Chewing the Gristle with Greg Koch Greg Koch

When Larry McCray's soulful voice and fiery guitar licks join the fray, you know you're in for an electrifying episode of Chewing the Gristle. Season 5 ignites with a homespun blend of stories and strums as Larry details his incredible shift from the assembly lines of GM to the main stages of blues music. We wander through the quirky streets of Smackover, Arkansas, Larry's own stomping grounds, and unearth its peculiar place in the annals of oil history. 

Strap in, gear enthusiasts, because we also crank up the conversation about the tools of our trade—guitars, amps, and the almighty pedalboard. From the early days of worship at the altar of a first beloved red-knobbed Fender Twin to the zenith of the Soldano amp roar, this journey of sound is one for the books. Discover the evolution of our live rigs and how the "Greg" Koch amp head and a trusty 2x12 cab bring my music to life. Plus, don't miss the scoop on the latest collaboration with Reverend Guitars and the insights gleaned from years of touring, including an upcoming escapade with the Allman Betts Band down under.

The episode wraps with a look at the bonds forged through music, like my kindred spirit connection with the Allman Brothers and the prodigious talent of Josh Smith. We navigate the twists of creating a new album during these pandemic times, a testament to the resilience and creativity of musicians like Reese Wyman and Travis Carlton. And it's not all stages and studios; we explore the unexpected, like an adventure in the world of Nickelodeon, and the familial joy of sharing the touring life with my son. It's a heartfelt nod to the unpredictable, yet rewarding, journey of a musician—packed with anecdotes, life lessons, and the unceasing thrill of chasing the next great gig.

Strap in, gristle tribe, because our latest jam session with blues-rock maestro Davey Knowles is a deep dive into the soulful crossroads where British folk meets Americana. Hailing from the Isle of Man, Davey's heartfelt anecdotes reveal his journey to the heartland of Chicagoland's music scene, and the unvarnished joy of acoustic performances that followed his recent album drop. As we stoke the gristle campfire, you'll feel the vibrancy of English folk legends Bert Janch and Davy Graham through Knowles' strings, and understand why solo acoustic sets are as stirring to him as they are to audiences worldwide.

Then, prepare for a detour down memory lane as we pay homage to the one and only Rory Gallagher. Davey and Greg share our personal connections to Rory's Celtic blues-rock, a sound that rattled thier own musical frameworks to the core. From the electric rush of touring with Rory's former comrades to the challenges of juggling the touring life with family responsibilities, we unearth the raw emotional tapestry that defines the musician's life. And for those who've ever wondered about the alchemy of bands, we dissect the irreplaceable magic that develops within groups who've weathered the road's trials together.

Finally, we crank the amp to eleven as we trade tales of our most treasured axes — including Greg's '66 Telecaster that's more family heirloom than guitar — and reminisce about the raucous heyday of rock and roll attitude. From Hendrix's legendary coolness to the visceral thrill of loud, unapologetic concerts, we explore how the echoes of those live-wire performances still inform our music today. So join us, turn up the volume, and let every chord strike resonate with the storied past and vibrant present of rock, blues, and everything in between.

1:33 - Life in Chicago, Davy’s new acoustic album, and the simplicity of performing by oneself
8:05 - The glory and mystery of Robert Johnson
13:10 - One cannot deny the influential power of Eric Clapton
17:26 - Davy affiliation w/ Rory Gallagher, and similarities to Roy Buchanan
24:58 - Keeping busy in 2024, and the importance of having a solid, cohesive (sober?) band
34:59 - The importance of a great booking agent, a few words on opening bands, and what happens your band is loud AF
51:12 - Davy’s life as a performer
53:18 - The Telecaster, a few vintage guitars, and the real power of Rock ’n Roll
FishmanDedicated to helping musicians achieve the truest sound possible whenever they plug-in. Wildwood GuitarsOne of the world’s premier retailers of exceptional electric and acoustic guitars.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Jimmy Hall is a vocalist, harpist, and saxophonist extraordinaire. He is known for his time with Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, the Dickey Betts band, Hank Williams Jr., and as a recent contributor to the Allman Betts Family Revival.  Today the mighty Mr. Hall joins Greg to chew the gristle!
2:46 - Jimmy’s upbringing, his draw to music, and the early years in Georgia with the Allman Brothers
22:02 - Turning pro and receiving support from his parents
24:42 - How to sing in a LOUD band
30:27 - Back to Georgia - the vibe, the music, the scene, and Jimmy’s time with Capricorn records
44:29 - Keeping your head above water when the skies turn dark
51:24 - Staying busy keeps you young


