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Share A Denny’s Conversation That Changed Two Lives | The Desert Vibe · Ep 26
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A Denny’s Conversation That Changed Two Lives | The Desert Vibe · Ep 26
A cracked acoustic guitar sits on the table, Glenn strums a chord, and our guest looks up and says the one line you never expect to hear: he’s the person who helped put that exact guitar into the world. From there, the conversation opens up into something bigger than gear, because Rich McDonald isn’t just a player, he’s a former Fender executive vice president and chief product officer who helped guide product strategy at one of the most famous guitar companies on Earth.
Website: Richmcdonald.com
We start where a lot of real music careers actually begin: a job you took to pay rent, a conversation that turns into a lifelong creative partnership, and a local scene that keeps feeding you new collaborators. Walt and Rich go back to their Tempe Denny’s days, songwriting sessions, and the Morningstar era of touring 300 nights a year. We also talk about family, growing up, and what it feels like to look back and realize a single connection quietly redirected your whole life.
Then we get practical and nerdy in the best way. Rich walks us through guitar product development at scale: multi-year planning, finding the right factory, dialing in tops and resonance, and why “drop tests” exist. We also challenge the vintage guitar myth, talk about prototypes that never made it to market, and dig into Rich’s career lessons from his book Rock Your Gig and Get Promoted, including the line that sticks with us: you become synonymous with the ideas you’re committed to.
If you love the Phoenix music scene, Fender history, acoustic guitars, electric guitar prototypes, or career growth advice that doesn’t feel fake, hit play.
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com 
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net 
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/ 
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ
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By The Desert Vibe LLCA cracked acoustic guitar sits on the table, Glenn strums a chord, and our guest looks up and says the one line you never expect to hear: he’s the person who helped put that exact guitar into the world. From there, the conversation opens up into something bigger than gear, because Rich McDonald isn’t just a player, he’s a former Fender executive vice president and chief product officer who helped guide product strategy at one of the most famous guitar companies on Earth.
Website: Richmcdonald.com
We start where a lot of real music careers actually begin: a job you took to pay rent, a conversation that turns into a lifelong creative partnership, and a local scene that keeps feeding you new collaborators. Walt and Rich go back to their Tempe Denny’s days, songwriting sessions, and the Morningstar era of touring 300 nights a year. We also talk about family, growing up, and what it feels like to look back and realize a single connection quietly redirected your whole life.
Then we get practical and nerdy in the best way. Rich walks us through guitar product development at scale: multi-year planning, finding the right factory, dialing in tops and resonance, and why “drop tests” exist. We also challenge the vintage guitar myth, talk about prototypes that never made it to market, and dig into Rich’s career lessons from his book Rock Your Gig and Get Promoted, including the line that sticks with us: you become synonymous with the ideas you’re committed to.
If you love the Phoenix music scene, Fender history, acoustic guitars, electric guitar prototypes, or career growth advice that doesn’t feel fake, hit play.
Support the show
Connect with The Desert Vibe Podcast
Website: https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581168623261
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDesertVibePodcast
Get the Desert Vibe Podcast swag and support the show! https://www.thedesertvibepodcast.com/category/all-products
The Desert Vibe Hosts:
• Walt Richardson: https://walterrichardson.com 
• Glen Gardner: https://glengardner.net 
• Jamirae / The Blindsiders: https://www.facebook.com/theblindsiders/ 
The Desert Vibe Marketing & Website Team
• Emma & James Mattison : https://emmaandjames.music
#TheDesertVibe #ArizonaMusic #LiveMusicArizona #PhoenixMusic #TempeAZ