Podcast 9: Interview with Josh Gooch

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Josh Gooch and a Gibson Les Paul Classic sound, style and skills!

Taken from Josh Gooch’s website: “18-year old music prodigy Josh Gooch has been surrounded by music his whole life, whether it be playing, listening, or reading. Josh has a photographic and audiophonic memory which allow him to visualize how a song “looks” on the guitar once he has heard it. His homegrown, self-taught style of music spans many genres — from blues to jazz, to rock to funk–yet he has developed his own uniquely beautiful sound, whether playing acoustic, slide or electric guitar.

Josh was born in Seattle, Washington, and now lives in San Diego, where he moved when he was seven years old. Following in the footsteps of his father, who always had guitars around the house and wrote music, Josh began playing when he was thirteen years old and quickly became addicted to playing the guitar, often times every day for six to seven hours per day. He considers playing the guitar a passion, not a job. Within three years, Josh recorded his first major work for legendary producer Johnny Sandlin on the Highly Kind album, Don’t Wake Albert. Josh then followed up with a stint on Bonnie Bramlett’s latest Gospel album.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

In 2007 at the age of sixteen, Josh began his professional career sitting in with San Diego Blues Bands including Chet and the Committee and The Will Street Blues Band. Josh quickly became the choice fill-in guitar player in San Diego when any band had a missing member.

In early 2008, when Josh was seventeen, legendary producer Johnny Sandlin invited Josh to relocate to Alabama to tour and record with the acclaimed Southern Rock group, Highly Kind, and work as a studio guitarist. Johnny Sandlin has produced numerous acts such as The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, The Marshall Tucker Band and Aquarium Rescue Unit. Highly Kind features Duane Trucks (brother of Derek Trucks). Duane sometimes tours with Soul Stew, which consists of Derek Trucks and his wife Susan Tedeschi. When Duane Trucks is unavailable, David Crenshaw (drummer for American Idol winner Rubin Studdard) fills in with the Soul Stew.

In Summer 2008, Josh played to sold-out shows in Alabama and recorded with Johnny Sandlin & Highly Kind.

In January 2009, Josh released his first CD, Don’t Wake Albert, on Rockin Camel Records.

In February 2009, at the age of eighteen, Josh recorded the latest Gospel album of world-renowned singer Bonnie Bramlett– performing on tracks with Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton), Doug Belote (Larry Carlton, Jerry Douglas, and Rovven Ford), and David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Cher, Rod Stewart, and James Brown). Bonnie has recorded with acts such as Eric Clapton, Gregg Allman, and George Harrison, as well as with her husband in their band Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. Some of the special guests who’ve contributed vocals to Josh’s tracks include Daryl Hall, Willie Nelson, Little Richard, and Emmylou Harris.

In Spring 2009, Josh played adjacent to Petco Park for the San Diego Padre’s Opening Day with The Road Dogs. He has been playing with The Road Dogs as a featured artist for the past 8 months.”

Previous Podcasts:

• Podcast 8: Interview with Bob Wootton
• Podcast 7: Interview with Margaret Scranton
• Podcast 6: Interview with Steve White
• Podcast 5: Interview with Tom Stanton
• Podcast 4: Interview with LA Jones
• Podcast 3: Interview with Luke Mulholland
• Podcast 2: Interview with Tallan ‘The T-Man’ Noble Latz
• Podcast 1: Interview with Anthony Contreras

Show Notes:

1. Old nylon guitar
2. 1999 Gibson Les Paul Classic
3. Fender Stratocaster
4. Gibson SG
5. Slide Guitar
6. Fender Bullet
7. Leslie West from Mountain
8. Tube Screamer
9. Wah-wah pedal
10. Fender Hot Rod DeVille
11. Fuchs Audio Technology
12. Gregg Allman
13. Highly Kind
14. Arianna Afsar
15. Josh’s Myspace
16. Josh’s Facebook
17. Eric Sardinas
18. Steve Vai
19. Albert King
20. Walter Trout
21. Joe Bonamassa
22. Steely Dan
23. Rhythm Guitar
24. Keith Richards
25. The Rolling Stones
26. Josh Gooch