No Guitar Is Safe

Inspired by everyone from Ritchie Blackmore, Joe Pass, and Mike Stern to his late, great guitar buddy, Allan Holdsworth, ALEX MACHACEK is a spectacular voice in the world of jazz fusion guitar. I had a blast “flying the ‘copter” over to his home studio, plugging in a couple of his signature-model Strandberg guitars, and having him demonstrate for us several inspiring soloing techniques and compositional approaches. In this interview, Alex also shares his life story — how, after years of musical study in Vienna (and a year at Berklee in Boston) he and his wife, Sumitra, ultimately ended up in the Los Angeles region. Catch Machacek on tour in Europe starting this week! This episode is presented by GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE. Enjoy! — JUDE GOLD, host and creator, No Guitar Is Safe podcast.

Today we plug in and jam with Chicago guitar hero DAVE UHRICH. A solo artist, super sideman, and stellar session cat, Dave stays busy playing, teaching, tracking, and composing. He has even worked out a solo arrangement of "Bohemian Rhapsody" (which he performs for you on this show). Dave also reflects on playing with legendary and none-too-serious WLUP "The Loop" deejay Kevin Matthews (and his alter ego, Ed Zeppelin), his Ibanez guitars (which we are playing in this interview), his Laney amps (which we are NOT playing in this interview — we're plugged into Yamaha combos), and what it means to be "Chicago famous." Thanks to TODD MILLS for arranging this interview and "flying the 'copter." Presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine. — JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe.

In addition to winning Grammy Awards for his work on albums by Beyoncé and John Legend, guitarist/composer ERICK WALLS has recorded and/or performed with many other superstars, including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Will Smith, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Black Eyed Peas, Whitney Houston, and Michael McDonald, to name a few. And from the moment Erick plugs in on this episode, you’ll hear that he also has deep church roots. (He’s played guitar at West Angeles Cathedral in Los Angeles for 19 years and counting, and has worked with great gospel singers all his life, starting with his father, George Walls, on up through Kirk Franklin and Miami Mass Choir.) When the interview opens, Walls is playing a solo guitar arrangement of The Caravans’ “Lord Keep Me Day By Day,” which was one of his father’s favorite songs. Erick also likes to rock out, too, as you’ll hear when the interview gets to the segment diving into the music of his rock/funk band Black Waat3r. This episode takes place at Erick Walls’ home studio. It is presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine and hosted by JUDE GOLD. Thanks for supporting No Guitar Is Safe!

How cool would it be if Django Reinhardt jammed out on some Nirvana? Well, unless you get to heaven and find Kurt Cobain and the aforementioned Gypsy jazz legend jamming together, the closest you may come to hearing that all-star duo is listening to the amazing GUSTAV VIEHMEYER performing on today’s episode of this show. Gustav may be just 26 years old, but he swings like a veteran jazzer. And he has guitar chops that will thrill jazz fans and rock/metal/shred fans alike. And yes, you will hear Gustav stretch out on Nirvana’s biggest hit (that one about “Teen Spirit”). Based in Sarasota, FL, Gustav is a full-time musician who gigs all over the place — including, as you’ll find out, all by himself in St. Armand's Circle, busking with a hollowbody guitar, a looper, and a guitar amp. Presented by GUITAR PLAYER Magazine and guitarplayer.com. Hosted by JUDE GOLD.

Grammy-winning solo artist, session ace, and super sideman RICKY Z (aka Rick Zahariades) is one of the most versatile guitarists you'll meet. That's why he has played with everyone from Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Harry Nilsson, JpegMafia, Jessica Simpson, John Fogerty, Steve Lukather, Nick Lachey, Don Grusin, the Sweet, Beto Cuevas, Vesta Williams, Lauryn Hill, and Sheila E., to Gary Wright, Paul Anka, Al Stewart, Rick Derringer, Ronnie Laws, All For One, Sophie B. Hawkins, Kristine W., Paulina Rubio, Alejandro Sanz, Michael Bublé, Joan Sebastian, Juan Gabriel, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Thalia, Jose Feliciano, Jenny Rivera, Los Trio, Manuel Quijano, Shaila Durcal, Pepe' Aguilar, Cristian Castro. On this episode, Ricky plugs in his favorite Fender Stratocaster and demonstrates his approaches to many musical styles. He's also thrilled to re-live adventures with everyone from Chuck Negron and Billy Gibbons to Brian May and Ellis Hall. Presented by Guitar Player magazine, and hosted by Jude Gold.

