T.S.O. if you’ve never seen them, this is the biggest show of the year. More lights, lasers, smoke, snow and effects than any show I’ve EVER seen. As for the music, if you know me at all you know I’ve been singing their praises for the last 9 years. The band is beyond awesome, and when you factor in the string section, all the singers, narrator, 2 guitarist, 2 keyboard players, electric violin, bass and drums there are about 20 members on stage throughout the night.

Paul O’Neill is the writer, producer and main man for T.S.O. Paul and I have been friends for almost 12 years now. Back in 1993 I went to New York, and Paul, who was the producer for one of my favorite bands, Savatage wanted to meet and have dinner. It seems I was one of the very few radio people that played Savatage on a regular basis. Anyway Paul and I met at Gallagher’s, a legendary steak house in Manhattan. We clicked right away, and after dinner Paul showed me around the big city, he took me to places that had inspired lyrics for several Savatage songs like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Astoria and the Empire State Building.

It has been a real treat know Paul for so long. I remember our conversations when they were deciding on what name to use for what would become Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
I remember introducing him to Sabrina on one of my frequent trips to New York. This was before we got married. Paul connected with her right away and still calls the house every now and then just to see how her battle with cancer is going.

Over the years I’ve been invited to sit in the studio with the band during the recording of “The Christmas Attic” and “The Lost Christmas Eve”. I got a credit for the art concept on the “Beethoven’s Last Night” CD, Sabrina and I both got thank you mentions in the last 2 CDS, and we’ve become friends with several members of the band.

Lastly, the main reason I went to Toledo was to record the Chop Shop Christmas special with TSO guitarists Chris Cafferry and Alex Skolnick. Chris and Alex are both great people and sick, amazing guitar players, and they are kind enough to co-host my annual Chop Shop Christmas show. Look for it on Christmas day at 9am on WRIF and wrif.com.

Black out

Over the last several days, I've managed to interview Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard (Rik Allen, Me and Vivian in the photo), Tom Morello of Audioslave, Zakk Wylde, Kenny Olson and Rik Emmett. All of them are world class guitarists. as for when the interviews will air you can check out the schedule at www.chopshopradio.com

2 more Chop Shop notes. Chop Shop T-shirts should be available soon. I'm working with a company called the Chop Shop Clothing Company (oddly enough) to design and produce the shirts. I'm hoping they will be ready in about a week? I also have Chop Shop guitar picks on the way so look for me to open the "Black Market" on the Chop Shop web site soon.

Also don't miss the awsome art work in the Chop Shop Hall of Fame. Randy Rhoads was the latest to be inducted, the art, bio and all-star salute are all up on the site!

Black Out.
¶ 11:30 AM

Tuesday, November 08, 2005
7 guitarist in 7 days!

Last Friday night, Buckethead played the Magic Bag in Ferndale to a sold out crowd! I have to admit it was awesome…..I know it’s hard to take a guy seriously with a chicken bucket on his head, but it does hold a certain unexplainable charm. I tried to get a Chop Shop interview with him and his sock puppet Herbie, but he was late getting into town due to shooting a video in Cincinnati with the Bengals.

Sunday was Audioslave. The whole band is so awesome! I did get to sit down with Tom Morello again, look for him to be my guests in the Chop Shop in about 2 weeks.

Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard called my cell phone last night while I was out to dinner with Sabrina’s family. He and I are going to record a phone interview on Tuesday for a future Chop Shop as well.

Speaking of phone calls, Kenny Olson (formerly of Kid Rock) has a new band called “Flask”. Kenny called to tell me he plans on stopping by the house on Wednesday. I will also be getting some Chop Shop footage from Kenny, who really is a terrific guitar player.

KoRn is coming into the WRIF studios, and if I can finagle the time, I’d like to stop in and Talk to Munkey, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to arrange that one.

Wednesday, my old pal Zakk Wylde will be at the State Theater with Black Label Socieity. I'll be there for soundcheck, and to grab a shot interview, but I won't be able to stick for the show.

This Friday Rik Emmett, one of the world’s most versatile guitar players is at the Hayloft in Mt. Clemens. I’ll be there at some point on Friday for sure!

Oh yea, I’m also in all week for Screamin’ Scott. Get well soon Scotty……I need the sleep!

Black out.

¶ 3:36 AM

Saturday, November 05, 2005
More albums that changed lives.
This past week I asked the WRIF staff to submit their albums that changed their lives:

Anne Carlini: "My mom came home from shopping at Farmer Jack's with the first Aerosmith album. It was my first experience with real guitar rock outside of anything on a Beatles album. Immediately after hearing 'Mama Kin' I started planning my first tattoo. By the time 'Walking the Dog' ended I was walkin' down the road of no return. Rock me! Thanks Mom! "

Screamin' Scott: "EDGAR WINTER 'S THEY ONLY COME OUT AT NIGHT ALBUM 1972-73
I WAS 9 WATCHING THE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS AND THEY (EDGAR WINTER BAND) PLAYED FRANKINSTINE, AND BLEW MY MIND . THE VERY NEXT DAY
I WENT TO KORVETTS ( KINDA OF A CHEAP K-MART) AND PLUNKED
DOWN $7 DOLLARS .............IN PENNIES. GOT HOME AND PLAYED IT A million TIMES.aT THE TIME IT WAS SO DIFFERENT THEN ANYTHING OUT IN 73' SYNTH-ROCK . IT WAS MY FIRST IMPULSE RECORD BUY . WHEN I HEARD IT , I JUST HAD TO HAVE IT!"

DJ Sparky: "My album is Pearl Jam's Ten album. It came out on August 27, 1991. I was 12 years old. I was I was really into rap and hip hop at that time, and PJ's CD was the
first rock CD that I listened to straight front to back. AMAZING!! That album really opened me back up to the rock world. I am of the opinion that Ten was their best album, and the band went slowly downhill after."

Dave Doran:
Wow...gotta tell ya, I've thought about this a lot & come to find out, there are 3.

My cool sister: I remember when my sister won some contest with the Oakland Press. She came home from picking up her prize & said she didn't want it. She gave it to me. When she told me what it was, I was thinking, "I don't want a CLASSICAL album." How un-informed I was when she handed me VAN HALEN 1. Brightened my day. That was also the 1st day my mom yelled, "Turn that crap down!" I'm sure you can understand a kid not knowing who VH was at the time thinking it might be a classical album. Played the CRAP out of it. Still got it.

The power of advertising: Saw a TV commercial for BOSTON's 1st album. Begged my parents for it. They got it for my birthday. Played the CRAP out of it. Still got it.

Dating myself: Back when I was in 7th grade I went to a friends house after school. We thumbed through his brothers collection, not really knowing what we were looking at or for. We just thought it was cool to pick something & listen to it. We ended up staring wide eyed at each other while KISS ALIVE played on the turn table. Played the CRAP out of it. Still got it.

Jay Hudson: "I was only 8 years old but my Grandma went out and got me Guns and Roses - Appetite For Destruction and I have been scared ever since and i love it!"
¶ 1:25 PM

Friday, November 04, 2005
Big shows in the next few days
Quick note for guitar fans. Some of the best players in the world will be here in the next 8 days.
Tonight the enigmatic Buckethead will be playing the Magic Bag.
Sunday Tom Morello and Audioslave will be in town.
Wednesday, Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society is at the State and Next Friday Rik Emmett will be at the Hayloft.
ALL of these guys are worth every dime! Catch a couple of the shows if you can!
¶ 10:07 AM