Sunday, May 18, 2008
Rock on the Range
A record breaking day of rock $ roll at Rock on the Range!
11:00am: The first interview of the day was with Anthony Armstrong of the band Red. We recorded our conversation behind the 2nd stage….no big deal except there was no where to sit, so we wandered over to a giant rock and sat down. My first rock & roll interview, while actually sitting on a rock
11:15am: I scrambled back to the media tent and my crew uploaded the audio and still photos, and emailed them to WRIF, to be posted on the website. I was on the phone confirming additional interviews
12:00pm: It was back to the 2nd stage area, this time on a tour bus to interview both guitarists and bass player for the band 10 Years.
12:20pm: Back to the media tent, more uploading!
12:30pm: Joel O’Keefe from Airbourne made his way to the WRIF/Chop Shop table. Joel is a real high energy Australian guitarist, who LOVES Iron Maiden…naturally we got along very well.
1:00pm: with a quick break in the action, as the team uploaded and emailed, I grabbed a grease burger and some chips.
1:30pm: Kill Switch Engage came into the media tent. I sat down with guitarist Joel Stroetzel to tall about their recent success.
2:00pm: Tyler and David from Theory of a Deadman were escorted to our table. This was the 5th interview of the day, and the 5th 1st time interview of the day for me. Tyler and David were cool, and I really like their new album.
3:00pm: Next up is Staind, I got to talk with both Aaron and Mike. Mike had been on the Chop Shop before, but it’s the 1st time I had talked to Aaron.
3:45pm: One of the highlights of the day as I went back stage to talk with Serj Tankian. Serj is a very learned and eclectic person, and it’s always a treat to talk with someone of his intellect.
4:30pm: Onto the Disturbed tour bus to talk to Dan Donagin. This was the 5th time I’ve interviewed Dan, and the 5th season of the Chop Shop…..I love how that works!
4:50pm: Shinedown stops by the media tent. Former Silvertide guitarist and good friend Nick Perri is now in the band and it really great to see him looking happy and healthy.
5:15pm: My crew managed to grab Richard Patrick of Filter, and I got to talk to him about their powerful new song Soldier of Misfortune.
5:30pm: My 11th interview of the day is with Finger 11 guitarist Rick Jackett. Rick is fired up and loves to talk guitars!
6:00pm: I take a deep breath and enjoy my new personal record of 11 interviews in 7 hours.
¶ 12:04 PM
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Official Press release
As of June 2nd, the Chop Shop and Chop Shop Classic will be available in 1 and 2 hour versions. Both versions will contain two feature interview segments as well as the exclusive Chop Shop Hall of Fame feature, where such guests as Ted Nugent, Brian May, Leslie West, and hundreds others pay tribute to guitar legends Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Angus Young, Slash and more. The expanded show will also feature weekly updates on bands and tours, web exclusive content, and special guests all while playing 10 songs an hour.
Host Steve Black (WRIF/ Detroit) comments on the ongoing success of the show, “The thing that makes the Chop Shop stand out among other syndicated radio shows is that it’s not pigeon holed by its concept.” “The Chop Shop is dedicated to playing music that includes a guitar, in other words, ALL rock music!” Black continues, “From classic to punk, pop to grunge, metal to current, all rock music incorporates the guitar, so the show can always stay relevant.”
In the last three years, guitar sales for the first time ever hit the billion dollar mark, selling 1.02 billion in 2004, 1.15 billion in 2005 and 2006 according to the musictrades.com website. The Guitar Hero video games have been wildly successful, and the interest in rock music is on the rise.
The Chop Shop is the only established show to center on guitar music and musicians. This week marks the beginning of year 5 for The Chop Shop
Thank you all..
¶ 3:20 PM
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Big Announcment
The week of May 12th is the Start of Season # 5 for the Chop Shop and we'll have a major announcment to go along with the launch of our 5th season of rockin' the Nation!
¶ 7:58 PM
Monday, April 14, 2008
I'm Back
Well you know you’ve been away from your blog too long when people actually email you to see if everything is alright….Sorry folks I’ve just been busy. One emailer even went so far as to ask if I’d lost my passion for Rock & Roll? – Please people it’s just a blog!
Anyway, I was asked recently how many concerts I’ve been to, the truth is I really don’t know, I told the person it was probably in the nationhood of 500 shows, and then when I got a few spare minutes over the next several days I scratched down all the concerts I could remember.
