He's the hometown guitar legend making a serious name for himself worldwide.
Thursday night, Joe Bonamassa came home - wowing a crowd inside downtown Syracuse's Landmark Theatre.
Raised in New Hartford, Bonamassa's talent was unprecedented.
Local radio show host Dave Frisina remembers featuring a young Bonamassa on his weekly show.
"I mean, he was way ahead of himself," Frisina said outside the Landmark Theatre. "You'd go to one of his shows and you'd see older guitar players and older artists just watching this kid going, really?"
Bonamassa has grown up a lot since then - taking his talents worldwide.
The 35-year-old is widely considered one of the best guitarists on the planet.
"He's playing the Royal Albert Hall in London, he's playing in New York City, he's playing in front of sold out crowds with the biggest names in the business," Frisina said. He's on the cover of every magazine."
Fans said they hope Bonamassa continues to take his music worldwide, but wouldn't mind seeing him stop back home along the way.