Total Length: 57:22

Mike Zito has been a fixture of the American blues and roots scene for a long time, with 17 albums to his own name, along with ime spent in the Royal Southern Brotherhood and The Wheel. He's an incendiary guitar player, vocalist extraordinaire, true blues-cat, rock-n-roller, and an all-around cool dude!  Greg and and Mike get into it all on this episode of gristle! 

2:05 - What’s new with Mike - building up his record label, and the ups and downs of being on the road
16:00 - Formal guitar education - the ups, downs, and all-arounds
26:12 - Ear training - how important is it?
30:19 - Meeting Danny Gatton, and the age-old debate over ‘What are The Blues’
38:13 - Guitars, amps - gear, gear gear!
50:15 - The changing musical landscape, and the loudness wars


Total Length: 58
FishmanDedicated to helping musicians achieve the truest sound possible whenever they plug-in. Wildwood GuitarsOne of the world’s premier retailers of exceptional electric and acoustic guitars.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Stephen Hull is a young Wisconsin native who has taken the international blues world by storm, and connected with Greg while on tour in Buenos Aires! Blues Blast magazine called him a "blues dynamo, capable of nailing just about any blues style, yet somehow projecting a distinct, personal voice." The talk road gear and everything else on this addition of Chewing the Gristle!

2:24 - Touring Brazil, and enjoying the warmth of winter below the equator
5:12 - Escaping Wisconsin to tour the world, and honoring the Blues greats through emotive expression
13:05 - Stephen’s upcoming plans for his band, and as a solo guitar-slinger
22:44 - The importance of a good rhythm section, the question of where to live as a professional musician, and road stories from around the world
33:28 - More road stories from around the world, and the magic of home
49:06 - Nick’s on-the-road gear, and the lure of guitar acquisition
57:16 - Nick’s main guitar cost how much??  And the question of loudness on stage.


Total Length: 77:15
FishmanDedicated to helping musicians achieve the truest sound possible whenever they plug-in. Wildwood GuitarsOne of the world’s premier retailers of exceptional electric and acoustic guitars.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Toronzo Cannon, hailing from Chicago IL, likes to do things The Chicago Way. He's an Alligator recording artist, bluesman extraordinaire, southpaw, and a cool cat! Mojo Magazine said Toronzo "rises to the front rank of Chicago bluesmen" and The Chicago Sun-Times said "The Bridgeport resident (and CTA bus driver) (is) one of Chicago’s new greats". Dig it as Greg and Toronzo get into the Gristle!

1:58 - Who here is a huge Jimi Hendrix fan?  And what drew Toronzo to wanting to music and playing guitar
8:49 - Toronzo’s path to forming a band, the road back to Hendrix, and unlocking the guitar
16:58 - Toronzo’s new record, signing with Alligator Records, and touring plans
21:45 - Famous Chicago blues clubs, and building a reputation as an artist
31:50 - What is Chicago blues, and the importance of writing music from the heart
40:21 - Working with a producer, and opening up your preferences to all sorts of music
49:19 - Following the influence of your favorite players


Total Length: 68:38
FishmanDedicated to helping musicians achieve the truest sound possible whenever they plug-in. Wildwood GuitarsOne of the world’s premier retailers of exceptional electric and acoustic guitars.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.