No Guitar Is Safe

Presented by AUDIO-TECHNICA and their E-Series monitoring headphones, this episode features a deep guitar hang with JEFF KOLLMAN. Whether Kollman is playing blazing instrumentals with his own band, Cosmosquad, rocking stadiums with Japanese superstar Eikichi Yazawa, or blowing off steam with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith in the Bombastic Meatbats, his brilliant guitar playing lights up every stage he graces. Here, Jeff tells you all about each of those gigs and more. He also runs you through musical exercises that made him a better player, shares tone tips, and jams with host Jude Gold. Last but not least, Jeff opens up about the tragic story of his beloved brother and longtime musical partner, Tommy Kollman.

Today, the guitar 'copter descends upon Soundtek Studios in San Jose, California, to jam with platinum rocker GREG KIHN and his lead guitarist RY KIHN (who also happens to be his son). Jude and the Kihns also talk about everything from Greg's classic hit songs (such as "Breakup Song" and "Jeopardy") and tunes on his brand new album, which is called REKIHNDLED; to great moments with the great guitarists the Greg Kihn Band has employed over the decades and what it's like being parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (Special thanks to Robert Berry and Soundtek studios for hosting this interview.)

Oh, the brutality! On this episode, Texas shred monster RUSTY COOLEY plugs in his signature-model Dean 7-string and shows Jude how he forged his merciless metal style. Rusty also explains how he took inspiration from violinist Izhak Perlman, metal sensei Doug Marks, and the late Shawn Lane while developing his sound. And with help from lead singer Brad Lambert, Rusty shows you some crushing tunes from his band, DAY OF RECKONING.

Presented by TECH 21, this episode features virtuoso guitarist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist RICHIE KOTZEN plugged in, jamming, and talking technique with host Jude Gold. Richie also discusses the recording of his new album, SALTING EARTH, as well as the inspiration behind his signature Tech 21 RK5 Fly Rig preamp. Bonus: Kotzen also shares stories of the epic rock-and-roll pranks he has pulled on people on stage and off. GIVEAWAY ALERT: Head to www.guitarplayer.com/kotzen and enter before May 12 for a chance to win a Tech 21 RK5 Fly Rig.

TOSHI YANAGI came to America with no English skills and nowhere to stay. But he had a dream. Now, he is the house guitarist on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, and has released stellar solo albums under his own name, and his dream of becoming a pro musician has been realized. On this episode, Toshi visit's host Jude Gold's house, bringing with him a killer pedalboard full of sounds, and the pair jam on a variety of grooves. Toshi also recalls funny skits he has filmed with Kimmel and remembers how when he first arrived in California in the late '80s, the late Johnny Nitro "opened a door for him" — which is ironic, because Nitro's band was called the Doorslammers.

Guitarist/composer/pilot GRETCHEN MENN details the making of her new instrumental album, Abandon All Hope. She also reflects on her adventures with Led Zeppelin tribute band, Zepparella, and jams with host Jude Gold on riffs and themes by J.S. Bach, Jimmy Page, and Django Reinhardt, to name a few. Bonus: Gretchen argues that Texas Chainsaw Massacre is high art.

Twenty-four-year-old Aussie guitar wunderkind PLINI takes a break from touring the world to plug in, jam a few tunes with Jude, and detail his clever playing, recording, and mixing approaches. Plini also tries to prove that his production tactics are based on "laziness," but his stunning recordings indicate otherwise. Also making a cameo is ANDY ALT, creator of A Little Thunder pickups.

Presented by AUDIO-TECHNICA, this episode tracks down guitar ace TIM STEWART just three days after he rocked the Super Bowl with Lady Gaga. Talking shop, demonstrating pedals, and jamming with host Jude Gold, Stewart gives you his insights into what it’s like playing stadiums with Lady Gaga and Rihanna. He also shows you some sweet gospel guitar moves, and details the tracking of KNIVES' debut album, Boy Thursday.

Like a one-man band, BEN LACY magically weaves together guitar, bass, drum, and vocal parts on his 6-string electric guitar to produce irresistibly funky grooves. On this episode, the Kentucky-based guitarist plugs in with host Jude Gold to demonstrate some of his amazing song arrangements and reveal many of his signature techniques.

Brought to you by AUDIO-TECHNICA, this episode presents JAKE SHIMABUKURO—“The Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele,” as Guitar Player magazine’s Matt Blackett described Jake when he burst onto the scene back in 2005. When it comes to advancing the musical and sonic boundaries of ukulele, no one has done so more spectacularly than Shimabukuro. In this one-on-one interview/jam, host Jude Gold sits down with Jake, who performs many songs, tells you everything you need to know to play ukulele like a pro, and discusses tracks from his new album, Nashville Sessions.

