The Ken Valdez Approach

When Todd La Torre joined Queensryche over a decade ago, not only did he have the task of replacing a legendary and distinct voice in heavy metal but he also had to get out of his comfort zone of being behind the drums or even behind the scenes and step out front to lead the sonic assault these veterans have delivered for forty years. Get to know the outspoken musician and get a glimpse into his mind and into the inner workings of Queensryche!

Trev Lukather might be the son of a legendary guitar god but he is blazing his own trail and making a sound all his own. Check out this fun conversation. While he is certainly his own man, its good to know the proverbial apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Stevie Salas is a legendary guitarist who is also a best selling author, filmmaker and philanthropist. His body of work reads like a who's who with prominent names like Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Billy Gibbons and Justin Timberlake just to name a few. His movie "Rumble - The Indians Who Rocked The World" is also one of the greatest documentaries of all time!

Michael Sweet is the outspoken lead singer/guitarist for Stryper. Listen to a candid talk with the frontman of the band who is quite possibly the most polarizing in the heavy metal/rock landscape.

Jesse Damon is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist whose career has spanned well over 30 years. From Silent Rage, a band who caught the attention of Gene Simmons and is one of the most criminally underrated bands ever to his latest project called Damon's Rage, listen to his stories about the Sunset Strip scene in the 80s and how he came to become an extremely gifted writer/musician!

St. Paul Peterson is a world class, world renown musician as well as producer, educator, podcast host and that's just the tip of the iceberg. He is the youngest in a family of world renown musicians who have played with a who's who of artists. From Purple Rain to Peter Frampton and so much more, listen as we dive into the mind of one of the truly great musicians.

Chris Duarte is a bonafide guitar hero. Heralded by many to be one of the truly great guitarists of our time, hear how he got his start, adventures of being one of the biggest road dogs in the biz and how he came to discover his love and appreciation of the blues while navigating the world of prog rock. His focus and dedication to his craft are reason alone to check out this conversation!

Moriah Formica has one of those voices that begs for double and even triple takes. Her band, an all female hard rock machine called Plush, are winning over die hard rock fans and ushering in an all new generation of rockers. From her time on The Voice to touring with the likes of Slash and Alice In Chains, this young siren's star is rising!

Tommy Baldwin is one of the most versatile musicians around today. His prowess defies his young age. Listen as Tommy recalls being a full time gigging musician by the time he was 12 years old to the chance encounter with legendary King's X bass player/frontman Dug Pinnick that changed his life forever. His story is one of persistence and triumph over adversity.

Britt Lightning is the guitarist for one of the most well known and well respected all female rock n' roll bands in history, Vixen. She is also one of the heads of the infamous Rock n' Roll Fantasy Camp. Listen how this young woman from Boston has become a rockstar, business woman, adventurer among other things. Also, hear how one audition with Lady Gaga changed the course of her life and career.

Jeff Scott Soto is one of the truly great singers of our time. His career has spanned nearly 40 years. From being the frontman for guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen to filling the shoes of a legend in Journey to the Trans Siberian Orchestra and that is just the tip of the iceberg. If that's not enough, his solo career is also massive and very impressive. Listen to my conversation with the hardest working guy in rock n' roll!

Orianthi is without a doubt one of the premier guitarists in the world today. She has showcased her talents on a global scale performing with the likes of Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana and Alice Cooper just to name a few, however, that is just the tip of the iceberg. She is a multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter/artist who has a live DVD and new record about to drop and that is still just scratching the surface. Get to know this incredible artists just a little more on this episode of The Approach!

Brandon Gibbs has led a life that seems like it was based on a movie. Born and raised in a small midwest town with dreams of being a rockstar, he has gone on to front some incredible super groups while also writing, recording and performing his own music. His story is will leave a smile on your face while you raise those rock fists and horns!

From one iconic Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame band to another (Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and Chicago) and then some, Dawayne Bailey has been there, done that, blew more than a few minds along the way with his brilliant guitar work and has more than a few stories to tell.

Bill Allen is an actor and musician who has lived an extraordinary life. Listen to stories about Rad, the movie that garnered a cult following and is now a true piece of pop culture and his character Cru Jones along with other film adventures. Also, we discuss his best friend Brandon Lee and of course, there's the music! Let's walk this sucker!

Django Knight has a tremendous work ethic that is undeniable. With an infectious sound that combines his musical influences to create something new, moving and has a little something for everyone, this young man is destined for greatness!

Hailing from Yorkshire in the UK, Loz Campbell is bringing her brand of rock n' roll to the masses. This young and fiery entertainer is on an upward trajectory and gaining loyal fans along the way!

From Fishbone to Morris Day And The Time to Sexual Chocolate (yes, THAT Sexual Chocolate) to Freak Juice, Tori Ruffin is the real deal!

James "Fluff" Harley is a producer, mixer, engineer and heartthrob, it says so on his t-shirt! From the new Korn record to the latest/posthumous release from the icon Prince, to my latest release "Saints And Sinners" and so many places in between, Fluff is truly one of the good guys in this crazy music world! Hear from the man himself who believes hard work and exceptional sounding projects far exceed notoriety. Enjoy this conversation with one of my favorite people who makes the bands/artists/records we love sound so good!

Billy Bob Thornton (Bud) and JD Andrew make up The Boxmasters. In this episode, they talk about their incredible bond with their fans because they are fans of music themselves and how even after 12 records their desire and passion are as potent as ever!

Walter Trout is a blues/rock legend whose life really should be made into a movie. Hear about his trials and tribulations, highs, lows and the fight for his life in a very emotional, heartfelt interview!

Lance Lopez is a guitar virtuoso whose talent has lead him to play with iconic names on iconic stages. Hear how he came to be a blues/rock force along with some amazing stories from the road. Also, learn what lead him to Nashville, TN and the fight of his life.

