Earlier this month, the I Heart Guitar Blog came up with 5 Fictional But Awesome Guitar Players. And really it's hard to argue with any list that features Janice from the Muppet Show's Dr Teeth & The Electric Mayhem. But their post lead me to reflect on some my favorite movie characters that played guitar. So I went through the list in my head and found the evidence on Youtube. I've stayed away from real guitarists like anybody featured in Blues Brothers or Jeff Healey in Roadhouse. If you have other suggestions or comments leave them in the comments.

1. Drew from Deliverance. Earns points for being so dedicated to playing guitar that he decided to bring along a six string for a white water canoeing trip.



2. Clint Eastwood in Honky Tonk Man. Because it's Clint Eastwood. Enough said.



3. Tommy Johnson in O Brother Where Art Thou. I know that Chris Thomas King is actually a musician, but I'm making an exception because 99% of America wouldn't know about him if it wasn't for this movie. Tommy Johnson deserves props for not only being the soul selling bluesman, as he's featured below, but also for doubling up and playing the flatpicking lead guitar part for "Man of Constant Sorrow". That's range.



4. Russell Hammond in Almost Famous. "I AM A GOLDEN GOD"



5. Dusty Bottoms singing Blue Shadows (On the Trail) in Three Amigos.

Jody Worrel has a new video lesson teaching you a blues lick for an intermediate to advanced player. This lick is in the key of E and would sound great over a slow blues groove. You can watch the Youtube version below and click here to view the tab



We also have new premium lessons that will teach you how to play Sweet Home Chicago, an an acoustic country solo, and help you work on acoustic country rhythm guitar.

Someone has uploaded the first ten minutes of Joe Pass' "The Blue Side of Jazz" instruction video to Youtube. It's pretty informal. Joe's speech is as off the cuff as his playing. To learn some specific Joe Pass style licks check out Billy Wilkie's Classic Jazz Licks (Lesson One and Two) and More Joe Pass Style.

If you're not deeply entrenched in the blues and jazz community you may never have heard of Robben Ford before. Robben briefly played with Miles Davis in the 1980's and then later achieved success with Robben Ford and the Blue Line which was a more traditional blues band. Robben likes to bring a jazz edge to his blues playing and has developed his own distinct style. Jody Worrell teaches you that approach in his new Robben Ford Style Solo lesson. Below I've picked out a choice Robben Ford performance from Youtube.

The Black Cab Sessions is a British website where they make a music video by recording a band playing a song while riding around London in a cab. What transpires is usually a stripped down version of the song and some real genuine moments. They've done over 40 sessions at the point and featured some bigger names like The National, Spoon, The New Pornographers, and The Raveonettes. They've also featured some bands that I wasn't as familiar with. One of those artists is Seasick Steve. A raw and gritty acoustic bluesman. After watching this video I went to youtube and found several clips from his appearances on the Jools Holland show. And I gotta say, Seasick Steve is thoroughly entertaining. Check out his Black Cab Session below...




If you wanna learn how to play some acoustic blues licks check out our Acoustic Blues: Intros & Endings lesson by Jody Worrell.

Let's Jam! Blues & Rock Volume 3 by Jody Worrell is a collection of 13 high quality jam track MP3s. These tracks were recorded “live” by top studio musicians and give the impression of jamming along with a real band. The download contains extended jams (3 to 4 minutes) in a wide variety of keys and grooves, allowing you to practice many different styles. These rhythm tracks are a great way to try out new soloing ideas on a variety of instruments. The download features a .pdf booklet containing the chord progressions for each song and suggestions on scales that can be used to play along. There is no video information contained in this download. Listen to the sample track Dipstick Blues in G and view a sample page from the booklet.

One of our all time favorite shows, Austin City Limits, has started including Quicktime video clips of performances on their website. There are couple from last year, but basically it starts with this season.

On October 27 Austin City Limits will have a tribute for bluesman Jimmy Reed:

"Joined by blues luminaries James Cotton, Delbert McClinton and others, guitarist Jimmie Vaughan pays tribute to blues legend Jimmy Reed, composer of the classics "Ain't That Loving You Baby," "Big Boss Man" and "Baby What You Want Me to Do."

Go to the website to watch the perfomance of Baby What You Want Me to Do.

Jody Worrell has a new lesson out where you can learn some blues guitar licks in the style of Johnny Winter. The licks will focus on Johnny's note selection and trademark wide vibrato technique. Watch a preview of this lesson.

If you're unfamiliar with Johnny Winter check out this vintage performance and recent interview.