No Cover Charge Podcast
The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols is an all-access backstage pass to the world of guitar. Hosted by two passionate guitarists, the show features electrifying interviews with legendary musicians, hilarious road stories, deep dives into guitar culture, and honest gear talk. Each episode offers hidden gems, new perspectives, and memorable stories for lifelong shredders and music lovers alike.
Episodes
Episode 41 - A Nashville Guitar Store Tour
Join the NCC App for free!Sign up free for early access to podcasts, giveaways, backing tracks, lessons, and more.Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols hit the road for a full-on Nashville guitar safari, exploring some of the coolest guitar shops in Music City in search of weird vintage guitars, hidden gems, legendary amps, and dangerously tempting gear. From rare Flying Vs and double-necks to Hell
Episode 40 - Showing Each Other Our Licks
Join the NCC App for free!Sign up free for early access to podcasts, giveaways, backing tracks, lessons, and more.Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols trade their favorite guitar licks, riffs, bends, tapping ideas, and “how did you DO that?” moments in one of the most fun episodes of the No Cover Charge Podcast yet. From Metallica and Zeppelin to Jerry Donahue, Satriani, blues phrasing, harmonic m
Episode 39 - Paul Gilbert
Join us in the NCC App for freeSign up free for early access to podcasts, lessons, backing tracks, and more.In episode 39 of the No Cover Charge Podcast, Paul Gilbert stops by, straight off the tour bus... and gives us everything.Guitar legend Paul Gilbert sits down with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for an unfiltered hour of guitar wisdom, tone talk, and live playing. Paul breaks down his
Episode 38 - Mary Spender
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Mary Spender joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for a deep dive into songwriting, touring, performance anxiety, fingerstyle guitar, and the realities of building a music career online. Mary performs a brand-new unreleased song from her upcoming album, shares wild open mic stories from New York City, talks about finding her authentic voice as an artist, and s
Episode 37 - Pete Thorn
Want early access to episodes, free backing tracks, community forum, giveaways, lessons, and more?Join us in the NCC App for free at nocovercharge.comOn this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with legendary guitarist and tone guru Pete Thorn to talk touring with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, the art of guitar tone, auditioning for icons like Don H
Episode 36 - We Can't Believe This is Happening!
Join the brand new NCC App for free!Visit the Backstage community forum in the NCC App to enter to win cool stuff every month, starting with this sweet new Danelectro guitar!Big things are happening! In this episode: we launch the new No Cover Charge App, paired with a glorious guitar giveaway, announce Jared's new partnership, and a huge career milestone: landing on the cover of one of the ic
Episode 35 - The Backing Track Episode
Guitarists need backing tracks. Get yours for free in the No Cover Charge app! In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols dive deep into the art of creating inspiring backing tracks—from groove, feel, and timing to chord movement and tone. You’ll watch them build tracks in real time, jam over them, and break down what makes certain tracks push your playing
Episode 34 - Don Felder
Don Felder, legendary guitarist formerly of the Eagles, joins us at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville for an unforgettable episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast. 🎸In Episode 34, Don shares the inside story of writing Hotel California, from its original key to the iconic dual guitar "deedily's" with Joe Walsh. We dive into his songwriting process, vintage gear, and the wild jour
Bonus Episode - B Bender Guitar Tips with Trey Hensley
This spontaneous hang yielded some short clips that broke the guitar internet recently, like this one. While this is a mini episode, it's too good not to share this extra footage of an impromptu B Bender jam with Episode 33's guest, Trey Hensley. Make sure to check out that episode if you missed it, and thanks for supporting The No Cover Charge Podcast!Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Episode 33 - Trey Hensley
In Episode 33 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Trey Hensley joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for an in-depth conversation on acoustic guitar mastery, bluegrass roots, and life as a modern guitar virtuoso.Trey shares incredible stories—from playing the Ryman Auditorium at age 11 with Earl Scruggs to winning a Grammy alongside Taj Mahal—while breaking down his right-hand technique, flatpick
Episode 32 - Zach Myers
Shinedown guitarist Zach Myers joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols on The No Cover Charge Podcast for an honest, hilarious, and deeply insightful conversation about guitar, songwriting, and life on the road.Zach shares stories from touring with Shinedown, working alongside Brent Smith, and learning firsthand from legends like B.B. King. They dive into tone vs. feel, why “less is more” still
Episode 31 - The Even WEIRDER Gear Episode (didn't go as planned)
By popular demand, the Weird Gear episode is back! In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols explore bizarre, experimental, and downright confusing guitar gear—from MIDI guitars and synth pedals to phone-based effects and mutant fretboards.Expect unexpected tones, hilarious trial-and-error moments, and a reminder that weird gear is where creativity lives.
