Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

Wednesday 13 starts us up on this episode. His new album, Mid Death Crisis, drops on April 25th.  I had to get 13 on the show for a few reasons, including that he's a huge horror movie fan like myself. Yes, we did talk a little horror. I also wanted him to talk about the new album and tour.  The first single, "When The Devil Commands" is a crunchy horror-rock shredder. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album, which includes a track he did with Faster Pussycat's Taime Downe.  He also told me about the fire that broke out while filming another video. He may have saved a ton of acreage from burning a month ago.  Up next, it's Jake and Joe from the Autumn Kings. The boys from southern Ontario have come a long way in the 10 years since forming and are hitting the road for shows in Europe next week! They talk about the band, their musical influences, the biggest rock stars they've met and lots more. This was also a fun conversation! I can't wait to see them when they play a show closer to here in the future.  Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I had a chance to talk with Kenny Wayne Shepherd about his upcoming 2025 Tour with Experience Hendrix, a fresh album with blues legend Bobby Rush, and the 30th anniversary of his breakout record, Ledbetter Heights. Oh, and let’s not forget his obsession with muscle cars. The Experience Hendrix Tour: A Shredder’s Dream KWS is heading back to Detroit on March 22nd for the Experience Hendrix show at the legendary Fox Theatre. If you’ve never been to one of these gigs, imagine the ultimate guitar jam session with an all-star lineup paying tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Kenny is stoked to be part of it once again. “The Fox Theatres are some of the most beautiful venues in the country, and the Detroit one is probably the pinnacle,” Kenny said. “It’s crazy to think a lot of them were originally movie theaters.” He also talked about the wild mix of players sharing the stage, from shredders like Zakk Wylde to the precision of Eric Johnson. “Eric Johnson literally plays a backwards Hendrix solo note for note,” Kenny said. “That’s next-level dedication.” Kenny Wayne Shepherd Family, Touring, and Finding Balance Kenny isn’t just juggling a tour—he’s also balancing life at home with six kids. “When we first had kids, I tried to be home as much as possible, just doing weekend shows. But eventually, I had to hit the road again,” he explained. “Now, we’ve got a system. Four to five weeks on tour is the max before I need to come back and reconnect.” And when he’s home? It’s all about family, muscle cars, and stepping away from the music business for a bit. 30 Years of Ledbetter Heights and a New Record with Bobby Rush This year marks three decades since Ledbetter Heights put KWS on the map. To celebrate, he’s re-recorded the album, but don’t expect an exact replica. “With Trouble Is…, we recreated it almost exactly. But for Ledbetter Heights, some of the original musicians have passed away, so we took some creative liberties,” Kenny said. “It’s going to be a fresh experience for fans.” He’s also dropping Young Fashioned Ways on March 21st, a pure blues record with 92-year-old Bobby Rush. “We had to wait until our schedules aligned, but now we can finally tour together,” Kenny said. “This album is special—it’s stripped-down blues mixed with full-band electric, and it’s raw.” Muscle Cars, Roadkill Nights, and the Dream Cruise If you know Kenny, you know his love for muscle cars is right up there with blues guitar. He’s got about 16 cars in his collection, though he admits he’s no Jay Leno. “Jay’s got two airplane hangars full of cars—it’s like a museum,” Kenny laughed. “I’m living my version of the dream, but that guy’s on another level.” And speaking of car events, he’s working on making it to Dodge’s Roadkill Nights this summer in Detroit. “I’ve never made it out to the Dream Cruise or Roadkill Nights, but I’ve been talking to the Dodge guys,” Kenny said. “Fingers crossed I can make it happen.” Talking Marriage Advice and Meeting Mel Gibson Kenny also shared some personal moments, including advice from his father-in-law—yes, that Mel Gibson—before marrying his wife, Hannah. “He told me, ‘Try not to go to bed angry,’” Kenny said. “It’s great advice, and we try to follow it as much as we can.” As for meeting Mel for the first time? “I grew up around famous people because of my dad’s radio background, so I wasn’t intimidated,” Kenny explained. “But yeah, some people would probably find it overwhelming.” Final Thoughts From Kenny Wayne Shepherd From killer guitar work to burning rubber on the streets, Kenny Wayne Shepherd has a packed year ahead. Between the Experience Hendrix tour, the Ledbetter Heights re-recording, and his new blues project with Bobby Rush, there’s a lot to look forward to. