Guitar maniac, gearhead, singer-songwriter, session musician, solo artist, family man, and all around musical powerhouse, Phil X joins Kenny on the podcast this week. Together, they explore Phil’s musical odyssey from his early influences and family support to his innovative guitar approach and unending passion for music. They also navigate the ever-evolving music industry, highlighting its evolution from live performances to the digital era and the challenges and triumphs of professional musicians. Throughout the episode, these two great friends celebrate the importance of pushing creative boundaries and collaborating with diverse artists.
Their conversation also delves into the intricacies of session work, emphasizing the significance of timing and groove in music. Phil X's remarkable experience filling in for Richie Sambora in Bon Jovi takes center stage, showcasing the delicate balance between paying homage to the original parts and infusing personal style. The episode offers a reflection on those magical moments in music that send shivers down one's spine, leaving listeners inspired and ready to embark on their own musical journeys. Phil X and Kenny Aronoff's collective wisdom and passion for music, as shared here today, create an electrifying symphony of insight and inspiration that will linger long after the episode ends.

Episode Highlights:

Phil X’s approach to musical collaborations

His real name

Phil’s mom

Phil and Kenny on feeling good and being happy

Their connection from Day 1

Phil and Kenny’s fathers

Phil’s start with the guitar

His siblings

How Phil learned to play guitar and establish his own style

Phil X’s first band

His start with Frozen Ghost

Stories of playing with and without a click track

Playing with Frozen Ghost, Aldo Nova, and Triumph

Powder, Ninette, and Phil X and The Drills

Kenny’s collaboration with Phil X and The Drills

“Stupid Good Lookings, Vol 1” and its sequel

Phil’s work with Howard Benson, Gavin Degraw, Chris Daughtry, and Mike Plotnikoff

Kenny’s experience recording Puddle of Mudd’s “Psycho”

Music producers and their go-to guys

Delivering when you are called upon

Adapting and adjusting

The story of Phil X filling in for Richie Sambora with Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi’s new album

Phil X’s plans for the future


Quotes:
"Happiness never misses its target when I have a guitar in my hands."
"It's not about being a copycat; it's about being 100% you."
"I portray the vibe of a fan when I'm on stage because I know what I want to see."
"Taking simplicity and adding a little chromatic vibe in there—that's where my stuff becomes my stuff."
"Music is all about connection, whether it's with the audience or your fellow musicians."
"You can't take attention away from the guy the band is named after."
"Isn't it incredible that at this point in your career you still get goosebumps?"

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?Keep up with Phil X:
?https://philx.tv/index-php-2/