On this episode we chat with Lenny J. Widegren (aka Lenny "WideSmile" if you're Skunk). We find out Lenny has amazing Swedish genes and does not actually age like normal humans. He also happens to be an accomplished guitarist with over thirty years experience as a performing musician. After visiting Los Angeles, CA in the early 90s, Lenny relocated to Hollywood to attend the prestigious Musician's Institute and began performing on the LA scene. He initially recorded albums with Boulevard and the Ungrateful and then eventually formed one of his longest running projects Elegantly Wasted, a rock n' roll band cofounded by Lenny and his wife, known as "Queen D". With three albums, two U.S tours, five European tours, and a handful of international festivals under their belt, the band personifies the best attributes of timeless rock and roll.

We talk about the struggles and triumphs of touring, the challenges of a DIY rock band in the modern landscape, and the effect the pandemic has had on an already difficult industry. In line with this topic, we talk about the increasing number of online lessons that schools like M.I. and probably most others have offered, and the advantages this can have for touring musicians. Currently Lenny is splitting his time between LA and Las Vegas, and performing with Elegantly Wasted and the tribute band ABBA LA. 

Some other notable moments in Lenny's career include performing with the long running Guns N' Roses tribute band, Hollywood Roses, a role in the movie "Get Him to the Greek" as the guitarist for Russell Brand's band Infant Sorrow, and performing the national anthem at major sporting events. 

Intro Music: American Party by A Good Rogering

Outro Music: Love is a Killer and Better Off Dead by Elegantly Wasted 

Thanks for listening!

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