One of the most successful songwriters in rock and roll history, having penned two #1 hits, a Grammy winner and an Oscar nomination. On top of this, he’s also written hit songs with The Ides of March, .38 Special, Sammy Hagar, Survivor, Rocky III & IV (“Eye of The Tiger”), The Doobie Brothers, Blackhawk, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Cinderella, Brian Wilson, Anthony Gomes, Dennis DeYoung (Styx), along with the theme song for the Chicago Cubs and two best-selling books Jim talks about the ...
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 37 min
Bryan Beller Interview: Bryan talks about making his 18 song double-LP. The theme of disillusionment, working with Joe Satriani, Mike Dawes, Janet Feder, Jane Getter, Janet Robin, John Petrucci, Mike Keneally, Teddy Kumpel, Jamie Kime, Guthrie Govan… dealing with his obsessiveness and how this impacted the record, backstory to some of the songs, purple vinyl, more. TOTAL Enthusiasm! Bryan Beller Interview: Bryan Beller is a multi-instrumentalist, sideman and solo artist most well-known for his t...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 707
Chris talks about the difficult task of having to leave a band he founded, being comfortable (or not) in your own skin, discipline & commitment, being tied up to the chimney on his roof of his house - by his own dad… Bob Rock’s influence on him… his cool vintage gear, being a dad, and more. VERYreal and frank conversation with a powerful player, who’s a master of playing different styles of music: Chris started playing professionally while still a teenager in New York City. First with hardco...
Jul 14, 2020•1 hr 36 min
Hadden Sayers Interview: The serendipity of his journey and how opportunities opened up for him, learning to play house concerts, growing up in east Texas & enjoying Future Farmers of America (FFA), the attraction of the blues, losing some close friends and the impact this had, his cool vintage Strats, a great Billy Gibbons story, and other interesting stuff, great convo: Hadden Sayers Interview: Hadden Sayers has released 10 LPs and does a lot of session work on national jingles. He’s a sou...
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 706
Joe West Interview: Joe started sweeping floors in a studio in Pittsburgh, and over the next 20 years, hustled his way to the top. Being able to pivot when needed, career-wise… working with Jimmy Wayne, Indigo Girls, Justin Timberlake, Warren Zevon, Keith Urban, low points living in NYC and just scraping by… cigars, choosing to be happy for others, backing off and letting people do their own thing, and THE most classic “Music Business Story” ever heard on this show. LOADS of really cool stuff! J...
Jul 10, 2020•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 704
The first woman to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, Muriel’s performed and recorded w Chet Atkins, is the founder of the All Star Guitar Night which she’s hosted for 25 years, studied w Christopher Parkening, and her music has been on the Discovery space shuttle Muriel talks about her top 3 musical experiences of all time, starting the All Star Guitar Night, not “suffering enough” to play the blues, turning lemons into lemonade, harp guitars, the joy of playing, and much more. V...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 34 min
Kid Ramos Interview: Absolutely one of THE most positive forces of energy I’ve met! Kid shares some really personal and intimate stories about beating cancer and surrendering his pain up to God, his musical parents, and how they both shaped his life… and the tragic ending of his stepfather. Difficulties getting his career started, taking a break from music, Licorice Pizza, being yourself, connecting with Carlos Santana, why there simply aren’t that many things in life that are important, and mor...
Jul 08, 2020•1 hr 14 min
On the heels of releasing his second full-length solo album, one of the funkiest rhythm players around opens up about using Kickstarter as a platform… marketing his albums… managing his time… balancing work and family… the series of challenges he’s had along the way in his career, and… a potentially life-threatening medical condition he had to deal with at age 16, and how it permanently changed his life, for the better. Interesting and very honest conversation with a great player and an absolute...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 54 min
Keith Mack Interview: Moving to NYC, working with Patty Smyth, Joe Cocker, Cydi Lauper, Paul Young… The China Club, playing Berlin when The Wall came down, getting his stolen guitar back after 23 years, moving to LA and more Keith Mack Interview: Keith Mack has been a lifetime sideman and solo artist. He’s played with Patty Smyth & Scandal on and off since 1983, and with Joe Cocker, Paul Young, Cyndi Lauper and on hundreds of sessions. He’s also released 3 fingerstyle LPs and a solo record S...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 703
Shawn Pelton Interview: Understanding the subtle art of using your “radar” to get the job done… Cool stories about working with Steve Gadd, Phil Ramone, Buddy Guy, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Wolf, Keith Richards, Levon Helm, Richie Havens, The Brecker Brothers, Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, Saturday Night Live, Daryl’s House… Price he’s paid for success, letting go and not attaching to the outcome, loads more behind the scenes on how he approaches each gig as a s...