Plugging in no less than four amazing (and totally different!) guitars on this episode, Jim "Kimo" West, the Grammy-winning solo artist and longtime lead guitarist for "Weird Al" Yankovic, demonstrates everything from his own music and his take on the hypnotic Hawaiian II-V-I turnaround to "soprano" textures and rock guitar feedback (the latter via a rare Moog guitar). Hosted by Jude Gold. Presented by Guitar Player magazine

FERNANDO PERDOMO is equal parts lead guitarist, producer, and musicologist, which means you're in for an exciting ride through all things rock and roll as he invites you into his Los Angeles studio, plugs in his favorite Fender Mustang, and shows you the way he plays guitar — and the way he transplanted himself from Miami to California to become an established producer, sideman, and solo artist. His latest project, ENERGY OVERLOAD, features explosive guitar/drums interplay between himself and legend of the skins CARMINE APPICE. This episode is presented by GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE.

From Les Claypool (Primus) to Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains) to M.I.R.V to Duo De Twang (again featuring Claypool) to his own band, Kehoe Nation (AKA Kehoe International), nuclear-powered guitar hero BRYAN KEHOE — with his badass guitar kung fu, operatic singing voice, and anything-goes comedic spirit — is a treasured member of any band he is in. He’s also a full-time “brand evangelist” for Jim Dunlop and that company's lines of pedals, picks, capos, cables, strings, slides, and other guitar accessories. Today, we land the ‘copter at Jim Dunlop headquarters in Benicia, CA, where Bryan plugs into a 1x15 speaker and shares how how he uses pedals to get ferocious sounds out of a (relatively) clean guitar amp, as well as how he forged his style. Hosted by Jude Gold. Presented by Guitar Player Magazine.

It's hard not to describe the amazing SID JACOBS as a master of guitar, but he'll be the first to tell you he's an eternal student of the instrument. And it's true — the renowned jazz solo artist, teacher, and instructional book author is still on a mission to unlock more secrets of the fretboard. Luckily for us, in this episode, Sid shares a ton of playing approaches — everything from blues turnarounds to the "jazz/Bach overlap" to the cool lick taught to him by the late, great Lenny Breau — and teaches them here in detail. Hosted by JUDE GOLD, this episode is presented by GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE.

Soulful hard rock guitar ace DOUG RAPPOPORT plugs in and shares what it's like playing with rock legend Edgar Winter and also how he tracked what just might be the most blazing guitar moment in TV commercial history. Doug also reveals some the tracking approaches he employed on his solo song "Bionic Warz." This episode is brought to you FOCUSRITE and their great line of Focusrite audio interfaces. Learn more at https://focusrite.com/en/guitarists.

The secret to many a great Led Zeppelin song is knowing which tuning Jimmy Page used when writing and recording it. Today, I am thrilled be in the Bay Area, where GRETCHEN MENN and ANGELA PETRILLI are on hand with acoustic and electric guitars to demonstrate for you many of Page’s most magical tunings, including: “Kashmir” (DADGAD tuning: D, A, D, G, A, D, low to high) “Going to California” (Double-Dropped-D tuning: D, A, D, G, B, D, low to high) “The Rain Song” (D, G, C, G, C, D, low to high. AKA “Open-Page tuning”) “When the Levee Breaks” (E, A, C, F, A, C, low to high) “Bron-Yr-Aur” (C, A, C, G, C, E, low to high) “Friends” (Same as “Bron-Yr-Aur”) “In My Time of Dying” (Open-A tuning: E, A, E, A, C#, E, low to high) “Ten Years Gone” (Dropped-D tuning, which is standard tuning, but with the low string tuned down a whole-step to D) Enjoy! — JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast. This episode is presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine.

