Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch

One of the best blues guitarists on the planet, Kirk Fletcher is a bright light in the current international blues scene. He built his reputation a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Mannish Boys, and he has frequently appeared on stages with Joe Bonamassa, Eros Ramazzotti, Josh Smith, and other heavyweights. Greg and Kirk talk about Kirk's history, gear, and how to find your own sound!


4:14 - Kirk’s musical history - from growing up in California under the umbrella of his father, the Pentecostal preacher, and his older brother, a guitar player 17 years his senior - and why he gravitated toward playing the blues
12:21 - The pentatonic scales - the true building blocks for developing your playing, and where guitar playing legends have made a name for themselves
14:43 - The early and formative years of gigging
19:42 - Kirk’s go-to (and favorite) guitars, amps, and pedals
26:52 - Future plans for Kirk in the time of COVID
29:42 - What has Kirk been listening to lately?
33:22 - The fun of finding new music and inspiration as kid in an era without the internet
38:22 - Why Kirk decided to move to Europe
44:09 - The importance of finding inspiration in reviving your personal repertoire, and the continued pursuit of learning
54:04 - A final word on Stratocasters, and the players who made them legend

Total Length: 69:27

Roscoe Beck is a legendary bassist, known for his work with Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Leonard Cohen, The Dixie Chicks, his time with the band Passenger, and also his relationship with Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmie Vaughn. Greg and Roscoe talk about Jaco Pastorius, playing bass, and building relationships!

1:52 - Roscoe’s current gig with Eric Johnson, and how the two came to play together
10:08 - Something was in the water at North Texas State - from becoming fast friends with Jimmy Vaughn to sharing the stage with Stevie Ray at a local club
16:14 - Roscoe’s early days with the band Passenger, and his friendship with Jaco Pastorius
33:57 - Linking up with Leonard Cohen, and playing with him up until his passing
37:38 - Roscoe’s diverse style as a bass player, knowing when and how to be effective, and early influences
55:51 - Most importantly, music is about relationships - both with the music, and with the people

Total Length: 61:20

Johnny A is a guitar hero of the highest order, whose long career as a fontman-instrumentalist has won him die-hard fans the world over. He's also well known for his work supporting other luminaries such as Peter Wolf, The Yardbirds, Delanie & Bonnie, and Bobbie Whitlock, just to name a few. Greg and Johnny talk about all of that today, and also guitars, gear, and glorious fuzz.

4:17 - Johnny’s affinity for instrumental rock/jazz/blues, and how it relates to his own musical inspirations and career
9:08 - Playing with the new iteration of The Yardbirds - the challenges and joys
13:30 - The fuzz pedal - a glorious, inspiring creation, and how devastating that device can be in the hands of someone like Jimi Hendrix
20:38 - Johnny’s thoughts on the future of live music during the pandemic, and what he’s doing to stay busy and inspired
24:37 - Johnny’s signature guitar from Gibson Guitars - how it came to be, and what makes it unique
36:46 - The many hats of Johnny A during his musical career - from drummer to playing with Peter Wolf, and developing his voice on the guitar as both an arranger and player
46:00 - Reflecting back on old recordings and arrangements, and how it influences new creative endeavors
49:42 - Why playing guitar only gets more fun as you grow up
61:30 - ‘Cocktails In The Kitchen’ with The A’s, and the beauty of social connectivity through live-streaming

Total Length: 68:05

Rick is an often unsung hero in the guitar universe, playing some of rock's most classic solos on records that didn't bear his own name on the cover. He was a member of Fleetwood Mac, and the list of artists he's toured and recorded with is downright incredible (Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Jessie Colin Young, Steve Goodman, Roger McGuinn, Todd Rundgren and John Mayall - just to name a few!). Greg raps with him about his early days, his signature slide playing, guitar gear, and of course some stories from the studio and the road!

2:58 - The Peter Green Tribute Concert: Rick’s firsthand experience at the amazing event with the surrounded by the world’s best guitarists, musicians, and producers
8:46 - Rick’s early days as a guitar player, and landing a gig with Delaney and Bonnie
13:10 - The story of Rick’s first recording session (featuring some very intimating characters)
18:54 - Rick’s journey continues: from Bobby Whitlock of Derek and the Dominos to John Mayall
23:25 - Rick’s gear as a session player
25:31 - Rick’s slide guitar inspirations
29:28 - The infamous ‘Like A Rock’ solo
33:03 - A story about Jackson Browne and Stevie Ray Vaughn
37:12 - Rick’s relationship with Reverend Guitars, and the development of his signature guitar
40:57 - “One of the greatest guitar acquisition stories of all time” ~ Greg Koch
49:46 - Rick’s future plans

Total Length: 58:54

Instagram guitar phenom Mateus Asato joins Greg to talk about guitar on Social Media, John Mayer, Tori Kelly, and Mateus' own musical journey from Brazil to LA.

8:17 - Having a music career that allows you to remain busy and inspired to share content online and through social media
10:35 - Mateus’ consideration of a solo record, and the interesting mindset that goes into producing musical content for Instagram
15:18 - The importance of working with a record producer
18:16 - Mateus’ home studio setup, and how he records himself both in LA and Brazil
21:02 - Mateus’ time at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA, moving to the United States, and his transition into the professional world
25:24 - Mateus’ early musical influences - from Christian music to Dreamtheater and Eric Johnson
35:01 - That one time John Mayer started following Mateus on Instagram - no big deal, right?
38:11 - The challenges of slide guitar
49:11 - Mateus’ playing style - is it Gospel? Is it Neo Soul? What is it?? And how he linked up with Tori Kelly
58:32 - Mateus’ goals for the future as a guitar player and musician

Total Length: 72:08

Deke Dickerson is a rockabilly monster! He doesn't just play those amazingly cool Mosrite-style Hallmark Guitars, he assaults them with the full force of rock'n'roll! Deke catches up with Greg about flaming Fender Twin Reverbs, Merle Travis, Scotty Moore, Roy Buchanan, Gino King, Echosonics, and all things Ecco-Fonic.

