Joel is "a titan in Chicago's roots music scene" -AP , playing everything from jazz to honky tonk with a style that is decidedly his own. Greg and Joel get into the gristle, covering Joel's musical journey, and also what it's like to be a guitar player in this day and age. 2:08 - Joel’s time playing with Harmonica legend Jim Liban, and shared woes of guitars lost to impulsive trades 8:17 - Joel’s influences, and how he became the player he is today (from Rockabilly to Merle Travis) 15:17 - Movin...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 3Ep. 12
One of Guitar World's Top 50 Guitarists, Gretchen Menn first grabbed everyone's attention with Zepparella, an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band that has been turning heads for years. Gretchen's work goes far beyond Zeppelin, and today Greg and her get into the details! 2:51 - The joys of playing, being able to focus focus focus as a player during lockdown, and the art of avoiding professional humiliation 6:14 - Gretchen’s take on playing Led Zeppelin tunes live for a living — a mix of staying...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 11
An incredibly influential acoustic guitarist, Andy's "Drifting" YouTube video went viral long before "going viral" was a thing. Years later, Andy has easily cemented his place as the standard-bearer for modern, percussive guitar playing (pioneered by players like Michael Hedges, Don Ross, and others, and then brought to new heights by Andy). Greg and Andy get into the Acoustic Gristle today! 1:58 - Andy’s current life and playing schedule during Winter ’21 with Tommy Emmanuel, and his early infl...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 10
What do Etta James and Paul McCartney have in common? The answer is Brian Ray, the talented guitarist (and bass guitarist) who has been an essential piece of both of their bands! Brian also has an extensive vintage guitar collection, so get ready for some gear talk with Greg! 1:06 - Brian’s INSANE guitar collection, and the allure and beauty of vintage guitars 8:00 - Brian’s indoctrination into Rock ’n Roll 20:21 - The blessing and importance of parents’ loving support, and Brian’s progression a...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Jazz guitar potentate Bruce Foreman is not only a monster player. He is also an extremely funny and entertaining individual with some great stories. Dig in as Greg and Bruce chew it up good! 2:12 - Monterey, California - the beauty, the mystique, and the home of one Bruce Foreman 6:26 - Where and how it started for Bruce (guitar and music, that is) 12:47 - Bruce’s personal foray into jazz, and the importance of understanding and loving the music 19:39 - Instagram, and life at home as a restless ...
Nov 25, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Proudly brandishing the moniker of "Guitar Nerd", Pete Thorn is among the most revered guitarists on the interwebs, where his reviews and how-to videos garner thousands of views on YouTube and Instagram. Pete built his guitar reputation as a go-to session guitar guy with famed producer Linda Perry in LA and also spent years on the road with the likes of Chris Cornell, Don Henly, Melissa Etheridge, Jewell, Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, and others. Greg and Pete get into the gear AND the gristle! 1:13 - Wha...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Israeli-born and Chicago-based blues and jazz guitarist Guy King has spent decades wowing audiences with his unique style and unusual approach. Greg and Guy get into his tone and many other varieties of gristle! 3:16 - The meeting of the musicians - when Greg and Guy met to jam with Nick Moss, Josh Smith, and Dave Spector, and Guy’s new record 4:33 - Guy’s tone, style, and personal flavor - how the heck does he do it, and the importance of writing music that uplifts your soul 28:40 - Dynamics wh...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Veron has long defied guitar genres, expectations, and conventions. His explosive work leading Living Colour turned everyone's head in the age of hair metal, and ever since he has never stopped innovating and creating in new and unexpected ways. Greg and Vernon Reid get deep into music and metaphysics in ways that only they can. Get ready! 1:30 - Upcoming tours with Living Colour, the complexities of touring during COVID, and a discussion about the in-depth social and metaphysical differences in...
Nov 02, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Tomo Fujita is one of the most well-known guitar teachers on the planet, famously beloved by his current and former students at Berklee College of Music (including John Mayer). His YouTube and Instagram channels have a treasure-trove of useful lessons for guitarists of all levels, and their popularity led Guitar World to name him among "15 of the greatest all-star guitar teachers" (a list that also included the Gristleman himself). 2:57 - What drew Tomo to the guitar, the influence of Jeff Beck ...
Oct 27, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Elliot Easton redefined what it means to be a guitar hero as a founding member of The Cars. His melodic and concise solos are absolutely essential to those classic Cars records. Elliot and Greg connect about The Cars, Elliot's early years, and his individual approach to the guitar! 1:36 - The latest and greatest with Elliot as the pandemic winds its way down (hopefully) 5:57 - A young Elliot growing up in New York and his obsession with guitar from early on 14:49 - Elliot’s time with The Cars an...