Episode 30 - Joe Bonamassa's INSANE Guitar Collection
Step inside Nerdville East with Joe Bonamassa for one of the most in-depth guitar conversations with the guitar legend yet. In Episode 30 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols talk vintage tone, legendary Les Pauls, rare Fender finds, and the real truth behind guitar collecting.From pristine 1959 bursts to historic road-worn Strats, Joe breaks down what actually matt
Episode 29 - Daniel Donato
The cosmic country king Daniel Donato joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols on Episode 29 of the No Cover Charge Podcast for a deep dive into guitar, tone, and the philosophy behind his genre-blending sound. Daniel shares stories from his early days playing Nashville’s Broadway circuit, the players who shaped his style, and how rhythm guitar, Telecaster tone, and improvisation all play a role
Episode 28 - Kent Crawley
In Episode 28 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with Nashville guitarist and educator Kent Crawley for an inspiring deep dive into guitar technique, musicality, and creative improvisation.Kent breaks down his unique approach to the fretboard, from chromaticism and voice leading to gospel and jazz influences that shape his playing. Along the way, the conv
Episode 27 - A 1959 Les Paul, Gary Moore's Marshall, and a Dream
What happens when you plug a real 1959 Gibson Les Paul into Gary Moore’s actual 1966 Marshall Bluesbreaker JTM45… in a Nashville garage?In Episode 27 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols crank up Gary Moore’s original amp and Guv'nor pedal, pair it with a legendary ’59 Burst, and chase the iconic tones of Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Pau
Bonus Episode - George Thorogood
Please enjoy this bonus mini episode featuring one of the godfathers of rock 'n roll, George Thorogood. Lonesome George has cultivated a 50+ year career through talent, hard work, and an incredible energy that you can't help but be magnetized to, and even though this short interview is only 15 minutes, you can rewind it back again to pick up new pieces of gold that may have gotten overshad
Episode 26 - NAMM 2026
In Episode 26 of the No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols recap their wild trip to the NAMM Show: 6 a.m. flights, surprise jam sessions, insane vintage guitars, creator run-ins, booth takeovers, and some of the most unhinged (and hilarious) moments we’ve had yet.We jammed our way through California, from LA to Anaheim, and ended up running into YouTube heavyweights, testin
Episode 25 - Dweezil Zappa's WEIRD Guitars
What happens when Dweezil Zappa opens the vault? 🤯 In Episode 25 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols step inside Dweezil’s studio to explore his wildest, weirdest, one-of-one guitars — including a half-fretless SG experiment, microtonal monsters, the heavily-modded "Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar" Les Paul from Frank Zappa, and the Kramer gifted to him by Ed
Episode 24 - Tim Pierce
Legendary Los Angeles session guitarist Tim Pierce joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for a deep, honest conversation about feel, pocket, creativity, and surviving a lifetime in music. Tim has spent decades recording for some of the most iconic artists and albums of all time, including Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Elton John, and countless others. From playin
Episode 23 - Joe Bonamassa Returns – With Gary Moore's Amp!