Here is the list I came up with and the number of times I’ve see each band, so far I can only remember going to 476 concerts not counting tons of local bands.
Rik Emmett 12
Trans-Siberian Orchestra 12
Steve Vai 11
Triumph 11
Joe Satriani 9
Ted Nugent 8
King's X 7
Queensryche 7
Alice Cooper 6
Dream Theater 6
Kiss 6
Metallica 6
Ozzy Osbourne 6
Rush 6
Van Halen 6
Aerosmith 5
Dio 5
Iron Maiden 5
Sammy Hagar 5
Yngwie Malmsteen 5
Audioslave 4
Deep Purple 4
Def Leppard 4
George Thorogood 4
Howling Diabloes 4
Judas Priest 4
Pantera 4
Savatage 4
Silvertide 4
Tesla 4
Velvet Revolver 4
.38 Special 3
AC/DC 3
April Wine 3
Bruce Springsteen 3
DC Drive 3
Eddie Money 3
Eric Johnson 3
Jackyl 3
Kenny Wayne Sheperd 3
Kid Rock 3
Korn 3
Krokus 3
Motley Crue 3
Mr. Big 3
Night Ranger 3
Peter Gabriel 3
Scorpions 3
Shinedown 3
Styx 3
Suicidial Tendencies 3
ZZ Top 3
3 Doors Down 2
Accept 2
Alice in Chains 2
Alter Bridge 2
B.B. King 2
Billy Idol 2
Black Label Society 2
Blackfoot 2
Breaking Benjamin 2
Buckethead 2
Buddy Guy 2
C.O.C. 2
Chevelle 2
Chris Cornell 2
Clutch 2
Crossfade 2
David Bowie 2
Disturbed 2
Dokken 2
Edwin Dare 2
Eric Clapton 2
Eric Sardinas 2
Extreme 2
Fastway 2
Foghat 2
Foo Fighters 2
Foriegner 2
Goo Goo Dolls 2
Greoge Lynch 2
Hinder 2
I Mother Earth 2
James Taylor 2
Jane's Addiction 2
Johnny Lang 2
Journey 2
Kansas 2
Lillian Axe 2
Mars Volta 2
Megadeth 2
Monster Magnet 2
Nickleback 2
Primus 2
Puddle of Mudd 2
Rob Zombie 2
Robert Plant 2
Saliva 2
Sponge 2
Stu Hamm 2
Tool 2
Trapt 2
Twisted Sister 2
Type O-Negative 2
White Zombie 2
Whitesnake 2
Zakk Wylde 2
3 Days Grace 1
30 Seconds to Mars 1
Aaron Lewis 1
Ace Frehley 1
Adema 1
Against Me 1
Allman Brothers 1
Animal Bag 1
Another Animal 1
Atomic Opera 1
Avenged Sevenfold 1
Bad Company 1
Black Sabbath 1
Blue Oyster Cult 1
Bob Seger 1
Brian Wilson 1
Brother Cain 1
Bruce Dickinson 1
Buckcherry 1
Bush 1
Cat's In Boots 1
Cheap Trick 1
Cinderella 1
Crimson Glory 1
Cure 1
Danzig 1
David Lee Roth 1
Default 1
Donnie Iris 1
Dragon Force 1
Eric Gales 1
Evanessence 1
Fight 1
Flyleaf 1
Frank Zappa 1
Future Leaders of the World 1
Galatic Cowboys 1
Geogia Satllites 1
Godsmack 1
Great White 1
Heart 1
Helloween 1
Hellyeah 1
Helmet 1
Infectious Grooves 1
J, Geils Band 1
Jet 1
Joan Jett 1
Joe Walsh 1
John Petrucci 1
Junkyard 1
Kicking Herold 1
Living Colour 1
Loudness 1
Love Hate 1
Loverboy 1
Lynyrd Skynyrd 1
Marilyn Manson 1
Mark Farner 1
Michael Hedges 1
Michael Schenker 1
Moby 1
Molly Hatchet 1
Mudvayne 1
Neal Schon 1
No Doubt 1
Overkill 1
Papa Roach 1
Pearl Jam 1
Peter Frampton 1
P-Funk 1
Pink Floyd 1
Pretty Maids 1
Prong 1
Ratt 1
Raven 1
Red Hot Chili Pepers 1
Robert Cray 1
Robert Randolph Famly Band 1
Robin Trower 1
Roger Waters 1
Santana 1
Scatterbrain 1
Seether 1
Serj Tankian 1
Sevendust 1
Shotgun Messisah 1
Skunk Anansie 1
Slipknot 1
Smile Empty Soul 1
Snot 1
Spock's Beard 1
Staind 1
Starz 1
Stone Temple Pilots 1
Stryper 1
TAB the Band 1
Talas 1
Tantric 1
Tea Party 1
The Eagles 1
The Look 1
The Showdown 1
Tom Petty 1
T-Ride 1
Trouble 1
Vinnie Vencet Invasion 1
Vovoid 1
Warrant 1
Weezer 1
XYZ 1
Y&T 1
Yes 1
Z 1
Zappa Plays Zappa 1
¶ 9:45 AM
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
GH Aerosmith
 I found a few new details on the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith game, check it out. Here are some of the additional artists you’ll find in the game: - Mott the Hoople - “All the Young Dudes”
- The Kinks - “All Day and All Night”
- Joan Jett - “Hate Myself for Loving You”
- Cheap Trick - “Dream Police”
Other names mentioned are Lenny Kravitz, The White Stripes and Deep Purple. Neversoft, the studio behind the series since Harmonix was acquired by MTV, is creating a full Aerosmith experience. They're taking steps to motion-capture the band mid-performance and recreate the high school where the group first performed.
