At an early age he began entering state-wide guitar competitions, and by the age of 16 was banned from entering them, having won too often. It was through the prizes won at these competition that he was able to start Pantera, including the guitar that has since become his tradmark.
Among his other influences are Eddie Van Halen, to whom he has frequently been compared, and Ace Frehley. He also cites many of his contemporaries among his influences, including Slayer's Kerry King, Zakk Wylde, Metallica's James Hetfield, and even Helmet's Page Hamilton.
He frequently graces the pages of guitar magazines, both in adverts for equipment he endorses, and in the reader's polls, where he frequents the top 10 metal guitarist spots. He has also contributed a long running column in Guitar World magazine, which has been compiled in the book "Riffer Madness" (ISBN 0769291015)
His brother, Vinnie Paul, also plays drums in Pantera. The two have also played in a project with David Allan Coe called "Rebel Meets Rebel", and have started a new band, Gasoline, during Pantera's hiatus, as well as the New Found Power project.