Guitar Business Radio

In our 33rd episode, our special guest is Crystal Morris, the CEO of Gator Cases, one of the leading case designers and manufacturers in music, pro audio, video and other markets. Since founding the company with her Dad in 2000, the company has grown into a powerhouse in the case business through innovation and strategic acquisitions. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up and...

In our 32nd episode, we have an exclusive, hour-long interview with Michael Molenda, former editor-in-chief of Guitar Player magazine for the last 21 years. He gives us an inside look at how his tenure at GP came to a screeching halt, but even more about how it all started and what was accomplished along the way. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up and commentary. Highlights...

In our 31st episode, we are joined by Beth Marlis, Vice-President of Industry and Community Relations at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. She talks in-depth about playing, teaching, leadership and giving back during her 31 years at MI. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up and commentary. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 05:55 Beth Marlis Interview 5...

In our 30th episode, we have an extended interview with the well-known bass builder, Sheldon Dingwall. He shares with us an inspiring story of passion and perseverance that propelled him from the pit of catastrophe to running an innovative and successful business since the mid-nineties. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the...

In our 29th episode, we talk for a full hour with guitarist, Peter White, about his long career as a highly successful recording and touring artist, both as a solo act and in collaboration with some of the best musicians on the planet. Plus, there's some things you probably didn't know about Peter White. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up. Highlights of the podcast include:...

In our 28th episode, we are joined by the great bass player, Nathan East, who has recorded and toured with some of best known artists in the business like Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Kenny Loggins and so many more. He's a founding member of the jazz group, Fourplay and his record and performance appearances number in the thousands. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up. Highli...

In our 27th episode, we talk with Lance Lerman, the founder and president of LsL Instruments out here in LA as he gives us the very interesting backstory on the origins of his guitar business from Berkeley to China and back. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 04:10 Lance Lerman Interview 42:45 Back of the Show / In...

In our 26th episode, we are joined by busy recording artist Richard Smith who for nearly three decades has been a full professor (with 16 years as chair) in the USC/Thornton School of Music Studio/Jazz Guitar department. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:45 Richard Smith Interview 43:10 Back of the Show / Inter...

In our Silver 25th episode, we finally nail down an interview with Allparts founder and president, Steve Wark. He tells all on the 36-year history of the iconic guitar parts company. In a new feature, GBR Spotlight , we hear about the Vancouver International Guitar Festival. At the Back of the Show , you'll get our Interview Wrap-Up. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:05...

In our 24th episode, we talk with guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer, Carl Verheyen about the business side of his work on TV, movies, tons of records and three decades with Supertramp. We'll also hear how he runs the business of being a busy recording and touring artist all over the world. At the Back of the Show , we offer you an Interview Wrap-Up. Highlights of the podcast i...

In our 23rd episode, we're happy to welcome guitarist and recording artist, Chris Standring, who, over the last 20 years, has released 12 albums, established his own record label and studio, and marketed a variety of educational products. He tells us how all of these things and more have combined to enhance his career and build a successful business. We've removed  The Shorts for a while. And at t...

In our 22nd episode, we invited back to the show three people who have previously appeared on GBR, and we're presenting three very different views of Summer NAMM from Jon Moody of GHS Strings, Howard Paul, CEO at Benedetto Guitars, and Jamie Gale who operates the Boutique Guitar Showcase. There's nothing in The Shorts this week. And at the Back of the Show , it's about The Uphill Climb. Highlights...

In our 21st episode, we talk with Reverb.com CEO, David Kalt, who gives us a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what has grown into the world's most popular music gear website, connecting millions of people around the globe. We also talk about a surprise move by Eastwood Guitars in The Shorts . And at the Back of the Show , we find out if polarization really helps. Highlights of the podcast include...

In our 20th episode, we are joined by the CEO of ArtistWorks, Patricia Butler. We'll talk about guitar education and how their original idea evolved into a unique and powerful online learning business that now includes a patented Video Exchange Platform and much more. We promised a big announcement in  The Shorts this week and we delivered. We also introduce a new segment at the back of the show c...

In our 19th episode, our special guest for the full hour is Michael Stevens, one of the great guitar builders of our time. His career, spanning nearly five decades, includes founding the Fender Custom Shop (with John Page), and building his own extraordinary brand of guitars for many of the planet's finest players for over 25 years. There is nothing in  The Shorts this week, but you will get the f...

In our 18th episode, we talk with Dan Erlewine, who is one of the leading experts on guitar repair, has written best-selling books on the topic and produced a ton of videos (and still does). He is the author of a long running column in Vintage Guitar magazine and has been a regular part of the team at StewMac for well over 30 years. In addition, we take a quick look at Summer NAMM in  The Shorts....

In our 17th episode, we have a compelling interview with Benedetto Guitars CEO, Howard Paul, who is also an accomplished jazz guitarist still playing nearly 200 gigs a year. In addition, we have something inspirational in  The Shorts.  And, in The Value Shot , we bring you Next Level Part 8 on Market Messaging through Influence. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 04:50 The...

In our 16th episode, we have an amazing interview for you with the CEO of Eastwood Guitars, Mike Robinson, who has blazed a unique trail in the guitar business for the last 16 years and continues to pursue some very innovative strategies for his company. In addition, we brief you on something old and something new in  The Shorts.  And, in The Value Shot , we bring you Next Level Part 7 on Market M...

In our 15th episode , we talk at length with John Page, co-founder of the Fender Custom Shop about his lengthy history with the iconic company. Since moving on from Fender, he's built a successful business as an artist and innovator in guitar building. And, in The Value Shot , we bring you Next Level Part 6 about leveraging your experience. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stag...

In our 14th episode, we have a great chat with Tom Bedell, owner of Breedlove Guitars, Bedell Guitars and Weber Mandolins. He'll tell us why he's creating customer experiences and not just building guitars. We'll also get some history, philosophy, science and perspective on how he runs his business and where he's going with it in the future. We offer a brief story of interest in  The Shorts.  In T...

In our 13th episode, we have an insightful interview with Jamie Gale, the creator (and curator) of the Boutique Guitar Showcase that brings many of the world's most innovative guitar makers in a collective manner to NAMM shows and major cities around the globe. We also talk briefly about Gibson in  The Shorts.  In The Value Shot , we bring you Next Level Part 4, about taking your business or caree...

In our 12th episode, we talk with Andy Beech of D'Haitre' Guitars about his career of over three decades that includes his own acclaimed brand of instruments as well as building 31 guitars for Prince and more. Now, a new guitar project is taking him back and forth to Africa. We also talk about the Holy Grail Guitar Show in  The Shorts and in The Value Shot , we bring you Next Level Part 3, about t...

In our 11th episode, we have a great interview with Vintage Guitar magazine columnist and feature writer, Will Kelly. We also introduce a new feature in  The Shorts and in The Value Shot , we bring you Next Level Part 2, about taking your business or career to the next level. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:40 The Shorts 08:05 Will Kelly Interview 32:50 The Value Shot...

In our 10th episode, we're joined by multi-talented guitarist, Bruce Forman, who gets serious for a moment or two to talk about the business side of things and what it takes to make a career work and keep a happy heart at the same time. We also present a short version of The Shorts and in The Value Shot , we start a new discussion on taking your business or career to the next level. Highlights of...

In our ninth episode we welcome Maegan Wells (Maegen Wells Guitars & Mandolins) to the show. She has an extraordinary story of determination and devotion to her craft that has taken her to the next level... the major leagues. Also in E9, we detail a variety of changes to the show that are already kicking it up a notch plus an important news brief in  The Shorts . In  The Value Shot , we explore th...