Organizers of the London International Music Show (LIMS) have announced that the finals of the online guitar competition, Guitar Idol, will be held at this year's LIMS on Saturday, June 14. Guitarists interested in competing can submit an original composition or play over downloadable backing tracks featuring a wide variety of styles. Submissions should be uploaded to www.guitar-idol.co.uk and be kept to approximately three minutes in length. The ten players who receive the largest number of votes from the public and a panel of judges will participate at the London Guitar Show (part of LIMS) on June 14. More »

Modern Guitars has ASIA's new CD, Phoenix, the group's first new studio album in 25 years featuring the original lineup, to give away to five lucky readers on July 1, 2008. Phoenix has already reached the #10 spot on Billboard magazine's chart of Top Internet Albums! ASIA's founding members Geoff Downes (keyboardist); Steve Howe (guitar, mandolin); Carl Palmer (drums); and John Wetton (bass) had all been part of rock history with such groups as King Crimson; Yes; Uriah Heep; Roxy Music; Family; The Buggles; UK; and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. ASIA's albums with such memorable hits as, "Heat of the Moment," "Only Time Will Tell," and "Sole Survivor" have helped push their global records sales to 15 million. More »

Modern Guitars has soft cover copies of Zachary R. Fjestad's Blue Book of Electric Guitars (11th Edition) to give away to three lucky readers on June 6, 2008. The new edition has over 1,100 pages of information on over 1,000 electric guitars, manufacturers, trademarks and luthiers, identified and described with hundreds of B&W images. The Blue Book of Electric Guitars (11th Edition) includes updated values of vintage electric guitars to suit the most avid collector or buyer. Pricing information is based on whether the guitars are new and their condition using mint, excellent +; excellent; very good +; very good; and good condition factors. Whether you're interested in a new PRS, a classic Gibson Les Paul, a vintage Stratocaster or a unique and rare Gittler guitar, the Blue Book provides some helpful information for guitar enthusiasts to digest and use. More »

The Daisy Rock Debutante Rock Candy guitar is designed specifically for young girls with a desire to learn to play the guitar. The fact that this particular model comes as part of an affordable and complete package is the icing on the cake to what is actually a very nice instrument. Though it makes sense to not spend too much money on an instrument for a youngster, the good thing about this inexpensive model is that quality hasn’t been substituted for an economical price tag. It’s adequately constructed in every way, and it comes with everything needed to get started. Read »

John 5's latest solo project, Requiem, is set for a June 3 release on the 60 Cycle Hum label. Although known for his guitar work with Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Rob Halford and Rob Zombie, Requiem is the guitarist's fourth solo album and follows on the heels of 2007's The Devil Knows My Name, which was voted Best Shred Album of the Year in the 2008 Guitar World readers' poll. More »

Tim Huffman, co-founder and CEO/President, and his team at iVideosongs are pushing the guitar lesson envelope in a major way. The company has developed a viable web-based formula for teaching all levels of guitar skills and songs to aspiring and working musicians. Although we’ve all seen artist-developed guitar instructional videos, they run the full length of the quality spectrum. Some are very good, but many are amateurish at best and of little value. Huffman brings his own musical background to the game as a 1983 Grammy-nominated recording artist who has played with members of Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Atlanta Rhythm Section and other known groups. His hard-won business acumen is drawn from 25 years of building his own set list of successful businesses, as well as producing the 1997 award-winning Blues Guitar Explorer instructional video. More »

Modern Guitars has two-time Grammy award winner Tommy Emmanuel's new 24-track Center Stage double CD to give away to three lucky readers. The 24-track CD includes new tunes and earlier favorites from previous releases like The Mystery and Endless Road. The album also includes "Ruby Eyes," "Jolly Swagman," "Lenny Bro," and "Papa George," that are new Emmanuel tracks. "Papa George" is an Emmanuel tribute to George Harrison. Other cool tracks include a "Beatles Medly," classics "Sukiyaki" and "Georgia On My Mind," and Emmanuel's own remarkable, "Mombasa." More

Organizers confirmed yesterday that the 2008 London Guitar Show (June 12-15) will present the debut live performance of power guitar group C3 comprised of Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Govan and Greg Howe on Saturday, June 14 on the show's main stage at the ExCel London. Also scheduled to appear on the 14th are guitar metal virtuoso Paul Gilbert and bass great Billy Sheehan. Joe Satriani will give a special performance on the show's main stage on Sunday, June 15, the final day of the event. Saturday and Sunday will also see a series of unplugged concerts by acoustic guitarists such as Michael Messer and BJ Cole (performing together) and Steve Fairclough, with more artists to be announced; and a series of shows called Drummer Live featuring a number of top name percussionists. More »

Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, multi-media artist and Modern Guitars columnist Billy Morrison brings readers up to-date with his latest adventures in his column, Sunset & Vine. A busy man? His group, Circus Diablo, released its self-titled debut album on the Koch Records metal division label (the first single's video was the most-viewed music video on YouTube with over a million hits), and spent the summer performing at Ozzfest; Billy filmed his third movie role (Basement Jack in which he plays the role of a detective); he appeared on panels at the Fangoria Festival in Los Angeles to talk about his movie roles; Camp Freddy gigs with fellow Campers Dave Navarro, Donovan Leitch, Chris Chaney and Matt Sorum; work on a solo recording projects; formed his own record label (King Mob Music); continues to host a regular Saturday night radio show, Camp Freddy Radio, on 103.1 FM in Los Angeles; and recently issued Stimulator, an album originally recorded in 1998.

From Carlos Santana to Paul Allender, PRS artists discuss why they have come to rely on PRS guitars in a video clip posted online this week by PRS Guitars. Many key PRS executives and designers also share their thoughts on what it is like to have a part in creating instruments known the world over for their distinct style and quality. The ten-minute vignette quickly cuts to the chase and conveys the spirit of PRS as experienced by the people that count on PRS guitars to make their living. An additional hour of artist interview footage and candid commentary will be included as part of the full-length DVD to be released this summer. More »

In conjunction with the 2008 24th International Blues Challenge, which saw 159 acts from 36 states, 10 countries and 6 continents compete for a variety of prizes, The Blues Foundation held its annual Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award ceremony at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel in Memphis on February 2, 2008. Twenty-one individuals and organizations were honored with a KBA at this year's event. According to The Blues Foundation: The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards recognize the significant contributions to blues music made by the people behind the scenes. Each is selected on the basis of merit by a select panel of blues professionals. More »

In collaboration with Paul Reed Smith Guitars, Modern Guitars magazine announces a chance for its readers to win the 2007 Experience PRS (XPRS) SE-ONE guitar featured in the Modern Guitars coverage of the event. The Vintage Cherry SE-ONE guitar was autographed by PRS endorsees and PRS executives such as Paul Reed Smith, Mark Tremonti, Johnny Hiland and others who presented seminars and entertained the crowd at the historic first Experience PRS trade show that took place at the PRS facilities in September of 2007. A runner-up essay will also be selected and the contestant will receive one of the 2007 Experience PRS grab bags that were available to visiting PRS fans during the event. More »

Noted jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan will serve as a keynote speaker at the Global Sound Conference, Marina del Rey, California (May 9 – 12, 2008), and shed light on his ideas about the healing powers of sound. Jordan is a graduate student at Arizona State University pursuing a Master degree in music therapy. Known for his two-hand tapping technique, over his career Stanley Jordan has released a number of well-received jazz fusion albums, including Magic Touch (1985); Standards, Vol. 1 (1986); Flying Home (1988); Bolero (1994); and Dreams of Peace (2003). Read »

I will admit that when I got the Bass Line instructional DVD for review, my expectations were low. Rev Jones is a great bassist, known for his work with “shredder” bands like the Michael Schenker Group and Paul Gilbert. However, I thought, many great players are either protective of their “secrets” or just not that good at teaching. I prepared myself to be subjected to an onslaught of obscure riffs that would be of little interest to a groove player, and would be difficult, if not downright overwhelming, to a beginning bassist. It turns out I was wrong. More »

Modern Guitars has three copies of the new Lemonheads Collector's Edition CD/DVD of It's A Shame About Ray to give away to three lucky readers. The edition includes Evan Dando's Unreleased Home Demos, plus the DVD debut of the group's 1993 video Two Weeks in Australia, featuring videos and live performances. The Collector's Edition features the powerhouse trio - Evan Dando (guitar, vocals), David Ryan (drums) and Juliana Hatfield (bass, backing vocals) - and includes 13 tracks. CD tracks include the title song, "My Drug Buddy," "Mrs. Robinson," and ten other tracks from the original release plus 10 bonus tracks. The video includes live performances of "Alison's Starting To Happen," "Ride With Me" from Lovey and "It's About Time" from 1993's Come On Feel The Lemonheads. More »

Velvet Revolver and former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash recently visited the Gibson Guitar Showroom in London to celebrate the launch of three limited edition Slash signature guitars - two from Gibson and one from Epiphone - that will be released worldwide on April 1, 2008. Gibson's Custom division has created the Slash Inspired By VOS (Vintage Old Stock) model, while Gibson USA will release a Slash Les Paul Standard and Epiphone a Slash Les Paul Standard Plus model. “I have always been a Les Paul player and am very proud to have my own range produced by Gibson and Epiphone, the maker of the world’s greatest guitars. I hope that musicians around the world enjoy them as much as I do,” says Slash. More »

