100 Guitarists

Billy Strings has become one of the biggest drawing guitar players out on the road these days. His music brings bluegrass fans and jam band scenes together, landing him on some of the biggest stages around. Your 100 Guitarists hosts have brought in guitarist Jon Stickley to help them work out their differences—one of us is a jammer and the other … is not.

Stickley goes way back with Billy, spotting his talent early in the young guitarist’s career. The two have worked together since, and recently, when Billy had to dip out of his own festival as his wife headed to the hospital to deliver their baby, it was Stickley who was called to jump on stage and fill in at last minute notice. Stickley recounts the story of not only getting on stage, but strapping on Strings’ guitar, plugging into his space station, and taking off with Billy’s band.

We called the right guitarist to guide us through, navigating Strings’ work, the way he brings together influences from genres outside bluegrass, and what makes him a guitarist you need to know.

Episode sponsored by Grace Design: https://gracedesign.com/

Follow Jon Stickley: https://www.jonstickley.com/

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Your esteemed hosts of the 100 Guitarists podcast have been listening to Randy Rhoads’s body of work since they learned the word “pentatonic.” His short discography with Ozzy Osbourne has been emblazoned on both of our fingertips, and we’ve each put in our hours working out everything from the “Crazy Train” riff to the fingerpicked intro to “Diary of a Madman.” But in our extended Premier Guitar fam, we have an expert who’s been studying Randy’s licks since longer than either of us have been alive.

On this episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Chris Shiflett—best known to you as the host of Shred with Shifty or as the Foo Fighters’s foremost expert on Randy Rhoads. Since growing up with these riffs in his ears, Shifty’s been making tokens of tribute to the later guitar slinger, from bespoke t-shirts to stuffed guitars.

Join us for Shiflett’s Randy Rhoads primer, learn why you should crank the outro to “S.A.T.O.” as loud as you can, and what Ozzy song makes this Foo cry.

For a limited time, Premier Guitar fans can receive 10% off a Bullhead Amplification Custom Shop amplifier build with Free Shipping to anywhere in the Lower 48 contiguous United States, using code: PREMIERGUITAR10. Offer valid until Dec 31, 2024. Visit http://bullheadamplification.com and use code PREMIERGUITAR10 at checkout.

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Steve Lukather is one of the most documented guitarists in the hit-making biz. He grew up as an L.A. teen with a crew of fellow musicians who would go on to make their livings at the top of the session scene. By the time Lukather and his pals formed Toto, they were already experienced chart-toppers. The band went on to success with hits including the rockin’ “Hold the Line,” breezy, bouncing “Rosanna,” and the timeless “Africa.”

As a session player, Lukather’s reign in the ’70s and ‘80s extended from Olivia Newton-John to Herbie Hancock to Michael Jackson. And alongside Michael McDonald—whose “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” included Lukather’s distinctive rhythm riffage—Daryl Hall and John Oates, Kenny Loggins, Peter Cetera, and Christopher Cross (among many others) he may have earned the title of yacht rock’s number one guitar player.

On this episode of the 100 Guitarists podcast, we’re talking about our favorite Lukather tracks, from his best rhythm parts to his most rippin’ solos. And even though he spends most of his playing time with the biggest names, we’ve managed to call up a few deep cuts.

Use code EMG100 for 15% off at https://www.emgpickups.com/

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine is one of the loudest guitarists around. And he puts his volume to work creating mythical tones that have captured so many of our imaginations, including our special shoegaze correspondent, guitarist and pedal-maestro Andy Pitcher, who is our guest today.

My Bloody Valentine has a short discography made up of just a few albums and EPs that span decades. Meticulous as he seems to be, Shields creates texture out of his layers of tracks and loops and fuzz throughout, creating a music that needs to be felt as much as it needs to be heard.

We go to the ultimate source as Billy Corgan leaves us a message about how it felt to hear those sounds in the pre-internet days, when rather than pull up a YouTube clip, your imagination would have to guide you toward a tone.

But not everyone is an MBV fan, so this conversation is part superfan hype and part debate. We can all agree Kevin Shields is a guitarists you should know, but we can’t all agree what to do with that information.

This episode is supported by http://fender.com

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Stevie Ray Vaughan was a force of nature. With his “Number One” Strat, he drove a veritable trove of amps—including vintage Fenders, a rotating Vibratone cab, and a Dumble—to create one of the most compelling tones of all, capable of buttery warmth, percussive pick articulation, and cathartic, screaming excess. As he drew upon an endless well of deeply informed blues guitar vocabulary, his creativity on the instrument seemingly knew no bounds.