Sari Schorr is a vocal powerhouse with an incredible band and incredible songs. She has maintained a 40 year career in the music business by staying true to herself and utilizing the gift of her amazing voice. Hear about her time with legends as well as thoughtful, heartfelt insights delivered the way only she can. Enjoy this magic conversation!

When two incredible solo artists come together to create a group there is no telling what will happen.  Lucky for us, The Imaginaries created a record that showcases their artistry and songs that has a little something for everyone.  It's genre defying and infectious. Check out their music and this conversation to learn more about this husband and wife duo on this episode of The Approach!

Ally Venable is young woman who is blazing her way in this biz wielding a guitar, fusing blues and rock music with big, big hooks and is inspiring women of all ages to follow their passions and that girls can rock just as hard if not harder than the guys!  Check out the music and conversation with this inspirational artist!

Marty Schwartz is quite possibly the most recognizable guitarist on the internet.  His viral instructional videos on YouTube as well as his courses on martymusic.com have made him a bit of a household name.  Whether you play guitar or not, chances are you've seen him on your computer screens or on your devices.  Find out how Marty gained his notoriety as well as his incredible guitar chops.  From humble beginnings to internet rockstar, enjoy this conversation with one of the very best!

From being a viral internet sensation to the leader of the new generation of blues players, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is the real deal. Listen to this young man speak truth, tell it like it is and show us how he is linking the past with the present and bringing the blues into the future and to places it's never gone before!

Hamilton Loomis's sound consists of R&B, funk, soul, blues and rock all mixed together to create something so honest, uplifting and groovin' enough to make your body move a whole lot! Hear about his humble beginnings and how his views on the music biz have changed within the last few years as he's gone from a signed artist to indie innovator. Throw in some great tunes and you have the makings for a fun show!

This week's guest is none other than Ronnie Baker Brooks.  Son of blues icon Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie has been carrying the Brooks torch while blazing his own trail in the blues and music business.  Hear what it was like growing up around blues royalty, his take on modern day blues artists and even a crazy encounter in Nashville that was quite eye opening!  The conversation is excellent and of course, there's plenty of music to go around!

Amanda B. Perry is a new comer to the Minneapolis music scene. With a rich, sultry voice and beautiful piano driven songs she is gaining new fans every time she plays.  Enjoy the music and fun conversation on this episode of The Approach!

Joanna Connor has been called "The Queen Of Blues Rock" by many in and out of the biz.  Listen how a viral YouTube video lead to notoriety and tales about her brand new record 4801 South Indiana Avenue produced by guitar hero Joe Bonamassa.

Sarah Grace is one of the kindest, most thoughtful, fun and intelligent young women I have ever encountered. She has a youthful enthusiasm that is infectious and a passion that resonates throughout everyone she encounters...then there's the music. She is a multi instrumentalist, an incredible songwriter and her voice ushered her to NBC's "The Voice" where she won the hearts of millions of viewers as well as her coach Kelly Clarkson.  Take a listen and hear why I have so much hope in our younger generation.  Sarah Grace is the real deal!

Purple Rain was an iconic movie. It made Prince a superstar and it woke the world up to the Minneapolis sound.  How and where did it come about? We discuss this and so much more with the legendary Jellybean Johnson, the man who in my opinion is one of the architects of the sound that put Minneapolis on the map.  We talk about his band The Time, Prince, being in Purple Rain and how the power of music has changed his life and the lives of so many all over the world!

From Smalltown USA to fan favorite/finalist on NBC's The Voice to here, there and everywhere in between, Kat Perkins has refused to slow down on her musical journey and what a journey it's been. Join us on this episode as we have quite the fun conversation about growing up in Scranton, ND to being seen and heard by millions on television. There is no doubt in my mind Kat is one of the greatest female vocalists ever and her command of the stage makes her one of the very best in rock n' roll or any genre she chooses to storm into. She is joined by guitarist extraordinaire Eric Warner.  There's lots of music, laughs, stories and reason upon reason why Kat and Eric are two of the hardest working yet kindest people on the planet!  Check this out!

Kevin Burt is one of the hardest working musicians I've ever come across.  His hard work has certainly paid off! He is an International Blues Championship winner and now a charting Billboard artist as his latest record "Stone Crazy" debuted #3 on the Blues charts the week it was released. His voice and music can stir up so many emotions because every time he plays/sings it feels so personal, like the song he wrote was just for you.  Because of that and his jovial, lovable demeanor, he is a hit with his audiences that continue to grow and grow. On this podcast we catch up with Kevin and hear about the new release and life as a not so overnight success!

Gina Sobel is an incredible multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter who is one of the most versatile musicians I've ever come across.  Her songs are genuine and heartfelt and her work ethic is on full throttle at all times. She is inspiring and an amazing woman who defies genres all while keeping it real and staying true to herself.

Being a Latino in the blues world comes with more than a few challenges but Hector Anchondo is more than rising to the occasion winning people over one song at a time.  With a strong work ethic, a good head on his shoulders and a bucket full of passion he is one of the good guys in the industry and just so happens to be the 2020 International Blues Championship winner.  Who says nice guys finish last?  Check out the great conversation and fun music on this episode of the Approach!

Jim Stapley has lived the kind of rock n' roll life movies are made of.  Brushes with fame, movie stars and even a chance to front an iconic band whose singer is a legend. Jim's story is riveting and his music is timeless. Enjoy the conversation and tunes on this episode of The Approach!

Jono Manson has been bringing his brand of rock n’ roll to the masses for over 40 years. From performing in legendary haunts to the wildly successful Horde Tour of the 90s to backing a true American legend at Madison Square Garden, Jono has been there, done that and is still delivering the goods while sounding better than ever!