Have Guitar Will Travel

070 - JJ Wilde and J.D. Smigelski The latest episode of “Have Guitar Will Travel” finds host James Patrick Regan speaking with indie rocker JJ Wilde and her guitarist, J.D. Smigelski. JJ grew up listening to her family’s rock and folk records in Kitchener, Ontario, and started playing guitar as a teenager. She talks about the grind of being a working musican before she hired J.D., and their work with Danish producer Frederick Fay. J.D. gets into how he started playing and his early influences – including fellow lefties! And of course they rap about the gear both use at home and on the road. Please like , comment , and share this podcast! Download Link

069 - Brian Moss James Patrick Regan welcomes Brian Moss to Episode 69 of “Have Guitar Will Travel.” Guitarist in the jam band Spafford, Moss grew up in New Jersey, learning to play guitar with his brother. Things sometimes got competitive! When he felt restless on his Epiphone Les Paul, Moss would change things up by “stealing” his brother’s Ovation and ES-339. Today, he also plays a custom-built guitar by Thomas Milana Guitars. From gear to tones to pandemic road stories, the discussion covers a lot of ground. Please like , comment , and share this podcast! Download Link

068 - Sammy Ash Episode 68 of “Have Guitar Will Travel” features guitarist, collector, and entrepreneur Sammy Ash, who grew up in his grandparents store, Sam Ash Music. With host James Patrick Regan, he talks about family and its ongoing role in the company founded by his grandfather, who immigrated from Poland and started the store in 1924. A teen in the ’60s, he recalls the music he was hearing, and how The Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” impacted the store. A de facto guitar collector since before there was a such a thing, he was there as the vintage market began to blossom and has experienced its ups, downs, and “situations.” Please like , comment , and share this podcast! Download Link

067 - Eric Montgomery Episode 67 of “Have Guitar Will Travel” features Eric Montgomery, guitarist/keyboardist for singer/songwriter Maren Morris. Host James Patrick Regan speaks with him about getting the gig, and the adrenaline rush of playing the Grammy Awards after just four shows with her. A Virginia native, he rose through the ranks working the Nashville scene. They also talk about his first guitar, current road gear, and his always-changing guitar collection. Please like , comment , and share this podcast! Download Link

066 - Eddie Perez James Patrick Regan welcomes Eddie Perez to “Have Guitar Will Travel.” Eddie’s impressive career included backing Dwight Yoakam, which springboarded to his current gig with The Mavericks. Growing up near Pasadena, his family spurred a deep appreciation for music. Early on, he backed rockabilly singer James Intveld, then moved to Austin, where finding work as a guitarist wasn’t always easy. His big break came with a call from Gary Allan, which led to gigs with Wynonna Judd, Connie Smith, Lee Ann Womack, and others. Each brought new twists to his style and philosophy. And of course they discuss the gear Eddie has used through the years, from vintage to his favorite modern guitars and amps. Please like , comment , and share this podcast! Download Link

065 - Steve Conte “Have Guitar Will Travel” episode 65 features host James Patrick Regan speaking with guitarist/vocalist Steve Conte. An educated jazzer and proficient solo artist, for his new album, “Bronx Cheer,” Conte teamed with fellow guitarist Chris Spedding and drummer Charlie Drayton. Conte himself started on drums as a kid, but jumped to guitar and has backed Paul Simon, Billy Squire, Willie DeVille, Peter Wolf, and the New York Dolls both with original frontman David Johansson, and now, with Michael Monroe. For more than 20 years, he has also sung and played music for the sci-fi series/movie “Cowboy Bebop” and other animé programs. Always a gearhead, they talk about the instruments and amps that have accompanied him throughout his career. Please like , comment , and share this podcast! Download Link

064 - Luis Carlos Maldonado “Have Guitar Will Travel” host James Patrick Regan speaks with multi-instrumentalist Luis Carlos Maldonado. Growing up in Arizona and SoCal, he took to guitar after being turned on to progressive rock by U.K. and King Crimson and encouraged by his brother, Train bassist Hector Maldonado. Like most professionals, he’s been through a lot of gear and has great stories fostered by an array of band gigs (he has played with John Waite, Phil Mogg, Michael Schenker, Dean Delray, and now, Mick Jones in Foreigner) and a solo career that includes working with Mike Varney at Shrapnel Records. Please like , comment , and share this podcast! Download Link