Live music is amazing. I remember listening to Van Halen on the radio and thinking they were good but wasn’t sure what the fuss was about. Then I saw them live. At that moment I knew I was missing out on an important element of a band… the performance. But big rock concerts are more expensive and difficult to get to nowadays. This is why a quality cover band is a special breed. They focus on musicianship, stage presence, and quantity of music to make sure that people are having a great time without much hassle and expense.

But what makes a cover band good? Are they pretty much a living spotify or jukebox? How do you pick songs? Do the songs have to be exactly like the original? What gear do you need? Should you take requests? How important is stage presence? And… tribute bands, are they different?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with John, on the Tweed Couch.

The term best is always subjective. Best for the price, best for the size, best for this sound… what we really mean is best for myself in this situation. With that said. This is why it is important to have a conversation with someone who speaks your language and can help you organize your thoughts. Today we do this with a Worship Leader who wants to buy a great all in one amp & pedal modeler for his church musicians to use.

But… What features are important? Is there a benefit to size? Can 2 players use 1 unit? Does the venue matter? Is the user interface important? Should I or can I go stereo? Does the type of guitar matter? And… Why not just use amps and pedals?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Barber, on the Tweed Couch.

It has been another year of Podcasting, Gigs, Gear, and Videos. Of course, with this being the the end of a new year comes time to reflect on the past and look to the future.

But did we accomplish all of our goals? Do we have new gear on the horizon? How well did the podcast do last year? Are we really in the top 15% of most followed podcasts? How did the 2022 resolutions go? How did I rescue a high end guitar from becoming trash? And New Year, New Tone… what do we have to look forward to in 2023?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.

I love having a place I can call my own. Not just because it gives me a place to house my gear but because it gives me a place to take pride in. From the guitars on the wall to the knick knacks and memories. This Guitar Sanctuary is mine. I recently visited Lloyd at his converted Corn Crib, His Music Making Shred Shed, and today we talk about the place and the gear that is stored in it.

But what makes a good guitar man cave? Can you find it by accident? How personal should it get? Do you need to have a lot of gear to make it worth it? Why does Lloyd have a screen door hung up on his wall? How loud can you play? Will a pickup change rescue a Vintage Les Paul? And… cats??? Why are they everywhere and what did they do to Lloyds pedalboard?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Lloyd, on the Tweed Couch.

Today on the Tweed Couch we are counseling on “Mystery Stocking 2022… Strikes Back”

Way back in 2020, episode 22, Jason and I did the Premier Guitar Mystery Stocking. We got some cables, shirts, straps, coupons, and a GloKnob. It was a lot of fun and we vowed to do it again the next year. Unfortunately we missed out the next year… but not in 2022! Today we will unbox and discuss this mystery stocking that was shipped to our door.

But why does The Gear Page call it the Box of Sad? Did we get our money’s worth? What were the big ticket items? Was it worth doing again? Do we still have the Mystery Stocking stuff from 2 years ago? Did anyone get a GloKnob? And… after this year’s Stocking… will we do it again?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.

There is no question that Bob Dylan has inspired many musicians over decades of playing. From his musical style to his lyrics he has a sound and flavor all his own. Of course other bands have covered his songs. Within the unique identity of the Byrds, Hendrix, and even Rage Against the Machine there is the soul and stink of Bob Dylan. Now he’s not just a Musician. He is also an artist and a whiskey aficionado. In the spirit of this, I would like to talk about the parallels between a song being covered and whiskey being rebarreled.

But what makes a cover band any good? Do you have to do the song exactly the same? What makes a double barrel whisky different? Are there any rules? What does Dolly Parton and Adelle have to do with any of this? And who did it better… Dylan or the band that covered it.

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group tasting session with Nick, on the Tweed Couch.

Well here is a week where I had some time but no one to Podcast with so I will discuss a common ailment that plagues a musician. As mentioned already… I am not a licensed therapist… or at least a licensed mental therapist. I am a licensed Physiotherapist, Educator, and Doctor of Chiropractic. In the state of Texas I have the education and certification to diagnose, treat, and educate conditions associated with muscles and joints. So without further adieu today’s ailment is, “Foot Problems”.

But how can foot problems affect your ability to play guitar? What symptoms should be alarming? Should I go see a doctor? Could it really be a problem in the low back or neck? Who treats it? What is thrombophlebitis? And did WebMD really tell me that I might be diabetic?

Well we will discuss this, and more, on the Tweed Couch

There are many things in life that bring us enjoyment. Good food, a loving family, a new piece of gear, a podcast… and there are parallels to why we enjoy these things equally but different. Well today Lloyd has a list and would like to discuss, and convince me, of the parallels he has found between Cigars and Guitars.

But how do you compare two completely different objects? Is it okay to enjoy both? Do I have to like cigars to like this episode? What correlation can be made between the player and their cigar preference? And they make modeling guitar gear… do they make modeling cigars?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Lloyd, on the Tweed Couch.

Most people will probably stop listening at this point but wait… I think it is important to cover this subject. From the instruments, to the artist, to the reason why it changed… The Evolution of Modern Worship holds many properties of non-worship styled music.

But… What are the deciding factors? Do acoustic instruments sound as good as electric? When did lights and fog become a thing? Should we pay these musicians? What does Martin Luther have to do with all this? Do I need to be ampless? Who has the best music out right now? And what is worship haze?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with John, on the Tweed Couch.