very true on michael hedges…discovered him in college…if were gonna throw out some from other genres heres a few:
jazz: joe pass, (ive never heard anything like what joe pass can do…blew my mind instantly when i heard him…which was quite recently), kurt rosenwinkel, pat martino, julian lage…
classical: julian bream, john williams, jason vieaux, gabriel bianco
fingerstyle (ill admit i dont know much about these guys but from what ive heard, pretty damn impressive …): tommy emmanuel, andy mckee
fusion: allan holdsworth, guthrie govan, al dimeola…guthrie really isnt fusion but i wouldnt even know how to classify him…
back to rock, but dual attack rhythm sections:
rammstein: richard kruspe/paul landers…IMO the best written rhythm in metal
iron maiden: adrian smith/dave murray
judas priest: kk downing/glenn tipton
I do not post a lot on the forum, but I have been lurking for years…however, after seeing this thread on the main page, I was inspired post a few thoughts of my own…I think my S/N pretty much tells the story of my interests…so, in no particular order here are a few of my favs (I really, really lean towards players with massive amounts of soul, so keeping that in mind…)
Jazz: Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Joe Pass, Norman Brown, Earl Klugh
Rock / Blues: Warren Haynes, Jimi, Stevie, Derek Trucks, Prince (Trucks & Prince are my all time fav players, so much soul and the chops to push it)
Derek Trucks playing Rastaman Chant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU9FEx1GS1E his opening chord riff and slide work are so slick it’s is unbelievable…
Fusion: Oz Noy, Eric Krasno, Wayne Krantz, Greg Howe (Krantz & Howe are the two most underrated Fusion players out there in my opinion)
Greg Howe jamming over Sunny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edVbz_uXJd0 his vibrato, loooooong legato lines, and tapping methods are simply stunning in my opinion…
Again, just a few thoughts…music is the keys to my soul, so I genuinely appreciate anyone willing to play or sing, no matter how good or bad, as long as they are having fun…
I could do this all day…seriously 
great thread, THANKS.
Have a great Friday ST peeps and players…