Episodes

  • Dr. Molly Miller Schools Us on Sister Rosetta
    Dec 23 2024

    In the early ’60s, some of the British guitarists who would shape the direction of our instrument for decades to come all found themselves at a concert by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. What they heard from Tharpe and what made her performances so special—her sound, her energy—must have resonated. Back at home in the U.S., she was a captivating presence, wowing audiences going back to her early days in church through performing the first stadium rock ‘n’ roll concert—which was also one of her weddings—and beyond. Her guitar playing was incendiary, energetic, and a force to be reckoned with.

    On this episode of 100 Guitarists, we’re joined by guitarist Molly Miller, who in addition to being a fantastic guitarist, educator, bandleader, and performing with Jason Mraz, is a bit of a Sister Rosetta scholar. We chat with Molly about Sister Rosetta’s “immediately impressive” playing, which blends jazz, gospel, chromaticism, and blues into an early rock ‘n’ roll style that was not only way ahead of its time but was also truly rockin’.

    Sponsored by Gibson: https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Collection/sister-rosetta-tharpe

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    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

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    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    32 mins
  • The ’60s Were Weird and So Were the ’90s—Thanks, Santana
    Dec 16 2024

    Carlos Santana’s career arc has been a journey. From blowing minds at the far edges of psychedelia at Woodstock to incendiary jazz experimentalism with the likes of John McLaughlin and Alice Coltrane to later becoming a chart-topping star with some of the biggest collaborators in pop and rock, his guitar playing has covered a lot of ground.

    On this episode of 100 Guitarists, we’re covering everything about Santana’s playing we can fit in one neat package: How did Santana’s sound evolve? Has any other rock star mentioned John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme on morning network television? Was Supernatural his ultimate gift to the world?

    In our new current listening segment, we’re talking about a Bruce Hornsby live record and a recent release from guitarist Stash Wyslouch.

    Hear Paul Reed Smith's best Santana story here: https://prsguitars.com/blog/post/paul_reed_smith_tells_the_carlos_santana_story

    Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

    Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

    Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    54 mins
  • Nile Rodgers Put Rhythm Up Front (and Cory Wong Listened)
    Dec 9 2024

    Funk-guitar wiz and Wong Notes host Cory Wong flips the script and sits in the 100 Guitarists guest chair. Wong cleared his schedule to talk about one Nile Rodgers’ work on the Halo 2 soundtrack. We were lucky that got him to return our call, but we did move on quickly.

    Wong is a scholar of all things rhythm guitar—and that means all things Nile. We talk about how the Hitmaker voices his progressions—“You hear Nile play a chord progression … and it’s that song”—and the role of rhythm guitar in general. Cory delivers his list of best Nile performances, tips for direct guitar sounds, and most surprising Nile collabs.

    Ever wonder what it would sound like if Nile Rodgers produced David Lee Roth covering Willie Nelson? Give a listen and drop us a know when you check it out for yourself.

    Big thanks to https://www.jampedals.com for the support!

    Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

    Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

    Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    49 mins
  • Slayer’s Reign of Anger with Brendon Small
    Dec 5 2024

    Slayer guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman formed the original searing 6-string front line of the most brutal band in the land. Together, they created an aggressive mood of malcontent with high-velocity thrash riffs and screeching solos that’ll slice your speaker cones. The only way to create a band more brutal than Slayer would be to animate them, and that’s exactly what Metalocalypse (and Home Movies) creator Brendon Small did.

    From his first listen, Small has been a lifetime devotee and thrash-metal expert, so we invited him to help us break down what makes Slayer so great. Together, we dissect King and Hanneman’s guitar styles and list their angriest, most brutal songs, as well as those that create a mood of general horribleness.

    Use code EMG100 for 15% off at checkout at emgpickups.com

    Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

    Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

    Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    48 mins
  • Billy Strings, Jamgrass King with Jon Stickley
    Nov 21 2024

    Billy Strings has become one of the biggest drawing guitar players out on the road these days. His music brings bluegrass fans and jam band scenes together, landing him on some of the biggest stages around. Your 100 Guitarists hosts have brought in guitarist Jon Stickley to help them work out their differences—one of us is a jammer and the other … is not.