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see him tearing it up at Roadkill Nights this summer.       See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's better than talking to Dorothy? Talking to her on Valentine's Day! It was nice of the singer/songwriter to give me some time to talk about her upcoming album 'The Way'. The album comes out on March 14th, but the buzz is already building as she's released a few down-and-dirty blues-based rockers off of it. As far as the title is concerned, Dorothy said, "The name came to me, and I highlighted it when I was reading (the Bible). That's the title track, and that's the name of the album." She said that song is a beautiful ballad that ends the album. She spoke about how the album starts with the song "I Come Alive". She said she went off with her vocals. "Let me express myself!" she joked about the record's vocal beginning, sort of in a Pink Floyd-esque way.  There is a story that goes through the album - Salvation. She spoke of getting saved in rehab. "Life imitates art, it's giving me a sense of purpose. It's made this musical journey a lot more meaningful." She said she hopes the album is uplifting for anyone who listens to it. In the end, the album is Rock! "We stayed true to being true. What's in the D.N.A.? Rock!" She went into the theme of some of the songs on the album. Dorothy On How She Got Slash To Play On The Record Guitar legend Slash appears on the song "Tombstone Town". How did that come about? She's known him for a while through producer Mike Clink. Dorothy sent him a bunch of tracks, but she really wanted him on this particular song. And, yes, she got him to wear his iconic hat in the video. It's always a treat to talk with Dorothy...she's one of my favorite people! You can see Dorothy live in concert in Michigan at the Machine Shop on April 22. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you don't know John McDermott, he's been the guardian of Jimi Hendrix's musical legacy for nearly 30 years. He's the kind of guy with stories you can't Google, insights you can't fake, and a lot of passion for preserving one of rock's greatest icons. We talked about everything from Hendrix's unreleased gems to their upcoming Experience Hendrix tour coming to the Fox Theatre on March 22nd. The Magic of the Fox Theatre First, McDermott talked about his upcoming concert at the Fox Theatre. John said it's one of the best places to perform. "We've played the Fox five times, and the crowd's energy is just incredible, it's not like playing a generic performing arts center where it's just another stop on a subscription series. These fans are passionate. They show up because they love the music." A Lifelong Journey with Jimi   Now, how exactly does one become the catalog director for Jimi Hendrix? I asked John, and he dove right in. It started in 1992 when he co-wrote a book called Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight with Eddie Kramer. A year later, John helped produce a tribute album, Stone Free, which raised scholarship funds in Jimi's name through the United Negro College Fund. In the mid-1990s, John helped the Hendrix family win a long legal battle to regain control of Jimi's music. "When they finally won the rights, they asked me to manage the catalog," he explained. "Our first release was in 1997, and I've been doing it ever since." From curating historic releases to creating documentaries, John's helped make sure Hendrix's music remains timeless. How Many Hendrix Songs Are Still Unreleased?   Every Hendrix fan has wondered: Is there anything left in the archives? According to John, the answer is, "Yes, but not as much." Over the years, his team has dug deep to release unreleased tracks, documentaries, and live sessions. "We're definitely closer to the end of the archive than we were 20 or 25 years ago," he admitted, "but every now and then, something new surprises us."   Case in point? A few years ago, they uncovered a never-before-heard 1967 recording of Hendrix at the Hollywood Bowl. Want to know how early this was? It happened before Are You Experienced? It even dropped in the U.S. That's serious history right there. Why Hendrix Still Resonates   When I asked about Hendrix's lasting legacy, John said, "Every generation rediscovers him." From Prince to Stevie Ray Vaughan to John Mayer, Hendrix's influence is woven into the DNA of music. "Jimi's music is timeless," John said. People hear it in movies, commercials, or even on the radio and are driven to find out more. His music speaks for itself—you don't have to hard-sell it." Even in pop culture, Hendrix's impact is everywhere. Quick example? Hulk Hogan famously strutted into the ring to "Voodoo Child." And John lit up when I threw that out there. "Yeah, that's a great example! And people like Paul McCartney still tell stories about their friendship with Jimi on stage. It's amazing how his influence just keeps