This episode presents a one-on-one IN-PERSON funk throwdown with guitarist/producer JEFF TAMELIER (Tower of Power, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, Starship feat. Mickey Thomas). That’s right — live jams are back! Sure, during the pandemic, guests on No Guitar Is Safe played a ton of guitar for you and showed you a lot of playing approaches over Zoom, etc., but the latency and other restrictions of internet audio meant there could be no real jamming between guests and me, your humble host. But when I started No Guitar Is Safe back in 2015, live jamming was one of the cornerstones on which the show was built. Now that the world is opening up again, we can do in-person episodes more and more often, and the jams can resume. And what a perfect guest JEFF TAMELIER is to kick off the return of the jams with. Super tasty and soulful, Jeff will teach you to “turn off your brain and just go for it” as a soloist, and also remind you of ways you can elevate your band’s sound by playing great rhythm guitar. — JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast. This episode is presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine. Guitar Player: Play better, sound better.

Whether he's sharing cool improvisation tactics, ways to use "illegal" tempo shifts, ways to heal from playing injuries by using the Alexander Technique, or his thoughts on playing learned riffs and phrases versus purely spontaneous ones, jazz guitar prodigy JULIAN LAGE explores much in this episode. And throughout the interview he's got his beautiful new signature model Collings guitar in his hands, which he uses to demonstrate songs from his new album SQUINT — which comes out on Blue Note Records June 11 — as well as the compositional tactics and playing approaches behind them. Hosted by Jude Gold. Presented by Guitar Player magazine.

Focusrite brings you a deep guitar hang with MISHA MANSOOR, who plugs two of his favorite signature-model Jackson guitars, deconstructs some of his great riffs for you, and shares how he created PERIPHERY, one of the most influential prog-metal bands in history. (Some would even say Mansoor is one of the chief architects of the genre known as “djent” — we’ll see if the ever-humble guitarist/producer agrees.) Misha also shares everything from his deep Allan Holdsworth influence to how he creates Hendrix-style echo-before-distortion psychedelic feedback loops. Additionally, Mansoor details how he and his other guitar hero friend, Tosin Abasi, like to go hot-doggin’ down canyon roads behind the wheels of exotic supercars. Thanks again to FOCUSRITE, makers of great audio interfaces and more, for making this episode happen.

It's not easy to establish yourself in Nashville well before you've turned 30, but guitarist/singer JOE ROBINSON — with a heap of musical talent, a ton of great songs, and a tireless work ethic — seems to have done just that. Today, the Aussie-turned-Tennesseean six-string wunderkind demonstrates many of his amazing riffs, songs, and approaches (including material from his new album, Borders). Joe also introduces you to his signature Maton guitar, teaches you how to Travis pick, and passes on great career lessons he received personally from Tommy Emmanuel and Robben Ford. Presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine. HOSTED BY JUDE GOLD.

Grammy-winning rock/fusion guitarist JAMIE KIME has worked with everyone from Zappa Plays Zappa to Dr. John to Jewel, and back on episode 94 of this show — which was recorded in person, well before the world ever dreamed a pesky virus would put the world in lockdown — Jamie and I played a ton of guitar and he offered up many great soloing tips. In fact, there was so much musical insight from Jamie in that interview that I couldn't fit it all into one episode. So, as promised, I have now (finally!) created a second Jamie Kime episode for you so you wouldn't miss out. Jamie is a spectacular guitarist, and this extra content — modal soloing tips, Ted Greene chord chemistry, harp harmonics approaches, and more — is valuable. There's even a cool Hiram Bullock rabbit hole explored by Jamie and I. This episode is PRESENTED BY GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE. Thank you for listening. — JUDE GOLD, host. No Guitar Is Safe, "the guitar show where guitar heroes plug in."

From Allan Holdsworth (Bonus: This episode features a previously unreleased interview clip with Holdsworth that may save you from ever playing "mayonnaise" chords again) to Steve Howe/Yes to Eddie Van Halen, renowned bassist JEFF BERLIN has played with some truly great guitarists. On this episode, he plugs in and shows you what he loves to play, study, and teach, and write, with demonstrations spanning Bach to Jaco Pastorius to Eric Clapton. And this interview was extra special for me, because I used to tour with Jeff, as I was the guitarist for BX3, the bass extravaganza concert that featured Jeff doing a set along with sets from Stuart Hamm and Billy Sheehan. Presented by Guitar Player magazine. -- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe

He's a founding member of the two biggest rock bands ever to have the word "Guns" in their names. He's an icon of California metal and hard rock. He's got a lethal looking new Kramer signature model guitar in his name. He's TRACII GUNS, and his main band since the early- to mid-'80s, L.A. Guns, is enjoying a resurgence — and also enjoying the return of lead singer Phil Lewis. Plugging in that new Kramer for you and sharing stories of how he built — and how he survived — his wild career, Tracii sits down for an epic interview. Hosted by Jude Gold. Presented by Guitar Player magazine.