    Stickley goes way back with Billy, spotting his talent early in the young guitarist’s career. The two have worked together since, and recently, when Billy had to dip out of his own festival as his wife headed to the hospital to deliver their baby, it was Stickley who was called to jump on stage and fill in at last minute notice. Stickley recounts the story of not only getting on stage, but strapping on Strings’ guitar, plugging into his space station, and taking off with Billy’s band.

    We called the right guitarist to guide us through, navigating Strings’ work, the way he brings together influences from genres outside bluegrass, and what makes him a guitarist you need to know.

    Episode sponsored by Grace Design: https://gracedesign.com/

    Follow Jon Stickley: https://www.jonstickley.com/

    Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

    Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

    Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    46 mins
  • Why Randy Rhoads Makes Chris Shiflett Cry
    Nov 14 2024

    Your esteemed hosts of the 100 Guitarists podcast have been listening to Randy Rhoads’s body of work since they learned the word “pentatonic.” His short discography with Ozzy Osbourne has been emblazoned on both of our fingertips, and we’ve each put in our hours working out everything from the “Crazy Train” riff to the fingerpicked intro to “Diary of a Madman.” But in our extended Premier Guitar fam, we have an expert who’s been studying Randy’s licks since longer than either of us have been alive.

    On this episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Chris Shiflett—best known to you as the host of Shred with Shifty or as the Foo Fighters’s foremost expert on Randy Rhoads. Since growing up with these riffs in his ears, Shifty’s been making tokens of tribute to the later guitar slinger, from bespoke t-shirts to stuffed guitars.

    Join us for Shiflett’s Randy Rhoads primer, learn why you should crank the outro to “S.A.T.O.” as loud as you can, and what Ozzy song makes this Foo cry.

    For a limited time, Premier Guitar fans can receive 10% off a Bullhead Amplification Custom Shop amplifier build with Free Shipping to anywhere in the Lower 48 contiguous United States, using code: PREMIERGUITAR10. Offer valid until Dec 31, 2024. Visit http://bullheadamplification.com and use code PREMIERGUITAR10 at checkout.

    Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

    Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

    Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    36 mins
  • Is Steve Lukather the Definitive Yacht Rock Guitarist?
    Nov 7 2024

    Steve Lukather is one of the most documented guitarists in the hit-making biz. He grew up as an L.A. teen with a crew of fellow musicians who would go on to make their livings at the top of the session scene. By the time Lukather and his pals formed Toto, they were already experienced chart-toppers. The band went on to success with hits including the rockin’ “Hold the Line,” breezy, bouncing “Rosanna,” and the timeless “Africa.”

    As a session player, Lukather’s reign in the ’70s and ‘80s extended from Olivia Newton-John to Herbie Hancock to Michael Jackson. And alongside Michael McDonald—whose “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” included Lukather’s distinctive rhythm riffage—Daryl Hall and John Oates, Kenny Loggins, Peter Cetera, and Christopher Cross (among many others) he may have earned the title of yacht rock’s number one guitar player.

    On this episode of the 100 Guitarists podcast, we’re talking about our favorite Lukather tracks, from his best rhythm parts to his most rippin’ solos. And even though he spends most of his playing time with the biggest names, we’ve managed to call up a few deep cuts.

    Use code EMG100 for 15% off at https://www.emgpickups.com/

    Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

    Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

    Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    36 mins
  • My Bloody Valentine Is F***ing Loud!
    Oct 31 2024

    Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine is one of the loudest guitarists around. And he puts his volume to work creating mythical tones that have captured so many of our imaginations, including our special shoegaze correspondent, guitarist and pedal-maestro Andy Pitcher, who is our guest today.

    My Bloody Valentine has a short discography made up of just a few albums and EPs that span decades. Meticulous as he seems to be, Shields creates texture out of his layers of tracks and loops and fuzz throughout, creating a music that needs to be felt as much as it needs to be heard.

    We go to the ultimate source as Billy Corgan leaves us a message about how it felt to hear those sounds in the pre-internet days, when rather than pull up a YouTube clip, your imagination would have to guide you toward a tone.

    But not everyone is an MBV fan, so this conversation is part superfan hype and part debate. We can all agree Kevin Shields is a guitarists you should know, but we can’t all agree what to do with that information.

    This episode is supported by http://fender.com

    Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

    Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

    Get at us: 100guitarists@premierguitar.com

    Call/Text: 319-423-9734

    Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

    Subscribe to the podcast:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

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    44 mins