Alison Richter

Alison Richter is a seasoned journalist who interviews musicians, producers, engineers, and other industry professionals, and covers mental health issues for GuitarWorld.com. Writing credits include a wide range of publications, including GuitarWorld.com, MusicRadar.com, Bass Player, TNAG Connoisseur, Reverb, Music Industry News, Acoustic, Drummer, Guitar.com, Gearphoria, She Shreds, Guitar Girl, and Collectible Guitar.

Latest articles by Alison Richter

Billy Strings performs during 2021 Railbird Festival at Keeneland Racecourse on August 28, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Billy Strings: "A lot of times I’ll walk right out and say, 'I’m not going to lie, folks. I’m nervous as f**k right now'"

By Alison Richter Published 1 September 21

The bluegrass acoustic ace details how overcoming anxiety and panic attacks inspired his songwriting and live performances

Guitarists

We need to talk about mental health in the music industry – and how you can get help if you need it

By Alison Richter Published 5 August 21

Artists and organizations discuss the challenges presented by the industry, and the assistance available to musicians who may be struggling with their mental health

Music Industry

Deryck Whibley on mental health: “Life can be really hard, but it can be great, too. We just have to work at it”

By Alison Richter Published 21 July 21

The Sum 41 leader teams up with fellow mental health advocate nothing,nowhere for a new take on the band's single Catching Fire, which tackles his wife Ari's suicide attempt

Artists

Isaiah Sharkey: "I never chased being a celebrity guitarist, because I'm too busy liking what I do"

By Alison Richter Published 21 June 21

The in-demand session player, John Mayer sideman and solo artist details his genre-crossing career, go-to recording tricks and the guitars he wants to add to his 40-strong collection

Guitarists

Chris Robertson: "For me, 'self-medicating' always meant sitting down with a guitar, but it got to where that didn't do it for me anymore"

By Alison Richter Published 4 June 21

The Black Stone Cherry frontman speaks about his struggles with depression and how it affected his career, and why it's so important to break the stigma surrounding mental health

Artists

Joe Trohman: “Mental illness isn't a problem. The problem is the shame, the lack of information and the lack of teaching”

By Alison Richter Published 26 May 21

The Fall Out Boy guitarist details his mental health journey and how he injects humor into dark discussions with his I Hate Myself podcast

Artists

Lily Cornell Silver: "Mental health is such a ubiquitous issue in the music industry"

By Alison Richter Published 20 May 21

As part of a new GW series on mental health, the activist, musician and daughter of Chris Cornell discusses breaking down barriers with her Mind Wide Open interviews

Music Industry

Butcher Babies' Henry Flury: “I run all over the stage, so the last thing I want to do is dance on a pedalboard. I let my hands do the talking!”

By Alison Richter Published 12 May 21

The Ibanez endorsee on his love of eight-strings, adopting Meshuggah's tuning, and how the pandemic changed his mindset as a songwriter

Artists

Etienne Mbappé: “I want to make people dance. I want to see people swing. If you can do that, you’re a great bass player”

By Alison Richter Published 24 February 21

Mbappé shares his playing philosophy, talks influences and explains the benefits of a large bass collection

Bassists

[L-R] Ben Wells and Chris Robertson of Black Stone Cherry

Black Stone Cherry: “You never want two guitarists who are competing with each other. That’s a cocktail for failure”

By Alison Richter Published 26 November 20

Chris Robertson and Ben Wells detail their guitar synergy, and the gear – formerly used by rock royalty – that drove the band's hard-hitting new album, The Human Condition

Guitarists

[L-R] Dimebag Darrell and Sterling Winfield

Producer Sterling Winfield on the making of Pantera's final album, Reinventing the Steel

By Alison Richter Published 15 October 20

Winfield discusses the genius of Dimebag Darrell, the album's upcoming 20th anniversary reissue, and why the band's music stands the test of time

Music Releases

Harkin: "I’ve been playing guitar long enough to know that if something has P-90s, it sounds more like me"

By Alison Richter Published 9 July 20

After years backing Sleater-Kinney, Kurt Vile, Wild Beasts and beyond, a nomadic six-stringer makes her uncompromising solo debut

Artists

Carol Kaye: "You want an instrument that gets all the sounds, not just rock and pop"

By Alison Richter Published 23 April 20

How the history of popular music changed in 1963 when A-list studio guitarist Carol Kaye was asked to fill in on bass

Bassists

Stanley Clarke: "The bass is a very important instrument in film. It can create tension - that's powerful"

By Alison Richter Published 15 April 20

The skilled bassist discusses working on the soundtrack to Frédéric Tcheng's Halston, which documents the life and work of fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick

Bassists

Ray Suhy: "I used an Ibanez RG for a death metal tour, and a few months later I used the same guitar on a jazz album!"

By Alison Richter Published 31 March 20

The genre-fluid guitarist discusses technique crossover between two of music's most seemingly dissimilar styles

Artists

Lady Antebellum guitarist Slim Gambill: "You have to have a sense of rhythm to play a good guitar solo"

By Alison Richter Published 7 February 20

The American guitarist talks touring with the multi-platinum trio, his debut solo album, and the two concepts that changed his playing

Guitarists

Dave Weiner: "Steve Vai was always the bar as far as quality and what I should be doing"

By Alison Richter Published 5 February 20

The PRS player recounts a 20-year history as Vai's touring guitarist, and shares the lowdown on his upcoming projects

Artists

Joanna Connor: "Nobody talks about my rhythm playing, but to me, it’s the best aspect of my guitar playing"

By Alison Richter Published 18 December 19

The Chicago-based blues guitarist on her love for Gibson and why the future is bright for young female guitar players

Artists

Bad Wolves: "For us, it’s more important to be a powerful rhythm duo than a lead duo"

By Alison Richter Published 17 December 19

Doc Coyle and Chris Cain give us the lowdown on their live guitar rigs and how to deal with depression and anxiety

Artists

Hellyeah's Tom Maxwell recounts his recovery from the debilitating hand injury that almost left him unable to play

By Alison Richter Published 15 November 19

After the release of 2019's Welcome Home, the rhythm axeman reflects on the struggles of recording and playing with trigger finger

Guitarists

Thomas Rhett on His Next Album, Picking Style and Being a Well-Rounded Musician

By Alison Richter Published 16 March 15

Artists

Steve Vai Guitarist Dave Weiner on Zen and the Spiritual Side of Playing Guitar

By Alison Richter Published 5 December 14

Guitarist Dave Weiner has been a part of Steve Vai’s band since 1999, touring the world with him and recently opening his shows in front of European audiences.

Guitarists