The Zak Kuhn Show

Zak sits down with first call Nashville session guitarist Derek Wells to discuss recording for artists like Post Malone, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs and much more.

Andrew Synowiec is one of LA's first call studio guitarists. You've heard his playing in movies like Frozen and on TV in the Oscars and Golden Globes' house bands. Andrew has played or performed with artists like The Who, Alanis Morissette, Lil Nas X, Meghan Trainor, Nick Jonas, Ariana Grande, Michael Bublé, Elton and many others. 

Studio guitar master Dann Huff returns to the podcast this week to talk about his debut album "When Words Aren't Enough." We cover the new record, how to get 80s guitar tones, how he thinks about playing fast licks, and much more. Dann is literally a legend. You're going to learn and be inspired by him. 

Laundry Day guitarist Henry Weingartner on the podcast this week discussing the formation of the band, new music, crafting the perfect guitar parts and much more. 

I sit down with three leading guitarists in the New York Broadway scene to discuss how to sub on shows, how to make a living as a guitarist and what to be aware of as you enter the scene. John Benthal (The Lion King,) Ben Butler (Mean Girls + Sting,) & Peter Douskalis (Water for Elephants, Hamilton,) have done it all!

Scott Lipps founded ONE Management and has managed some of the biggest models in the world. He also plays drums for Courtney Love. Check out Scott's podcast Lipps Service, where we interviews the biggest names in entertainment. You're going to love listening to Scott!

Guitar friend Tim Fagan is on the podcast this week. This one is a must listen for all you beginner guitar players out there. We break it all down!

Guitar hero Andy Timmons on the podcast this week. If you want to learn how to play like Andy, start by listening to this podcast.

Slide guitar master Ariel Posen on the podcast this week. 

New York based jazz guitar player Oz Noy talks growing up in Israel, finding jazz, moving to New York and the inspiration of Jimi Hendrix. Sign up for my Patreon for guitar licks from this lesson and others. https://www.patreon.com/TheZakKuhnShow

Rob McNelley is a first call Nashville session musician who has recorded for Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson , Lady A, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and many others. He also spent a decade on the road playing guitar for Bob Seger.

East Nashville guitar hero Guthrie Trapp returns to the podcast

Pop must producer King Henry on the podcast this week. You'll want to hear his story.

Legendary session guitarist Tim Pierce is on the podcast this week.

Brandon Lancaster is the lead singer and founder of the country band LANCO.

Lachlan Stuart is running 58 marathons in 58 consecutive days. As the first episode of 2025, this will inspire you. Check out Lachlan's Man That can project. 

Greg Wells is the music producer behind the Wicked movie. He also played all the drums, bass, keys and guitar across the entire soundtrack. This interviews discuss how he did all of it.

Singer-songwriter Cale Dodds is on the podcast this week. We talk about releasing music independently as well as in the major label system, writing "Drinkin' Beer. Talkin' God. Amen, " and why he turned down his first publishing deal in Nashville.

Andy Mooney has been the CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation since 2015. Prior to that, he held senior positions at Disney and Nike. We cover it all. This episode was recorded in person at the Fender headquarters in Los Angeles.

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Country pop singer-songwriter Twinnie is trying to be the first English country artist to have a No. 1 on American country radio. We talk about her massive rise and new album 'Something We Used to Say"

Possibly the best guitarist you haven't heard yet. 

Bob Lefsetz is a music industry analyst and critic. He is the author of The Lefsetz Letter. Bob holds nothing back in this conversation. Get to know the man behind the newsletter.

Funk guitar player Cory Wong on the podcast this week.

Drake Milligan is a country artist and former contestant on America's Got Talent.

Zak catches up this week with Nashville music leaders and co-hosts of the popular Dadville podcast, Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin

LA based musical duo and couple ni/co (Dani + Colton) couldn't find the perfect song for the first dance at their wedding, so they decided to write it themselves. Now the song has gone viral on TikTok. We talk about how they met, writing the song and growing their massive following across social media.

Rising country artist Erin Kinsey is on the podcast this week. We discuss past relationships, her new album and how to go viral on social media. 

ZZ Ward began singing at the age of 8, inspired by her father's extensive blues collection. By 12, she was already performing blues music, and it helped steer every aspect of her early career, from her musical sound to her signature Fedora. But as a professional female musician, she often felt pressured to compromise her blues roots to meet industry demands. She quickly became a buzzed-about artist, earning a major label deal and breaking into Billboard's Top 40 with her debut release. Her sophomore album hit #1 on the Billboard Blues chart, highlighted by singles featuring GRAMMY-Award winners Fantastic Negrito and Gary Clark Jr. We talk about her new album, life as a mom, touring with Slash and so much more. 

