Bleav in The Guitar Life

With more than 70 books published Chad Johnson is by far one of the top music educators in the world. He sells his products by showing his mastery over the guitar and other instruments. It's difficult to explain a lot of what takes place in music and what you need to know in learning about it but Chad Johnson doesn't seem to have a problem with that with a constant outpouring of great ideas. And the world's largest publisher of sheet music The Hal Leonard Publishing Corp seem to very much agree with me in recruiting him for all kinds of projects. He's full of enthusiasm and you can hear him explain it all in this interview.

People have to make decisions and commit. To be a successful professional within any career or endeavor requires incentive. I've talked with hundreds of guitarists but out of the many comes a couple that stay the course. Bob Hawkins is in the class of the few. To say you've done thousands of gigs and given thousands of lessons comes from the most staunch character type. There's just so much to consider. This interview with Bob Hawkins is revealing in that it sums up the drive needed to persevere with such a workload. This work is for the love of music but only for the brave.

Tired of life on the road and missing surfing John quits the bands and heads for West Australia to catch up with his brother Mark. While there he discovers the music scene and meets the love of his life. He returns to America but like a boomerang eventually heads back and settles in West Australia. He ends up teaching and gigging locally in Perth but also tours throughout the country.

Patrick Honeywell of the BLEAV Podcast Network the host of his own show 'Chef's Special' conducts an interview with John Heussenstamm. The nomadic surfer/guitarist shares some life-stories and experiences driven by his desire to play music and keep his surfing bug going. The guitar itself has many faces and many environments and depending on which musical direction you choose to go in might determine the location where you'll end up. So from the West Coast of the USA to the West Coast of Australia does the life of the surfing guitarist go.

What's love got to do with it? Everything! To write musicals and plays takes hours and hours of creative focus--not to mention the man has virtuous guitar abilities. MARK TURNBULL describes his craft of writing as an obsession so he's more into it than most could imagine. To please you have to go beyond the expectation of the audience. I don't think Mr. Turnbull set out to please anybody and in not doing so he went beyond our expectations to a land of magic, mystery and classic humor. He's a wonderful entertainer who loves every aspect of it. After listening to our conversation it's hard to imagine him doing anything differently. It would appear he was born for this.

There is no doubt he's an accomplished guitarist. But if there was a book or a way to find pathways into becoming a professional musician MARC SEAL could write it or do it if he hasn't already. He's traveled thousands of miles representing guitar companies and music industry products around the world. Teaching thousands of students can be exhausting but MARC's passion and love for sharing techniques and ideas makes him an outstanding educator. With sincerity and dedication MARC SEAL has put professionalism at the forefront of the modern music business arena.

Moving through worlds of music takes versatility and compatibility. Sometimes it's mixing with people and making the work go smoothly. Perhaps that's one of ALAN DEREMO's strengths--having creative insight and the TOOLS to make inspired music with others. A family man who cares about living a normal life in a sometimes not-so-normal environment is perhaps another key to his success. Whatever way to get to the finish line and have an excellent result takes a great deal of experience. No doubt that's what ALAN DEREMO has a lot of.

There's no way you can predict where the guitar and your love of music can take you. Chuck Smith would travel across the country between Detroit and Los Angeles seeking the ultimate music situations. Compelled by his talent we find things can happen to you you might not of imagined when you first lash out in your music adventures. Chuck Smith has worked with many well known recording artists and top studio musicians. Within this conversation you get a glimmering of the countless hours and time spent immersed in forwarding a career based in music. He was also a very dedicated guitar teacher.

No big deal since she loves music that much there's nothing that's going to keep her from doing it. Surrounded by top musicians she's a coveted band member. Being and excellent rhythm guitarist and powerful vocalist she can work with the best. Raising a family and committing to lifelong relationships just makes her music all the more powerful. You can hear the intensity of her love for a life in music in this conversation. Hearing her talk there's no doubt about it. We can all take a page from her example of healthily living within the professional music industry perhaps outside of societies norms.

He's come halfway around the world from Australia to attend and display at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. It's the world's largest trade show specializing in everything that has to do with the music industry. Since he enrolled at the last minute they gave him the most remote booth in the furthest corner of the show out of the limelight. Without a clue what to expect he busied himself showing people his new invention--It's a digital whammy bar that has unlimited potential unlike anything of its kind. Jimi Hendrix would have absolutely loved this thing. By the fourth day Peter was totally exhausted and ready to pack up and fly home but later that morning lo and behold an announcement was broadcast that his idea captured the imagination of the entire show. He was awarded 'Best In Show' and his booth was soon inundated by dozens of businessmen literally throwing their cards at him. Peter Walker is no fluke and to get to talk and listen to him is nothing short of true inspiration.