Joe Bonamassa returns to The No Cover Charge Podcast for a jaw-dropping episode featuring one of the most legendary guitar amps of all time: Gary Moore’s original 1989 Soldano SLO-100. Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols head to Nerdville in sunny Los Angeles to hear this historic amp cranked, discuss its provenance, tone, and wild journey from the UK to the U.S., and geek out over Gary Moore, Wa
Episode 22 - John Bohlinger
John Bohlinger joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols 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 sh
Episode 21 - The John Mayer Plug-in
Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols in Episode 21 of The No Cover Charge Podcast as they geek out over the Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X plugin. This is not sponsored! The boys just love tone! Expect epic jams, preset breakdowns, real amp comparisons, and surprises like... Jared playing a Silver Sky? Gasp! From buttery cleans to roaring drives, discover why this plugin captures John May
Episode 20 - 26 Guitar Practice Tips for 2026 (That Actually Work)
Looking to level up your guitar playing in 2026? 🎸In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols share 26 real-world guitar practice tips that go beyond boring routines and actually make you a better musician.From honing rhythm, melody, and tone, to mindset shifts, recording yourself, silent practice, and learning from non-guitar instruments, this episode is p
Episode 19 - Ben Travers
In Episode 19 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with Ben Travers, a monster guitarist, thoughtful musician, and Grammy-nominated songwriter — for a deep, honest conversation about guitar, creativity, technique, and the mental side of being a musician.This episode goes far beyond chops. Ben opens up about insecurity, social anxiety, discipline, effective
Episode 18 - The Future of This Podcast
What an incredible year it's been! Although we only launched this show a few months ago, it feels like something we'll be doing for a long time, thanks to you, our guests, and the power of ROCK. We are humbled and grateful for all of your support, and we'll see you in 2026! Happy New Year!Love,Tyler & JaredSubscribe on Apple PodcastsThe No Cover Charge Podcast on Spotify
Episode 17 - The "Write a Song in An Hour" Challenge
In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols take on the timeless creative challenge: writing a song in an hour. With no plan, no pressure, and a room full of guitars, amps, and pedals, they build a rock song from scratch in real time.Watch as riffs turn into verses, choruses emerge organically, and a full song takes shape through tone chasing, odd time sign
Episode 16 - The Ultimate Guitarist Gift Guide (ft. Marty Schwartz)
Looking for the perfect gift for the guitarist in your life? In this holiday-themed episode of the No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols are joined by very special guest Marty Schwartz to share genuinely useful, fun, and inspiring guitar gift ideas at every price point.From must-have pedals and practice tools to clever stocking stuffers and tone-shaping essentials, this is
Episode 15 - The 5 Phases of a Guitarist's Life
In Episode 15 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols break down every phase of a guitarist’s life — from the first moment music grabs you to the highs, lows, gear spirals, plateaus, breakthroughs, and the reality of becoming a career musician. Expect hilarious stories, inspiring advice, honest struggles, and spontaneous riffing as Tyler and Jared reveal the universal
Episode 14 - The "Weird Gear" Episode (was hilarious)
Join Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) as they dig deep into the strangest, wildest, most unexplainable guitar gear they've collected over the years. From synth pedals that instantly break your brain to haunted stompboxes, octave chaos machines, forgotten vintage oddities, and micro-guitars that refuse to stay in tune, this episode is pure gear-nerd c
Episode 13 - Angel Vivaldi
Guitar phenom Angel Vivaldi ( @AngelVivaldi ) joins Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) for Episode 13 of The No Cover Charge Podcast — and this one is packed with tone talk, tour stories, creative philosophy, and plenty of laughs. From joining the Steve Morse Band, to never having used a pedalboard (wtf?!), to carving out space as a genre-bending artist, Angel opens up about growth, humility, tone c
Episode 12 - Josh Smith
Join Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) as they sit down with blues titan Josh Smith ( @JoshSmithGuitar ) for one of the most inspiring guitarist deep-dives we’ve ever filmed, for real! In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Josh opens up about tone chasing, creativity, gear myths, BB King’s 100th birthday album, insane string gauges (yes… 13s i
