Eric Johnson, from a recent conversation with Music Radar about his upcoming album, discussing why it takes him so long to complete an album:

“In the end, though, the finished product is what matters, and I just can’t lower my standards. I can’t go, ‘Oh well, I’m not in tune – whatever.’ That isn’t what turns me on. What turns me on is hearing a guitar with a great sound and played really, really great. That’s what gets me up in the morning.”

Johnson says he has about 12 songs completed for the album, which he expects to release soon. The album is being mixed by Andy Johns and is tentatively titled Up Close. Special guests on the album include Jimmie Vaughan, Jonny Lang, and Steve Miller.

(Thanks to GL reader Darren M. for the tip about the interview.)

Sterling Ball has confirmed that former PRS-endorser Johnny Hiland is now endorsing Ernie Ball Music Man guitars:

As of today Johnny Hiland has joined our family as a valued endorsee. Johnny is over the moon with the Silhouette and will be playing them for a long time we both hope.

This was rumored a few weeks ago, but at the time Ball stated that he and Hiland had not spoken about it. However, it appears that shortly after the rumor started, Hiland’s people sought out Ernie Ball Music Man after negotiations fell through with Paul Reed Smith.

In June, I reviewed Chuck D’Aloia’s Blues with Brains DVD, which is designed to help you add some sophistication to your blues. I liked the DVD, and I like Chuck’s approach to teaching. Since then, Chuck has released two new volumes of his Blues with Brains series, providing further information about how to jazz up your blues soloing. Volume 2 expands upon the insights provided in Volume 1, and Volume 3 focuses more on using blues in a jazz setting. Right now, you can download all three volumes for $50 from Chuck’s site.

The January 2010 issue of Mix magazine features an article about the making of Joe Bonamassa’s upcoming album Black Rock, which will be released on March 9, 2010. The article discusses how Bonamassa came to record the album in Greece at Black Rock Studios, which is where the title of the album comes from. The article also talks about how producer Kevin Shirley pushes Bonamassa out of his comfort zone. For example, during the recording process, Shirley put aside the Les Pauls that Bonamassa typically favors and just recorded Joe playing a Telecaster directly into an amplifier with no effects in between. I hope some of these recordings end up on the final album! Shirley also recorded Joe playing with some Greek musicians, which he says helped introduce some new elements to Bonamassa’s music. They liked recording the album at Black Rock so much that they’re playing on returning to record their next album there. Read the full article online here.

Local Nashville band Throwing Gravity, who were formerly known as The Rust, had quite a 2009. They played their first live show, they embarked on their first US tour, and they signed with a major label. They are now in the studio recording their album, which is set to be released in the middle of 2010. It’s being produced by Jon King and Josh Abraham; King produced their first album, and Abraham has worked with Rev Theory and Velvet Revolver.

We had a chance to see them play on Saturday night, and they’ve really solidified as a band since we first saw them in June. The founding members of the band are sons of some friends of ours, and it’s been really exciting to get somewhat of an insider’s perspective on their growth as a band. They’ve worked really hard over the past year or so, and they deserve all the attention they’ve been getting. I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for Throwing Gravity.

Atlanta-based blues and roots guitarist Joe McGuinness was recently featured on My Fox Atlanta where he did a short interview and then played a song. I like Joe’s approach and his rootsy vibe. Atlanta’s blues scene has some great musicians, and I’m glad to see Joe getting featured on TV.

Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam recently released a live DVD titled Live at the Gaiety Theatre recorded in the Isle of Man, where Knowles is from; the show was a bit of a homecoming for Knowles. I’ve seen Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam live several times, and although I’m a fan of their recorded music, it doesn’t do justice to their live shows, so I’m glad to see them release a live DVD.

The DVD features two hours of music from Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, including songs from their two studio albums and a few selected covers.

The set list for the DVD is:

1. Riverbed
2. Coming Up for Air
3. Messin’ with the Kid
4. Almost Cut My Hair
5. Come Home
6. Gotta Leave
7. You Don’t Love Me
8. Tear Down the Walls
9. Outside Woman Blues
10. Country Girl
11. Amber’s Song
12. Keep on Searching
13. In a Little While
14. It’ll All Come Around
15. Hear Me Lord
16. Roll Away

Also included on the DVD are some bonus features, including the full set of the opening band Strengyn, behind-the-scenes footage of Back Door Slam, and a tour of some of the Isle of Man’s historic areas.

Guitar Edge magazine recently spoke with Joe Bonamassa backstage at one of his shows. During the discussion, Bonamassa plays a lick and then breaks it down. He also talks about a new guitar acquisition, a Gibson Firebird.

In just over a week on December 8, Jimmy Buffett will release a new album titled Buffet Hotel. The album was produced by Mike Utley and Mac McAnally, long-time members of Buffett’s band The Coral Reefers.

Buffett usually surrounds himself with some great guitarists and musicians, and this release is no different. In addition to his band, Buffett is joined on the album by Sonny Landreth, Jake Shimabukuro, Cedric Burnside, Steve “Lightnin’” Malcome, and Toumani Diabate.

The track listing for the album is:

1. Summerzcool
2. Lot to Drink About
3. Nobody from Nowhere
4. Big Top
5. Wings
6. Beautiful Swimmers
7. Turn Up the Heat and Chill the Rose
8. Rhumba Man
9. We Learned to Be Cool from You
10. Surfing in a Hurricane
11. Life Short Call Now
12. Buffet Hotel

Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam recently opened for Chickenfoot during their US tour. On the final show at the Gibson Amphitheatre, Knowles got to jam with Chickenfoot. It had to be a little intimidating to share the stage with Joe Satriani, but Knowles held his own.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you get a chance to catch Knowles and Back Door Slam, you should definitely do it. They put on a great show.

Here’s Davy jamming with Chickenfoot: