From demonstrating guitar parts off his new solo album, DREAMCATCHER, to reliving an incredible career that has found him collaborating with everyone from George Benson to Pink Floyd, Grammy-winning guitarist/composer LEE RITENOUR visits us for a deep guitar hang — and he's playing guitar during most of the interview! Today's show is brought to you by NAMM's BELIEVE IN MUSIC WEEK, which starts January 18, 2021, and which you don't want to miss. Attend virtually by registering at https://attend.b...
Dec 12, 2020•1 hr 23 min
Texas-based, internationally beloved guitar hero ANDY TIMMONS plugs in his go-to ’94 Ibanez AT100 prototype and demonstrates several songs (he even SINGS one for you!), shares many of his tasty guitar techniques, and takes you on an audio tour of the amps and pedals that make up his rig — the tools that contribute to his amazing sound. He also shares the musical inspirations that have motivated him over the decades to develop his signature voice on the guitar. This episode is presented by VIBES ...
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 24 min
British fingerstyle virtuoso MIKE DAWES demonstrates the techniques, tunings, technology, talent, and none-to-serious stage banter that have made him a rising star in the steel-string community and beyond. In addition to being a solo artist, Mike is also lead guitarist for Rock Hall-of-Famer JUSTIN HAYWARD (MOODY BLUES), who often lets Mike open his concerts with a solo set. One result of having done these solo slots is Mike's new live album, SHOWS AND DISTANCING: LIVE IN THE USA, which Mike det...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 19 min
With vivid remembrances by ROBBIE CRANE and JAY GORE, and detailed VAN HALEN playing tips from host JUDE GOLD, this special tribute episode dives deep into EDDIE VAN HALEN's legacy on and off the fretboard. Presented by BLUE MICROPHONES.
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Keith Richards’ mystery tuning revealed? How to layer electric guitars and steel-string acoustics? How to remain a gainfully employed guitarist in this locked-down world? How not to be killed surfing? With guitars in hand, versatile session ace/solo artist/educator JON MACLENNAN and I dive into these topics and more, and also do some jammin’. This episode is presented by BLUE MICROPHONES www.bluemic.com For a free download of Jon MacLennan's instructional book, Melodic Expressions: The Art of th...
Nov 06, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Globally respected for his incredibly funky guitar playing AND for his immense success as a Grammy-winning record producer, NILE RODGERS has been making multi-platinum albums since the late ’70s, when his dance band CHIC ruled radio with hit after hit. (One of Chic’s famous grooves, powered by NILE's guitar and BERNARD EDWARDS’ bass, “Good Times,” even became the basis of what was arguably the first breakthrough rap song, SUGARHILL GANG’s “Rapper’s Delight.) After CHIC's early success, Nile went...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 9 min
At age 11, ERIC STECKEL recorded a live album. A year later, a legendary British blues bandleader heard Steckel and was so impressed he took the young guitar hero on a tour of Europe with him. (Which British bandleader? Let’s just say Steckel is now an official, pedigreed Bluesbreaker.) In this episode, Steckel plugs in one of his favorite Knaggs guitars, demonstrates approaches and riffs from his wide catalog of “blues metal” (as he calls it) songs, and discusses his new line of Seymour Duncan ...
Oct 06, 2020•58 min
He rocked a stadium playing Hendrix songs with Hendrix's former bandmates, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. He has worked with Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Busta Rhymes, Kenny Loggins, Booker T. Jones, Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, India Arie, Chaka Khan, and many other superstars. And he records his own solo music, which you're about to hear. We're talking about guitarist/singer VERNON ICE BLACK, who, on this episode, plugs in one of his favorite custom guitars, demonstrates...
Sep 25, 2020•1 hr 32 min
Even though she's just 27, MOLLY TUTTLE has for years now been mesmerizing audiences with her fast-’grass flat-picking runs, great sense of groove, and soulful singing. But, as is the case with many great artists, it’s the way her talents combine in the form of great SONGS that is most astounding. The California-raised, Nashville-based steel-string virtuoso got started in music at age 8, learning from (and soon gigging and recording with) her father, Jack Tuttle. Now, Molly — not one to stagnate...
Sep 11, 2020•58 min
Plugging in his brand new signature-model Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster, demonstrating all its sounds, and showing us his “secret” Albert King lick, multi-platinum guitar hero KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD comes to us live from the Demon Cave (my nickname for the garage that houses some of his guitar gear AND his Dodge Demon), where he cranks up the smallest of his many Dumble amplifiers for us. NO GUITAR IS SAFE is hosted by yours truly, Jude Gold, and is presented by BLUE MICROPHONES. The mi...