Episode 11 - A Klon Centaur Shootout Like You've Never Heard
The holy grail of overdrives takes center stage in this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast! Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) put an original Klon Centaur head-to-head with some of the most popular Klon clones on the market—from boutique builds to budget pedals—to find out if anything can match the legendary tone. Expect deep tone talk, epic shootouts, an
Episode 10 - Dweezil Zappa
Guitar legend Dweezil Zappa ( @thedweezilzappa ) joins Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) on The No Cover Charge Podcast for an epic deep dive into guitar tone, technique, creativity, and life lessons from growing up Zappa. Dweezil shares rare insights on his dad Frank Zappa’s genius, the art of improvisation, tone chasing, recording tricks, and why the “mad s
Episode 9 - Joel Hoekstra
Joel Hoekstra has played with everyone from Whitesnake and Night Ranger to Cher and Trans-Siberian Orchestra—and he’s here to tell the stories behind it all. In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols, Joel breaks down his incredible career path, from Broadway pits in New York to arena stages across the globe. Joel also shares his secrets for longevity
Episode 8 - Joe Bonamassa
One of the guitar world's kings of tone, Joe Bonamassa joins Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for an unforgettable episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast! In this in-depth and hilarious chat, Joe opens up about his gear philosophy, vintage Les Pauls, touring stories, and the realities of being a modern guitar hero (though he won't call himself that).Expect deep insight into tone chasin
Episode 7 - Steve Morse
Legendary guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Kansas, Dixie Dregs, Flying Colors) joins Tyler Larson for an in-depth conversation about his incredible career, songwriting approach, and unique guitar philosophy. Steve breaks down tone secrets, composition techniques, and stories from life on the road with some of rock’s greatest bands. From his early influences to collaborating with John Petrucci a
Episode 6 - Tommy Emmanuel
Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols on The No Cover Charge Podcast as they sit down with the legendary Tommy Emmanuel — one of the greatest acoustic guitar players of all time. Tommy opens up about his musical philosophy, the art of performance, his relationship with Chet Atkins, and how he built a lifelong career brick by brick. Expect stories, wisdom, humor, and jaw-dropping playing from o
Episode 5 - Guitar Trends That CHANGED Music
Join Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols for Episode 5 of The No Cover Charge Podcast as they break down the biggest guitar trends from the 1950s to today—and even predict where the guitar world is headed next. From the sharp suits of early jazz cats, to Clapton’s “woman tone,” to the rise of shred, grunge, boutique gear, and social media guitar culture, this episode is a fast-moving journey thro
Episode 4 - The Gibson Futura has been RESURRECTED!
Step into guitar history with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols as they unveil the resurrected Gibson Futura—a rare prototype that paved the way for the Explorer. In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, they dive into the story behind Gibson’s bold late-’50s designs, demo the one-of-a-kind Korina-built Custom Shop Futura, and explore the legacy of vintage guitars, including Jared’s lege
Episode 3 - Richie "The Falcon" Faulkner
In this episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson ( @MusicisWin ) and Jared James Nichols ( @JJNicholsMusic ) sit down with Richie “The Falcon” Faulkner of Judas Priest @judaspriest . Richie opens up about his journey in one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, his approach to guitar playing, tone, gear, and what it means to carry the torch of legendary riffs.Expect stor
Episode 2 - Andy Wood
🎸 In Episode 2 of The No Cover Charge Podcast, Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols sit down with guitar virtuoso Andy Wood. Known for his jaw-dropping technique, blend of bluegrass, country, and rock, and his fearless approach to tone and songwriting, Andy takes us deep into his musical journey.Expect stories from the road, inspiring insights on finding your voice as a guitarist, gear talk, and l
Episode 1 - Greg Koch
Welcome to the very first episode of The No Cover Charge Podcast with Tyler Larson and Jared James Nichols! Our inaugural guest is none other than guitar legend Greg Koch – a player known for his explosive tone, humor, and masterful storytelling.In this episode, Greg shares his guitar journey, signature techniques, stories from the road, and the wisdom behind his one-of-a-kind style. Expect gear t
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