going." The Experience Hendrix Tour   Here's the part you need to know about—the Experience Hendrix tour. If you're even remotely into guitar legends, this is the show for you. John explained why it's such a hit. "It's not just a loose jam session," he said. "It's collaborative. You'll hear the Hendrix songs you know and love, but you'll also discover new artists who bring their own energy to the legacy." The lineup is stacked—think Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, and Marcus King, just to name a few. "These artists come because Jimi inspired them in different ways," John added. "It's a common denominator for audiences. People might come in because they're fans of one artist, but by the end of the night, they leave blown away by others." Oh, and if you happen to be at the Fox Theatre on March 22nd? Keep an eye out for surprise appearances. John flat-out said they love throwing unexpected guests into the mix.   Hendrix Memorabilia: What's Left? John said Jimi was more of an "off-the-rack" kind of guy when it came to guitars. "He usually had a black Strat, a white Strat, and a Flying V," he shared. "Sometimes a Gibson Les Paul Jr. for blues numbers."   Many of Jimi's personal items and stage gear now reside in museums, including the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Seeing them up close makes Hendrix feel real. "His dad, Al Hendrix, wanted these items shared with fans," John said. "It's incredible to see someone connect with a piece of Jimi's history in person." What's Next For The Hendrix Estate?   John said the Electric Lady Studios project has been a big focus, "If we find more material that deepens fans' appreciation of Jimi, we'll explore ways to share it." If you're in Detroit on March 22nd, do yourself a favor and Experience Hendrix (literally) at the Fox Theatre. Trust me, this tour isn't just a concert—it's a celebration of a legend. See you there! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marty Friedman is playing the Token Lounge on Friday, January 31st, but first, he spoke with me on numerous topics.  His latest book is called Dreaming Japanese. In the book, he talks about the highs and lows of playing in a monstrous band like Megadeth, leaving and starting over in a foreign land. He said he read other autobiographies to give himself a clearer look at what he wanted his to be like. “I got a feel as a reader of what I wanted to read myself. And as a result, I wound up being flat honest and talking about embarrassing things  about myself, and I didn’t always paint myself in a good light.” As he puts it, talking about the good things he’s done might read more like a resume, not a personal behind-the-scenes look that he wanted to give the fans. He said, “I’m definitely not the hero in all of these stories.” As far as leaving Megadeth went, he said he’d never really talked about it before. ” Once I left Megadeth, I stopped doing interviews about the band completely.” He told me that the venues he played at, weren’t allowed to promote the show with anything Megadeth. Now he wants to talk about the relationships and the inner turmoil as he decided to exit the band. “I feel really bad about the way I left the band, and the situation I left them in, and you can in the book why it turned out that way…and there’s no excusing what I did. It wasn’t going to happen any other way.” He said that joining the band on stage for two concerts in 2023 closed the chapter on that part of his life, which was still open. ” Yeah, especially the Budokan show in Japan. That was one thing that was hanging over, ya know.” He spoke of wanting to play at that venue from an early age. Now, he’s played it several times, but there was a need to play that place with Megadeth. He called it “unfinished business”.  When we (Dave Mustaine and him) had the chance to play there, it was a big celebration.” He said that even though they went down different paths to meet up at that gig over the years, it was like a love letter to the fans when it was all said and done. “It was definite closure!” He also spoke to the massive popularity of the band in the early 90s. “What led up to it was more interesting than actually getting there. The suffering part of the career. It reads better in the book.” He then describes it as taking a “massive dump”. Yes, you need to hear him talk about the rise of the band with a bowel movement analogy.  I think it’s been about 26 years since I last spoke with Marty. Great to have him back on Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two gifted singer/songwriters are on Talkin' Rock this week.  Up first it's Hardy. His new album "Live From Red Rocks" drops on February 7th. As he told me, it's a career-spanning live look at his career.  