No Guitar Is Safe

Presented by PRS GUITARS, this episode finds us in Atlanta talking and jamming with the great JIMMY HERRING. Beloved for his powerful solos and humble nature alike, Herring has played with several of the world's top "jam" artists, including Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Phil Lesh, the Dead, Project Z, and the Allman Brothers Band. Currently, Herring enjoys his long-running gig as lead guitarist with Widespread Panic—the band that has set the record for most sell-outs ever at Colorado's famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Throughout this interview, Jimmy has his PRS NF3 guitar in his hands, so he can show you musical concepts and passages that are meaningful to him ... and so he can jam! Catch Jimmy Herring on tour this summer with his band, Jimmy Herring and the Invisible Whip, or this fall, when he'll be playing concert halls with his hero, John McLaughlin. The McLaughling/Herring tour is called The Meeting of the Spirits, and it starts November 1. I hope you enjoy this in-depth hang and jam

Recorded at Swing House Studios in Los Angeles, this episode features an interview and jam with Grammy-winning guitarist/producer SHANE THERIOT. Currently the lead guitarist for multi-platinum rock-soul hitmakers Hall and Oates, Shane has also worked with everyone from Jewel and Willie Nelson to LeAnn Rimes and the Neville Brothers. Shane's "other" job is being musical director for Daryl Hall on Daryl's popular music show, "Live From Daryl's House," wherein Daryl, Shane, and the band perform sets with a wide cross-section of famous singers. A soulful soloist and a super funky rhythm player, Shane has a rare versatility that should continue to land him huge gigs for many years to come. From what it's like growing up in New Orleans to sharing the guitar approaches he used on his new album, Still Motion, Shane covers a lot of territory on this interview, and I thank him for that. I offer Additional thanks to Swing House Studio's Phil Jauriqui (who visits the mics near the end of the episode to talk a little

Grammy-nominated thumb-picker TOMMY EMMANUEL is one of the most beloved and respected guitarists on the planet. The Aussie-turned-Nashvillian is one of a small handful of players dubbed a "CGP" (Certified Guitar Player) by the late, great Chet Atkins, and the accolade is well-deserved — as proves one listen to Tommy's mesmerizing new concert album, LIVE! AT THE RYMAN. Tommy is on the road mesmerizing audiences around the world 300 nights per year, and his zest for life and music never ceases to amaze. I enjoyed this guitar hang with him immensely, and hope you do, too. —JUDE GOLD Host, No Guitar Is Safe podcast.

For the two-year anniversary of No Guitar Is Safe, I am proud to bring you a guitar hang with "the Jimi Hendrix of podcasting," MARC MARON. I met up with the famed interviewer/comedian/actor (and, yes, guitarist) in his now-legendary garage — the same place he has interviewed everyone from famous actors, musicians, and comedians to President Obama. The garage is also the same place where, as you'll hear, Marc likes to crank up vintage amps and play the blues. (Check out Maron's new hit comedy series, GLOW, which is binge-watchable now on Netflix!) Thanks for listening to No Guitar Is Safe. JUDE GOLD Host, No Guitar Is Safe

A versatile, super-tasty jazz cat who found his way onto huge-selling crossover records by star singers such as Norah Jones and Tracy Chapman, ADAM LEVY is one of the chillest, most thoughtful and grounded pro guitarists you're likely to meet. I had a wonderful time jamming with him on everything from John Coltrane's "Equinox" and Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason" to Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why" and Adam's own solo song, "This Is Our House" (off his stellar EP, Blueberry Blonde). We explore many different musical worlds in this super-size episode, and I learned a lot. Hope you do, too. —JUDE GOLD, host, 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.