Multi-platinum artist Andy Grammer continues to energize, empower, and bring together audiences around the world with his uplifting and honest pop anthems. His observations and affirmations pick people back up when they need it, affirm their potential, and encourage them to keep going. Grammer was even named the #1 "Happy" Streaming artist globally. Inspiring fans around the world, he has over 3B global streams under his belt and a social media footprint of over 4M followers.

On this episode of the Zak Kuhn Show, legendary blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa talks gear, how to market your own shows and why he sold his Dumble amps + why you need to learn a 31 band EQ. We cover it all!

This week, I interviewed the truly legendary producer and studio guitar player Dann Huff. His credits include Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and more. We cover it all. He even shares a shred guitar lick at the end. A must learn for all you guitar players out there! 

This week, I interviewed guitar connoisseur and YouTuber Keith Williams. He created and hosts the famed YouTube channel Five Watt World. We discuss launching the channel, his relationship with Rick Beato, his affinity to Strandberg guitars and why people send him vintage instruments in the mail.

Brad Tursi is the lead guitarist in Old Dominion. He just released his debut solo project Parallel Love. We break down what it's like to play guitar in one of country music's biggest acts and what finally pushed him to release music under his own name.

Catie Offerman is fresh off of playing the largest US ticketed concert ever, opening up for George Strait. The Universal Nashville recording artist has also been on the road with Parker McCollum, Elle King and Ashley McBryde. She has new music on the way.

38x platinum group Sheppard is on the podcast this week. After spending the majority of their career in Australia, they are now taking over the US. You'll love their story. Go listen!

Former saddle bronc rider Chancey Williams is on the podcast this week. Now he is more known for being a country artist.  He and fellow Wyoming artist and rodeo cowboy Chris LeDoux are the only two individuals to compete in the rodeo and perform on the main stage of Cheyenne Frontier. You're going to love this conversation! 

Host of popular YouTube channel Ask Zak, Zac Childs is who the guitar legends call when they need something. He's a wealth on information. Learn the secrets to buying a vintage guitar in this episode and much more.

Brad Paisley needs to introduction. This was recorded live in Brad's home studio. Watch the video` interview on YouTube

Shawn Askinosie is the Indiana Jones of making chocolate. His company Askinosie Chocolate makes some of the best, highest quality chocolate today. We talk all about the chocolate making process. But it's not about the chocolate. Shawn uses his business to help his local community, as well as the farmers around the world that he sources his beans from. You'll be inspired by Shawn's story. 

Jerry Flowers is the bass player and musical director for Keith Urban. He's been playing with him for over 30 years. Flowers is also a No. 1 Songwriter and has written hits for Sam Hunt, Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris, Jason Aldean and Billy Currington, among others. Jerry is a Nashville lifer! It's in his blood. And he spills it all in this conversation. You're going to love it! - Zak

Nashville guitar ace Guthrie Trapp returns to the podcast this week. We discuss his new record with Tom Bukovac and so much more. Guthrie is one of a kind. You're going to love his musical knowledge and insight.  

If you don't know, my company Nashville Briefing is releasing our debut print issue today! This conversation with Bobby Bones was for a Q&A that appears in the print issue. The audio here was never meant to be listened to but I decided we should put it out anyway. Have fun!

Sony/Monument recording duo Tigirlily Gold is on the podcast this week! We talk about them being on the cover for Nashville Briefing's debut print issue, their current radio single "I Tried A Ring On", and so much more. I even harmonize with them live on the air. These girls are blowing up! Listen to our convo now

Grace Bowers has emerged as a guitar phenomenon out of Nashville. She's been sought after by everyone from Lainey Wilson, Devon Allman, Margo Price, Tyler Childers, Kingfish, Susan Tedeshi, and others. Grace mastered her abilities via YouTube tutorials and lessons. In the midst of the COVID lockdown, she built an audience by regularly livestreaming solo jam sessions on Reddit, while her Instagram reels often achieved viral impact. Along the way, she landed a coveted Gibson endorsement at the age of 14. At the current age of 17, Grace is one of the most interesting guitarists in the scene right now. We talk about her rise, her approach on the instrument and so much more. 

Rising country star Alexandra Kay joins The Zak Kuhn Show this week to open up about her debut album, divorce and live on the road. The independent artist sold over 50,00 tickets last year on her headlining tour and has already earned millions of streams.