From GUNS N’ ROSES to ASIA to SONS OF APOLLO to ART OF ANARCHY to his own BUMBLEFOOT albums, RON 'BUMBLEFOOT' THAL is not only one of the most in-demand rock guitarists of the new millennium, he’s also one of the most innovative, as you will discover when you hear him demonstrating everything from his Vigier double-neck electric (one neck is fretless) to his “portable fret” (a thimble!) to his favorite songs from Boston, Stevie Wonder, Judas Priest, and, of course, CHINESE DEMOCRACY — the epic Guns N’ Roses record that features him on every track. BONUS: You will be deeply moved by Ron’s incredible story of survival, triumph, newfound health after a random motorist in an SUV nearly took everything from him. Big thanks to Mr. Thal for taking the time to do this deep guitar hang with us ... and thanks as well to Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com for making this episode possible. And thank YOU for listening to episode 132 of No Guitar Is Safe, “The Guitar Show Where Guitar Heroes Plug In.” — JUDE GOLD, host and creator

What do QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, A PERFECT CIRCLE, FAILURE, IGGY POP, and other great rock acts have in common? They've all at one time had (and, in the case of that first band, still DO have) guitarist/producer TROY VAN LEEUWEN as a member. On this episode TROY plugs in his signature-model Fender Jazzmaster and shares his guitar playing and recording approaches with host JUDE GOLD. 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 for free, right now, at attend.believeinmusic.tv

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.believeinmusic.tv

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 HI-FIDELITY EARPLUGS. Head to discovervibes.com, enter the the code GUITAR2020, and get 15% off plus free shipping when you order a pair.

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 details on this episode. BONUS: Mike and Jude attempt what may be the first transatlantic jam on Prince’s “Purple Rain.” This episode is presented by BLUE MICROPHONES.

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.

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 the Line, head to: www.jonmaclennan.com/noguitarissafe No Guitar Is Safe is hosted and created by Jude Gold __________ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jude_gold INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jude_gold

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 on to produce DIANA ROSS, INXS, DURAN DURAN, DAVID LEE ROTH, MADONNA, LADY GAGA and other superstar acts. On this episode, NILE details his funk guitar approaches from CHIC to the present, his new jazz/funk instrumental “Inside the Box,” and his hang with dearly departed EDDIE VAN HALEN. He also takes you inside some unforgettable session moments, including studio adventures with DAVID BOWIE, STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, and DAFT PUNK, with whom he scored one of the biggest hit songs of recent years, “Get Lucky.” Hosted by JUDE GOLD, this episode is brought to you by BLUE MICROPHONES. Find your perfect mic at bluemic.com.

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 signature pickups. Hosted by JUDE GOLD. This episode is presented by BLUE MICROPHONES. The perfect mic awaits you at bluemic.com.

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 his favorite funk licks and improvisation approaches, and also shares some of his solo music. Hosted by JUDE GOLD. This episode is presented by Guitar Player magazine, and guitarplayer.com.

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 during pandemic-induced lockdown or any other time — has recorded and just released her third solo album, called ... BUT I'D RATHER BE WITH YOU. And on this episode of No Guitar Is Safe, Molly picks up one of her favorite Pre-War Guitars dreadnoughts, performs songs for you, and shows you many of the techniques and emotions that went into the new record. PRESENTED BY BLUE MICROPHONES. Find your dream microphone at BLUEMIC.COM. Hosted by JUDE GOLD.

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 mic of your dreams awaits you at bluemic.com.

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 mic of your dreams awaits you at bluemic.com. No Guitar Is Safe is created and hosted by Jude Gold.

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 waiting at bluemic.com.

