From Bedroom Videos to the Legendary Trio: How a 22-Year-Old Guitarist Won Over Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp

For Anna Cara, a 22-year-old guitarist hailing from Newcastle, England, stepping into the shoes of Nita Strauss within the Alice Cooper Band is a monumental task. The legendary repertoire Anna Cara is tackling alongside Alice Cooper was originally written and recorded by iconic guitar masters like Dick Wagner, Steve Hunter, Kane Roberts, Vinnie Moore, Orianthi, and of course, Nita Strauss herself (who is currently on maternity leave), making the gig exceptionally high-stakes.

However, Anna Cara is supported by two seasoned veterans: guitarists Ryan Roxie, who has been touring with Alice Cooper since 1996, and Tommy Henriksen, who joined the lineup in 2012. Their vast experience, which includes high-profile collaborations with legends such as Slash and Joe Perry, makes them the ultimate mentors for Anna Cara, who grew up worshipping the band's stage performances.

"I was obsessed with Orianthi and Nita Strauss," Anna Cara reveals. "I used to jam along to their YouTube videos as a kid, so being here right now is completely mind-blowing."

"You need to be exceptionally versatile to handle this catalog," notes Ryan Roxie. "The second I heard Anna Cara play, I knew she was the real deal. She can rip through lightning-fast technical shred passages and seamlessly transition into raw classic rock rhythm in a heartbeat."

Tommy Henriksen, who originally discovered Anna Cara and compares her tone, vibrato, and versatility to the legendary Gary Moore, echoes that praise: "I kept telling Ryan Roxie, 'Man, you’ve got to check out this kid’s playing.' She possesses that intangible magic. Very few players have it, but she's got it natively."

Despite her innate humility, Anna Cara explains her musical philosophy: "I prioritize feel and emotion above everything else. Fast shredding is fun, but touch, dynamics, and tone are what keep me passionate about playing the guitar."

Until Nita Strauss makes her return, Anna Cara is hitting the road with Alice Cooper on a tour where there are no backing tracks or safety nets. "Everything you hear is 100% live," emphasizes Ryan Roxie. "If someone makes a mistake, it’s out there. That’s authentic rock 'n' roll — real tube amps, raw guitars, and raspy vocals."

"I am constantly striving to improve," says Anna Cara. "I never assume I’ve reached the top. I’m always pushing myself to evolve as a player. Standing on stage next to Alice Cooper when he points at me for a guitar solo feels completely surreal."

Ryan Roxie encourages the young guitarist to embrace the journey: "Hard work brings opportunity. Tommy Henriksen and I got our big break years ago, and we still pour our hearts into it every night. Now it's Anna Cara’s time to shine, and the world is hers for the taking."

Exclusive Interview with the Guitar Trio:

Tommy, is it true that Anna Cara joined the Alice Cooper camp through you?

Tommy Henriksen: I originally recruited Anna Cara for my project, Crossbone Skully. I’m constantly searching Instagram and YouTube for fresh talent. When assembling Crossbone Skully, I wanted to discover incredible bedroom guitarists and give them a major stage platform.

What specifically drew you to Anna Cara's guitar playing?

Tommy Henriksen: Her videos focused strictly on her hands and the guitar fretboard — zero posing, no gimmicks. I sent her a message saying, "Your tone, touch, and vibrato are incredible. Can I speak with you and your parents?" I didn't even know her age at the time (laughs). During a FaceTime call, I told them, "Your daughter plays like a seasoned veteran. She sounds like Gary Moore with the vibrato of a 55-year-old blues legend." Aside from Orianthi, I had never heard a female guitarist play with that level of expressive vibrato. When I asked who taught her, she said, "My dad!"

How did Anna Cara eventually end up joining Crossbone Skully?

Tommy Henriksen: I told her, "I'm putting a project together. Be ready to fly to Los Angeles." Months later, I called her up and said, "Pack your bags, we're shooting music videos in LA." I picked her up at the airport and drove straight to Johnny Depp's house, where the recording studio is located. Imagine a kid who had never left Newcastle suddenly hanging out at Johnny Depp's estate! Johnny Depp immediately said, "Let her play any guitar she wants," so I handed her one of Johnny Depp’s personal instruments. That’s how our collaboration started.

When Nita Strauss gave notice regarding her temporary leave from the Alice Cooper band, Anna Cara was the obvious choice to step in.

Anna, this entire experience must feel like a whirlwind?

Anna Cara: When Tommy Henriksen discovered me in 2022, I was 19. Over the past few years, I’ve grown immensely as a musician and performer. It still feels surreal because back when I was 14, I was jamming along to Alice Cooper concert videos in my bedroom.

Ryan, as the longest-serving guitarist in the Alice Cooper band, what was your initial reaction to Anna Cara?

Ryan Roxie: She blew me away. Band chemistry and attitude are just as crucial as technical ability. In this group, you have to wear multiple hats and adapt to various sub-genres. When I first heard Anna Cara, I wondered how a 22-year-old could extract such a mature tone from her fingers. That kind of touch usually takes decades of playing in gritty bars, but she cultivated it through relentless practice in her room.

Tommy, were you the one who suggested Anna Cara to Alice Cooper?

Tommy Henriksen: Alice Cooper was looking for a guitarist, and I asked, "Are you looking for a guy or a girl? I have the perfect player either way." First, I sent her clips to Ryan Roxie. Ryan watched her and instantly said, "She’s got it." Alice Cooper was completely onboard as well and suggested bringing her out to Vegas to watch the production and get acclimated.