Your 100 Guitarists hosts are too young to have experienced SRV live. We’ve spent decades with the records, live bootlegs, and videos, but we’ll never know quite how it felt to be in the room with SRV’s guitar sound. So, we’d like to spend some time imagining: How did it feel when it hit you? How did he command his band, Double Trouble? The audience?

SRV was mythical. His heavy-gauge strings tore up his fingers and made a generation of blues guitarists work a lot harder. And his wall of amps seems finely curated to push as much air in all directions as possible. How far did he take it? Was he fine-tuning his amps to extreme degrees? Or could he get his sound out of anything he plugged into?

Episode sponsored by Divided by 13: https://dividedby13.com/

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

There has never been a list of greatest guitar players without the mighty Jeff Beck. From his work with the Yardbirds in the ’60s to his solo work starting with 1968’s Truth, Beck changed the game, constantly redefining the vocabulary and sound of guitar music.

On this episode, we’ve brought in Jennifer Batten, who grew up as a massive Beck fan, met him while on Michael Jackson’s Dangerous tour, and ended up in his band! Batten, not only as master of the guitar but an insightful educator, delivers loads of insight straight from the studio and stage. We get the full scoop on how she got the gig with Beck and her experience recording and touring as musical director for 1999’s Who Else! and 2001’s You Had It Coming. “He was just like a 6-year-old in a sandbox and just wanted to play,” says Batten.

Plus, what are her favorite Jeff Beck jams?

Join us as we get all the inside stories on one of the highest-level masters of our instrument.

The Fender Player II Series includes all new vital versions of our most iconic models with contemporary upgrades for the players of today – including comfortable modern “C” necks with smooth rolled edges, the return of rosewood fingerboards and new vintage colors unearthed from the vaults.

Shop at fender.com and receive free shipping on orders $50+

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

In this episode, we’re celebrating the thrill of guitarmony, sick riffs, and driving 8th-note rhythms by talking about Judas Priest. Before getting ready for this episode, neither of your esteemed hosts had ever delved into the Priest discography beyond the rock-radio hits and Beavis and Butthead—though we’d both spent our time with Heavy Metal Parking Lot. Since so many of the GOATs hold the band in the highest of regard, we knew that K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton belonged on this list, so we embarked on a journey to find out why.

After hours of listening and watching, we’re happy to report that we get it. From their debut, 1974’s Rocka Rolla, through 1980’s British Steel, deep into the ’80s-production era with 1986’s Turbo, and through the speed-metal bravado of 1990’s Painkiller, plus live videos and records—the super-loud Us Festival performance and the crushing Unleashed in the East record—we found a lot that we love.

If you’re new to Priest’s music or are trying to find your own starting point, we’ve got some great tips for guitar jammers. And if you’re a hardcore fan, maybe you’ve got some tips you can share for our next steps. 

This episode is sponsored by https://www.emgpickups.com/

Use code EMG100 for 15% off at checkout!

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Best known as the lead guitarist in Wilco, Nels Cline has an exceedingly wide range. The intrepid Jazzmaster-master has tackled everything from the deepest out-jazz and extreme noise to sensitive balladry and all brands of rock. Fittingly, any one person’s list of favorite Nels Cline records are like fingerprints: no two are the same. You’ll be leaving this one with homework!

Episode sponsored by JAM Pedals: https://www.jampedals.com

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Shred-meister and Eric Johnson expert Andy Wood joins us to talk about EJ’s best tracks, albums, and more. Whether you’re a fellow expert or don’t know where to start, Andy’s got you covered, from studio albums to live tracks. Come with questions, leave with homework!

This episode brought to you by Two-Rock Amplifiers: https://www.two-rock.com/

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Once the news of the Oasis reunion got out, Sadler Vaden hit YouTube hard on the tour bus, driving his bandmates crazy. The Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit guitarist has been a Noel Gallagher mega-fan since he was a teenager, so he joined us to wax poetic about Oasis’ hooks, Noel’s guitar sound, and the band’s symphonic melodies. What are Sadler’s favorite Oasis jams? And if he ever shares a bill with Oasis and they ask him onstage, what song does he want to join in on?

Check out the Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera Dark Wine Red at epiphone.com

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Billy Gibbons is an undisputable guitar force whose feel, tone, and all-around vibe make him the highest level of hero. But that’s not to say he hasn’t made some odd choices in his career, like when ZZ Top re-recorded parts of their classic albums for CD release. And fans will argue which era of the band’s career is best. Some of us love drum machines and synths and others don’t, but we all love Billy.

This episode is sponsored by Magnatone: https://www.magnatoneusa.com/

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

There is no more solid, more rockin’ guitar duo than AC/DC’s Angus and Malcolm Young. Whether they make you want to brawl or crank up your amp, if you’re listening to this podcast, you know what we’re talking about. The band’s catalog is so famously consistent, do they have a best song? A worst song? (No.) And what’s the real secret to the brothers’ 6-string chemistry?

