Have Guitar Will Travel

164 - Ray Benson (Asleep At the Wheel) In episode 164 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist and bandleader Ray Benson from Asleep At the Wheel. In their conversation Ray discusses his current tour schedule, his stage gear and his custom jackets he wears on stage. Ray describes the importance of the San Francisco early in the band’s career with contemporaries like Dan Hicks, Huey Lewis and Clover and Commander Cody. Ray tells us about his upbringing outside of Philadelphia, PA and how he discovered Western swing music. Ray describes his guitar and steel collection in great detail as well as amps and recording gear he’s collected over the years. Ray talks his about his friendships with the Vaughan brothers, Willie Nelson, Huey Lewis and many more. Ray discusses the early days of TNN and his work with Budweiser and his tv show on RFD. Ray tells us about his lack of plans for retirement. To find out more about R...

163 - Craig Thatcher (Martin Guitars) In episode 163 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist, band leader and Martin Demo Artist Craig Thatcher. In their conversation Craig gives us a quick history lesson on the Lehigh Valley where he’s from and where Martin is, Nazareth Pennsylvania. Craig tells us about his band, the Craig Thatcher band and how he juggles the band vs his work traveling the world with Martin. Craig tells us about his music schooling studying with Juilliard professors at the local community college. Craig describes in detail his guitar a throughout the years, his current collection and the guitars that got away… as well as his collection of amps. Craig talks about his early musical experiences seeing Chicago and the Allman brothers while he was a young teenager and his first gig and his first experience in the studio. Craig talks about being a bandleader and the venues and type of gigs they’re...

162 - Jamie James In episode 161 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist Jamie James. In their conversation Jamie tells us about how his open heart surgery led to his new album “Straight Up” after woodshedding through Covid. Jamie also tells us about the personnel on the album. Jamie takes us through his history: raised in Canada moved to LA via London and formed the Rockabilly band “the Kingbees” after jamming with Bob Seger. Jamie tells us about his gear throughout his life and the guitars that got away. Jamie tells us about a chance meeting with Harry Dean Stanton that led to a musical partnership that in turn led to a musical partnership with Dennis Quaid and his band the Sharks. Jamie describes how he ended up in the reformed version of (the new) Steppenwolf. Jamie also describes how opening for Van Halen early on before their record deal shaped his performance style. Please subscribe, like, comment, sha...

161 - Ron Pope In episode 161 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist, band leader and record label owner Ron Pope. In their conversation Ron tells us about his different touring iterations and his tour routines. Ron talks about his new album “American Man, American Music” and the personnel on the album and how that differs from his road personnel. Ron talks about how he moved from electric guitar to acoustic and we discuss gear, vintage guitars and modeling amps and Carter’s guitars in Nashville. Ron describes the benefits of living in Nashville as a musician. Ron discusses his record label “Brooklyn Basement Records” Ron also talks about teaching himself guitar from listening to Albert King and Steve Cropper records. To find out more about Ron you can go to his website: ronpope.com Please subscribe, like, comment, share and review this podcast! #VintageGuitarMagazine #RonPope #BrooklynBasementRecords #Gib...

160 - Josh Vittek In episode 160 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist, manufacturer and PR person Josh Vittek, Josh is a legendary fixture at NAMM, placing artists in booths and running PR for a lot of the companies who’s booths we love as well as the press releases for most of the cool manufacturers. He also owns Sheptone which manufactures pickups and is a partner with Doyle of the Misfits in Von Frankenstein Monster Gear which manufactures strings. In our conversation Josh tells us about the clients he’s worked with and how he got involved with Sheptone and Doyle Von Frankenstein. He also explains the need for Von Frankenstein strings. Josh describes moving to central Illinois from San Diego and the reason behind that. Josh talks about growing up in San Diego playing, taking apart and putting back together guitars and working for Carvin in a few different facets and all the ups and downs that led to where...

159 - Zach Myers (Shinedown) In episode 159 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist Zach Myers from Shinedown. In their conversation Zach discusses his love for Buck Owens and his Fender Buck Owens signature Telecaster and Acoustic and his PRS that’s Buck Owens themed. Zach tells us about his encounters with Brian Venable from Lucero (episode 100) who’s also from Memphis. Zach talks a bit about Shinedowns new album. Zach discusses how he became involved with PRS guitars. Zach tells us about his beginning in Shinedown, starting on bass and eventually moving to guitar… and his hesitation as he was making a lot of money as the guitar tech for 3 Doors Down. Zach walks us through his amp collection which includes two Dumbles. Zach talks about starting guitar at 13 and getting a record deal at the age of 14 then he walks us through his early career and the side projects he’s working on now. Zach describes the highlig...

158 - Willy Vlautin (the Delines) In episode 158 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist, songwriter and novelist Willy Vlautin of the Delines. In their conversation Willy talks about living north of Portland, Oregon and growing up in Reno, Nevada and playing in Cowpunk bands and how his older brother turned him on to the guitar. Willy talks about writing songs at an early age to help him escape the edge of Reno before he became entranced by it. Willy tells the story of stealing his mom’s VW to drive to San Francisco to see the bands he loved and then driving back after the show to have his mom’s car back by 6:am. Willy talks about his gear, starting with a Gibson Sonex when he was a kid and then Gibson SG’s and his father’s nylon string Martin all which were hard to find because Willy is left handed. Willy also tells us about his amps, a Milkman. Willy describes his bands, Richmond Fontaine and his current ban...

157 - Tony Moscal and Brandon Foster from Kepma Guitars In episode 157 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with Tony Moscal and Brandon Foster from Kepma Guitars. Kepma guitars is probably the largest guitar company you’ve never heard of. In our conversation Tony and Brandon tell us how they got involved in the guitar company and their history before that working for St Louis Music and Peavey. Tony and Brandon tell us what makes the Kepma brand stand head and shoulders above the other Chinese brands. Tony and Brandon describe the models and the woods and electronics used on the guitars and the process to get the wood ready for guitar building (they explain the torrefaction process) and the unique functionality of the electronics. Tony and Brandon explain their role in the company and the difficulties of importing guitars from China and their price points from a couple hundred dollars to $2,499 and where to purchase. The ...

156 - Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) In episode 156 “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music. In their conversation Phil talks a little bit about where he lives in Sussex in England and his neighbors David Gilmore, Bill Bruford Then he talks guitars, particularly his Gibson Firebird VII and what he was using for amps back in the day and now and the guitar he’s still craving. Phil tells us a bit about his book “50 Years of Music” and what he’s using for gear for the book tour and where to get the self published book. Phil describes growing up in Havana Cuba during the revolution… and learning the guitar amongst the chaos. He also describes living in Hawaii just as it became a state and how that inspired a song “Hula Kula” for Roxy Music. Phil describes playing through a Hiwatt amp while Brian Ferry was singing in Roxy Music. Phil tells us about how he...