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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

Saturday, December 22, 2007
Ozzy & Zombie

Last Friday was the Ozzy/Zombie show. Doug and I were at the Hard Rock for a pre-show party with the opening band In This Moment. It was the first time I had met them and they were all very nice people.
At 6pm I caught a ride with Jeremy down to the Joe to interview John5. John has been on the Chop Shop 3 times in the past and is a native Detroiter so it always good to see him.

After the interview I worked my way over to the Ozzy meet & greet. It is the 1st time I’ve been face to face with Ozzy since 1994/95. He is defiantly looking MUCH older, but he really sounded good on stage.

After meeting with Oz, I met with Zakk Wylde. Brother Zakk and I go back a good 15 years. Zakk is always one of the most “real” rock starts you could ever hope to meet and he was making everyone laugh backstage.

When I was done talking with Zakk, Zombie was already on stage. I walk out on the floor and watched most of the Zombie show from the 10th row.

When Ozzy came on I started in the 7th row….until he brought out the foam gun. At that point I went back and joined some friends further back on the floor. For the last 6 songs I worked my way up to the 2nd row.

Both Zakk and J5 were on fire. All and all a brilliant show.
8:58 PM

Thursday, December 13, 2007
weekly email question



Anthony Taylor of Miami who gets Chop Shop Classic on Big 105.9 sen in this email:

“Can you please do a show about some of the 80s best and most overlooked guitarists. Vito Bratta (White Lion) and Derek Frigo (Enuff Z’nuff), Also can you please feature Steve Stevens.”

We do feature under-rated guitar players all the time, and Steve Stevens has been my guest on the show 3 times, but Miami is a fairly new affiliate, so Anthony had no way of knowing that. I am going to take that as an invitation to blog about 4 or 5 under-rated guitar players however.


If you get the time, check out Ronni Le Tekro and his band TNT. They are VERY 80s due to the high end vocals, but the music is melodic with a dash of prog. And Ronni is skilled beyond belief. The “Intuition” CD is a mast-have for guitar players.

Gary Moore is a big name in guitar circles but if you’re not familiar with all his work check out the “Back on the Streets” album with instrumental jazz fusion tracks like “Flight of the Snow Moose” and “What Would You Rather Bee or a Wasp”. Plus his guitar hero era stuff like “End of the World” and “Over the Hills and Far Away”, and then his blues stuff which he is most famous for.

Ty Tabor, and King’s X for that matter may be the most under-rated of them all. Ask musician after musician and they will all tell you that they should have been as big as the Beatles. They have everything. Brilliant songs, fun melodies, layered harmonies, diverse music styles and some of the finest guitar work the world has ever know.

Steve Lukather is another monster player, and he does get a lot of credit from his peers but he’s got Clapton, Beck and Brain May talent and most people will never know his name.

Also, I’ve been listening to some of my old Suicidal Tendencies stuff lately, so don’t forget Rocky George. The music is not very commercial, but Rocky is a clever, raw powered guitarist that made that band what it was….and by the way what was it?

Black




8:42 PM

Friday, December 07, 2007
next blog question

From Kevin O’Shea in Visalia, CA who listens to the Chop Shop on 99.7 KIOO “What is your favorite punk rock band?”

Punk rock has never been a big part of my musical life. I generally like more complex music, melodies and subtleties. As you know puck is more about energy, rebellion and raw emotion.

Having said that I’d say Iggy and the Stooges were my favorite. What a truly fearless band.


6:16 PM



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