2016 has been another big year for LITA FORD. In addition to releasing a bestselling autobiography, "Living Like a Runaway" — a thrilling must-read for any fan of hard rock guitar — she continues to tour relentlessly and has recently been crowned a Certified Legend by Guitar Player Magazine. Here, Lita plugs in with host Jude Gold to jam a few tunes and discuss her adventures with everyone from the Runaways, Ritchie Blackmore, and Ozzy Osbourne to Jon Bon Jovi, Tony Iommi, and Edward Van Halen. Bonus: NICK BOWCOTT stops by to demonstrate the new Marshall Code 25 amplifier.

From working with three of the four Beatles to tracking the James Bond theme to mastering DADGAD tuning, Grammy-winning guitarist LAURENCE JUBER shares his life adventures. He also performs some of his favorite pieces—including an arrangement of "Deck the Halls," which is available on his new CD, Holidays and Hollynights—and details several stunning guitar approaches. And in a cool vintage gear moment, Laurence busts out his sterling 1893 Martin steel-string.

OWEN BARRY just did a string of arena shows opening for the Who as guitarist for bassist extraordinaire Tal Wilkenfeld. He's also performed with Jackson Browne, his original band, Purple Melon, and others. For this interview/jam with host Jude Gold, Owen not only brought in three custom guitars and a vast pedalboard, he even brought a Dumble Overdrive Special amplifier. Wow. That's like bringing a unicorn to a kid's birthday party. Plus, as you'll hear in the first minute, he's a great guitarist.

It's no wonder Steve Vai named DANIELE GOTTARDO as his "favorite young guitarist." After all, the Italian virtuoso's dazzling technical prowess is matched by equally remarkable gift for composition and arranging. Here, Gottardo plugs in with host Jude Gold and demonstrates guitar techniques, compositional devices, improvisation approaches, tapping tricks, and much more.

Guitarist/composer MIKE KENEALLY earned the respect of prog rock fans worldwide when he became Frank Zappa's "stunt guitarist" in the late ’80s. Since then, the prolific guitarist/keyboardist has released a string of solo albums, as well as enjoyed tenures with Steve Vai, Dethklok, and his current bandleader, Joe Satriani. On this episode, Keneally plugs in with Jude to share his amazing musical journey, play bunch of guitar, and discuss his new album, Scambot 2.

DEAN BROWN is a deep cat — a fact any music lover could infer with a quick glance at Dean’s résumé, because the guitarist has not only worked with everyone from Roberta Flack, Michael Brecker, and Eric Clapton to Billy Cobham, Joe Zawinul and Marcus Miller, he’s also just released his fifth solo album, which is a genre-defying sonic odyssey called Rolajafufu. For this lengthy guitar hang and jam, host JUDE GOLD meets up with Dean at Xotic Guitars’ California headquarters, where, as a bonus, Xotic’s KENNY ECHIZEN (a stellar guitarist in his own right) makes a guest appearance.

There is an exciting place where classic metal, surf guitar instrumentals, and flamenco nylon-string styles overlap, and that place is wherever BEN WOODS is performing. Melding his love for metal and flamenco styles, Ben formed the band Flametal in 2005. Now, Ben has several solo albums out, a guitar transcription book in publication from Hal Leonard, and line of signature strings. Recorded at Cordoba Guitars' Santa Monica headquarters, this episode finds Ben guitar-to-guitar with host Jude Gold — talking, jamming, and giving a detailed flamenco lesson you won't forget.

Virtuoso Milwaukee guitar mangler GREG KOCH plugs in with host Jude Gold and jams on great licks from his albums as well as shares what he learned studying the playing of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, and Roy Buchanan. Greg also demonstrates his new Fishman Fluency Gristle-Tone signature pickups and discusses what it's like having 25 million views on YouTube as Wildwood Guitars' primary gear demo artist.

Presented by AUDIO-TECHNICA and their new E-SERIES in-ear monitoring headphones, this episode finds PAUL GILBERT throwing down guitar jams and technique discussions with host Jude Gold. Gilbert also discusses everything from his brand-new album, I Can Destroy, to his days teaching guitar at GIT to his pioneering shred band, Racer X, to his number one hit song with Mr. Big to his first-ever Guitar Player magazine cover story.

From his many solo albums to his tenures with star singers such as Bobby Caldwell, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin, Gino Vannelli, and Randy Crawford, Allen Hinds hinds has enjoyed a spectacular career. Here, fresh off a solo tour of Japan, the funk/blues/fusion/slide master plugs in with host Jude Gold talk tone, technique, and much more.

