No Guitar Is Safe

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.