The premiere of Gibson's Robot Guitar took place in select music stores on December 7, 2007. Four thousand limited edition Les Paul Robot Guitars sold like hot cakes and it looks like the collaboration between Gibson and Chris Adams, the German inventor of the self-tuning innovation, will continue into the forseeable future. Some might consider the self-tuning mechanics a bit of gadgetry, while guitarists will consider it a bit of wizardry. The system can self-tune to standard tuning (A440), open tunings and others. While most of us head to our guitar shops to have our guitar's intonation set, Gibson offers an electronic intonation guide to help guitarists make their own adjustments with the Robot Guitar. More »

More news briefs... »

by Steven Rosen.
The year is 1983. Six albums ago (including the one yet to be released), Van Halen, the group, released its first record - Van Halen. It was dramatic, intense and bold. Within the 11 tracks was a feeling of "This is an important statement." It was. The energy, passion and technique of guitarist Edward Van Halen set the band apart from hordes of others, and now with the Pasadena-raised quartet about to release its sixth record, it is obvious that Edward stands as the main catalyst of the electric guitar's ascendancy in the '80s. Still staggering from the effects of the US Festival (1983), Van Halen sits in his home nestled in the Hollywood Hills feeling bitter about the performance. Ultimately, the show will be viewed as one of the grandest rock 'n' roll fests in history, but in the following conversation guitarist Van Halen clears the cobwebs, sheds real light on the concert, and describes the work thus far on the band’s upcoming album. This one will be called 1984... Read »

by Matt Baamonde.
Nearly all of today’s blues-rock guitarists are Hendrix influenced to some degree. Few, however, are capable of developing a destinctive, ethereal, almost 'otherworldly' tone combined with the tasteful phrasing that characterizes Robin Trower's body of work. Once considered the heir apparent to Jimi, the ex-Procol Harum, Strat-wielding, English rocker blazed his own path over a long career. Trower has pulled his weight as a band member and on many occasions served as a band leader to plow new territory in the blues-rock fusion genre. Trower's sweeping and lush riffs on such masterful albums as Bridge of Sighs, Twice Removed from Tomorrow, Passion and other world-wide attention-getting albums have offered him a place alongside such luminary guitarists as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and others who have inspired guitar wannabes to pick up their guitars and play. Robin's signature sound is identifiable and unmistakably his own... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
Arlen Roth, known to many as “The Master of the Telecaster,” recently released an album of classic rock songs and a couple of originals, entitled Toolin’ Around Woodstock. Along for the ride were friends Levon Helm, Bill Kirchen, Sonny Landreth, daughters Lexie Roth and Amy Helm, and more. The special edition release includes a bonus DVD of studio views, conversations, and performances, filmed at Levon Helms’ studio in Woodstock, New York. Over the past thirty years, the name Arlen Roth has been associated with global guitar instruction, to the point of overshadowing his status as a prominent touring musician and recording artist. In addition to a long running, prominent column in Guitar Player magazine (known as “Hot Guitar”) and numerous authoritative instructional books, in the late '70s he started one of the most successful guitar instruction enterprises of all time... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
Performing alongside the likes of Jimmy Rogers, Jimmy Dawkins and Willie Smith certainly assisted Chicago’s Nick Moss in becoming a genuine Chicago bluesman. However, genuine is genuine, and that level of adeptness doesn’t come easy. Having been fermented and embedded into his soul, the music eventually solidified into an adoring passion that he doesn’t take lightly. Originally a bass player, Nick switched to guitar at the request of Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. The Muddy Waters drummer realized, when their touring guitarist suddenly departed, that it would be much easier to educate a new bass player than a new guitarist, as Nick was quite adept at both anyway. He’s never looked back since, because in due course the six-string instrument grew to be his natural comfort zone for performing... Read »

by Lynne Margolis.
In the heyday of ‘60s and ‘70s pop and rock, L.A.’s so-called Wrecking Crew dominated the airwaves, creating some of the most indelible sounds of the 20th century on some of the most beloved songs in the rock ‘n’ roll canon. Yet most people have no clue they even existed, these unsung session musicians who backed up everyone from Elvis, the Beach Boys and the Byrds to the Mamas & the Papas, Simon & Garfunkel and Frank and Nancy Sinatra. It’s a list so extensive, you have to see it to believe it. Drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Hal Blaine (one of the first sidemen inducted when the category was created) singlehandedly beat the skins on 40 No. 1 hits, plus seven Record of the Year Grammy winners – in a row; he played on eight altogether. Pianist Don Randi’s tally of artists he’s recorded with numbers 142; he’s been Nancy Sinatra’s keyboardist for 45 years. Phil Spector’s famed Wall of Sound? Created by the Wrecking Crew... Read »

