No Guitar Is Safe

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

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% of

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.

Episode 100 finds PUDDLE OF MUDD lead guitarist MATT FULLER plugging in and detailing the recording of the band’s new album, WELCOME TO GALVANIA, as well as chronicling the adventures and misadventures he has had with the group since joining in 2012. Matt also shares an an inspiring BRIAN MAY story, reflects on playing with BOW WOW WOW and other bands, and introduces you to his cool SHECTER guitars and ORANGE amplifiers …. And, yes — this is the 100th episode of No Guitar Is Safe! Thank you to the the many of you who have been faithful listeners and helped spread the word about this show. In celebration of this milestone moment, at the end of my interview with Matt I offer you a special epilogue in which I share some insights into the nearly 100 “helicopter rides” I have embarked upon to bring all these epic guitar hangs to your podcast feed. KIATY95! — JUDE GOLD, host and creator, No Guitar Is Safe

Episode 99 features SAMANTHA FISH, the soulful young, Kansas City-bred guitarist/singer, plugging in with me in Beverly Hills, performing songs from her new album, KILL OR BE KIND [Rounder Records], as well as riffing on other cool staples of her live set. Samantha also proves "War Pigs" can be performed in blues clubs and shares the funniest banana prank since Eddie Murphy's banana shenanigans in Beverly Hills Cop .... Actually, Samantha's prank is actually funnier than Eddie's, I think. You decide. -- JUDE GOLD, host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast.

Episode 98 finds us plugging in with 25-year-old Norwegian guitar virtuoso FREDRIK HALLAND. As a solo artist, Fredrik has released three new singles under his own name, and he has a résumé that includes playing guitar on Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber albums, performing on the soundtrack to the hit dramatic series Empire, and touring with star singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat. On this episode, Fredrik is plugs a Tom Anderson T-style guitar into his pedalboard and a Two Rock head and cabinet, while host JUDE GOLD plays one of Fredrik's Fender Stratocasters through an Egnater combo. Presented by GUITAR PLAYER magazine.

From Ray Charles to Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt to Stevie Wonder, BRAD RABUCHIN has played guitar with a long list of legends. He has also released albums under his own name. Brad's latest record is actually a duo effort, called FOR JOHN, which he recorded with co-guitarist David Becker. In this episode (Ep. 97), host JUDE GOLD "flies the chopper" over to Brad's Los Angeles home, plugs in some guitars with Brad, jams on some tunes, talks about Brad's prolific career, tries to find out what the meaning of jazz is (!), and even takes a spin on Brad's electric sitar. Brought to you by Guitar Player magazine and GuitarPlayer.com.