Guitar Business Radio

In our 23rd episode, we're happy to welcome guitarist and recording artist, Chris Standring, who, over the last 20 years, has released 12 albums, established his own record label and studio, and marketed a variety of educational products. He tells us how all of these things and more have combined to enhance his career and build a successful business. We've removed The Shorts for a while. And at the Back of the Show, it's about Filtration. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:50 Chris Standring Interview 41:05 Back of the Show / Filtration Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 22nd episode, we invited back to the show three people who have previously appeared on GBR, and we're presenting three very different views of Summer NAMM from Jon Moody of GHS Strings, Howard Paul, CEO at Benedetto Guitars, and Jamie Gale who operates the Boutique Guitar Showcase. There's nothing in The Shorts this week. And at the Back of the Show, it's about The Uphill Climb. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:45 Jon Moody Interview 19:40 Howard Paul Interview 36:45 Jamie Gale Interview 48:00 Back of the Show / The Uphill Climb Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 21st episode, we talk with Reverb.com CEO, David Kalt, who gives us a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what has grown into the world’s most popular music gear website, connecting millions of people around the globe. We also talk about a surprise move by Eastwood Guitars in The Shorts. And at the Back of the Show, we find out if polarization really helps. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 05:55 The Shorts / Eastwood Guitars Again 09:15 David Kalt Interview 48:00 Back of the Show / Polarized! Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 20th episode, we are joined by the CEO of ArtistWorks, Patricia Butler. We'll talk about guitar education and how their original idea evolved into a unique and powerful online learning business that now includes a patented Video Exchange Platform and much more. We promised a big announcement in The Shorts this week and we delivered. We also introduce a new segment at the back of the show called, of course, Back of the Show. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:15 The Shorts / Guitar Business Magazine 07:25 Patricia Butler Interview 56:55 Back of the Show / The Experiment Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 19th episode, our special guest for the full hour is Michael Stevens, one of the great guitar builders of our time. His career, spanning nearly five decades, includes founding the Fender Custom Shop (with John Page), and building his own extraordinary brand of guitars for many of the planet's finest players for over 25 years. There is nothing in The Shorts this week, but you will get the final segment of The Value Shot. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:20 Michael Stevens Interview 1:07:20 The Value Shot / Final Segment Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 18th episode, we talk with Dan Erlewine, who is one of the leading experts on guitar repair, has written best-selling books on the topic and produced a ton of videos (and still does). He is the author of a long running column in Vintage Guitar magazine and has been a regular part of the team at StewMac for well over 30 years. In addition, we take a quick look at Summer NAMM in The Shorts. And, in The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 9 on Spheres of Influence. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:20 The Shorts / Summer NAMM 05:20 Dan Erlewine Interview 39:00 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 9 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 17th episode, we have a compelling interview with Benedetto Guitars CEO, Howard Paul, who is also an accomplished jazz guitarist still playing nearly 200 gigs a year. In addition, we have something inspirational in The Shorts. And, in The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 8 on Market Messaging through Influence. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 04:50 The Shorts / Ian C. Bouras 08:35 Mike Robinson Interview 44:10 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 8 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 16th episode, we have an amazing interview for you with the CEO of Eastwood Guitars, Mike Robinson, who has blazed a unique trail in the guitar business for the last 16 years and continues to pursue some very innovative strategies for his company. In addition, we brief you on something old and something new in The Shorts. And, in The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 7 on Market Messaging. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:15 The Shorts 05:45 Mike Robinson Interview 44:05 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 7 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 15th episode, we talk at length with John Page, co-founder of the Fender Custom Shop about his lengthy history with the iconic company. Since moving on from Fender, he's built a successful business as an artist and innovator in guitar building. And, in The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 6 about leveraging your experience. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 04:20 John Page Interview 53:30 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 6 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 14th episode, we have a great chat with Tom Bedell, owner of Breedlove Guitars, Bedell Guitars and Weber Mandolins. He'll tell us why he's creating customer experiences and not just building guitars. We'll also get some history, philosophy, science and perspective on how he runs his business and where he's going with it in the future. We offer a brief story of interest in The Shorts. In The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 5 with more about leveraging your knowledge. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:45 The Shorts 05:20 Tom Bedell Interview 38:05 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 5 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 13th episode, we have an insightful interview with Jamie Gale, the creator (and curator) of the Boutique Guitar Showcase that brings many of the world's most innovative guitar makers in a collective manner to NAMM shows and major cities around the globe. We also talk briefly about Gibson in The Shorts. In The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 4, about taking your business or career to the next level. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:15 The Shorts 06:10 Jamie Gale Interview 44:15 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 4 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 12th episode, we talk with Andy Beech of D'Haitre' Guitars about his career of over three decades that includes his own acclaimed brand of instruments as well as building 31 guitars for Prince and more. Now, a new guitar project is taking him back and forth to Africa. We also talk about the Holy Grail Guitar Show in The Shorts and in The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 3, about taking your business or career to the next level. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:00 The Shorts 05:45 Andy Beech Interview 39:45 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 3 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 11th episode, we have a great interview with Vintage Guitar magazine columnist and feature writer, Will Kelly. We also introduce a new feature in The Shorts and in The Value Shot, we bring you Next Level Part 2, about taking your business or career to the next level. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:40 The Shorts 08:05 Will Kelly Interview 32:50 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 2 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our 10th episode, we're joined by multi-talented guitarist, Bruce Forman, who gets serious for a moment or two to talk about the business side of things and what it takes to make a career work and keep a happy heart at the same time. We also present a short version of The Shorts and in The Value Shot, we start a new discussion on taking your business or career to the next level. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 04:10 The Shorts 06:00 Bruce Forman Interview 54:10 The Value Shot / Next Level Part 1 Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our ninth episode we welcome Maegan Wells (Maegen Wells Guitars & Mandolins) to the show. She has an extraordinary story of determination and devotion to her craft that has taken her to the next level... the major leagues. Also in E9, we detail a variety of changes to the show that are already kicking it up a notch plus an important news brief in The Shorts. In The Value Shot, we explore the idea of Resimplification. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 05:25 The Shorts 09:20 Maegen Wells / Maegen Wells Guitars & Mandolins 44:35 The Value Shot Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

