Josh Durning may be only 15, but he's already accomplished more than most guitarists twice his age can only dream about.

Since picking up the guitar five years ago, Josh has mastered a range of styles, been endorsed by international companies, featured on Italian radio and plays at least three gigs a week.

In fact, the Otumoetai College student says towards the end of last month he crammed six shows all in to one single week.

'It keeps me out of trouble,” he deadpans. 'I also get to share the gift of music with people and all my gigs have gone really well so far. I get a lot of support from audiences.”

Josh's main weapon of choice is an acoustic guitar and he's fluent in a range of styles which include country, bluegrass, jazz, ragtime and Appalachian. He also knows his way around a banjo too.

He cites his influences as Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Tommy Emmanuel, Jerry Reed and his grandfather Keith Capamagian who inspired him to pick up the guitar at the age of 10.

'Music is a big part of my family's lives but my main influence is my grandfather Keith,” explains Josh. 'He plays guitar and sings, mainly country music like Roy Acuff and Johnny Cash.”

His grandfather also appears as rhythm guitar on Josh's debut four-track EP ‘Paying Tribute' which was released in April of this year and earned praise in a review by magazine NZ Musician.

Tauranga guitarist Josh Durning. Photo: joshdurning.com

Josh says his endorsements with MPC Amplification, G7th Capo's, GraphTech and Fred Kelly picks came about after videos of him playing were shared through social media sites like Facebook.

'When they got in touch it just gave me more inspiration to go out and play more gigs,” says Josh. 'If someone's going to give me a product to use I might as well go out there and use it.”

If you want to check out Josh on an electric guitar you will find him every Wednesday down at The Matua on Tilby Drive where he plays alongside Trevor Braunias and Andy Craw.

He'll also be on stage with Boston band No Bones About It when they play Rotorua's The Rogue Stage on December 18.

Josh will also play the midday set at the Marchwood Blues Picnic being held in Omokoroa next year.

'I'm really looking forward to playing Marchwood,” he says. 'It will be a great day and be good to finally see Tony Joe White play as well.”

For more information, or to download Josh's EP ‘Paying Tribute', visit: www.joshdurning.com