¶ 3:30 PM
Sunday, March 16, 2008
total injustice
The NHL made their statement loud and clear, You can NEVER try to injure a player with your skate or you’ll get a 30-game suspension…..oh, unless you are a big name star like Chris Pronger, then go ahead and stomp on someone’s leg, that will only be 8 games and you’ll be rested and ready for the playoffs!
Way to go NHL.
¶ 1:10 PM
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
another CS Question
I thought this quest was a nice turn of events:
"Hey Steve, Mike from Jackson (dawg pound) here. I got a
question for your Chop Shop blog. I know you always ask your guests about guitar
players, well I thought I'd turn it around on you. Give me your thoughts, in 5 words or less, on the following guitar players.
Eddie Van Halen, Shaun Morgan, Phil Collen(for my wife,a huge DL fan),
Tony Rombola, Zakk Wylde(for my 9 year old who loves Ozzy), Kirk Hammett
Thanks and take care."
Mike I can’t do it in 5 words or less, but here is my unrehearsed response:
Eddie: Believe it or not I think he’s under rated as a rhythm player, he’s come up with some of the best, and most fun licks ever! He’d be a top 20 guitar player of all time even if he never played a lead, but he did and that makes him a top 5 guitar player in my book. He’s beyond brilliant. Shaun: Shaun is obviously a good writer, He builds good riffs into songs with strong melodies, but he hasn't realized that solos are back! I know he can do more that he's show us so far...
Phil: I know Phil is a classy player and very talented, but all my favorite Def Leppard songs are on the first 3 albums, with Pete Willis and Steve Clark. Phil is a fine player but never really moved me much.
Tony: I love Tony’s crunch, he has a lot of power in his playing. What I also love about Tony is he just wants to play and learn. He’ll sit down and jam with whoever he’s out on tour with just to learn and have fun. Zakk: One of my best friends in the music biz. Zakk is the most powerful rhythm player I can think of. His chops are so thick! Plus Zakk can be brutal and tender, not everybody can pull that off. I also love that he plays piano, banjo, and can really sing as well. Also is there a better, more appropriate solo in the world that “Mama I’m Coming Home”? Kirk: He had me at “Fade to Black”. Kirk has that knack for finding the right notes to really complete a solo. I’ve never been in love with his tone, sometimes it’s a bit thin, but then again that tone really complements James and fits Metallica perfectly.
¶ 9:24 AM
Friday, February 08, 2008
Chop e-question
From J.R. in Traverse City, who listens on WUPS. "Have you ever had Steve Lukather on your show? He smokes on guitar." Yes, I had Luke on back in 2006, and I expect to have him on again in about a month, when his new solo album comes out. I heard a sneek preview by the way and it’s pretty amazing.
¶ 7:38 PM
Saturday, February 02, 2008
God bless the USA
I just got this email from a friend and long-time listener.
