“I'd try to bust out my best hot and fastest licks, and Joe would always be so helpful. He'd say, ‘All those licks are cool. But just slow it down, man. Tell a story’”: Lionel Richie guitarist Greg Suran shares the solo advice he received from Joe Walsh

Musician Joe Walsh (R) and guitarist Greg Suran (L) performs at the International Myeloma Foundation's 6th Annual Comedy Celebration hosted by Ray Romano benefiting The Peter Boyle Research Fund at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre on October 27, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

Versatility is Greg Suran's trump card. From working with Iris hitmakers The Goo Goo Dolls and Seattle-born emo band Sunny Day Real Estate, to performing Lionel Richie's timeless repertoire and playing a wide array of tunes as part of American Idol's house band, Suran is a true guitar chameleon.

Another formidable act to add to this bulging list? The Eagles' Joe Walsh, whom he played with from 2011 to 2013 on the Analog Man tour, also served as a mentor in some capacity. So, how did this gig come about?