Joel Hoekstra has played with everyone from Whitesnake and Night Ranger to Cher and Trans-Siberian Orchestra—and he’s here to tell the stories behind it all. In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols, Joel breaks down his incredible career path, from Broadway pits in New York to arena stages across the globe. Joel also shares his secrets for longevity, versatility, and surviving the hustle of a professional guitar life. Expect inspiring lessons, guitar nerdery, and some unforgettable stories from one of rock’s most versatile players.

Pre-save Joel's new single, "The Fall"

His new album, 'Into the Fade' drops February 2026.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Why Joel is the ultimate guitar chameleon

1:17 – Playing with Whitesnake, TSO, and Night Ranger

2:56 – Early guitar influences and discovering Angus Young

4:18 – Learning guitar in a pre-tab world

6:03 – Growing up blue-collar and developing work ethic

8:09 – Building a career as a sideman

10:02 – Breaking into the New York scene

11:18 – How Joel joined Night Ranger

13:05 – Broadway gigs and Rock of Ages

15:44 – Joining Trans-Siberian Orchestra

17:10 – The genius of Paul O’Neill

19:05 – Balancing gigs and finding your lane

20:00 – Inspiring kids through live performance

21:01 – Fear, stress, and motivation

22:03 – Playing with Cher & embracing new styles

24:16 – Lessons from playing with Foreigner

27:10 – The Night Ranger guitar team

29:57 – From Broadway to arenas

33:00 – Landing the Whitesnake gig

36:00 – Finding purpose and artistic balance

37:01 – Advice for young players

38:05 – Full-circle moments and staying open-minded

40:24 – Handling pressure and last-minute gigs

45:04 – Managing anxiety and performance stress

47:08 – Collaborating with legends like Satriani and Schenker

49:19 – Thoughts on online trolls and staying positive

51:01 – Joel’s tapping and legato fundamentals

57:24 – The art of phrasing and “money notes”

1:01:34 – Joel’s new album From the Fade

1:03:06 – Closing thoughts & gratitude

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The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

One of the guitar world's kings of tone, Joe Bonamassa joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for an unforgettable episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast! In this in-depth and hilarious chat, Joe opens up about his gear philosophy, vintage Les Pauls, touring stories, and the realities of being a modern guitar hero (though he won't call himself that).

Expect deep insight into tone chasing, amps and guitars, modelers vs. tube amps, lessons from Danny Gatton, and Joe’s honest take on the music industry, trolls, and staying inspired.Whether you’re a guitarist, gearhead, or Bonamassa fan, this episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, and killer guitar talk — no cover charge required.

Check out all things Joe Bonamassa here

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – We have a very special guitar rig for Joe

1:08 – Opening jam

2:01 – Joe's $450K Gibson Les Paul named "PJ"

3:36 - Comparing a 1958 Les Paul to a 2021 Les Paul

7:00 – The craftsmanship and electronics of vintage guitars

8:00 – Joe’s philosophy on touring with expensive gear

10:15 – Airline horror stories: traveling with guitars

13:30 – The rise of amp modelers and practicality on tour

15:00 – Why Joe avoids digital rigs and modeling amps

17:00 – When tech fails mid-gig is Joe’s nightmare

19:00 – Redundancy in rigs and surviving on stage

21:00 – Thoughts on gear demos and real-world tone

23:00 – Volume, speakers, and why wattage matters

25:00 – Inside Joe’s 7-amp live rig setup

27:30 – How Joe dials in his stage tone

30:00 – Adjusting tone on unfamiliar gear

33:00 – Joe's "time compression philosophy on stage

36:00 – Mastering dynamics and audience engagement

40:00 – How Danny Gatton shaped Joe’s playing

43:00 – Joe’s viral “Guitar Controls Lesson” explained

47:00 – Joe’s thoughts on online guitar culture & trolls

52:00 – Why music should stay fun and positive

55:00 – EPIC JAM WITH JOE

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.

Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.

Plug in and hang out.

Legendary guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Kansas, Dixie Dregs, Flying Colors) joins Tyler Larson for an in-depth conversation about his incredible career, songwriting approach, and unique guitar philosophy. Steve breaks down tone secrets, composition techniques, and stories from life on the road with some of rock’s greatest bands. From his early influences to collaborating with John Petrucci and Eric Johnson on his new album Triangulation, this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast is a masterclass in musicianship and creativity.

Check out all things Steve Morse

⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠⁠

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The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.

Plug in and hang out.

Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols on The No Cover Charge Podcast as they sit down with the legendary Tommy Emmanuel — one of the greatest acoustic guitar players of all time. Tommy opens up about his musical philosophy, the art of performance, his relationship with Chet Atkins, and how he built a lifelong career brick by brick. Expect stories, wisdom, humor, and jaw-dropping playing from one of the most inspiring musicians on the planet.

Check out Tommy Emmanuel on tour!

⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠

⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠

⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠

⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠Follow on TikTok⁠⁠

⁠⁠Follow on Facebook⁠⁠

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.

Plug in and hang out.

Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for Episode 5 of The No Cover Charge Podcast as they break down the biggest guitar trends from the 1950s to today—and even predict where the guitar world is headed next. From the sharp suits of early jazz cats, to Clapton’s “woman tone,” to the rise of shred, grunge, boutique gear, and social media guitar culture, this episode is a fast-moving journey through the history of the instrument we love. Expect stories, laughs, and deep insights into how guitar trends shaped music history.

⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠

⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠

⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠

⁠Follow on Instagram⁠

⁠Follow on TikTok⁠

⁠Follow on Facebook⁠

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

0:00 - Breaking a String to Start the Show
0:32 - Kicking Off with 1950s Guitar Trends
1:00 - Dressing Sharp: Suits and Jazz Roots
2:10 - Jazz Cats Gatekeeping Guitar Tone
3:00 - Les Paul’s Quest for the Cleanest Sound
3:42 - The Birth of Amp Overdrive
5:31 - Polite 1950s Guitar vs. Hendrix Chaos
6:00 - The 1960s: British Invasion & High Straps
7:54 - Guitar Destruction Becomes a Trend
10:00 - Clapton, the “Blues Lawyer” Catalyst
12:41 - The 1970s: Enter the Guitar Gods
17:21 - 1980s Explosion of Shred
23:00 - The 1990s Pivot to Grunge
26:20 - The 2000s: Forums, Modeling Amps, and Emo
32:49 - 2010s: Social Media & Bedroom Guitarists
43:02 - The 2030s: AI Bands and the Future of Guitar

Step into guitar history with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols as they unveil the resurrected Gibson Futura—a rare prototype that paved the way for the Explorer. In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, they dive into the story behind Gibson’s bold late-’50s designs, demo the one-of-a-kind Korina-built Custom Shop Futura, and explore the legacy of vintage guitars, including Jared’s legendary “Dorothy” Les Paul rescued from a tornado. Expect laughs, deep gear talk, and tones you won’t hear anywhere else.🎸 Watch now if you love Gibson guitars, rare prototypes, or vintage gear stories that changed rock forever.

Subscribe on YouTube

Subscribe on Spotify

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Follow on Instagram

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Facebook

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.Plug in and hang out.

In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson ( ⁨@MusicisWin⁩ ) and Jared James Nichols ( ⁨@JJNicholsMusic⁩ ) sit down with Richie “The Falcon” Faulkner of Judas Priest ⁨@judaspriest⁩ . Richie opens up about his journey in one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, his approach to guitar playing, tone, gear, and what it means to carry the torch of legendary riffs.
Expect stories from the road, deep guitar talk, and insight into what makes Richie one of the most exciting guitarists in modern metal. Fun fact–Richie has only changed his guitar strings once in nine years. Lol.
🎸 If you love Judas Priest, heavy metal, guitar gear, and shred, this episode is for you!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Richie Faulkner, the firepower of Judas Priest

1:02 - Jamming with The Falcon

2:36 - Richie changed his strings once in 9 years

3:14 - Testing an electric guitar unplugged reveals its secrets

5:14 - Richie’s touring guitars with Judas Priest

6:47 - EMGs are always the answer

9:41 - Why a guitar player’s ear is their most important asset

15:46 - The “clone” comparison of yourself to other guitarists

18:08 - Richie’s sausage selling days

23:53 - The “Breaking the Law” riff

26:54 - The “Breaking the Law” solo

29:57 - Nightmare stage moments

35:04 - Richie’s incredible feature on his first Judas Priest run

38:45 - Richie’s advice to guitar players everywhere

Email the show at [email protected]

The No Cover Charge Podcast YouTube Channel

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🎸 In Episode 2 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with guitar virtuoso Andy Wood. Known for his jaw-dropping technique, blend of bluegrass, country, and rock, and his fearless approach to tone and songwriting, Andy takes us deep into his musical journey.

Expect stories from the road, inspiring insights on finding your voice as a guitarist, gear talk, and live playing that will leave you speechless. If you’re into shred, chicken pickin’, tone chasing, or just love hearing from one of today’s most versatile guitarists, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations with the world’s best players – all with no cover charge.

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larso & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.

Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge.

Plug in and hang out.

Check out Andy's website

Subscribe to Andy on YouTube

The Woodshed Guitar Experience

Support Andy on Patreon

Support the show

Email the show at [email protected]

The No Cover Charge Podcast YouTube Channel

The No Cover Charge Instagram Page

The No Cover Charge Podcast Facebook Page

The No Cover Charge TikTok

Welcome to the very first episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols! Our inaugural guest is none other than guitar legend Greg Koch – a player known for his explosive tone, humor, and masterful storytelling.

In this episode, Greg shares his guitar journey, signature techniques, stories from the road, and the wisdom behind his one-of-a-kind style. Expect gear talk, wild riffs, and plenty of laughs as we dive deep into the mind of one of the most entertaining guitarists alive.

If you love guitar, blues, rock, tone, and raw creativity, this podcast is for you. Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with the world’s best players – all with no cover charge.

The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson & Jared James Nichols is your all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar—and there's never a cover at the proverbial door. Hosted by two of the most passionate guitarists you'll find, Tyler and Jared deliver a mix of electrifying interviews with legendary guitarists, laugh-out-loud tales from the road, deep dives into guitar culture, and no-holds-barred gear talk.

Whether you're a lifelong shredder or just love music, you'll find something unexpected in every episode—a hidden gem, a new perspective, an epic jam, or a story that'll stick with you. It’s always a good time, and best of all? No cover charge. New episodes weekly!

Plug in and hang out.

Learn guitar from Greg on Patreon

Check out Greg Koch's official website

The JAMPedals Kochness Monster

Support the show

Email the show at [email protected]

The No Cover Charge Podcast YouTube Channel

The No Cover Charge Instagram Page

The No Cover Charge Podcast Facebook Page

The No Cover Charge TikTok