John Bohlinger | Episode 22 | The No Cover Charge Podcast

Join the NCC App for free: https://nocovercharge.com Sign up free for early access to podcasts, giveaways, backing tracks, lessons, and more. John Bohlinger joins Tyler Larson (‪@MusicisWin‬) and Jared James Nichols (‪@JJNicholsMusic‬) for a wide-ranging, guitar-centric conversation on Episode 22 of The No Cover Charge Podcast. From legendary Premier Guitar Rig Rundowns and life as a Nashville session player to AI in music, B Benders, pedal steel, tone philosophy, and why authenticity still matters, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and real-world wisdom. John shares stories from decades in Nashville, working with top artists, hosting iconic rig rundowns, directing major TV productions, and why great players take risks, embrace mistakes, and always chase feel over gear. Plus—plenty of guitar playing, tone talk, and spontaneous jams along the way, as the NCC boys do. If you love guitars, tone, Nashville stories, and honest conversations about music in the modern era, this one’s for you. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... The No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1etwgle... Instagram:   / nocoverchargepodcast   TikTok:   / nocoverchargepod   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... 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 - Intro and welcoming John Bohlinger 0:40 - Life in Nashville and playing music with friends 1:15 - AI music and the future of authenticity 2:48 - Why real, human music matters more than ever 3:40 - Taking risks, mistakes, and Jeff Beck’s philosophy 5:09 - Longevity, health, and staying musical as you age 6:44 - Discovering Premier Guitar and writing columns 8:01 - Leaving a lucrative gig to join Premier Guitar 9:27 - First-ever Premier Guitar Rig Rundown 10:49 - Gear culture then vs now 11:45 - Favorite and least favorite gear trends 13:29 - The Epiphone Les Paul story that shocked the internet 14:45 - John’s modified Music City Les Paul prototype 16:25 - Choosing amps and gear by weight 18:11 - BB Benders, slide guitar, and musical freedom 20:24 - Passing guitars and live jamming 22:25 - Learning pedal steel to extend a career 24:08 - Music directing major TV shows and awards 26:09 - Tone, fuzz, and Jared’s pedalboard philosophy 28:02 - Internet fame vs real musical impact 29:58 - Early influences: Clapton, Albert Lee, and country guitar 31:18 - Developing your own style through mistakes 33:11 - Broadway gigs and real-time musicianship 35:18 - Switching guitars and exploring different feels 37:37 - The ring slide technique explained 39:26 - Future projects, Route 66 tour, and what’s next 41:19 - Final thoughts on music, gratitude, and guitar joy