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 connect with you at this cool online event. Happening August 10th through the 13th, it's a streaming four-day weekend of guitar master classes and coaching sessions from Smith, TYLER LARSON, and TIM PIERCE, plus rhythm section workshops from brilliant players such as DENNIS CHAMBERS and GARY and GREG GRAINGER. This episode is presented by BLUE MICROPHONES, which you can learn more about at bluemic.com.

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 and latest releases at nuclearblast.com.

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 alter ego of Steve Vai. Hosted by Jude Gold. This episode is presented by GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE.

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 Matter protest visits No Guitar Is Safe World Headquarters. Hosted by JUDE GOLD. This episode presented by Guitar Player magazine.

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 song with a great guitar solo and then play that solo. PRESENTED BY GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE. Guitar Player: Play Better, Sound Better.

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 classics, Nathaniel always dazzles .... THIS EPISODE is brought to you by ROYER LABS, makers of the famed R-121 ribbon mic and its new sibling, the more affordable, guitar-friendly R-10 ribbon mic. www.royerlabs.com

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 a bit, too, to demonstrate approaches and arrangements from his instrumental jazz records. This episode is brought to you by NUCLEAR BLAST records, who invite you to check out Testament’s TITANS OF CREATION wherever you stream or purchase music, or on the Nuclear Blast website, www.nuclearblast.com.

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.

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 Crashing and other shows. Now, Lyle has tracked a stunning new instrumental album that has yet to be released, which means no one can hear it — no one, that is, except for YOU, when you play this podcast. This episode is hosted by Jude Gold, and is brought to you by ERNIE BALL and their brilliant new ERNIE BALL VPJR TUNER, a two-in-one volume and tuner pedal you can see at ernieball.com.

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

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 Thicke, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, The Game, Backstreet Boys, Kendrick Lamar, and other superstars. On this episode, Joe plays guitar for you and regales many adventures, including being on stage with Miley Cyrus during the world’s most infamous “twerking” incident. Joe also discusses the huge church gigs he does, and what it’s like composing with gospel legend Israel Houghton. GUITARS: Joe mostly plays a Carvin hollowbody, while I — your host, JUDE GOLD — plug in Joe’s custom “parts-caster” Telecaster-style guitar, the only guitar of his to survive what likely was, as you’ll hear, the worst multi-guitar pile-up in history. This episode is brought to you by Guitar Player magazine and guitarplayer.com.

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 also worked with Melissa Etheridge, Trey Anastasio, and other stars. On this episode, host JUDE GOLD plugs in with Celisse at the Gibson Showroom in Los Angeles, CA. Presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine and GUITARPLAYER.COM.

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 with host JUDE GOLD, shares a revered Magic Sam guitar breakdown (as well as licks and approaches behind his concert album, 13 Live), and reflects on adventures spanning everything from the Gibson event and the Conan show to his stints with Hubert Sumlin, Chuck Berry, and other guitar legends. Brought to you by GUITAR PLAYER magazine and GUITARPLAYER.COM

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 dad as a kid). Hosted by JUDE GOLD. Presented by GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE and GUITARPLAYER.COM

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 brought to you by Vibes Hi-Fi Earplugs, www.discovervibes.com.

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, the guitarist/composer treats host JUDE GOLD -- and you -- to some of the best single-coil-pickups-through-a-Marshall tones you’re likely to hear anywhere. Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs (as seen on Shark Tank) are discreet, reusable earplugs designed for musicians and concertgoers. Unlike standard foam earplugs that block and muffle sounds, Vibes reduce the volume of loud live music to a safer and more comfortable level, while still allowing you to hear every note clearly. Use the promo code GUITARPLAYER to get 15% off your purchase, plus free shipping, when you visit www.discovervibes.com.

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 tunes. He also reflects on the genius of Satriani, Govan, and other phenomenal guitarists with whom he tours and records. Plus, Beller shares an empowered take on how to achieve life goals that just may inspire you to record YOUR magnum opus. Hosted by JUDE GOLD, and brought to you by GUITAR PLAYER magazine, and www.guitarplayer.com.

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 -- speaking of great players -- GRETCHEN MENN and DANIELE GOTTARDO (who were each featured on this podcast in earlier episodes), where Batten plugs in her Washburn Parallaxe electric guitar, jams with host JUDE GOLD, and reflects on everything from her past musical adventures to her current California co-headlining tour with Gretchen and NILI BROSH.