You grow up in Innsbruck, Austria, studying the piano. Later on you come to Florida as an exchange student. Now you’ve become inspired by the electric bass and discovered soul music and funky bass stuff. Eventually you moved to the states and perform with all sorts of musicians and bands. You start writing educational materials and publish your own book that’s very popular. Ariane Cap is following her dream and it’s wonderful to hear her describe it all in this interview/podcast.

Chet Atkins described Kirk Sand as an innovator. He virtually gave the classical guitar a voice in modern contemporary music. By designing a nylon-string guitar with sophisticated electronics suddenly the classical guitar could be used in bands and found its way into practically every style of music. The industry took note and everybody jumped onboard. Several companies introduced their version of what Mr. Sand designed. With enthusiasm that shows no bounds Kirk Sand talks about his love and passion for building quality instruments.

He just couldn't stop himself. He's not a half-hearten guy. Once he had a few good ones he had to find the rest and until he did he couldn't rest. We're talking about Marshall amplifiers from England. Peter went out of his way to find and gather an amazing collection of both guitars and amps. Along the way he made some interesting friends--people you may have heard of but let's not spoil that fact. You're going to have to listen to the podcast and find out who he befriended. Remember, he was ahead of the curve. Before people thought anything of it Peter was busying himself with what would eventually become the most sought after stuff in the world.

A few, a very few, can say that they are a 1st Assistant Director, a music producer, a song writer, a pro guitarist, an entrepreneur with music gear like guitars and amps, but Peter Margolis is an expert in every field. How is that possible? The only answer to this riddle is he started very young. He was a step ahead of the curve. But listening to the podcast you realize that nothing came easy. Every goal to attain and every challenge to succeed was hard fought. If you have a desire to be good at anything this conversation paints that kind of picture that nothing great comes freely. He had to gut it out.

He's played with Kenny Loggins, Dave Mason, Beth Midler, and the list goes on -- imagine being too tired to travel with world-class bands. At one time Vernon Porter was in such demand he needed a break. Not a bad problem to have but he was ready for something new and more uplifting. He stopped the runaround for a while and focused on devotional music. He's an inspiration to all that know him and his music does the talking for him. But talk about everything he does here in this podcast. He's a delight to listen to. Hope you enjoy the interview.

So you practice and put in the hours and build your confidence. When you feel you're ready you pack your bags and put your favorite guitar in its case and with it head for the airport. What could possibly go wrong? It takes a serious commitment but that's what OZ NOY did and we're glad for that. He arrives in New York and step by step makes a career out of his artistic guitar playing. It's a wonder to listen to him tell the story.

Larry Koonse has established himself as a jazz performer, educator, and recording artist. There are literary millions of guitarists but very few reach the level of a Larry Koonse. It is obvious in listening to this podcast he is an exceptional person. His destiny seems to have been mapped out and it is all there for us to enjoy.

Baba Elefante is a virtuoso playing upright acoustic and electric basses. He's been a leading professional performer and an active educator giving thousands of private lessons also conducting hundreds of workshops and classes. Always enthusiastic about music he talks as if he's just getting started but he's been playing well over fifty years! There's plenty more to learn about everything and Baba Elefante is ready to teach us.

Vail Johnson has played the bass the world over. Not only in the Kenny G band but with many other legendary musicians like Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Keg Mo, and the list goes on and on. He has a wealth of knowledge about being a professional musician. Within this interview he doesn't hesitate point out the right and wrong way of doing things in his humble opinion. Get ready for a journey to Bassland and try not to get hurt. Nothing but a fun ride!

In a casual setting talking over the phone JIMMY HASLIP, original Yellow Jackets founding member, shares his insights and experiences about producing and playing bass with Alan Holdsworth, Robben Ford, Tommy Bolin, and many other musicians throughout his outstanding career.

Pierre Bensusan is a leading figure in acoustic guitar music. This is an in-depth conversation loaded with recording tips and personal insights into how he produces his music and conducts his life in the guitar world.

John Heussenstamm interviews Carl Verheyen possibly the most recorded guitarist in history.

Larry Ferrara is one of the top classical guitarists in the world and has been living and teaching in San Francisco. John and Larry go back to their school days where it all started and share their love and enthusiasm for guitars and music.

Welcome to Bleav in Guitar Life with John Heussenstamm.