Anna, can you define that special touch Tommy refers to? Is it innate or developed?

Anna Cara: My dad taught me the fundamentals. He played guitar as a hobby and always emphasized rhythm and proper vibrato before speed. He told me, "Master your feel and timing before trying to shred fast." From there, I studied legends like Tony Iommi, Eddie Van Halen, and Gary Moore. I was always drawn to players with incredible tone and expressive delivery.

Ryan Roxie: It’s wild that I’m 60 and she’s 22, yet we share the exact same classic influences. That vintage rock foundation shines through her playing.

How do you divide the guitar duties on stage?

Ryan Roxie: Alice Cooper loves heavy guitar work, so almost every song features two or three solos. Everyone gets their moment to shine. Personally, I love holding down the rhythm — I’m basically the Malcolm Young of the group (laughs).

The setlist dictates who takes which solo. If it's an '80s Kane Roberts track, Anna Cara handles it. If it’s a gritty classic rock tune, Tommy Henriksen takes the lead. I cover the middle ground. Our goal is to honor the original album arrangements.

Tommy Henriksen: I’m completely content playing rhythm guitar. When I do take a solo, I just rearrange my favorite three licks (laughs).

Ryan Roxie: Don't let him fool you — Tommy Henriksen is one of the most dedicated guitarists I’ve ever worked with. He started as a bassist and transformed himself into an incredible guitarist through sheer work ethic.

Anna Cara: The three-guitar dynamic works because we complement each other's strengths. During rehearsals, we spend a lot of time dialing in twin-guitar harmonies.

What are your favorite Alice Cooper songs to perform live?

Tommy Henriksen: Caught in a Dream because of its tricky groove, and Cold Machines in Drop D tuning for its heavy industrial vibe.

Anna Cara: Feed My Frankenstein! The dual guitar solo with Ryan Roxie is an absolute blast. I also love playing Poison for its iconic harmony guitar sections.

Ryan Roxie: I love the complex arrangements. We perform Chasing Rainbows (a song from 1917 that Alice Cooper covered on 1976’s Goes to Hell album). Transposing the original piano parts into a three-way guitar arrangement was an awesome creative challenge.

What guitar gear and rigs are you currently running on tour?

Tommy Henriksen: I’m primarily playing B.C. Rich guitars right now. I remember seeing Joe Perry — the coolest guitarist ever — rocking a B.C. Rich on the Live! Bootleg album, and I knew I needed one. I bought an original 1980 B.C. Rich Bich and a B.C. Rich Mockingbird from a neighbor for $5,000, and later added an '80s B.C. Rich Warlock to my collection.

Ryan Roxie: I grew up on Gibson guitars and love classic shapes: a Gibson Flying V for '80s tracks, a Gibson Explorer for industrial riffs, and a Gibson Les Paul for classic '70s material. Since I’m no longer an exclusive Gibson clinician, I’m free to explore other boutique builders. Lately, I’ve been loving instruments from Rock N Roll Relics, founded by Billy Rowe.

I’m also launching a signature overdrive/boost pedal with Citadel called the Pin Sound, inspired by Eddie Van Halen's cranked tone. For acoustic sections, we rely on Alvarez acoustic guitars.

Anna Cara: Live, we run digital Kemper profiling units, and Tommy Henriksen dialed in our core tones. Instrument-wise, I’m playing custom Ibanez X Series guitars, which feel fantastic. My nickname is Blackthorn, and when Tommy Henriksen showed me the angular Ibanez body shape, it looked like a thorn, so it was a perfect match.

I also tour with a Gibson Les Paul since I grew up playing Gibson guitars. I love Gibson SG models as well, but my current Gibson Les Paul was kindly loaned to me by Alice Cooper’s son, Dash Cooper.

What is the key to maintaining tight coordination in a three-guitar band?

Ryan Roxie: It’s simple: we know whose name is on the ticket, and it’s not Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henriksen, or Anna Cara (laughs). Alice Cooper is a gracious leader who wants every musician to shine on stage, which keeps everyone's ego in check.

Tommy Henriksen: It all comes down to rock-solid rhythm, timing, and dynamics. When three guitars lock in together, it creates a massive wall of sound.

Anna Cara: Alice Cooper’s catalog is timeless. I’ve always preferred '70s and '80s classic rock over modern music. Sharing the stage with Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henriksen every night is a dream come true.

How do you balance personal expression with serving the song?

Tommy Henriksen: I’m constantly checking out guitarists on Instagram to learn new licks and stay inspired.

Ryan Roxie: Anna Cara is at the beginning of an amazing career, while Tommy Henriksen and I want to keep playing as long as possible. We are distinct players, but on stage, we operate as a unified team. Rock 'n' roll isn't about clinical perfection; it's about energy, soul, and covering for each other.

Anna, what message do you have for aspiring guitarists around the world?

Anna Cara: A fan once told me how inspiring it was to see a young female guitarist on a major stadium stage. Success comes down to relentless hard work and consistency. I kept posting guitar covers online because I wanted to be heard. If I hadn't posted that blues cover video that caught Tommy Henriksen's attention, none of this would have happened.

Work hard, stay dedicated, and play because you genuinely love the instrument. Enjoying the journey every single day is what matters most.