Everyone Loves Guitar – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this John Ondrasik interview: John's early songwriting was driven by a chip on his shoulder and a desire to be heard. We talked about the autobiographical nature of John's songs, the power of music to impact people's lives, the challenges of the music industry, the importance of speaking out against atrocities, how his ego has helped… and hindered him… and the low points and dark periods in his life. Specifically, being dropped by his record label and had to get a job, and the challenging time he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. John emphasizes the importance of gratitude, taking care of yourself, and making decisions that align with your values

John Ondrasik, better known as Five For Fighting, is a platinum selling multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. To me, his songwriting is along the lines of the classic songwriters of the 60s & 70s like Elton John and Neil Diamond. John's released 6 studio LPs… has several hundred music licensing placements, many in well-known TV shows and movies… he co-manages his family's business, Precision Wire Products… and he's also an in-demand keynote speaker (watch his TedX presentation)

Photo by Mike Donahue

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to John Ondrasik

02:02 Early Musical Influences and Songwriting

04:36 The Chip on John Androsik's Shoulder

06:04 Breakthrough Moments in his Career

12:19 Living in the Moment and Appreciating the Little Things

18:04 The Power of Will and Taking Risks

21:46 Positive Affirmations and Mindset

24:21 Reflecting on Mortality and the Meaning of Life

26:53 The Story Behind 'The Day I Died'

29:40 The Autobiographical Nature of John's Songs

30:11 The Power of Music to Impact Lives

36:14 Challenges in the Music Industry

43:25 Speaking Out Against Atrocities

49:10 The Role of Ego in the Music Business

53:52 Dealing with Low Points and Dark Periods in Life

58:41 The Challenges of the Music Industry

01:00:35 Navigating the Pandemic

01:04:23 The Traits that Contribute to Success

01:08:35 Gratitude and Making Decisions

01:11:39 The Power of Music

01:13:13 Speaking Your Mind

Five For Fighting Upcoming Tour

FIVE FOR FIGHTING FULL BAND TOUR DATES:

Thursday, July 11 Hot Summer Nights Concert Series @ Municipal Lawn in Sherman, TX (Free Show)

Saturday, July 27 @ Mystic Lake Casino, Mystic Amphitheater in Prior Lake, MN (Free Show)

Tuesday, August 6 @ Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore.PA

Thursday, August 8 @ Electric City in Buffalo, NY

Friday, August 9, 2024 @ House of Blues, Cambridge Room in Cleveland, OH

Saturday, August 10, 2024 @ St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit, MI

Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 @ Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 @ Oceanfront Concerts Series, 24th Street Park in Virginia Beach, VA

Friday, August 16, 2024 @ Cabot Theater in Beverly, MA

Saturday, August 17, 2024 @ The Wolf Den At Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT (Free Show)

