We previously featured B.David after he came into our studios to perform a special live performance. His song Believe has become a hit single and they shot a video for it. B.David is a former guitar student of Peter Vogl's and the song features guitar work from Peter as well. Be sure to check out B.David's website and his twitter feed.

Our own Jody Worrell recently had the pleasure of performing with Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Jody and his guitar joined Mitch on stage at Hippiefest in Peachtree City on August 15th. Below are three excerpts from the show along with an additional video that I can't help but think of every time I hear Mitch Ryder mentioned.

Devil With a Blue Dress



Sock It to Me, Baby!



Jenny Take a Ride




And a scene from High Fidelity. This clip contains some NSFW language.

A little over a year ago we invited Ben Deignan into our studios to perform a song. We wanted to showcase some of our guitar instructor Peter Vogl's former students. But we also new that Ben had a bright future ahead of him. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has a write up on him today discussing the release of his new self-titled album which you can now find on iTunes. Below is the acoustic performance of Fault Line that Ben recorded for us.

A performance by Peter Vogl guitar student, Ben Deignan, of his original song "Fault Line". You can find more music by Ben on his bendeignan.com or myspace.View Quicktime video of performance

Bio: Like a crisp fall apple, Georgia native Ben Deignan is picked for pop stardom. The singer/songwriter started playing the family’s six-string at 15, formed various garage bands in junior high and has now blossomed into a 21-year-old funkster with a sound that’s turning heads in clubs around Atlanta and beyond. “A female friend of mine described my music as ‘orgasmic’ and I thought it was clever,” Deignan says. “I never really took it seriously, but for some reason it has stuck.” Sticky is a good thing in a crowded musical universe where the latest flavor is one record flop from obscurity. It was only a few years ago, while playing his dad’s company party at the Tin Roof Cantina in Buckhead, that Deignan was plucked from his own obscurity by an A&R rep for a major record label. That exposure led him to renowned Atlanta-based musician, arranger and vocal producer Jan Smith (Usher, matchbox twenty), who signed Deignan to a development and production deal. Together with production partner Huston Singletary, Smith is helping the fresh-faced Deignan prep his pipes. “This industry is tough and in order to keep your head above water, you have to know the business,” Deignan says. Busy playing gigs and writing songs (“Most of the time it’s in places like the shower or on the highway at three in the morning”), Deignan has a blue-eyed soulful, skatty and softly cranky mood—he cites Bono, Stevie Wonder and The Police among his influences—that sounds like something you’d hear on the radio, only more interesting. Deignan’s routine of vocal exercises and playing covers in seedy college dives is quickly receding in the rearview: He recently recorded an eponymous four-song EP with Smith & Huston Productions, available on iTunes, and he’s gotten more than 30,000 hits on his MySpace player in addition to major label interest. Dealing with the inevitable comparisons, Deignan remains philosophical. “Guys like John Mayer were compared to other artists for along time, too,” he says. “It’s a comfort thing. I find it interesting because alot of people compare me to the sounds of Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz, but I don’t hear anyone compare either one of those artists to each other. Maybe I’m the link between them.”

Take a look at our Christmas guitar tabs for O Christmas Tree and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

We also have a new video of Jody Worrell performing Silent Night.

A short word of advice and performance by Elli Perry, a solo artist and Peter Vogl guitar student. Elli is performing her original song Let It Slide. To hear more of Elli's music visit her myspace page.

Watch the video in Quicktime

Bio: Atlanta based singer, songwriter, guitarist Elli Perry has been writing and performing music since childhood. After picking up the guitar at age 12, she quickly started to develop her skills as a songwriter. Elli recorded her debut independent album entitled "A Beautiful Chaos" at age 15, and now as a polished and professional 19 year old she is working on her new record with famed vocal coach Jan Smith and her production team. Elli's percussive guitar playing, soulful voice, and intensely personal lyrics lend themselves to her unique style. Her biggest influences as a songwriter show her mature and eclectic musical tastes.-The Beatles, Elliott Smith, and Fiona Apple. One of Elli's greatest strengths as a musician is her live performance. She continuously wins over new fans with her emotional and honest stage prescence. She performs frequently around Atlanta, and the first 2 tracks from her new record can be found on her myspace page.


Elli's thoughts on Peter Vogl:"Working with Peter Vogl has enabled me to expand as a guitar player and as a songwriter. Peter is truly an artist and his ability to provoke the very best from his students is unparalleled. Peter has helped me to better understand my instrument, my technique, and what it is to be truly a musician."

A quick bit of advice and performance by Adam Harris. Adam is a Peter Vogl student and will perform an original solo over a G Minor Groove jam track from the Let's Jam Jazz & Blues CD.

Bio: Adam Harris has been playing guitar for nearly six years. He was in several bands in high school that played a wide variety of genres including jazz, funk, blues, latin, rock and reggae. He is currently studying music at Presbyterian College in South Carolina with an emphasis in Jazz improvisation. Adam’s influences include Larry Carlton, George Benson, Joe Pass, Eric Clapton and Trey Annastasio.

On Peter Vogl: Studying under Peter’s instruction has taken my guitar playing to a very advanced level. He improved my technique immensely, allowing myself to play at speeds I had only dreamed of prior to taking lessons with him. Peter has given me a great depth in knowledge in theory along with many essential aspects of the guitar.

Watch the performance in Quicktime Video.

Guitar playing advice and performance by guitarist, and Peter Vogl student, Mike Rickard. In the video Mike performs his original song "Lucky". To hear more of his music, visit mikerickard.com or his myspace page.

View the Quicktime video performance.



Bio: Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Mike Rickard sang with several vocal groups while touring the US and internationally before he began writing his own music and playing the guitar. In 2004, he released his debut CD, the critically praised “Stirred Not Shaken.” The CD, a collection of self-penned songs, displays Mike’s sensitivity and humor in dealing with the big issues of life: things like fear, loss, and loneliness, to finding happiness and love. The title of the CD comes from the irreverent line from the gospel rock track, “Who I Am” – “So here’s to all the therapy I guess I should have taken/If I had to sum it up, I’ve been stirred but I’m not shaken.” Mike loves to share his music with live audiences at various festivals, clubs, coffeehouses, and home concerts. He plans to begin work on his second CD in the fall of 2007.

Mike's thoughts on Peter Vogl: Peter Vogl is a masterful guitar player and a great teacher. But he is more than that – he is a true artist. Peter continually challenges me to develop new skills; but more importantly, he has taught me that music comes not from perfect technique, but from truly believing in, and communicating through, my songs. He has taught me to look for interesting chord variations, to “change it up” and improvise to keep it fresh, and to be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. He has also taught me a lot about song structure and has been instrumental in my development as a songwriter.

View all of our performance videos