On this Jace Everett interview, Jace talks about finding Jesus at a young age, and then “opting out” of religion... dropping out of the music business for 5 years to raise his son and provide for his family... losing his publishing deal, his record deal and going through a miserable divorce - all at once!… Backstory to his new records, favorite song he wrote (NOT what you’re thinking), being a dad, understanding how others hear him (and don’t hear him), forgiveness, France, loads more. SUPER coo...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 762
On this Gary Hoey interview: why he’s a Black Belt in Martial Arts, hustling in front of Berklee, his audition for Ozzy, moving across the country from Massachusetts to LA… Writing his absolute biggest hit in 15 minutes, Chet Atkins, Judge Judy, and a TON of really cool stuff to enjoy in this fun conversation!... One of my all-time favorite guitar players, Gary’s released 22 albums in the last 23 years… has had five top-20 Billboard hits… has recorded songs for the largest companies in America… ...
Nov 17, 2020•1 hr 9 min
On this Glenn Worf interview: His perseverance and work ethic and how it took him WAY beyond where he imagined… Quitting college and moving to Nashville because, “You have to be willing to fail to get better…” Early struggles trying to get his session career going, working with Kevin Welch, Bob Seger, Patti Griffin (very cool story), Buddy Guy & Mark Knopfler… Coping with a significant health issue his wife has, “perfect plumb,” hearing both sides of the story, seeing the beauty in as much a...
Nov 16, 2020•2 hr 25 min•Ep. 761
On this Richard Bennett interview, GREAT stories about playing with Mark Knopfler, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Helen Reddy, Jim Stafford, Glen Campbell, Steve Earl, Al Casey… his unique approach to writing and recording, a difficult low point that found Richard struggling for almost a year, becoming a top producer and realizing he had to stop… how he went from playing dingy beer joints at 14, to playing on the most desirable sessions and touring the world, by “falling forward”... favorite musician...
Nov 13, 2020•3 hr 31 min•Ep. 760
LOADS of stories here! Andreas talks about growing up in Sao Paolo and sharing the grittier side of Brazil with the rest of the world. The period of confusion when one of the original founding members of Sepultura left, playing in the states for the first time, and how the American metal community welcomed Sepultura… Keeping his life in balance… Staying grounded, even amongst the (sometimes false) trappings of wealth and success… and learning to be more tolerant and accepting… FANTASTIC call wit...
Nov 12, 2020•2 hr 3 min
On this Matt & Gregg Bissonette interview, both brothers are LIVE to discuss their new LP and project, The Reddcoats. The record is a mix of jazz, rock, fusion & funk, and it’s FILLED with energy from the Bissonettes, Wally Minko, Andy Timmons & Mike Medina. Matt talks about gaining confidence as a singer, the backstory to the band forming, and to some of the tracks… And both Matt & Gregg talk about the influence their parents had on their career. Gregg reveals THE best side hust...
Nov 11, 2020•3 hr 12 min•Ep. 759
Double Grammy winner James Valentine wasn’t even sure if he was going to stay in music, when his band unexpectedly won a regional Battle of The Bands contest, beating out 6,000 other bands. Band members took the $25,000 prize money and moved to LA from Lincoln, Nebraska & James’ destiny was forever changed. How James hooked up with Adam Levine and the rest of the guys from Maroon 5… the toughest decision he ever had to make, and how it impacted his career… his Ernie Ball Signature Guitar… re...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 21 min
On this Mike Shimshack interview, how Mike out-worked his competition to build a career as a successful songwriter, starting from zero, and today having placed over 45 major label cuts. Dealing with a devastating divorce that took him a couple of years to recover from. Moving to, and surviving NYC... the greatest track he ever heard - that no one else will likely get to hear… his incredibly supportive parents, Frank the Dog, lovely guy, heartfelt and open Mike Shimshack is a Nashville-based song...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 758
On this Michael Andrews interview, how a “one-off” project, The Greyboy Allstars, wound up lasting over 25 years… the curious way Michael stumbled into this entire genre, and his entire career... making the Mad World remake with Gary Jules, the impossibility of “making” your career happen, letting go of self-judgment, architecture and being more positive. Super cool convo, fast-moving and fun :-) Michael Andrews is a guitarist, producer, and film score composer. He's a founding member and guitar...
Nov 06, 2020•54 min•Ep. 757
Dave Amato’s top 5 guitars, his personal traits he’s worked hard at developing over the last few years… the person who’s had the biggest influence on his life, TONS of guitar talk, a big insiders look at what it’s like working with David Lee Roth, Ted Nigent, Motley Crue, Cher, Richie Sambora and others, along with some cool stories. You’ll learn that when it comes to Nugent and the Crue… they have their own way of doing things. Great conversation with an extremely down to earth, highly successf...