¶ 8:37 PM
Friday, February 01, 2008
8 years ago today
As you all know I lost my wife Sabrina to cancer almost 2 years ago. I’ve made it through 2 Christmases, her birthday, the anniversaries of her Bone Marrow Transplants, all the other holidays and even the anniversary of her death but today is the most difficult one for me to get through each year. February 1st was the day we got married in Hawaii in 2000. 8 years ago was the day that we said “In sickness and in health”. The day we made a resolution to “Love, honor and cherish.” And it seems unfair that we only got 6 years of married life. I know we made the best of it and had 6 of the best years anyone could hope for, and on all other days of the year that is enough for me to keep moving forward, but on the first day of the second month of every year, I take the time to reflect on our time together. Today I look back instead of forward to a time when my sick bride needed me more that most couples ever will, and to a time when God gave me strength beyond my own comprehension to be there for Sabrina in all capacities. Today I remember crawling under all the tubes and wires connected to her, so we could lie in the hospital bed and watch the NFL Playoffs together. I remember the Christmases we shared on the 10th floor at Karmanos with our tiny tree. I remember the late night life or death decisions I was forced to make while she was in the ICU. I remember her friends driving the extra miles to find an Arby’s to bring her her favorite jamoca shake. I remember her seizures, and my awareness that she knew I was there in control, as calm as could be, to take care of every detail. I remember the miracle that was delivered to us on a snow filled night in January of 2004, when Sabrina was supposed to die but instead started a recovery that went beyond science and gave us an additional 2 years. But most of all today I remember that through all the pain, and difficulties, there were lots and lots of smiles. I remember that I had the god given honor of being the most important person in Sabrina’s life when she needed it the most. And I remember our wedding in Hawaii, one of the most perfect weeks in my life. God please take care of my angel.
¶ 10:47 AM
blog answer for the week
"Chris Douloudis from Space Monkey and the Space Monkeys here. Just wondering if you\'re accepting discs for possible play on your show. I\'m from Australia and have just finished up my first album and am looking for places that might be interested in playing it.
Please let me know, and tell me where to to send it. If you want to, please check out: http://www.myspace.com/planetspacemonkey for some teasers...
Thanks mate
Chris"
Chris, There is a delicate balance in programming a syndicated radio show. You have to keep in mind that listeners want to hear music they know and artists they know mixed in with the best of what is new. My approach in programming the Chop Shop is if I’m blown away by something new, I’m going to want to play it for all my friends! So by all means send it along, but keep in mind I’m not often blown away. Most of what I get, both signed and unsigned is somewhere between average and pretty good, and that will not get your music on a national show. If you’ve got something amazing; send it to Chop Shop Radio P.O. Box 282 Clawson, MI 48017.
¶ 10:03 AM
Thursday, January 24, 2008
weekly email questions
A simple question this week from Don, in PA. “Love your show, always brings back memories! Some good, some great. Just like tonight on the show. You played Together by Ted Nugent. I don't know if I had this album or if it was just played a lot, but now the wife wants to know where to get this song. I have searched a few places, but I have little patience! Can you help me out?
We hear your show on WTPA 93.5FM in Harrisburg PA.” - Together is on the Ted Nugent Free For All album, and should still be pretty easy to track down. A more complex question from Terry in Independence WI, who listens on Classic Rock 100.1 “I really want a Dean guitar, but the one I want is too expensive, can you suggest one?” Terry, this advice has been passed on to me from lots of big name guitar players including Slash and Billy Gibbons. Go to your local guitar shop and play around, find the guitar that feels right to you, if it’s not a Dean that’s all right and if it is a Dean, you won’t go wrong they make great guitars. But the one that feels best to you is the one you’ll be happiest with and play more often. Black
¶ 7:36 AM
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Q of the week
Our weekly question comes from WRIF listener Tim in Redford. “Who is your favorite D.J. and what do you think of Dee Snider?”
My station in Flint when I was growing up was WWCK “Flint’s Best Rock” Jeff Holbrook was probably my biggest influence, before I even dreamed of working in radio.
The first time I ever said to myself “That’s what I want to do” was while listening to an old syndicated show called Metal Shop.
Charlie Kendall was the host, and I can tell you I bought a few albums simply because of that show. I even have 2 “elements” in the Chop Shop that were directly influence by Metal Shop….first the name, the Chop Shop is more musically in depth and focuses on the guitar, so I took the word "Chop" as in if a guitarists has “good chops” and combined it with shop and there ya go. Also Metal Shop had an Yngwie Malmsteen guitar lick that sounded like a buzz saw that they used going into the breaks, so, in tribute I did the same, that’s why I use the Van Halen lick into the breaks. Here's a Metal Shop tie-in to the 2nd part of your question, Dee’s brother Mark Snider was one of the show’s producers.