Aug 21, 2020•51 min
Sharing chicken pickin' techniques, B-bender moves, thumb-pick approaches, pedal-steel steals, and more, Grammy-winning Nashville studio legend BRENT MASON -- one of the most recorded guitarists in history! -- plugs in his brand-new signature model Fender Telecaster (a faithful replica of his famous primer-coated ’67/’68 Tele that goes on sale September 15), plays a ton of guitar for you, and shares session stories and insights you won't forget. This episode is presented by BLUE MICROPHONES. The...
Aug 13, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Plugging in one of his new Sawtooth guitars, MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO fires off tons of shred licks for you, teaches you a cool Don Mock-inspired arpeggio, shares ways to employ economy picking, details how to do "over/under" fret-hand theatrics, serves up album samples and playing approaches from his new record, MORE MACHINE THAN MAN, and relives wild adventures from the days of hair metal on the Sunset Strip. Hosted by JUDE GOLD. Presented by BLUE MICROPHONES. Blue has the perfect mic for you wait...
Aug 06, 2020•1 hr 23 min
PAUL REED SMITH plugs in! Presented by BLUE MICROPHONES, the legendary guitar builder grabs one of his Experience 2020 PRS 6-strings, plays it through a PRS tube amp, shows you how he forged his style (he's a great player!), and traces the evolution of his great guitar company, PRS Guitars, back to a moment when he was five years old watching his father struggle to assemble a bicycle. Paul also details his upcoming Maryland Hall Live Virtual Music School, and reminds you that he'd love to connec...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 3 min
GUS G (Firewind, Ozzy Osbourne) plugs in one of his signature-model Jackson guitars and details the recording and inspiration behind the new self-titled FIREWIND album, available on AFM records and wherever you stream music. Gus also shares unforgettable stories from the many years (starting in 2009) that he was OZZY OSBOURNE's lead guitarist, as well as relives other musical adventures. Hosted by JUDE GOLD. This episode is presented by NUCLEAR BLAST records. Check out Nuclear Blast's many bands...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 23 min
MRS SMITH plugs in! Don’t let the bracelets, pearls, and beehive hair fool you — Mrs Smith shreds, as one heavy metal hero found out the hard way during an onstage wah-wah guitar death match. We get into that story and more on this 116th episode of No Guitar Is Safe, as Mrs Smith cranks up her pristine floral-pattern Ibanez JEM “with the purse handle” and plays guitar for you, offers thoughts on what it means to be an internet guitarist in 2020, and dispels any notions that she is in fact the al...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Guitar virtuoso JUSTIN DERRICO plugs in and plays through his elaborate three-headed stage rig — the same setup he uses with superstar singer P!NK — sharing his favorite lead and rhythm techniques while recounting the story of how he made it from the farms of Virginia to becoming one of the music industry's most in-demand guitar wranglers. And yes, if you've seen THE VOICE on NBC, you might know Justin is the lead guitarist there, too, and he reflects on that gig as well. ALSO: A Black Lives Mat...
Jun 06, 2020•1 hr 37 min
In the final three years of Eddie Money's career, the legendary singer had a stellar young guitarist playing lead for him — EDDIE HADDAD. Today we "fly the 'copter" over to Nashville to get great tips from Haddad on playing guitar, getting great tone, and staying inspired. Haddad also plays his favorite Eddie Money riffs, shares stories about playing with the famed rocker, reflects on his fulfilling job as a guitar instructor for Guitar Mastery Method, and challenges host JUDE GOLD to find a pop...
May 14, 2020•1 hr 35 min
With over 250,000 followers (and counting!) on Instagram, NATHANIEL MURPHY of Chicago, IL (by way of Ireland and England) has amassed a huge, rabid fanbase who insatiably stream his dazzling one-minute guitar videos, many of which he deconstructs and performs for you right here on this episode of No Guitar Is Safe. Nathaniel also dives into pieces from his solo album, WAR FOR THE MOMENT. Whether he is playing his original compositions or his brilliant re-imaginings of rock, pop, and soul classic...
Apr 26, 2020•1 hr 28 min
TESTAMENT lead guitarist ALEX SKOLNICK plugs in one of his signature ESP guitars and demonstrates solos and riffs from the pioneering thrash metal band’s new album TITANS OF CREATION, as well as guitar parts from the Testament back catalog. The guitarist also reflects on the band’s scary exposure to Covid-19, as well as many other aspects of his lifelong musical odyssey -- everything from studying with Joe Satriani at age 15 to touring with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And yes, Alex “cleans up” for...
Apr 18, 2020•1 hr 54 min
With one of his favorite Telecasters in hand, rock/fusion ace DAVE HILL shows host JUDE GOLD several cool lead guitar approaches, shares an Allan Holdsworth/Eddie Van Halen moment you won't forget, and spins both unreleased and released solo tracks of his own. Presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine.
Apr 04, 2020•1 hr 32 min
Sting, Beck, Todd Rundgren, Sarah McLachlan, Bourgeois Tagg, and Jellyfish are just a few of the many headliners who've hired LYLE WORKMAN to play lead guitar for them. But while being a six-string sharp shooter is one way Lyle got established in the industry, the next was when Hollywood heavies began noticing that he was an excellent composer and producer, too. Soon, Lyle would find himself scoring such hit films as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Superbad, and Get Him to the Greek, as well as HBO's Cr...
Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 34 min
Brought to you by ERNIE BALL and their cool new VPJR Tuner volume/tuner pedal, SLASH hangs with host Jude Gold at the NAMM Show for an exclusive chat about his new line of Gibson guitars, Guns N' Roses
Mar 15, 2020•27 min
Guitarist JOE AUGELLO came home from teaching one day and was shocked to find his Long Island home was for sale. “I put our house on the market,” his wife revealed. “We’re moving to L.A. so you can pursue your dream.” Soon, the brave couple arrived in Hollywood, and Joe began chasing his vision of becoming an A-list guitarist working on big stages, in top studios, and on high-profile TV broadcasts all over the world. And the risk seems to have paid off, as Joe eventually landed gigs with Robin T...
Feb 26, 2020•1 hr 48 min
Guitarist/singer/actor/Broadway performer CELISSE (aka Celisse Henderson) has been gravitating to the stage since she was just — no joke — two years old. In addition to playing lead guitar for Lizzo on Saturday Night Live (where she wielded a three-pickup SG much like that of her hero, Sister Rosetta Tharpe), Celisse performed at Gibson’s recent Gibson at the Grove event at NAMM, gracing a bill that included Billy Gibbons, Lzzy Hale, Elliot Easton, Don Felder, Jimmy Vivino, and Slash. She has al...
Feb 04, 2020•52 min
JIMMY VIVINO may be best known as Conan O’Brien’s Fedora-wearing musical director, but — speaking of hats — “late-night guitar hero” is just one of the “hats” Jimmy wears on a regular basis. An in-demand bandleader, Jimmy’s latest gig was last week at the NAMM convention in California, where Gibson hired Jimmy to lead a stellar ensemble backing Slash, Don Felder, Elliot Easton, Celisse, Lzzy Hale, Jared James Nichols, Richie Faulkner, Billy Gibbons, and others. On this episode, Jimmy plugs in wi...
Jan 25, 2020•1 hr 35 min
Bon Jovi and Drills lead guitarist PHIL X plugs in a custom-built signature-model solid-body made for him by his new endorsing company (hint: it's one of the most famous guitar brands in the world), shares licks and techniques that shaped his style, reflects on his two musical loves (playing with Bon Jovi and with his power trio, Phil X and the Drills), and details his patented "bouzouki trick" (which he came up with by fusing hard rock guitar with the Greek music he learned doing music with his...
Jan 08, 2020•1 hr 23 min
After a deep guitar hang with SCOTT HENDERSON on the last episode, today’s show centers on a very memorable and inspiring pentatonics lesson the renowned fusion guitarist created a few years ago with host JUDE GOLD. Using the world’s favorite five-note guitar scale, Scott shows you how to spark dramatic new minor pentatonic sounds through simple transposition and rhythmic grouping approaches. As an epilogue, Jude adds a short, Henderson-inspired follow-up on major pentatonic. This episode is bro...
Dec 19, 2019•18 min
Sharing ways to push fuzz pedals into glorious sonic mayhem, offering soloing secrets, and revealing the sonic recipes behind his new album, PEOPLE MOVER, legendary fusion guitarist SCOTT HENDERSON plugs in for a deep dive into his playing approaches. He also reflects on his adventures with Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, and other music legends. Presented by VIBES HI-FIDELITY EARPLUGS, this episode takes place at Henderson’s Los Angeles recording studio, where, from the first moment of the interview,...
Dec 04, 2019•1 hr 56 min
On his new double album, “Scenes from the Flood,” BRYAN BELLER enlists JOHN PETRUCCI, JOE SATRIANI, MIKE KENEALLY, GUTHRIE GOVAN, NILI BROSH, JANET FEDER, JAMIE KIME, MIKE DAWES, and other great players to help him deliver one of the most compelling concept records in recent memory. For this episode of No Guitar Is Safe, the bassist/composer/musical mastermind and Aristocrats founder plugs in two of his favorite basses (and also a guitar!) to show you how he created his epic new collection of tu...
Nov 22, 2019•1 hr 40 min
Virtuoso solo artist and super sidewoman JENNIFER BATTEN gained renown in the late '80s when MICHAEL JACKSON hired her to rock stadiums with him all over the globe. They did three mega-tours together, including playing at the 1993 Superbowl halftime show for a worldwide viewership of approximately 1.3 billion people. Batten went on to accompany the great JEFF BECK on stage and in the studio, and has released thrilling solo albums under her own name. For this episode we head to the home of -- spe...
Nov 08, 2019•1 hr 24 min