Super sideman and solo artist Steve Stevens plugs in with host Jude Gold to trace his evolution from acoustic blues boy to multi-platinum electric guitar sharpshooter and co-writer for Billy Idol and other artists.

Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai invites you into his home studio to explore the playing techniques and composition approaches that power the songs on his new double album, "Modern Primitive / Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary Edition." Hosted by Jude Gold.

7-string jazz/funk guitar wünderkind Charlie Hunter has forged an exciting style all his own—one in which he plays bass lines and guitar parts simultaneously. On this episode of No Guitar Is Safe, Charlie plugs in with host Jude Gold and reveals exactly how he developed his singular guitar style and crafted an exciting career.

Pete Thorn has played lead guitar for Don Henley, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cornell, Courtney Love, and other star singers. He has also created one of the most successful guitar gear demo channels on the Web. Presented by Line 6 and Helix, this episode finds Thorn conversing and jamming with host Jude Gold, who is determined to find out exactly how Thorn forged his sound and developed his career.

Mark Lettieri has two exciting new albums out — one as guitarist for adventure-jazz posse Snarky Puppy, and one as a solo artist. On this episode of No Guitar Is Safe, Lettieri plugs in with host Jude Gold to demonstrate his über-tasty guitar style and trace the funk, gospel, and rock guitar techniques that inform it.

Playing with Prince enriched KAT DYSON's life immensely, and she will be the the first to tell you that. PRESENTED BY AUDIO TECHNICA, this interview/jam — recorded just five days before to Prince's death — finds Dyson plugging in with host Jude Gold and diving deep into the music of Prince, Cyndi Lauper, and Italian superstar Zucchero — all of whom are artists she has shared the stage with extensively. BONUS INTERVIEW: Four days after Prince's passing, Dyson and longtime Prince guitarist MIKE SCOTT reflect on the impact their late, great bandleader had on their lives.

Saturday Night Live guitarist JARED SCHARFF plugs in with host Jude Gold in the living room of Maroon 5's James Valentine (who makes cameo appearances in this episode)and shares what it has been like to perform on SNL for nine years and counting. Scharff also discusses the solo songs he releases as PEARL LION, and demonstrates the art of "unnecessary shredding."

The great jazz-fusion guitarist MIKE STERN and the great world-fusion guitarist LENI STERN (yes, they're married) share the beautiful, inspiring, and sometimes hilarious overlap of their musical spheres.

In a gear-filled room at Suhr Guitars headquarters, Tennessee guitar virtuoso Andy Wood plugs in and jams with host Jude Gold and shares what it's like touring with one of the most successful country bands in history, Rascal Flatts.

Steve Morse has inspired generations of players with his brilliant instrumentals and soaring guitar melodies. On this episode of No Guitar Is Safe, the Dixie Dregs/Deep Purple/Steve Morse Band guitar hero plugs in with host Jude Gold to jam a little and find the common thread between guitar, aviation, composition, and welding.

Two weeks after the death of Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer PAUL KANTNER, No Guitar Is Safe host Jude Gold reflects on what it was like to play lead guitar for the Grammy-winning Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship founder at concerts all over the world.

Super sideman and solo artist NICK MAYBURY is still in shock after being on tour with Scott Weiland the day the legendary rock singer died. Now, six weeks later, he's ready, with guitar in hand, to tell host Jude Gold all about that dark day and the whirlwind seven months prior that he spent as Weiland's lead guitarist. Nick also discusses his side band, Pluuto, his epic jam with Prince, his tours with everyone from Perry Farrell to Cody Simpson, and how he conjures Hendrix tones using a 20-watt Marshall head.

Blues badass JOSH SMITH plugs in with host Jude Gold to play new songs and old, as well as discuss the recording of his new album, "Over Your Head." Josh also recalls what it was like to back Mick Jagger on the Grammys, what it is like to have been a child star and then have one as a son, and what it took to build the ultimate guitar player man cave—a pro studio—in his backyard.

Brought to you by the Vertex Boost from Vertex Effects, this episode features Robben Ford both interviewing and playing guitar with host Jude Gold, discussing everything from how he recorded his latest album, Into the Sun, to what it was like playing lead guitar for George Harrison, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, and Jimmy Witherspoon.

Sweep picking pioneer Frank Gambale plugs in with host Jude Gold to talk about his online guitar school, his band SoulMine (featuring Boca on vocals), his years with Chick Corea, his Carvin/Kiesel guitars, his DV Mark amps, the "Gambale tuning," and how he created one of the most exciting guitar styles in rock/fusion history.