In our eighth episode we talk at length with the founder of Santa Cruz Guitar Company, Richard Hoover. After more than 40 years, this boutique builder produces between 400 and 500 guitars a year. We find out how and why. Also in E8, we debut our Supporting Roles segment and premier a highly anticipated new feature called, The Shorts. In The Value Shot, we delve deeper into the dark underworld of Competitive Criticism. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:35 Supporting Roles 03:40 The Shorts 05:45 Richard Hoover/Santa Cruz Guitar Company 30:10 The Value Shot/Competitive Criticism Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

Our seventh episode includes a illuminating interview with Bill Conklin of Conklin Guitars. Over nearly 35 years, he has developed a reputation as both a pioneer and an innovative builder of extended range and multi-scale instruments among others. We answer questions and post a new one in Questionable Moments. In The Value Shot, we look at, among other things, Constructive Criticism (it's not what you think). Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 05:40 Questionable Moments 08:40 Bill Conklin/Conklin Guitars & Basses 37:25 The Value Shot/Constructive Criticism Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

Our sixth episode includes a fascinating interview with Jon Moody, Director of Digital Brand Development and Product Development at GHS Strings. We get a unique, inside look at a company that's certainly been synonymous with guitar and bass strings for over 50 years. We answer questions and post a new one in Questionable Moments. And in The Value Shot, we look at, among other things, Your Cash Flow Crisis. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 07:10 Questionable Moments 10:05 Jon Moody/GHS Interview 39:30 The Value Shot Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

Our fifth episode includes a great interview with guitar builder, Cory Batson of Batson Guitars. Over the years, he has developed a reputation for building thoughtful and innovative guitars for the high-end market, often selling in the $8,000 to $10,000 range. But a few years ago, his mission changed and ironically, it had a lot to do with the original reason he got into building guitars in the first place. He talks to us in detail about making The Big Shift. We answer questions and post a new one in Questionable Moments. And in The Value Shot, we look at the Perils of the Expectation Game. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 03:27 Questionable Moments 06:03 Cory Batson Interview 37:30 The Value Shot Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!

Our fourth episode lends itself well to our previous Questionable Moment, "Where is the Pedal Industry heading?" To answer that question and much more, we are joined by Dennis Mollan of Pro Tone Pedals. Since starting his company about 15 years ago, he has carved a path in a segment of the pedal market that may have seemed obscure at one time. That is no longer the case. Plus, as usual, we have a few other things up our sleeve. Highlights of the podcast include: 00:40 Setting the Stage 02:45 Questionable Moments 05:00 Dennis Mollan Interview 33:55 The Value Shot Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you!