Nov 05, 2020•1 hr 50 min
On this Barry Bergman Interview, how he connected with AC/DC & Meat Loaf and spearheaded their careers here in the states. His constant efforts and trying to get into the music business and how he finally made it and then started his own successful firm. Serving as an expert witness, representing artists in front of Congress and getting the Digital Performance Rights royalties bill passed & making 41 phone calls to get this to happen… Why it’s best not to try and change someone, why lead...
Nov 04, 2020•2 hr 24 min•Ep. 756
Reggie’s life has been filled with ups and downs, including a terrible tragedy that is, frankly… devastatingly hard to bounce back from. But today, things are different. He’s extremely positive and things have taken a wonderfully optimistic turn. Not by random luck, but by getting sober and making some very specific changes, which he was kind enough to share during our conversation. This is a really cool CAT - one of my NYC homies who keeps it 100% REAL... Originally from NYC, Reggie is a world-...
Nov 03, 2020•1 hr 45 min
On this Olli Soikkeli interview, Olli talks about how he got into gypsy jazz (he started off playing metal) and what drives him... GREAT story how he got started in the music business, playing with his musical heroes, his determination to handle a threatening health condition, some unusual influences, not taking himself too seriously, fitness, nutrition, moving to NYC, pizza and loads more. Incredibly talented player in a very difficult niche. Olli Soikkeli is a gypsy jazz guitarist from Finland...
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 755
On this Andy Hess interview, dealing with the fallout of divorce as a young kid living between 2 places... moving to NYC, starting from scratch and making it happen… working with Gov’t Mule, The Black Crowes, Audley Freed, John Scofield, Robben Ford, Sterling Campbell, Mike Landau, David Byrne, Brittney Spears, Joan Osborne, Bill Sims Jr., Leo Nocentelli… dealing with self-doubt, Buddhism and more. Andy’s love of music is beautifully expressed during this conversation, great guy incredibly since...
Oct 30, 2020•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 754
Charlie talks about taking guitar lessons from Joe Satriani, growing up in a hippie commune, busking all over Europe for 3 years, opening up for U2, and taking ALL the roads less traveled. Incredibly raw, open and sincere, Charlie dedicated his life to his craft in every way possible. You’ve GOT to listen to this one Charlie’s an amazing player who’s percussive style and complete domination of the 7-string guitars - playing bass, rhythm and lead - all at the same time… is simply mind-blowing. Ch...
Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 30 min
On this Mike Dawes Interview, Mike shares his candid opinions on Brexit, and explains the ridiculous amount of taxes and rigmarole foreign artists have to deal with to play shows in the states. How he developed his comforting stage presence, the unusual benefit of stage banter, the complete backstory of his new LP, Shows and Distancing and loads of very cool and interesting stuff. Mike Dawes is an English fingerstyle guitar player known for composing, arranging and performing multiple parts simu...
Oct 28, 2020•3 hr 12 min•Ep. 753
During this candid conversation, Pat shared an amazing story about how he met Chet Atkins and why Chet took Pat under his wing... the 3 most important lessons Chet left him with... the #1 criteria for choosing a good guitar to buy… growing up with 6 kids in his house… moving to NYC and feeling desperate, and the one event that turned his entire professional life around. Pat is a TOTAL professional Pat’s a First Call guitarist & harmonica session player in Nashville, who spent the first part ...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 38 min
On this Tony Lindsay interview, singing on the corner in upstate NY, losing his dad at a young age and moving out to California to find his destiny, dealing with racism in the south, singing God Bless America at baseball’s NL Championship game, working with Santana. Steve Winwood, Narada Michael Walden… how he got the Santana gig, paying it forward, being kind, exceeding his dreams and doing unto others. SUPER Positive guy, great energy & wow what a voice Tony Lindsay is a vocalist & the...
Oct 26, 2020•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 752
On this Derry Grehan interview: going from playing clubs 6 nights a week to getting a major label deal and playing arenas, cool story about his marriage, dealing with depression and some low points when the music industry shifted and his career was put on hold, cool guitar talk, not screwing things up as a young musician because of his gratitude and because of his awareness that he was in a business, bike riding, laying tiles, and not being a dick. Great convo, high energy and very open, lovely ...
Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 751
Mark’s won 3 Grammy’s, released 3 solo albums, has his own signature pedal and has traveled the world with Snarky Puppy and with his own trio… along with a busy session career. He’s played on records for David Crosby, Snoop Dog, Eminem, 50 Cent, Adam Levine, amongst others… Yet, Mark didn’t start pursuing guitar until after he finished college.Loads of stories about his influences growing up in Silicon Valley - both musically and personally, how he first got started, what’s most important to him...
Oct 22, 2020•1 hr 28 min
On this John Billings interview, moving to LA and things not working out, and how he survived a life-threatening armed robbery, coming to Nashville and things falling into place, some great stories about working with Donna Summer, Micky Dolenz, Rick Springfield, Steve Cropper, Wynonna Judd… some dark times he had to deal with when he was alone and on the road, carpooling with Allan Holdsworth, photography, hiking, Australia, love of adventure and more. AWESOME convo with a super cool guy John Bi...