With a deep jazz/rock vocabulary and a knack for generating mesmerizing sonic textures using common guitar effects, Oz Noy talks and jams with host Jude Gold, sharing how he developed one of the most creative voices in contemporary guitar.

Monster bebop guitarist Bruce Forman leads the renowned Western swing combo Cowbop, has a one-man/one-guitar show called 'The Red Guitar,' and is featured heavily in the soundtrack to Clint Eastwood's Academy Award-winning film, 'Million Dollar Baby.' Also an esteemed jazz educator, Forman jams with host Jude Gold and reminds musicians to originate, not imitate, and to stand up and be "people, not sheeple."

Presented by Audio-Technica's System 10 Stompbox Digital Wireless, John 5 invites us into his new house, where he plugs in his favorite Telecaster and interviews and jams with host Jude Gold at length, discussing an exciting career working with such headliners as Rob Zombie, David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Halford.

Powerhouse funk guitarist Mike Scott is known for touring with Prince, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and other headliners, and for tracking on albums by Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, and more. Here, Scott plugs in with host Jude Gold to show, in words and in licks, how he became one of the most in-demand R&B players of the modern era.

Whether she's on stage with Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Famer Alice Cooper, Jermaine Jackson, or the Iron Maidens, guitarist Nita Strauss always takes life to '11', making her the perfect guest for this show's eleventh episode. Here, the young guitar hero tells host Jude Gold how she went from doing pay-to-play gigs in Los Angeles to rocking arenas supporting Mötley Crüe with Alice Cooper.

Guitarist Guthrie Govan is revered worldwide—not just for his stunning guitar playing, but also for his humble, thoughtful, and fearless approaches to musical exploration. Here, host Jude Gold plugs in with Govan to explore the techniques and inspiration behind his guitar parts on the new Aristocrats album, Tres Caballeros.

Kevin Cadogan's hypnotic open-tuned riffs helped Third Eye Blind sell eight million copies of their first two albums. Here, the guitarist plugs in and shows host Jude Gold how he evolved his signature style, as well as discusses his fulfilling, yet bittersweet, ride with one of the ’90s' most successful bands.

Being the lead guitarist for Sammy Hagar, Vic Johnson has long held one of the funnest gigs in rock.(Bonus! Mr. Hagar also appears on this episode.) Now, with the formation of Hagar's new all-star band, the Circle, Johnson's job just became even MORE thrilling. Here, Johnson shares how he paid dues tracking for Dr. Dre and playing in great bands such as the Busboys to become Hagar's right-hand man.

Jeff Pevar has played lead guitar with everyone from Ray Charles and David Crosby to Bette Midler and Steely Dan's Donald Fagen. Now, the sideman par excellence has finally released two very special albums of his own. On this episode of No Guitar Is Safe, Pevar shares his experiences in music and jams on both electric guitar and lap steel with host Jude Gold.

Joel Hoekstra tells you all about his upcoming solo album, "Dying to Live;" details his role as co-guitarist of Whitesnake; recalls his days with Night Ranger, Trans Siberian Orchestra, and Foreigner; and shares how he has become one of the most in-demand rock guitarists on the planet. And yes, he plays tons of guitar in the interview, too.

Bassists aren't usually invited onto No Guitar Is Safe, but in the case of Billy Sheehan, an exception must be made. Why? Because Sheehan's amazing stories of playing with Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, David Lee Roth, Billy Gibbons, and other rock heroes are priceless, and his playing (which you'll hear throughout the episode) is über-inspiring. Hear Sheehan and guitar ace Richie Kotzen in action on the new Winery Dogs album, Hot Streak, due out this October.

From getting signed the day after sent Shrapnel Records a cassette tape of his playing, to releasing multiple solo albums, to rocking stadiums with Michael Jackson, guitar virtuoso Greg Howe traces a lifetime of adventures on the fretboard. And yes, his guitar is plugged in the whole time.

Maroon 5 lead guitarist James Valentine plugs into his amazing touring rig, and, in his own words and his own riffs, shares how he forged his guitar style, and how he and his four bandmates ascended from being a club act to becoming one of the most successful bands in the world.

From playing with Ozzy Osbourne after Randy Rhoads' death to selling 16 million albums with Night Ranger, Brad Gillis has lived several amazing guitar adventures. Here, with a live guitar in his hands, Gillis recalls, in his own words and his own licks, every last one of them.

With a guitar in his hands, Joe Satriani traces his astonishing evolution from adolescent garage rocker to the world's most successful instrumental guitarist.