Oct 22, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 3
John 5 has been the go-to guitarist for an incredibly varied list of people you know (Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Avril Lavigne, Rob Halford, k.d. lang, Garbage, Meat Loaf, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, and even Lynyrd Skynyrd). Greg and John get into his journey and his gear! 2:23 - Ahhh the sweet, sweet solace of the guitar 4:21 - Growing up in Michigan, playing dive bars, the grace of his parent’s support, and staying clean while hoofing it broke it Hollywood 14:13 - TELECA...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Season 3 is off to a great start with Ariel! Known for his stunning solo releases and also his time with The Bros. Landreth, Ariel is one of the most popular and lauded modern guitarists out there. Greg gets deep with Ariel regarding his musical journey, techniques, and gear. Enjoy the ride as Season 3 gets going with Ariel Posen! 2:17 - Greg’s influence on Ariel in his early days via his “Best of Stevie Ray Vaughan” video 4:46 - Growing up in Winnipeg as a player and musician — ‘What’s in the w...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 1
New York guitar player of doom Gil Parris has played with Dr. John, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Diane Schuur, and Bernie Williams. Along with being a sideman, he's equally known for leading his own projects. Greg and Gil talk about his signature Reverend guitar (with Fishman Fluence Single-Width pickups), Gil's musical journey, and other gristle of all flavors! 2:12 - Gil Parris during the pandemic: solo performances, group performances, finding oneself busier than anticipated, and thoughts on the...
Aug 12, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Hattiesburg, Mississippi's own Webb Wilder is well known for deftly walking the musical ground between rock 'n' roll and progressive country. An accomplished guitarist and performer, he's also an actor and longtime DJ. Webb and Greg cover where he's at after this crazy year, and what the future holds. Of course, they also talk gear! 1:30 - Webb’s time during the pandemic - two birthdays, an album release, streaming shows 3:44 - ‘Americana’ and ‘Rock N Roll’ - Webb’s definition, the general energ...
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Willy is an acoustic guitar wizard, bending his incredible technique and unconventional style to the will of his muse for over 20 years now. Greg and Willy talk about rigs, influences, Wisconsin, fequencies, and the emergence of musicians from the pandemic. 2:41 - Willy’s understanding of sound frequencies, and how to communicate with a front of house engineer 5:17 - Life as a musician as we drift out of the pandemic, the interesting phenomenon of live-streaming performances, and living with unc...
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Daryl has been the exceptional touring guitarist/bassist with Genesis since 1977 (42 years), and Phil Collins' main guitarist since his first solo album. Besides digging into his time with both, Greg and Daryl talk about his early years with Jean Luc Ponty, Gino Vannelli, and Daryl's solo project, and also what it's like for a touring musician to live in Milwaukee! 1:11 - Moments before the pandemic, the near-reuniting of Genesis, and how the band prepares for rehearsal 7:51 - Daryl’s gear on th...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Shonn has received accolades for his guitar work with many superstars, including Mary J Blige, John Legend, Jill Scott, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Patti LaBelle, Gym Class Heroes, and Carol King. His own Milwaukee-based band Shotgun has been making waves nationally. Greg and Shonn get into the details of the many facets of Shonn's musical life! 1:45 - The pandemic, and Shonn’s focus on his solo project ‘Shonn Hinton & Shotgun’ 6:33 - Shonn’s relationship with guitarist and ‘CTG’ guest Scott Sharrard,...
Jul 15, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Scott is no stranger to big stages, as he was Gregg Allman's guitarist and musical director until his death, and is now the newest member of Little Feat. An incredible guitarist and singer, Sharrard's musical journey started long before his time with these venerable bands. Greg and Scott get into the details! 2:36 - Scott’s home and creative anchor: The Rust Belt, and musical influence of Southern Roots music 10:36 - Growing up with a singer-songwriter father, records and guitars scattered aroun...
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Duke is a guitarist's guitarist, known for his melodic virtuosity and classic tone. He draws six-string enthusiasts from far and wide to his frequent shows in Boston when he isn't on the road or in the studio with artists such as Peter Wolf, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dennis Brennan, Slaid Cleaves, and The J Geils Band to name a few. Greg and Duke talk about his upbringing, Patreon and Social Media, Amps, Telecasters, Practicing, Hendrix's Snickers Bars, and Boston. 2:13 - Jeff Beck, L...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 22
One of YouTube's most popular guitar heroes, Chris is known for his stellar guitar playing (Guitarist Magazine's 2020 Best Blues Guitarist ) along with the wit and insight he brings to his weekly, self-produced "Friday Fretwork" series. Greg and Chris dive into a little of everything: influences, tone, fatherhood, vintage pickups - P-90s, and vintage guitars! 1:30 - Cardinal Black, the coming together and working into the studio with Steve Winwood 4:59 - Life during lockdown: how Chris spends hi...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 21
A potentate of the instrumental guitar relm, Prashant is an incredible player, engineer and producer. Greg digs into Prashant's musical journey through the Berklee College of Music, Greg Howe, and then onto the LA music scene. 1:52 - Prashant’s year in 2020 - moving from LA to Northern California, celebrating the birth of his third child, and treasuring time with family 5:19 - Coming out to your parents that you want to be a professional musician, and Prashant’s experience telling his parents as...
