In the years since he released his debut album as a 16-year-old guitar prodigy in 1991, Eric Gales has been to Hell and back. Prior to getting sober five-and-a-half years ago Eric spent decades in the throes of drug addiction, ending up in jail and almost dying a number of times, all the while watching the success many had predicted for him as a teenager go down the drain.

But now he’s back, he’s sober, and he’s just released the album of his career in Crown, which was co-produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. It’s been a wild ride to get to this point, as you’re about to find out…