As for Dee, you’ve got to love him. Sure he’s cheesy but he is just being himself and they do a great job with HOH.
Best, Black
¶ 7:20 PM
Friday, January 04, 2008
CS question of the week
This week’s question is from Brett in Parkersburg, WV, who listens on Z106 “Where is the strangest place you have ever done an interview?” 98% of all the in-person interviews happen either back stage or on a tour bus. I did interview Vernon Reid of Living Colour in a local coffee shop. We sat at a table you had to pass to get to the main counter, so we had a lot of folks stopping to stare on their way in for a cup. Some of the other spots I’ve talked to artists include, on-stage, in their homes, Hotels and in the studio. In 2006 I did an interview with John5 (Rob Zombie’s guitarist) on stage during sound-check. John asked everyone to chill for 10 minutes and we stood in front of his pedal board and did the interview while the rest of the band just kind of stood around and watched. Kid Rock’s guitarist Jason Krause invited me to him home to record a Chop Shop interview and others have invited me into their hotel rooms including Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, the late Michael Hedges and Matthias Jabbs of the Scorpions. Slash and I sat in a hotel lobby and recorded a 30 minute conversation once. The coolest moment was when a couple came by who were holding their wedding reception in the hotel, they stopped to wave at Slash, and he got up and took some photos with the happy couple in their wedding apparel. Now that would be a special wedding photo to have on the mantel. I realize none of these places qualify as “Strange” places but the one that I remember most vividly is when I recorded Paul O’Neill in the studio in New York, during the actual recording sessions of “The Christmas Attic”. To be in the studio with one of the all-time greats and watch him work will always stay in my mind.
¶ 8:55 AM
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
TSO night
Christmas was the 26th of December this year for the SBF. That was the day of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra shows in Detroit. Sabrina’s brother (and SBF board member) Johnny, my girl friend Gina and I went to the Palace at 1:30pm. We picked up our passes and went back-stage to talk to some of my old friends including the bands manager Adam Lind, Piano player and Musical Director Bob Kinkle, Violinist Mark Wood and guitarist Chris Caffery. I was the official WRIF M.C. of the show, so I had to make a few trips from back-stage to the WRIF booth in the Red Bull Bar to do some live radio breaks. Just before 2 pm Johnny and I went on stage to announce the amazing generosity of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra who donated matching $10,500 checks to SBF and the Salvation Army. After the check presentation, the 3 of us went back to Gina’s house for a few hours and then returned at 6:30pm to do it all aging for the evening show. We went into catering and had a quick bite with my friend, guitarist Alex Skolnick, and tour Manager Ellioit Saltzman. This time after the check presentation we stayed for the show…..and once again it was the best concert of the season. Thanks to Paul O’Neill, Adam Lind the entire TSO family, WRIF, Live Nation and all of you for your support in keeping Sabrina’s memory alive.
¶ 9:53 PM
SBF Fundraiser
On Friday December 21st we held a Sabrina Black Foundation Fundraiser/Award ceremony at Teddy’s Times Square in Shelby Twp. On this special night we introduced Craig Popovich as our 2nd “Adopted” cancer patient, and presented him with a $10,000 check to pay his hospital bills. Craig is a survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, the very form of cancer that Sabrina fought so courageously. In attendance was Craig, his family, 3 of Sabrina’s brothers, Johnny, Michael, Tony and one of her sisters, Theresa, SBF board members Rebecca Thornton and Shelly Darmetko, our fist SBF patient Laura Alexiou and even Santa Clause showed up to help us raise more than $2,200. Thans to WRIF, Miller Lite and all of you.
¶ 9:48 PM
Saturday, December 29, 2007
weekly Chop Shop question
From gdjags1 “can anyone just pick a guitar up and learn how to play and does finger size matter or is it purely a gift from God.”
I believe that anyone can learn how to play guitar, but some people have to work harder at it than others. The “gift from God” concept is a reality in that some people have music in their blood, they just can’t get enough of it, so they play more and practice more because it’s not work, its fun. Others like me have to struggle to find every note. My “gift” is in the production area of music. To borrow a phrase from my musical hero producer, Bob Ezrin, I’m often able to hear the colors that most people can’t see. My abilities are listening & observing music, and creating & enhancing musical ideas in the studio. Because that is my “gift” I don’t find it to be tiring or taxing to me like playing music can sometimes be as it’s such a struggle for me. Follow your passion, and you can’t go wrong.
¶ 10:22 AM
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