bass guitar

Reggie is bass royalty in LA, where he has been a first-call session and touring bassist for many years. He has toured or recorded with Seal, Eros Ramazzotti, Babyface, Queen Latifah, Billy Childs, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Bette Midler, George Duke, Whitney Houston, Stanley Clarke, David Lynch, John Mellencamp, Warren Zevon, Mariah Carey, Tina Turner, Tiziano Ferro, Boyz II Men, Johnny Hallyday and many, many others. Greg and Reggie get into the Gristle!

2:38 - Touring with Chris Bodie, and what it’s like to tour 250 days out of the year and having no idea what kind of gear you’ll be playing
10:50 - Growing up in New York, and Reggie’s jazz mentors throughout the years
19:31 - Playing and studying with guitar legend Dennis Sandole, and the importance of great teachers
34:51 - What drew Reggie to Los Angeles, how music connects people (even if they disagree), and the joy of jamming with Reggie Hamilton around the world
52:27 - Reggie’s time jamming with Michael Landau, and what Reggie has been up to recently
61:03 - Fodera Guitars, guitar hoarding, and family
72:22 - Goodbye — oh wait, let’s talk about tour and food!

Total Length: 86:30

Today we're joined by Joe Branton of the Guitar Nerds podcast. Starting with the Boss CS-2, we take a tour of compressor pedals, with a focus on what makes them not so transparent and a key part of Joe's approach to bass. We also talk about the upcoming Effector Market and NAMM, and take a well-timed question about Bass VI from the hogline.

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It is always fun to learn more about music happening in specific parts of the country. In the Bay Area, Midnight North has been making its sonic footprint in the Alternative Rock / Americana arena since about 2012. Connor O’Sullivan is the bass player who holds down the low end for this very cool band with some very interesting pedigree. Living the life of the musical hustle, Connor is also the owner of Unicorn Heads music production studio.

Join us as we hear about Connor’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, all the interesting details about Midnight North, and his work at Unicorn Heads.

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine in November 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

Hailing from beautiful Santa Barbara, California, Toad the Wet Sprocket has been a mainstay of American Alternative Rock for over three decades. Dean Dinning, one of the founding members, has been an integral part of this band’s success, contributing both tasty bass licks and vocals.

Join me as we hear all about Dean’s rich musical heritage, musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine in December 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

I am sure many of you will remember our initial interview with Robb Harper back in 2017 and an update in 2019. You will also recall that we recorded some of Robb’s live performances at the NAMM show. Well, it has been a while and Robb has been very busy… so lots get caught up and see what he is up to now.

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine in October 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

Many rock fans have enjoyed music by Foghat, who originally formed in London back in 1971.

Over the many decades of playing, the band members have changed, leaving behind only Roger Earl as the only original member. Bassist Rodney O’Quinn left the Pat Travers Band and joined the group in 2015 and has been laying down the low end for this iconic quartet keeping the Foghat legacy alive. With a new album titled “Sonic Mojo” which dropped on November 10th, the band is as busy as ever and there is lots of very tasty music to come.

Join me as we learn of Rodney O’Quinn’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.

This episode first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine, in December 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

For a musician, busy is good and bassist Marty O’Brien is one very busy guy. Playing tours and sessions, Marty has a huge list of people that he has played with including the likes of Lita Ford, Daughtry, Tommy Lee, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson and so many more.

Join me as we hear about Marty’s musical Journey, how he gets his iconic sound, and his plans for the future.

Here is Marty O’Brien!

Photos, shot by HRV Images and Aaron Bradley

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine on March 6, 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

George Gekas, Big Easy Bass…
Cover Photo:  Credit Skylar Watkins

I have been following and enjoying The Revivalists since around 2016 when I first had the opportunity to talk to the band’s bass player, George Gekas (View interview).

We did an update with George in 2018 and now after all these years, I am super stoked to catch up with him again, just as the band releases their fifth studio album “Pour it Out into the Night”.

Join me as George shares the details about the band’s journey through the last challenging years and how they are leaping into the future at full speed.

Cover Interview Originally appeared in Bass Musician Magazine, July 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

One thing all musicians have in common is that we all have some serious wear-and-tear over our lifetimes. It is always necessary to have a team of health professionals, kind of our own “Pit Crew” to keep us performing at our best. Physicians, Chiropractors, Massage therapists, Acupuncturists, and other body workers are a true asset.

Dr. Staten Medsker is a Chiropractor in the Pacific Northwest who dedicates much of his time to treating Rock Stars. As a musician himself, he has a better understanding of the issues musicians encounter and has written a book “How to Adjust Yourself and Avoid Seeing a Chiropractor”.

Join me as we discuss Dr Staten’s book and his recommendations to keep us performing at our peak levels.

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine on July 31, 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

I have been hearing about Zach Fowler’s bass playing since he was in New Mexico. Now, based out of Nashville, Zach is very busy laying down the low end, acting as musical director, writing songs and producing music. He has been very active doing studio work as well as touring with LoCash.

Join me as we hear about Zach’s journey, how he gets his sound, all the details about his new Lakland bass and his plans for the future.