Jun 17, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 20
The legendary Robben Ford has played with everyone from Miles Davis to KISS, and over his long career, he's consistently pushed the boundaries of his own incredible guitar playing to dizzying heights. Greg and Robben catch up on the former LA musician's current life in Nashville, Robben's new record "Pure", the Guitar Dojo, vintage guitars, and other topics of true gristle delight! 1:16 - Robben’s move to Nashville, and the warmth of the city he fully embraced 2:47 - Robben’s confident foray int...
Jun 10, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 19
The Titan of the Telecaster, King of Dieselbilly, and Mr "Hot Rod Lincoln" himself Bill Kirchen chews the Gristle with Greg today. They dig into Bill's history, beginnings and talk about the differences between being a working musician then and now. And of course, they talk Tele! 1:36 - Bill’s first live-music experience in a year 3:41 - How Bill’s music journey began (hint: it was folk music), and brought him out west to San Francisco 10:24 - Bill as a “rambler”, what that means to him, and the...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 18
"The Fretless Monster" Tony Franklin has played with some of rock's most iconic names, and he's well known for his individual approach to the fretless bass. He's played with Roy Harper, The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, Whitesnake, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Greg and Tony catch up about remote recording, LA vs England, The Firm, and other various gristle. Dig it all! 2:05 - What’s new with Mr. Tony Franklin - transitioning from Pro Tools to Studio One, upgrading his co...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Butch is one of the most in-demand producers in the rock and pop music world, and he also happens to be one powerful beast of a guitarist and songwriter. Greg and Butch get down and dirty on producing, gear, LA vs Nashville, and many other gristly topics. Dig it! 3:59 - Butch’s thoughts on the evolution of music in regard to the internet - is it the Golden Age of music, or a something else entirely - from artist exposure, production royalties, and everything in between. 15:16- The idea of a “pro...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Arlen is the father of modern-day guitar instruction, and widely known as the "Master of the Telecaster". His early "Hot Licks" series of videos changed the medium by which many of us would learn guitar, and his book "Slide Guitar" influenced many of today's guitar heroes (including Greg)! Greg and Arlen go back to the beginning and talk about his upbringing, the scene in Woodstock NY, and what Arlen's been up to as of late! 1:44 - Arlen’s book “Slide Guitar” (written at 19 on tour with John Pri...
Apr 29, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 15
One of the fiercest players in Nashville, Andy Wood is recognized as part of the forefront of this generation’s top influential guitarists. Touring with acts as diverse as Rascal Flatts and Sebastian Bach, Andy's musicianship is legendary. Greg and Andy talk about the Woodshed Guitar Experience, Telecasters, and the upcoming post-COVID world for guitarists. 3:07 - The fun and success of Andy’s COVID-friendly 2020 Woodshed Guitar Experience, plus what Andy’s been up to recently between his podcas...
Apr 22, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Devin is a prolific potentate of modern metaldom! It is hard to put a label on Devin that sufficiently covers the breadth of his complex and impressive musical identity. Devin does it all, with dedicated fans worldwide and over 25 albums to his name. Townsend's musical insights are always as deep, heavy and colorful as his music, so prepare to feast! 1:16 - Dealing with the invisible angst of today’s modern problems, and a few delightful proverbs to lift the spirits 5:46 - What’s Devin up to in ...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Blackberry Smoke has been a true southern rock force for 20 years now! Charlie's guitar playing and singing are a big part of that equation. Today, Greg talks to Charlie about his musical upbringing, his favorite gear, his influences, and all other kinds of delicious gristle! 1:13 - Charlie’s Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite, and his Telecaster from Echopark Guitars 3:35 - Charlie’s upcoming record, his new single, the day-to-day of a professional musician during COVID, and Greg as streaming Ragtime-W...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Guthrie is one of Nashville's most exciting guitarists. A regular member of Jerry Douglas' band, the list of musicians Guthrie has supported is staggering - Garth Brooks, John Oates, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Tim O’Brien, and Delbert McClinton just to name a few. Guthrie and Greg talk covid, Guthrie's musical journey, and, of course, gear! 4:18 - The saving grace of online social platforms and education for musicians during the pandemic, and the ironic and comical ...
Apr 01, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 11