Oct 21, 2020•2 hr 35 min•Ep. 750
Laurent is a jazz player who moved from his native Paris to New York City, with his guitar, his amp, and his girlfriend (who left shortly after this). Laurent struggled with acclimating to the isolation of the Big Apple, where social interaction was dramatically different from what he was used to. But he hung in there and wound up releasing two live jazz albums, recorded at two top jazz clubs in Manhattan, earned the lead guitar chair in the Broadway play RENT and several other Broadway shows, a...
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 25 min
On this Peter White Interview: Great story of how Peter, who grew up without a phone at home, wound up touring the world many times over - as a sideman with Al Stewart, and as a solo artist. How his brother burned down their bedroom and wound up starting Peter’s love for acoustic guitar… Important lessons learned from working with Alan Parsons & Earl Klugh, meeting Jimmy Page & Paul McCartney, working at Abbey Road Studios, bringing joy to others, feeling more comfortable with yourself, ...
Oct 19, 2020•2 hr 30 min•Ep. 749
On this Eddie Van Halen Tribute, 16 top guitarists pay homage by sharing EVH stories, memories and experiences: 00:00 Craig Garber Intro 02:27 Dave Amato, REO Speedwagon 08:58 Zach Blair, Rise Against 13:43 Doug Bossi 19:26 Phil Collen, Def Leppard 23:44 Mike Dawes 25:25 Daniel Donato 25:51 Rob Garland 32:37 Derry Grehan, Honeymoon Suite 38:33 Jeff Kollman, Cosmosquad 48:40 Aaron McLain, Air Supply 51:15 Steve Morse, Deep Purple / Dixie Dregs 55:29 Nick Perri, Underground Thieves 1:00:43 Doug Ra...
Oct 17, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 748
On this Delbert McClinton interview, stories about working with Jimmy Reed, Buster Brown, BB King… smoking his first joint with Sonny Boy Williamson, a funny story about something that happened at Freddie King’s funeral... the origins of his deep, empathetic understanding of the blues, backstory to his #1 hit, “Hey! Baby,” with Bruce Channel… getting taken advantage of in the music business, the one woman who broke Delbert’s heart, the benefit of “ignorance & commitment,” and how they helped...
Oct 16, 2020•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 747
Jim’s played with JJ Cale, Al Anderson, Gillian Welch/David Rawlings, Peter Rowan, Martha Wainwright, Bright Eyes, Teddy Thompson, and Burning Spear to name a few, has earned two Gold records, and has written music for national ads for National Grid, Volkswagen, SBC, Michelin and Jack Daniel’s... One of the most disciplined players I’ve ever met, Jim practices daily - usually arising at 4.30am to do so. Jim is a unique and creative player who crushes it on his 1959 Telecaster. He actually saw Ro...
Oct 15, 2020•1 hr 32 min
On this Tim Mitchell Interview, Tim talks about the almost 10-year effort he made, to try and work with Bob Seger (which paid off!), playing with Shakira in front of up to 500,000 people… meeting Jeff Beck & Eddie Van Halen in London, the thrill of playing in Detroit as part of the Silver Bullet Band… why all guitarists should also start off singing, Rome, Manilla, being less controlling, more Grammy winner Tim Mitchell’s co-written, performed with, Music Directed or produced Shakira, Bob Se...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 746
The late Reggie Young was the most recorded session guitarist, having played on over 150 top ten hits… and tens of thousands of records over the last 60 years. He’s responsible for all the original guitar riffs of songs including Suspicious Minds & In the Ghetto , by Elvis Presley… Son of a Preacher Man , by Dusty Springfield… Willie Nelson’s Always on my Mind … Sweet Caroline & Holly Holy by Neil Diamond… Cry Like A Baby by The Box Tops… Dobie Gray’s Drift Away… Hooked on a Feeling by B...
Oct 13, 2020•3 hr 16 min
On this Joe Blanton Interview, never suspecting his prime years in the music business would start in his 40’s… why getting a record deal isn’t always what you think it is, not sweating the small stuff so much, letting go, running away to Florida (and it turning out to be a great trip), and why Joe plays guitar instead of only singing Originally an art student, Joe’s band The Royal Court of China signed with A&M. He then wound up writing songs with Warner Hodges, Jason Ringenberg & Dan Ba...
Oct 12, 2020•2 hr 23 min•Ep. 745
On this Ian Paice Interview, how Deep Purple started and an early advantage they had, playing with Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, Gary Moore... how Gary Moore inadvertently painted himself into a musical corner he couldn’t get out of… playing in Jakarta with Tommy Bolin, smuggling Ritchie Blackmore out of California Jam in a helicopter so he wouldn’t be arrested by the Sheriff... why the band members all needed oxygen bottles for their Bolivia gig… warm thoughts on being a parent & of his ow...
Oct 09, 2020•58 min•Ep. 744