Sunday, August 18, 2024 @ Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY

Five For Fighting Quartet Shows 

Thurs, September 26 in Homer, NY at Center for the Arts of Homer 

Fri, September 27 in Saratoga Springs, NY at Universal Preservation Hall

Sat, September 28 in Corning, NY at Corning Museum Of Glass 

Sun, September 29 in Bethel, NY at The Event Gallery at Bethel Woods 

October 1 in Oneonta, NY at Foothills Performing Arts Center 

October 3 in Nashua, NH at Nashua Center for the Arts 

October 4 in Laconia, NH at The Colonial Theatre Laconia

October 5 in Bethlehem, NY at The Colonial Theatre

October 6 in Waterville, ME at Waterville Opera House 

October 8 in Newport, RI at The JPT Film & Event Center

October 9 in Red Bank, NJ at Count Basie Center for the Arts - The Vogel 

October 10 in Port Washington, NY at Landmark on Main Street

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On this Jeff Schroeder interview, Jeff discusses his new album 'Metanoia' and his decision to leave the Smashing Pumpkins. The album is a departure from his previous work and represents a new era in his musical journey. Jeff reflects on the challenges of leaving a successful band and the process of redefining his identity as a musician, and as a person. He emphasizes the importance of letting go of ego attachments and embracing new opportunities, the importance of being present and enjoying life, the role of passion in your career, the significance of finding your own sound amidst the vast array of gear options available. Jeff shares his interest in mysticism and spirituality, how it has influenced his music and life, the attraction of different cultural philosophies and theologies, the appeal of ambient music, and the process of creating Jeff's new record. Jeff shares his experience of working with friends and the joy of creating something from start to finish, his extensive guitar collection and his approach to production. LOADS of cool stuff here!

Jeff's most well-known as the guitarist for the Smashing Pumpkins. He initially took James Iha's place and was with the band from 2007 to his amicable departure in October 2023. He recorded five studio albums with the band and after bandleader Billy Corgan, and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, Jeff was the third-longest-serving member of the group. Jeff's got a new album out, called Metanoia… and today we're going to talk about the new record, and find out why he left the Smashing Pumpkins. As a side note, Jeff's one of THE most intelligent guests I've had on the show - very bright guy who's incredibly well-read

Photo by Vice Cooler

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😳 🎶The 3 Biggest Mistakes Musicians, Composers & Songwriters Make When Trying to Get Your Music Licensed & Placed: https://MusicReboot.com

On this Andy McKee Interview: His early years as a musician, his experiences playing with Prince, and his approach to songwriting and alternate tunings…. the emotional expression he finds in acoustic guitar music, his approach to playing guitar in altered tunings and the challenges and rewards it brings. He also talks about the inspiration behind his song 'For My Father' and the emotional connection it has with his audience. Andy shares his experiences touring with Eric Johnson and Dream Theater, as well as his involvement in the Michael Hedges documentary… balancing his music career and family life, and his struggle with social media. McKee also mentions his signature guitar models and his love for video game music… the importance of staying true to yourself as a musician, biggest change in his personality over the years, and more. Lovely, sincere guy, great convo!

Originally from Topeka, Kansas… Andy's an awesome finger style guitar player - he's released 7 LPs and 2EPs, and he's also played on records by Josh Groban, Lee Ritenour, and he hosts a lot of guitar workshops. He initially became well-known when a few of his videos blew up on YouTube back in the early 2000's, including his song Drifting - which has over 60 Million views. And at one time, the top 3 videos on YT were all Andy McKee's. This opened doors for Andy to play literally thousands of concerts all over the world, sharing the stage with artists like Prince, Eric Johnson & Dream Theater. Andy has a new finger style "supergroup" LP out featuring himself, Calum Graham and Trevor Gordon Hall. The band, and the LP are called Tripliciti

On this Willie J Laws Jr interview: Growing up in Taft, TX (population 3,000!), hanging out in his grandfather's beer joint, a terrible act of racism he was exposed to in 6th grade, joining the Navy, Moving out to California and getting caught up in the CRACK Epidemic, backstories to his top songs, career and personal highs and lows, most important life lessons he's learned & more:

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Originally from Texas and currently living in Massachusetts, Willie Laws plays Texas soul music, mixed with classic R&B, country, blues & funk. Willie's performed nationally and internationally in Russia, throughout Europe, and more. He won the Massachusetts Blues Society Challenge and was a semi-finalist at the Int'l Blues Competition and Beale St. Kings Awards, in Memphis. Willie has some amazing life stories and was kind enough to share a few of them with us, today. His latest album is Too Much Blues

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On this Greg Loiacono Interview: Founding member of The Mother Hips, Greg talks about the chemistry of the band and how they've managed to work together this long, the band's 2003 hiatus and how he responded, getting sober and paying it forward, early mistakes made with The Hips first record label, responding instead of reacting, toughest decision he's had to make, and more. Very open and cool convo 