For a limited time get the SoloDallas Storm pedal 20% OFF! Use code: PGDEAL20 at http://solodallas.com

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

We can agree that Jerry Garcia’s playing pulled from all directions of the American musical experience to create an unparalleled playing vocabulary that persisted not only at the forefront of the Grateful Dead’s music, where he was most prominent, but also in his solo work with Jerry Garcia Band and in his bluegrass collaborations. Throughout the Dead’s rambling career, the band shapeshifted through various eras, often with very different musical values, giving fan lots to disagree about. What’s the essential stuff? Where should new listeners go to get acquainted before going into live-tape-land? And just how influential were the Dead on modern music?

Episode sponsored by Epiphone: https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/page/Inspired-by-Custom-Shop?utm_source=premier_guitar&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=fy25_epiphone&utm_content=epiphone_custom_shop

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Tom Petty’s righthand man proved time and again that he could get to the heart of the matter and find the perfect guitar part for a song. But he’s also cooked up plenty of hits as a player and writer for artists such as Don Henley—with whom he co-wrote two of his biggest hits—Stevie Nicks, Roy Orbison, Matthew Sweet, Brian Setzer, and so many others. Plus, his Blue Stingrays and Dirty Knobs are like candy for the deepest of guitar-tone nerds.

Shop at fender.com and receive free shipping on orders $50+

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

It’s a long journey from Kill ’Em All to 72 Seasons, but we made the trip and there’s a lot to talk about. We cover our favorite tracks on every studio album, with the band’s best riffs and solos along the way. There’s plenty we can all agree on—Master of Puppets sits high on the hard-rock altar—and just us much that’s up to debate—is it time for a critical reevaluation of the Load/Reload double-header? And 13 years on, we’re still talking about Lulu.

This episode brought to you by EMG: http://emgpickups.com

Use code EMG100 for 15% off at checkout!

Follow Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nickmillevoi

Follow Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonshadrick

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Dan Wilson is a bandleader, teacher, and a Grammy-nominated guitarist who’s played alongside organ-jazz master Joey DeFrancesco and bassist Christian McBride. He’s on the short list of players who are experts of Grant Green’s singular swinging sound. We called Dan to talk about our favorite entries in the Green’s long discography. From trio dates to cowboy jazz to his funk period, we cover it all.

Sponsored by Gibson: gibson.com

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Zakk Wylde is best known for his work at Ozzy’s side. It’s with good reason: He’s blazed that gig with his strong musical personality firmly intact for decades. But on this episode we’re not only talking about his work with the Ozzman, but his solo albums, Black Label Society, Zakk Sabbath, and a few very key guest spots.

Supported by EMG Pickups: https://www.emgpickups.com/

Use code EMG100 for 15% off at checkout!

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

Over the course of his long career, the Rush guitarist has shape-shifted through the classic rock universe. From mid-’70s hard rock through the band’s more progressive tendencies, into the beating heart of the ’80s, and finding a (relatively) leaner approach by the turn of the century, Lifeson—aka Lerxst—always found a new way to add space and dimension to Rush’s dense sound. Lifeson’s unique lead and rhythm playing has been celebrated with a range of signature gear that speaks to his broad sonic palette.

Supported by ToneSpeak: https://www.tonespeak.com/

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

We love “Cult of Personality” because it’s one of the hardest hitting riffs in the classic rock canon. Catch it on drivetime radio and it’ll get your heart pumping faster than an extra double-shot of espresso. But we also love it because it launched Vernon Reid’s guitar into the mainstream. We’re unpacking Reid’s playing—from his early days in the NYC jazz underground through his work with Living Colour and into supergroup superstardom—and his longstanding gear-acquisition-syndrome.

Supported by Reverend Guitars: https://reverendguitars.com

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331

How do you capture what is so special about Bill Frisell’s guitar playing in one episode? Is it his melodies, his unique chord voicings, his rhythmic concept, his revolutionary approach to pedals and sounds…? It’s all of that and much more. Jason and Nick talk about each of their five favorite Frisell recordings, talk about some other far-out Frisell recordings, and keep talking about their favorite records that didn’t make the list. Our hosts convene a Frisell fan club of sorts, with help from guitarists Mary Halvorson and Mike Baggetta, and luthier Creston Lea.

This episode is sponsored by Collings Guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/

Get at us: [email protected]

Call/Text: 319-423-9734

Podcast powered by Sweetwater. Get your podcast set up here! - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75rE0d

Subscribe to the podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aXdYIDOmS8KtZaZGNazVb?si=c63d98737a6146af

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-guitarists/id1746527331