by Geoff Byrd.
I met Jed Leiber in Aspen when I was asked to write some songs with John Oates. I didn’t even know there was going to be a third person there. Soon after the session, I understood why John likes to include Jed in the songwriting process. Leiber's an amazing piano player, Julliard trained, with a gift for melody and lyric. When he plays he's in control. Today, after he's finished up a staff meeting at his newly renovated recording studio, NightBird, he sits down at a seven-foot-long Yamaha grand piano and melts into it. He looks like a mad scientist in the throes of a work out. His arms are muscled and his hair wild. I find Jed is self-deprecating and affable. It doesn't take long for me to figure out that... Read »

by Michael Shea.
Let’s get it over with right at the start. Master slide guitarist, Roy Rogers, was named after the King of the Cowboys film star. Roy will be the first to admit that he's had fun with his moniker. He named his record label Chops Not Chaps and he's recorded his namesake's theme song, "Happy Trails." Although Roy started playing slide after hearing blues pioneer Robert Johnson and toured with John Lee Hooker, it would be incorrect to pigeonhole him as a blues artist. True, he can play some great blues, but his music goes well beyond the blues taking his slide guitar into new musical soundscapes... Read »

by Geoff Byrd.
I first met John Oates in 2005, backstage after my first show with Hall and Oates at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. I was the opening act and relatively unknown, under the radar, which I didn't mind at all for a couple of reasons. In fact, I kind of like it that way. But, I was more nervous than I had been in years. I was alone with my acoustic guitar facing a sea of Hall and Oates fans who couldn't wait to hear “Maneater” and had to win over a crowd who didn’t even know there was an opening act. Hall and Oates were always one of my favorite artists, adding even more pressure... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
Anyone familiar with guitarist Laurie Morvan knows she’s a complete performer who takes her music seriously. Following the release of her third CD, Cures What Ails Ya, the stunning California axe slinger has seen the doors of recognition open up to her exhilarating electric blues guitar style. However, this occurrence was far from effortless. Laurie found out the hard way that it often takes time for a female blues guitarist to be taken seriously. Some nightclub doors weren’t open to the idea at first, be it a good idea or not. "I don’t want a girl guitarist. We had one last year," she’d often hear, like she was a mere novelty item. But ultimately, unbiased listeners have come to recognize the true authenticity and devotion in her music and in her guitar playing. Laurie’s fluid licks, incredible tone, and the emotion she exerts in her songs, of which are mostly original, are evidence enough of just how serious she is... Read »

by Skip Daly.
Daniel Johns, lead vocalist and guitarist for Australia's most popular rock-grunge group, Silverchair, met Ben Gillies (drums) and Chris Joannou (bass) before they were in their teens. By the time they reached 15, the trio made its mark "Down Under" as a major rock group. Today, Silverchair's reputation is global. Silverchair’s entry to rock stardom came early when they were 14 years old and headlined as the Innocent Criminals at local shows. Johns, Gillies and Joannou proved worthy when they won an Australian record demo competition with “Tomorrow” that helped land them a three-album record deal with Sony Music. The song sat at the top of the Australian singles charts for six weeks. The group re-recorded the track for U.S. consumption and it became one of the most played songs on U.S. rock stations during the '90s... Read »

by Steven Rosen.
The weekend had all the earmarks of a lost one. Sleepless nights spent wondering if the next day would produce the promised sitting with guitarist and composer Jimmy Page. There were words of illusory wisdom containing hope but having little to do with reality: “It looks like it’s going to happen tomorrow,” as espoused by Firm manager Phil Carson. But after a delay of two days (a mere trifle really when one considers I waited five days to see him when I interviewed Page in 1977), the meeting took place. Jimmy looked tired but spry. He smiled, exchanged greetings and looked at a photo he and I had taken during our first encounter nearly ten years ago. Remembering that tête-à-tête, his body seemed to relax. Phil Carson had explained Page’s usual aversion to interviews as a reaction to past “hatchet jobs.” As I sat down to talk with Jimmy, I realized that I must have passed some kind of security check. Jimmy’s personal guitar technician, Tim Marten, was always close by. His presence was welcome and a stabilizing influence... Read »