We also talked about his early musical influences, which included a lot of nu-metal bands from the early 2000s. He also told me about one rock legend he'd love to work with...and it's a great choice! Count me as a fan of Hardy's and the second guest on the episode in Chris Daughtry. An excellent dude with a mountain of talent.  There's lots happening in 2025 for Daughtry. He'll be touring with Disturbed and Creed, plus, possibly dropping new music. Part two of "Shock To The System" is in the works, as he told me they have about 6 songs completed.  How has the rock world treated him? He answered that question and spoke to some of his good friends in the business.  Thank you for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kicking off 2025 with an interview with John Gallagher of Raven. They have a new EP coming out on February 14th. It features five new songs and three live tracks, all from different decades. He told me about the songs, and one he said is the heaviest song Raven has ever done.  John also told me they're well into working on new music, so it sounds like they have a lot of material ready to go.  We discussed their early tours, taking Metallica on the raid, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and the bands they influenced. As far as the NWOBHM was concerned, that era didn't last long, but it did produce some legendary bands.  You can watch this interview on the RIFF TV section of wrif.com to see some of John's classic basses, as he pulled a couple of them out.  It's a great way to kick off 2025 on Talkin' Rock!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's another packed episode, thanks for listening! Ace Frehley starts us off. He's playing Soaring Eagle on the 29th, the last gig of the year for him. That show is with Stephen Pearcy of RATT.  He told me he's working on his next album, Origins 3. We talked about the crazy drones flying around by his house. We also talked about the days of KISS and how big they were here in Detroit and Michigan.  Ace is so much fun to talk to. Legend! Bumblefoot is up next, with his new album dropping on January 24th. It's called Bumblefoot...Returns. It's his first instrumental album in 30 years! He's got some heavy-hitting guests on it as well. We talk about the video game surrounding the album, how it's coming out on vinyl and cassette, and more.  To say he's one of the most talented guitarists out there is an understatement.  Oscar and Alyse from a pretty new band called LYLVC join me next. They formed during the pandemic and have been making some real noise lately. Their latest song is out, called "XXX". They've had the chance to work with some great producers making new music, which we discussed. Alyse tells me about her appearance on the TV show Don't Forget the Lyrics. They're playing the Machine Shop in Flint on December 20th.  Speaking of the Machine Shop, Jackyl played there on Thanksgiving Eve. Before that, I spoke with Jesse James Dupree. He spoke of his friendship with Travis Tritt, the only hockey game he'd attended, his home studio and the legends who've recorded there, and his connection with Harley Davidson.  Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The guys from Three Days Grace dropped a new single today called 'Mayday'. That's the start of what they have going on. Drummer, Neil Sanderson joined the show to discuss the single, bringing Adam Gontier back into the band, and more. He also told me about the record label he co-owns with producing legend, Howard Benson.  Wolfgang Van Halen is up second. He came through Detroit with 3 Doors Down and Creed, so we talked for a few minutes before soundcheck. He told me about playing at the Rock Hall induction ceremony last month. Insane that he got to jam Ozzy's 'Crazy Train' with so many rock legends. We talked about opening up shows, working on new music, and his first year or marriage for starters.  Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Again, lots happening on this episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown.  Jerry Horton of Papa Roach is first. We discuss their 2025 plans. Tour, new music, and more. He speaks to playing Detroit, trouble the band may have gotten into on tour, and playing with a marching band on stage in Columbus, Ohio. That's just for starters.  Michael Starr has the honors next. "Feel The Steel" is 15 years old and the band is celebrating. They're heading back out on tour and playing a song they wrote with Chad from Nickelback. He talks about that experience, as well as the addition of Spyder to the band, Superbowl predictions, and more.  We wrap it up with Eric Bass of Shinedown. The guy does it all, including writing, producing, and playing an entire solo album. Eric Bass Present: I Had A Name drops on February 28th. He tells me this project has been done for a while. We talk about his depression, a hero he lost who taught him a ton around the recording studio, and questions from bandmates Barry, Brent, and their head of security, John. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.