Here is Zach Fowler!

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine on October 1, 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

Brian Wheat has been rocking hard with his band Tesla for nearly four decades. Not only does he play bass, but he is also a songwriter, vocalist, keyboard player, record producer, photographer, and band manager. As you might imagine, Brian has accumulated a treasure trove of experiences and information and we are fortunate that he is sharing some of his insights with us today.

Join me as we discover Brian’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, his thoughts on the industry and his plans for the future.

Here is Brian Wheat!

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine on Sep 25, 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

Everybody knows that Nashville is one of our main meccas for music and there is a lot happening there. Hailing from that illustrious city, Garry West wears many hats as a bassist and producer, as well as CEO and founder of Compass Records. It is also very possible that you might have seen Garry holding down the low end for his wife, Grammy award-winning banjo player Alison Brown.

Join us as we hear about Garry’s musical journey, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.

Here is Garry West!

First appeared on Bass Musician Magazine, Aug 21, 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

Siempre es emocionante descubrir la obra y la musica de uno de nuestros hermanos latinoamericanos. Tuve la oportunidad de charlar con el bajista Chileno Ben Mortiz recientemente y enterarme de muchos de los detalles de su carrera musical y vida en general.

Vengansen conmigo a conocer este titan del bajo directamente de su país natal.

 Aqui esta Ben Mortiz.

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine, July 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

When you watch Ryan on stage playing bass you would swear he is in a musical trance;  he really feels and entrances himself into the groove of every song.  Ryan explains that he has a gift of learning songs quickly and  from there really gets into them in detail.
Ryan embraces technology in music but believes the technology should not over take your talent, for example, if you can't really sing but use voice technologies to make it sound like you are good singer then things have gone too far.

Thanks Ryan 

Very interestingly, there are creative musical pockets around the country. One such creative area is on the East Coast in the New Jersey area. In the midst of this musical swirl, bassist Brenda Sauter has been laying down the low end for a number of bands including The Feelies and Wild Carnation.

It is exciting that both bands have some very cool stuff going on right now so join me as we get the details from Brenda along with her musical journey and future plans.

Header and Video Photo Credits: John Baumgartner, Chris Methven, John Bruce, Rich Barnes

This interview first appeared in Bass Musician Magazine, Aug 28, 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

Today I'm speaking with Jon Button - One of the worlds best session bass players. 

Jon has played with a whole host of amazing musicians and artists including Sheryl Crow, Shakira, Robben Ford, Roger Daultry and most recently The Who.

It was an absolute pleasure speaking with him and cheers to Jon for giving us some of his time. You can find Jon over on instagram @jonbuttonbass


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Having spent much of my early childhood and teen years in Puerto Rico, country music was not typically a part of my musical education. As an adult, I am often pleased when I explore this genre and when the opportunity to chat with Toby Keith’s bassist, Dink Cook came up, I was stoked.

Dink has been laying down the low end for countless country acts for over three decades and has been playing with Toby for the last ten years, as well as keeping very active on the Nashville scene.

Join me as we hear about Dink’s musical journey, his time with Toby Keith and so many other world-class acts, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.

Cover Interview originally published in Bass Musician Magazine on May 1, 2023

Go to jazzguitartoday.com and bassmusicianmagazine.com more interviews and lessons.

Steve Steiner has had a long career in the performing arts, beginning nearly 50 years ago when his first job at 14 was in a rock and roll band. Steve attended Webster University studying music. Following several years as a professional musician and avocational actor, Steve headed to NY at age 30. Over the next 16 years he was fortunate to work almost nonstop in the theatre, including 3 Broadway, 3 Off-Broadway, 4 National Tours and dozens of Regional Productions. As he began to direct, the next step was an offer to become the Artistic Director of Surflight Theatre. During Steve’s tenure Surflight’s professional profile grew exponentially. Achieving an unprecedented attendance increase averaging over 10% per year for 12 seasons, Main Stage attendance increased more than 130%, Children’s Theatre increased more than 35%, a concert series was created, a Touring Educational Theatre Company was created, a school with classes for young people was formed and the Intern/Apprentice program was revitalized to become one of the most sought after programs for theatre students on the east coast. In August 2010 the Surflight Board made a decision to change leadership, a move which ultimately caused Surflight’s bankruptcy and closing. Steve is proud to have led the 2 year effort to successfully re-open Surflight Theatre. Directorial credits include 2 National Tours, 8 major Casino Productions and more than 50 Regional Productions in 17 states. In addition to his work in the theatre, Steve is on the boards of: The South Jersey Cultural Alliance (Past President), ArtPride New Jersey (Treasurer) and Ocean County Tourism Advisory Committee (Chair). He served 10 years on the Council (Board) of Actors Equity Association. Steve is the proud recipient of The Cultural Access Task Force’s Innovator Award for his forward thinking and hiring practices for Artists with Disabilities. In 2013 the Cultural and Heritage Commission awarded Steve a Special Recognition for the Advancement of the Arts in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Since Scotty is away and some other Podcast plans didn't work out, today is just Scott talking about his guitars all on his lonesome hahaha but if you're into your music gear you might find this interesting!