Jul 03, 2020•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 702
Mike’s played with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Jewel, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Duane Eddy and hundreds of other artists - both in the studio and on tour. He’s also one of the founding members of Giant, along with Dann Huff Mike talks about how Vince Gill is able to get the best performance out of his band members and the creative people all around him… and the intensity Dann Huff brings to the table Mike grew up in Memphis, steeped in that city’s deep R &am...
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr 19 min
Gary Morse Interview: Why all your gigs are ultimately connected, moving to LA from Detroit and dealing with some very hard times, top 3 touring and session experiences, becoming successful in music against all odds, why he never compromised his music, heavy influence of his dad in his work, why “There will be life after music,” and loads more really cool stuff - along with some great pedal and lap steel playing! Gary Morse Interview: Working at STAX on R & B in Detroit, moving to LA to lear...
Jul 01, 2020•3 hr 11 min•Ep. 701
Jeff talks about his book, which traces his adventures and his rags to riches to rags to redemption story as Sting’s guitarist. He performed 181 concerts in 25 countries on 6 continents, for over 2 million fans. Along the way, Jeff’s had a successful career as a session player in NYC, working with people like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Jon Bon Jovi, Chet Atkins, John Patitucci, Sammy Davis Jr. and loads of others. AMAZING stories about Sting, Jeff’s highs and lows, getting sober over 20 yea...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 45 min
Nick Johnston Interview: Being diagnosed with diabetes as an adult, events that turned into big career breaks for him, the making of his albums and how this progressed over time, his song structure, amps he uses, his signature guitar, his adaptability, reading 52 books a year, Tokyo, why he should’ve practiced LESS, and loads more. Great guy, amazingly talented Nick Johnston Interview: Nick has released 5 great instrumental LPs and done countless tours and clinics around the world. Only 32, he’s...
Jun 29, 2020•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 700
Warner E. Hodges Interview: GREAT stories about how REM and The Ramones took care of The Scorchers when the promoter didn’t pay them, why The Scorchers were a double edged sword for Warner… Getting sober in 1992 and the changes that have taken place since then, why he moved to NYC and LA once The Scorchers disbanded, past mistakes made, learning how to become a “Gibson guy,” JPOT, seeing AC/DC 105 times, learning to dial down his intensity and much more. AWESOME conversation with a super cool fa...
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 699
Growing up in both the UK and Qatar, Rob was a guitar prodigy and was doing club dates & sessions at 14. He has been with Janiroquai since 1999 and has toured, played on albums, and co-written hit songs. His recording credits include Don Airey (Deep Purple), Beverly Knight, Kylie Minogue, Anastasia, Lighthouse Family, Katy Perry, JP Cooper, Era, Gabriella Aplin, Will Young, Julian Perretta, Duke Dumont, Paloma Faith, Robbie Williams, Lego Batman (Soundtrack), Louisa Johnson and The Ministry ...
Jun 25, 2020•2 hr 2 min
Andy Leftwich Interview: How his faith has guided him & helped him make difficult decisions, becoming an in-demand session player in Nashville, his favorite 3 sessions… importance of goal-setting & learning something new every day… having the courage to leave Ricky Skaggs’ band after 16 years to pursue a higher calling and more. GREAT guy Andy Leftwich Interview: Four-time Grammy winning instrumentalist Andy Leftwich began playing the fiddle at the age of six, and proceeded to win every ...
Jun 24, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 698
Grammy winner Rick Holmstrom was a college basketball player who suddenly got “the bug” to play guitar during his senior year of college. Working his job as a reporter by day, and scouring the west coast blues clubs at night… he got his first break and began what’s turned into a lifetime of touring. Along the way, Rick’s had to overcome adversity with the loss of not one, but two of his immediate family members. But this Alaskan native’s story has a happy ending - he gets the girl (his wife, who...
Jun 23, 2020•2 hr 14 min
Gerry Leonard Interview: Moving from Dublin to the East Village in NYC, playing Carnegie Hall alone with David Bowie, stories on working with Bowie, Roger Glover, Laurie Anderson, Suzanne Vega, Roger Waters… getting signed to a major label and then losing the record deal… good espresso, meditation, doing things right & more. GREAT convo with a great guy: Gerry Leonard Interview: Originally from Dublin, Gerry Leonard is a guitar player, songwriter and producer now based in NYC. He played on D...
Jun 22, 2020•2 hr 34 min•Ep. 697
Rob Ickes Interview: Making the leap of faith moving from San Francisco to Nashville, observing the traits of successful studio musicians and using them as a role model for his own success, the “non music” components that have helped him succeed… stories about playing with Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, David Grisman, Mike Auldridge, Jorma Kaukonen, David Lee Roth, Earl Scruggs, Marty Stuart, Trey Hensley, Merle Haggard… overcoming the stigma of being a struggling musician, pushing himself forward, ...
