MusicRadar.com posted an article earlier today where they asked 40 well-known guitarists to name another guitarist who they count among their favorites and who is especially inspirational to them. Alex Lifeson named Dixie Dregs founder and current Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse as a guitarist that he particularly admires:

... "I've come across many players over the years and I've learned a lot from a lot of players, but I think one of the most underrated players - and he's respected, but he just didn't get the recognition he deserved - is Steve Morse.

"I remember when we were playing with The Steve Morse band and he'd be there when we were there at soundcheck, at three or four o'clock in the afternoon, and I'd just watch him and he'd be wandering around the hall playing and warming up.

"They'd always play a different song every night for their soundcheck and he was just such an amazing player. He has such an amazing ability. I always thought that he should have been huge in whatever he did. He was definitely successful in whatever bands he worked in, but I don't think that he ever had the kind of recognition that he so deserved. So I'd have to say Steve Morse."

You can check out the entire article online at this location (thanks RushFanForever).