Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch
Welcome to Season 5! Listen in on Greg Koch's conversations with his guitar-hero friends. Every episode Greg unleashes his fiendish humor and unique perspective as "one of the most famous unknown guitar players in the world", asking his often-famous musical friends the questions that we all want to know the answers to! Each episode is brought to you by Fishman and Wildwood Guitars
Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch
Charlie Starr
Blackberry Smoke has been a true southern rock force for 20 years now! Charlie's guitar playing and singing are a big part of that equation. Today, Greg talks to Charlie about his musical upbringing, his favorite gear, his influences, and all other kinds of delicious gristle!
1:13 - Charlie’s Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite, and his Telecaster from Echopark Guitars
3:35 - Charlie’s upcoming record, his new single, the day-to-day of a professional musician during COVID, and Greg as streaming Ragtime-Wanker
14:15 - The success of Charlie’s band Blackberry Smoke, past and present
17:46 - Charlie’s background growing up in a Bluegrass family, and early gear stories
27:25 - The Rolling Stones and their magical stew of rock
32:20 - P-90 pickups and the power of a single pickup
36:41 - Guitar amps, combinations, studio vs live, and getting acquainted with in-ear monitors
43:57 - Playing, touring, and eating in Europe - arguably the most delicious continent on the planet
50:36 - A guitarist’s playing style, and how the inspiration from other players and idols is so wildly important - from Jimi to the Allman Brothers
67:06 - How the legacy of Southern Rock and growing up in Georgia shaped Charlie as a player and musician
Total Length: 76:35