariel Posen. They all have very different approaches, but what I appreciate about them is that they have their own identity. That’s what excites me most about a guitarist.
Stefanos, Sakis, Babis, you all participate in Guitar Experience vol. 4. What do you think connects the three of you as guitarists?
I think what connects us is our love for the instrument and the need to express ourselves through it. Of course, we all kinda have different musical backgrounds, influences, and approaches, and that’s exactly what makes an event like this interesting. We’re there to share our individual musical worlds with the audience. At the end of the day, the guitar is the common language, but everyone has their own story to tell.
How has your relationship with the guitar changed since you first started playing?
When I started, I was fascinated by the instrument itself and by the guitarists I admired. I wanted to learn, improve, and discover what the guitar could do. Over the years, my priorities have changed. Today, I’m less interested in what I can play and more interested in what I have to say through my playing. You learn that sometimes one note can be more powerful than a hundred. The journey is never-ending, but the older I get, the more I value simplicity, honesty, and personality.
Blues, rock, funk, jazz, instrumental music, all meet in your musical worlds. How important is it for you to keep experimenting instead of staying inside one genre?
It’s extremely important. I’ve always loved blues and rock, and they’re a huge part of my musical identity, but I don’t want to put limits on myself. Music has no borders, and I get excited when different influences come together naturally. You can take the raw emotion of the blues, the energy of rock, the groove of funk, and the harmonic possibilities of jazz, and create something that feels completely your own. I’m not interested in mixing genres just for the sake of it. I want everything I play to feel honest and natural, whatever the influences may be.
You have all played with many different musicians and in very different environments. What have other musicians taught you about playing the guitar that you could never have learned alone?
Playing with other musicians teaches you to listen. You can spend hours practicing alone, but you can’t fully learn interaction, chemistry, timing, and the ability to react to another musician until you’re actually playing together. You learn when to lead, when to support, and when to leave space for someone else. Some of the best musical moments happen spontaneously, when nobody is trying to control everything. Those experiences have taught me that being a good guitarist isn’t just about what you play — it’s also about what you make possible for the other musicians around you.
How different is playing guitar on stage in front of an audience from playing in the studio? Which one brings out the best in you?
They’re two very different experiences, and I love both for different reasons. In the studio, you have the opportunity to explore details, experiment with sounds, and work on the smallest aspects of a performance. On stage, everything becomes more immediate. There’s energy coming from the audience, and every night is different. You have to trust your instincts and embrace the moment. If I had to choose, I’d definitely go with live performance. There’s something unique about the energy exchange between the musicians and the audience that you simply cannot recreate in the studio. I love the spontaneity, the freedom, and the fact that anything can happen in the moment. That’s where I feel most connected to the music, and I believe that’s where I express myself best as a guitarist.
You will share the same stage at Guitar Experience 2026. What are you personally looking forward to hearing from the other two guitarists that night?
For me, these kinds of gatherings are always like a masterclass. No matter how long you’ve been playing or how much experience you have, there’s always something to learn from other musicians. Everyone has a different approach, a different sound, and a different way of expressing themselves through the instrument. I’m really looking forward to hearing Stefanos and Babis, discovering their musical worlds, and sharing that experience together. I believe that when musicians with different personalities come together, everyone walks away with something new. And that’s one of the most beautiful things about music — you’re always learning.
Why should Greek fans not miss the Guitar Experience vol. 4 event? Send a message to them!
Because this is a chance to experience the electric guitar up close, through three different musical personalities, each with a different story, sound, and approach. It’s not just about technique or guitar solos. It’s about energy, expression, creativity, and the connection between musicians and the audience.
If you love the guitar, rock, blues, or simply live music played with passion, come and be part of it. Bring your ears, your energy, and your love for music. We’re looking forward to sharing a great night with you. See you there!