2:25 - Growing up in Missouri, sneaking into local venues to see his favorite musicians hit the stage, and what inspired Deke to first pick up the guitar
8:29 - Deke’s priceless Roy Buchanan story - something about a catching a Fender Twin Reverb on fire…?
12:43 - Deke’s love of Roots music, and the beginnings of his foray into collection cool, historic guitars and amps - from vintage Gretchs and Gibsons to Mosrite Guitars
20:52 - Deke’s upcoming Merle Travis biography, the exciting adventure to uncover old writings from the man himself, and a conversation about Merle’s story and guitar-expertise
27:36 - Merle Travis vs Chet Atkins
30:03- Deke’s signature guitar from Hallmark Guitars, and a slew of amazing pieces Deke has acquired over the years
33:10 - The story of Gino King’s long lost guitar
45:15- Deke’s vintage Echosonic amp, and the inspiration of Scotty Moore

Total Length: 58:33

Josh Smith is one of the most respected guitar players on the planet, receiving awards and accolades from venerable sources too numerous to list! Greg and Josh discuss Gear (what else!), the new landscape for live musicians, Derek Trucks, and Josh's long career path from child prodigy to a bonafide guitar hero. 

4:47 - The uncharted territory of live-music during a pandemic, and virtual gigs
9:12 - Josh’s new live DVD, “Live at the Spud”
16:15 - Josh’s journey; from Florida to Los Angeles and everywhere in between. From learning the Blues early on, to fronting bands before he could drive
20:46 - Josh’s long-time friendship with Derek Trucks
26:43 - Touring Europe: to use your own band, or not to use your own band - that is THE question
36:30- The beauty of exposure on the internet, and finding an audience in places you never dreamed
38:25 - The importance of jamming without ego, and making room for everyone to shine in their own light on stage
46:52 - Gear! Guitars, amps, and pedals!

Total Length: 61:45

Mark Lettieri is a renowned guitarist and member of Grammy Award-winning band Snarky Puppy. Greg and Mark cover a lot of ground in this episode, covering everything from Mark's early days to the role of musicians in our new, virtual world. For more information, visit marklettieri.com.

1:46 - What Mark has been up to recently - writing music, recording, session work, etc
4:33 - Mark’s initial foray into the Tech Industry, why he decided to transition into music, and how his PR/Tech background came in handy
10:38 - How Mark got linked in with Snarky Puppy in the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex, and how the group writes, arranges, and works together in the studio
16:11 - Mark’s early influences in 90’s grunge and alternative rock, and branching out into Blues, Jazz, Soul, etc
21:48 - Gear! From Grosh Guitars to ash-body Stratocasters, Les Pauls to Ibanez guitars, no stone is left unturned (with a few Vintage pieces scattered throughout)
32:01 - Non-traditional ways of making a living as a musician, and the era of the Internet
35:18 - Tour life - local, domestic, international, and everywhere in between
40:07 - The Instagram algorithm, social media, and how to play them to work in your favor
48:30 - Mark’s thoughts on the future of live music and the industry as a whole
52:38 - The Fearless Flyers

Total Length: 65:04

David Grissom is a road warrior and an ace studio guitarist, who has worked with Buddy Guy, John Mellencamp, Joe Ely, Storyville, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Dixie Chicks (just to name a few). Greg and David sit down to talk about life, live music, learning, and staying excited by keeping their guitars close at hand.

2:21 - Life during lockdown, and a shared longing for the stage
9:00 - David and Greg’s time on stage together, and the importance of empowering and supporting one another rather than competing
15:31 - David’s personal definition of success as a musician and guitar player
19:42 - David’s decision to move to Austin, TX to pursue music (and Mexican food)
30:15 - The DGT from Paul Reed Smith Guitars - behind the development, and what makes the guitar so special
37:51 - How important are guitar pedals, vintage equipment, and all the gear we drool over?
41:44 - Practice, practice, practice (and not in the way you might think)
47:23 - Finding gear that’s right for you

Total Length: 51:57

Andy Timmons is a guitar player of no small merit. Having played with Danger Danger, Simon Phillips of the band Toto, Olivia Newton-John, and many more, Andy has also led a very successful solo career.

2:37 - Who doesn’t love breakfast cereal?
8:15 - Andy’s journey as a young guitar player, his teachers, his early style, influences, playing with Danger Danger, and transitioning to solo work/session playing.
18:16 - Blending hard rock and blues to come up with a unique and tasteful soup of groovy all his own.
21:39 - The development of Andy’s “…Plays Sgt. Pepper” album, and thoughts on the “British Invasion”.
27:07 - Andy’s time playing with Olivia Newton-John.
31:25 - Andy’s time playing with Simon Phillips (once drummer of the band Toto).
35:22 - The importance of being a versatile player and musician in today’s music industry, and Andy’s transition into teaching.
53:52 - Being a true fan of music, discovering new influences, and how it forever keeps your playing and enjoyment interesting.

Total Runtime: 63:33