by Rick Landers.
The band’s name was bold. It was massive. Mountain. Some claim it reflected the man standing his ground and hammering chords and a tight riff to the group’s hit “Mississippi Queen.” The name could have as readily been based on the towering stacks of Sunn amps that drove the group in its early days. Whatever the reality, Leslie West, lead guitarist for Mountain, gave the group's sound its high peaks and deep roots. West is a big man. He’s shed his massive girth from the early days, but he's tall and built solid. He has a presence that immediately informs that he’s an individual of consequence, someone to be taken seriously. While other groups were moving in more experimental directions, West planted his guitar riffs deep into the bedrock of rock ‘n’ roll. Listen to the now classic "Mississippi Queen" with its simple I, IV, V chord structure coupled with Leslie’s beast vocal. The song is pure power with the formidable Leslie West dead center... Read »

by Rick Landers.
Louisiana-born Kenny Wayne Shepherd grew up on the blues. From the age of seven he had a guitar in his hands and kept at it until five years later he was on stage with Jump Street Five blues group guitarist Bryan Lee. At 17, Kenny produced his first album, Ledbetter Heights, that sat at the Number 1 spot on Billboard’s chart for five months earning a Gold Certification. The album tracks were both hot and soulful, reflecting a love of rock ‘n’ roll and his deep appreciation for Chicago,Texas and Delta blues. Blazing onto the charts during the 1990s, Kenny was considered a young prodigy with some talk of his filling the boots of the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Shepherd would soon enough earn four No. 1 blues album spots and a series of blues-rock hit singles. He gathered up a couple of Billboard Music Awards and later was recognized for his contributions to music in 1998 and 2001 by the Gibson Guitar Corporation when he was presented the prestigious Orville H. Gibson Guitar Award for Best Blues Guitarist... Read »

by Mark J. Rabuffo.
While over the almost 20 years since his stint as Frank Zappa's last so-called "stunt guitarist," Mike Keneally may not have become a stadium headliner, he's carved out a strong niche of Keneally-music fanatics who believe the important arena lies between the ears. "You are as useful as a urinal in a convent," Keneally sings on the track "Ugly Town" from his 1992 debut solo album, hat. Welcome to the musically mercurial world of guitarist-composer-singer-songwriter-keyboardist-producer Mike Keneally. "...Mike Keneally is one of the most creative and gifted musicians God has graced us with. I have witnessed him do things on various instruments (at the same time occasionally) that defy reality, and though his technical command of his instruments is extraordinary, it’s the profound voice of his inner ear that is truly the trump card of his brilliance." Impressive words; made even more so by the fact that they were written by fellow Frank Zappa alumnus Steve Vai on the inside jacket of the solo piano album Vai Piano Reductions Vol.1 – Performed by Mike Keneally (2004, Light Without Heat)... Read »

More feature stories... »

(August 31, 2007) A story just published by the Kalamazoo Gazette claims that Heritage Guitar may soon be sold. Says the Gazette article: "'We're selling it,' said Marvin Lamb, one of four co-owners. Lamb started with Gibson in 1956 and was the factory's superintendent from 1974 until Gibson left for Nashville, Tenn." Lamb is also quoted in the article saying he thinks the company will most likely remain in Kalamazoo, but will know for sure "in a few days." According to the company's website, "Heritage has not closed its doors indefinitely. During the last week there have been many meetings to deal with how to structure the company to deal with its large amount of backorders. During the period these meetings are taking place, we have turned on our answering machine."

(August 2, 2007) The 23rd Cartier International Polo took place with 25,000 people descending on the centre court of Polo; Smiths Lawn. This prestigious annual polo tournament is the pinnacle of the English summer season and is held in the manicured grounds of Windsor Great Park at the Guards Polo Club. This year England took on the highly respected Chilean team which was sponsored by Gibson Guitar for the coveted Coronation Cup. This was the fourth year Gibson Guitar sponsored the visiting team and the second victory for the Chileans following their win against England back in 2004. Info and photos »

(July 30, 2007) To help readers navigate through the number of articles related to the 2007 Summer NAMM Show, Modern Guitars presents a coverage guide with article summaries and links. Check back often as more stories will be added. For those interested in the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, a similar guide can be found here.

(May 15, 2007) Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has named Jason Padgitt to the newly established position of Vice President, Public Relations and Corporate Communications. Padgitt joins Fender's communications team of Jason Farrell and Jeff Owens after more than ten years of successful experience with the entertainment PR firm Rogers & Cowan. “The addition of Jason Padgitt and the overall expansion of our communications team is proof of our commitment to improved communications at Fender,” said Andy Rossi, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and R&D. “As a leading brand, we have important messages and we want to be heard and clearly understood around the world.” Press release »

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