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On this Hershel Yatovitz Interview: Getting the gig with Chris Isaak and how it almost didn't happen, GREAT conversation about getting sober and some really amazing advice about asking for help, experiences playing with Joe Walsh, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Warren Haynes, Bonnie Raitt… growing up in Palo Alto and moving to Portland, Charlie Hunter, Wicked Game, kindness and more. Really sincere convo:

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Hershel's been Chris Isaak's lead guitar player since 1995, playing on 12 LPs, touring the world, and appearing as a cast member on The Chris Isaak Show. Hershel's also played with Art Alexakis, Junior Brown, James Burton, Mark Ford, Warren Haynes, Joe Pass, Bonnie Raitt, Richie Sambora, Joe Walsh and LOADS of other artists

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On this SugaRay Rayford interview: His challenging childhood and how Big Momma turned things around for him and his brothers… an amazing story about his unlikely journey to becoming an artist, working the casino "chitlin' circuit"... Releasing his first LP - at age 41! What happened when he realized "I was the best me that I could be"... VERY cool backstory to some of his songs, including sharing his PTSD from when he served in Desert Storm… the PAIN of America losing its ability to be Civil, why he "Doesn't sing anything he hasn't lived"... being grateful to be on this side of the grass, and more. AWESOME, fun conversation

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 SugaRay Rayford is a blues & soul artist singer and songwriter. He was born in Smith County, Texas, and started singing in Church at age 7. Ray's released 6 LPs, has won 2 Blues Music Awards, including B.B King Entertainer of the Year & Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year. His 2019 album, Somebody Save Me, was nominated for a Grammy Award. As a studio vocalist, Ray sang the theme for Judge Joe Brown & the trailer for the movie City Lights, as well as other vocal work

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Frank Marino Interview: Frank's early experimentation with LSD led him to picking up the guitar and becoming a guitar hero, but it wasn't without a price. One of the most often overlooked guitar players out there, who's anti-establishment mindset caused industry experts to turn, this was an amazing conversation where we discussed everything, including:

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 Why he walked away from $250,000 and his contract with Columbia Records... details of Frank's LSD experimentation, and how guitar was the bridge from his post-LSD dream-like state into reality… God, faith, mercy… the upside and downside of signing with a record label early on in his career… how he developed his playing style, his SG and amp mods… patience, seeing good things in bad things, and more. 100% REAL:

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On this Nick DiSalvo Interview: Lead guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and founding member of Elder, one of the best psychedelic blues rock bands out there. Nick talks about moving all over the states as a kid - and then all over the world later on, as an adult, and how this impacted his life. Following his heart and not worrying about what others want you to do is the best thing, and how he came to this decision, finding love on tour, his cool guitars and amps, finding meaning and purpose in your life, and more. Very talented musician

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On this Andy Powell interview: Tracing a lifetime of musical success to ONE bold move he made, early on in his career (with Richie Blackmore)… Tons of stories: opening up for The Who for his first gig (age 14), Deep Purple… working with Tom Dowd, Miles Copeland, Martin Birch & Bill Szymczyk… smoking hash in Marrakesh… Seeing Clapton, Hendrix, Cream, Fairport Convention, Peter Green, John Mayall (w/ Mick Taylor) in concert… the deliberate decision to come up with the twin lead guitar sound. His work ethic and how it informed his attitude and success in music… Being so broke, the band was literally starving… What business old record companies were REALLY in, and why "It's not about Andy, it's about the Band." AWESOME convo with a lovely guy

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Andy Powell is a founding member and guitarist of the British rock band Wishbone Ash. Wishbone Ash was one of the earliest bands to have twin guitars playing. The band still  tours worldwide and has released 26 studio LPs, 11 Live LPs and 5 Live DVDs. Over the years Andy's received tons of accolades including appearing in Rolling Stone's "Top 20 Guitarists of All Time" list. Andy was born on the East End of London, and grew up in Hemel Hempstead but has been living here in the states in Connecticut for quite some time now. 

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