A Rochester NY Guitar Slinger in Nashville w/Michael Staertow :: Ep 206 the Rich Redmond Show

The Rich Redmond Show

Former guitarist for Canadian Music Hall of Fame recording artist “The Guess Who” (2021-2024) - Michael’s pedigree also includes many years as lead guitarist and musical director with original Foreigner vocalist and solo artist Lou Gramm, guitarist with multi-platinum artist Mark Slaughter, as well as both RockStar counselor and Music Director of the prestigious Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp organization.

In addition to playing venues around the world with these icons, he has performed with many industry greats, most notably Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, Whitesnake), Paul Stanley (KISS), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), Buddy Guy, Carmine and Vinny Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Black Sabbath), Nancy Wilson (Heart), Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean) and original Foreigner drummer Dennis Elliott. He also shared the stage with legendary Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers and former Heart guitarist Howard Leese at the “Pandora Unforgettable Moments on Ice” show, which was broadcast worldwide on ABC-TV and On Demand.

Michael has also been the focus of articles in Guitar World, Guitar One and Vintage Guitar Magazine, as well as a featured guest on several podcasts including Guitar Player Magazine‘s “No Guitar Is Safe” hosted by GP’s Jude Gold.

With The Guess Who, he has recorded and released their latest full length album “Plein D’Amour” with eight music videos (one for each track) to coincide!

In late 2024 Michael was invited back to the “Lou Gramm All Stars” to complete this year’s tour, after Lou’s long overdue induction to the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Foreigner.

Michael is also a member of Rizz & The Believerz which includes current and former members of Tesla (Troy Luccketta), Whitesnake (Michael Devin), and Lynyrd Skynyrd (Peter Keys). Rizz has released the 2024 EP “Everyday People” which Michael played guitar on and has appeared live with as well as WSMV’s “Today In Nashville” showcase.

Some Things That Came Up:

-3:30 Michael and Rich met at The Saban Theater in 2016

-4:20 Michael moves his family to Nashville in July of 2020

-5:00 Rochester, NY…home of Steve Gadd, Lou Gramm, Chuck Mangione…and…Chicken French!

-6:00 Rich still owes Michael Tupperware

-8:45 Keith Urban playing at the Nashville airport?

-12:45 Conspiratorial Minded? Alex Jones? Drones? Flat Earth? Did we land on the moon?

-16:45 The masks

-17:45 The Masons

-18:45 Playing music with Lou Gramm. Michael also backed up Paul Rodgers when Lou Gramm was direct support for Bad Company

-21:45 Lou Gramm played drums in the band Black Sheep, before Foreigner

-23:00 Seeing Foreigner with Denny Carmassi on drums.

-23:41 Lou’s brain tumor diagnosis in the 90’s

-25:30 The love of Edward Van Halen

-26:00 Finishing Rick Rubin’s book

-30:00 Grease Soundtrack, Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack…then…Van Halen 1 was the life changer

-31:00 Michael started on drums, and then violin and saxophone. Guitar was the last instrument.

-32:00 Neal Schon is #1

-37:50 Counselors at The Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp and then rocking with School of Rock at The Ryman

-40:00 The satisfaction of running into ex-students and the discipline we pass on

-45:40 Rizz and the Believers project

-49:00 The love of Troy Luccketta

-52:00 Michael’s tribute band choice is Journey and KISS

-53:00 Resurrection’s Jim Handley

-58:00 Jon England and the Western Swingers

-1:00:00 Michael is a Carrie Underwood fan!

-1:07:20 Homogenization of Music and the cannibalization of radio talent

-1:09:00 The Fave 5

The Rich Redmond Show is about all things music, motivation and success. Candid conversations with musicians, actors, comedians, authors and thought leaders about their lives and the stories that shaped them. Rich Redmond is the longtime drummer with Jason Aldean and many other veteran musicians and artists. Rich is also an actor, speaker, author, producer and educator. Rich has been heard on thousands of songs, over 30 of which have been #1 hits!

Follow Rich:

@richredmond

www.richredmond.com

Jim McCarthy is the quintessential Blue Collar Voice Guy. Honing his craft since 1996 with radio stations in Illinois, South Carolina, Connecticut, New York, Las Vegas and Nashville, Jim has voiced well over 10,000 pieces since and garnered an ear for audio production which he now uses for various podcasts, commercials and promos. Jim is also an accomplished video producer, content creator, writer and overall entrepreneur.

www.itsyourshow.co