We are talking about great guitar brands that get looked over due to the draw and desire of the “Big 3”. Pricey and not so pricey, great guitars that sometimes get overlooked. We explore….

If you listen to this show on a regular basis you know how much I love live albums. Its the artist in their natural habitat. Our next guest has a new live record that is a must hear! “Brace Yourself-Live” from Too Slim and the Taildraggers and he’s with us today to discuss it and so much more.

Click here for Too Slim!!!!

Crobot’s Chris Bishop joins us to discuss the bands latest release “Feel This” and so much more… Breakfast Tacos anyone???

Get more Crobot- https://crobotband.com/

Our next guest is someone that has been an influence on guitarists around the world for over 20 years and some people might not even know his name. His writing and investigative journalism has kept me in the know for years. He has authored or coauthored over 14 informative books on guitarists and guitar based music that are benchmarks for those subjects. His latest book coauthored with Chris Gill is to me the definitive tome on Eddie Van Halen- Eruption- Conversations with Eddie Van Halen and he is with us to. Discuss that and so much more. Please welcome to GRS Mr Brad Tolinski

Only a few short years ago so many publications (NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stone, etc) were telling us all that “Guitar was Dead” or dying. Since then we have seen a resurgence of sales of guitars and basses skyrocket and guitar based music once again taking the forefront in music.

This week alone we’ve seen Nita Strauss leave the Alice Cooper band after 8 years and join Demi Lovato, Zakk Wylde team up with Charlie Benante and the surviving members of Pantera for a “reunion/tribute tour, Jeff Beck drops his latest a collaboration with Johnny Depp of all people, Joe Satriani announces the return of G4 and Fender announces that there will be much more affordable models of their Acoustisonic line coming soon.

Nita Strauss- Now hear me out, I think this is one of the most important things to happen to the guitar in a long time and Nita has (whether she realizes it our not) positioned herself to be the impetus to bring the guitar and guitar based music to a demographic that normally could care less. She’s in the unique position to inspire so many more people to pick up the instrument that might not have ever thought to do so before. So, for those who say the guitar was dead or dying, this is exactly the type of thing the instrument needs and quite frankly deserves regardless whether you like Demi Lovato’s music or not.

Zakk Wylde- when there was a rumor flying around that the surviving members of Pantera were talking about doing something, my very first thought went to Zakk. Quite frankly, in my opinion there is no guitarist alive other than Zakk who could do the job and bring that music to life. The relationship Dime and Zakk had was a type of telepathy/understanding that is rare and unique. To be honest I was only a fan of the Vulgar record but something of this magnitude I will have to see this tour as I have no doubt it will be historical.

Jeff Beck- Releases “18” his collaboration with Johnny Depp (neighbor, friend and now band mate?) So anyone who thinks this is weird doesn’t know or understand Jeff. This is what he does. What he’s always done. Almost his entire career has been left turns like this. After all, this is the guy who brought us, Frankie’s House, The Flash record, Loud Hailer, as well as seminal offerings like Blow by Blow, Wired and Truth. He’s always been all over the map and and 18 is no different. Is this my favorite JB offering? Not really, but am I happy I have it? Yes. Tracks like Midnight Walker and Caroline No do the job to salve my soul and my JB fix. Would I like more? Sure. Would I have preferred he didn’t cover the old Motown track Ooo Baby Baby? Absolutely. But hardcore Beck fans know what to expect. This is it. The tour should be interesting….

Joe Satriani- Joe is bringing back his G4 Experience guitar workshop with help from a host of six-string heroes including Peter Frampton, Steve Lukather, John 5 Alex Skolnick, Eric Gales, Nili Brosch, Ned Evett and more.

The four-day event will take place from Jan. 3-7 at Las Vegas’ Hilton Lake Vegas Resort. Participants will get to enjoy “four days and nights of total guitar nonstop workshops, concerts, jamming and more,” according to the G4 website, where registration is now open.

THRILL SEEKERS, PLAYERS, STUDENTS AND TRAVELERS OF ALL AGES, SKILL LEVEL, AND INTERESTS ARE WELCOME!

Fender- CEO Andy Mooney announced that fender is now in the planning stages to produce the popular Acoustisonic line out of Southeast Asia and we could potentially see a price point between $500-$800. Not bad considering the MIM version starts at $1050.

So, is the guitar dead? Or dying? Nah. It just had the best week in recent memory… More to come.

Our next guest is a perfect example of the American story. He comes from a hard working family, began playing the instrument when he was 11 and honed his craft On gospel music in the church, before entering into the Jazz realm around 1996. His fifth album released in 2008 and was a breakthrough album onto the Billboard contemporary jazz charts. The first time I heard him was in 2017 and have been captured by his playing and style ever since. He has a new record called 80’s 8.0 and we are going to explore that and much more. Please welcome to GRS Mr. Tim Bowman.

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When Randy Rhoads past away the man that was called in to fill those shoes was Bernie Torme’. Before anyone else Bernie was the guy that had the daunting task of tackling that music and those guitar parts in front of fans and a band that was grieving and he did it with class and reverence. We were so lucky to sit down with Bernie to discuss his career and the music he was so excited to make. Here’s our encore episode with the great Bernie Torme’.

Our next guest is prolific songwriter, singer, guitarist, producer & band leader. He’s a musician that can easily have a signature sound that you instantly recognized and then completely floor you with songs that make you go “Was that him???” That kind of versatility appears on the latest BoDeans effort called 4 The last time. And we are lucky enough to have him with us here today please welcome to GRS from the Bodeans Mr Kurt Neumann

Click here for the BoDeans

There are certain players that make the guitar and the genre they play in always sound fresh. New, ear perking and inspire me to play. Our next guest is one of those players. He is one of the finest examples of Texas blues, funk and R&B today and he’s with us today here in the hallowed halls of Cboys here in Austin Texas. Please welcome to GRS Mr. Johnny Moeller.

Our next guest is a journalist, novelist and photographer. He was a senior writer rolling stone as well as a contributor to esquire, NME, Creem, downbeat, trouser press just to name a few, he founded the first web mag, addicted to noise and thats just the tip of the iceberg. He is here today to discuss his absolutely compelling new book about one of my favorite musicians of all time. The book is called -Wicked Game- The True Story of Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey

Order the book here!!!!!

James at the Guitar Geek Festival-

James with Chris 1985-