Jun 19, 2020•1 hr 53 min
Will’s been an integral part of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section since 1980, and has played on dozens of hit records. He also played and recorded with Bonnie Raitt for 6 years prior to this. Will has a great sense of phrasing, and his tone is just beautiful. He’s also one of the most soulful cats you’ll ever meet. Yet, his own life has been filled with trials and heartbreak, which he shares with you on this call. Today though, Will is in a great place, both personally and musically… and you’d ha...
Jun 18, 2020•2 hr 33 min
Lessons learned from auditions, playing with Mindi Abair, Shania Twain, Brian Auger, Air Supply… dealing with the loss of his mom, Devo, work ethic, Shaun Cassidy’s wedding, New Zealand, skydiving, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, why every gig is a win, and “just play the groove.” Super cool, super sincere guy Derek is currently the bass player for Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain (5 yrs), LA-based rock band The Dirty Diamond. He’s also part of the Soundcheck Live house band at the Lucky Strike Live in Ho...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 695
WOW. More cool stories here than you will ever hear in any other 1-hour interview you might listen to over the course of your entire lifetime. 5-time Grammy winner Dave Roe has played with almost everyone. Besides being Johnny Cash’s last bassist from 1992 - 2003 (and what a Johnny Cash story he’ll share with you), he’s also played with Ian Hunter, Carrie Underwood, Chrissie Hynde, Dan Auerbach, Sturgill Simpson, Jerry Reed, Dwight Yoakam, John Mellencamp, Chet Atkins, CeeLo Green, Vince Gill, D...
Jun 16, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Fernando Perdomo created his first big break while living in Miami, out of the desperation he was feeling by not doing music full-time. 20 years later, he’s toured all over the world, and produced well over 100 records for others. Funny story about working with J Lo on his first session, the leap of faith he took moving to LA, his vintage guitars, working with Todd Rundgren, Echo in the Canyon, and Dexter, most important thing his mentor taught him (great lesson for all musicians), bouncing back...
Jun 15, 2020•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 694
Dan Baird Interview: AMAZING stories inside. What happens to a band when it’s collective members no longer have a common goal, the dynamics of working with Brendan O’Brien and Rick Rubin, GREAT Neil Young story, beating cancer (Twice!), the highs and lows of making records, getting his solo career going, his cool guitars, curiosity, work ethic, passion to grow and learn, opening for Bob Seger & Tom Petty, LOADS more cool stuff. This one’s a MUST: Dan Baird is best known as the writer, lead s...
Jun 12, 2020•3 hr 23 min•Ep. 693
One of my favorite blues artists & a top session player in India, Warren’s released 4 LPs under the blackstratblues name & has played on loads of top Bollywood movie soundtracks, including Oscar winning movie composer AR Rahman Interesting & in-depth conversation about how he got into doing session and soundtrack work, dropping out of school, leaving India to move to New Zealand - and then leaving his family to move back again… very cool behind the scenes stories about specific songs...
Jun 11, 2020•2 hr 9 min
Greg Morrow Interview: A boatload of fun, and loads of moving career & personal stories. First studio gig at age 11, taking a leap of faith and moving to Nashville to get his session career going… playing with Billy Gibbons (and some great Billy stories), Lee Ann Rimes, 38 Special, John Jorgenson, Sonny Landreth, Bob Seger, Cyndi Lauper (great Cyndi story!), Warren Haynes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rodney Crowell, Johnny Cash… dealing with the loss of his parents, unconditional love, faith… and why yo...
Jun 10, 2020•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 692
Vicki was the first woman to win Guitar Player magazine’s Guitar Superstar Competition. She has developed an incredibly melodic style of playing using 32 different open tunings, and a “slap-tap” technique. In the “slap” portion, she is using her thumb as if she was playing slap-funk bass… and in the “tap” portion, she’s playing harmonics. It’s very cool and with a really full sound - and, it’s completely unique… Vicki’s childhood had quite a few challenges and she shares what the fallout of thes...
Jun 09, 2020•1 hr 41 min
Benny Faccone Interview: Stories galore: His 50/50 formula for success, working with Herb Alpert, Ronnie James Dio, Cyndi Lauper and We Are The World, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Dizzy Gillespie, Carlos Santana, MANA, Teddy Pendergrass, Whitney Houton, Barbra Streisand, Phil Ramone, a hazy Stephen Stills, a VERY funny Paul Simon story, lessons learned from his mentors, best money he ever spent... taking a chance on a record that wound up changing his entire career, and therefore his life. VERY...
Jun 08, 2020•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 691
Ian Thornley Interview: Early struggles Big Wreck had getting launched, tough times including not eating for days at a time, backstory to a bunch of his greatest hits, learning how to process and communicate better, getting rid of anger and relaxing more, not letting business or anything else impact your music, things that make him happy, becoming more easy going, learning from making mistakes and uninformed decisions in days gone by. GREAT conversation, very sincere guy and just an amazingly ta...
Jun 05, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 690
