I spend much of my not-so-free time working for BurstMarketing, a Denver marketing agency specializing in podcast production.

Earlier this month, I attended BookExpo America, the country’s largest trade-show for the publishing industry (it’s no NAMM, but pretty cool). Over the course of the weekend, we recorded about 75 interviews with authors about their new books.

One such author was Marc Canter, a childhood friend of Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. Canter was that guy who has been hanging out with the band since their earliest days, saving ticket stubs, recording shows, and taking photos in situations no one else would have access to. Canter brought Slash to BEA with him to sign and promote his book Reckless Road: Guns N’ Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction.

After the signing, Canter and Slash stopped in our booth (The Authors Studio) and spent 10 minutes talking to us about the early days of GnR. It’s a pretty cool interview. The interviewer (not me…that is me setting up Slash’s mic in the photo) even tried to bait Slash a bit with an Axl Rose question, but Slash was very PC in his answer.

In case you’re wondering, Slash was super-cool. The show was closing for the day and he totally did not need to stay and talk to his. He was very nice and gracious, and was even cool to a lady who ambushed him with a free squirt gun she thought he had to have.

So…listen in! If you’re into books, we interviewed some other very interesting authors, as well, including Kevin Nealon, Chris Regan, Dennis Lehane, and Joshua Leeds, who wrote an interesting book about the effect of music on dogs.

Here’s some more info on the book:
Reckless Road is the definitive book documenting the beginning of the legendary band Guns N’ Roses and the creation of their groundbreaking rock album, Appetite for Destruction. With nearly one thousand never-before-seen photographs and over dozens of interviews, Reckless Road chronicles Guns N’ Roses’ rise to stardom by the original band members and the people who were closest to them. Authentic gig memorabilia including show flyers, ticket stubs, set lists, press clippings, and hand-written song lyrics round out this unique collection.

Check it out at Amazon.com

Listen to the podcast:

The Deal: Guitarist John 5, who has worked with such acts as Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson will embark on a week-long tour of Guitar Center stores in early June.

Sponsored by Fender, GHS Strings, and Hal Leonard, these clinics will be absolutely FREE. He’ll be performing songs from his instrumental albums, as well as two songs from his upcoming release Requiem. John will be answering questions, signing autographs and posing for photos. John 5 merchandise will be available at each location.

He’ll be at the following Guitar Center locations:

• Guitar Center Phoenix, AZ - June 2 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center La Mesa, CA - June 3 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center Las Vegas - June 4 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center Hollywood - June 5 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center San Francisco - June 9 @ 6:00 PM

Get It: Click Here For More Information

The Deal: Musicians Friend has taken $10 the regular sale price of AKG M 80 Headphones.
MSRP: $58.80
Regular Price: $49.99
Current Price: $39.99
Savings: $18.81(31%)
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Ned Steinberger, D’Addario, and Planet Waves have teamed up to offer you the Electric WAV Sweeps.

The Grand Prize includes:

• A NS WAV 4 Double Bass (ARV: $1,195)
• A year’s supply (three sets) of D’Addario Helicore Hybrid Bass Strings (ARV: $358.50)
• Planet Waves Full-Function Tuner and Metronome (ARV: $99.99)
• Planet Waves Custom Pro Cable (ARV: $65)
• Planet Waves Bass Pro-Winder (ARV: $14.99)
• Planet Waves 74mm Padded Comfort Strap (ARV: $28.99)
• Planet Waves Micro-Fiber Polish Cloth (ARV: $9.99)

The total ARV of the Grand Prize package is $1,772.46

Entry Deadline: July 30, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. E.T.
Get It: Click Here to Enter

The Deal: Pro Sound and Stage Lighting is taking an extra 10% off over 5,000 in-stock products. Enter the coupon code below at check-out to receive your 10% discount.
Coupon Code: SAVE10
Expires: May 30, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Musicians Friend has a bunch of refurbished Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah Pedals that they’re selling for $20 less than the regular Crybaby price - 68% off MSRP!
MSRP: $159.30
Regular Price: $69.99
Current Price: $49.99
Savings: $109.31(68%)
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: At JustStrings.com, buy any set of guitar or bass guitar strings and get a free five-pack of medium gauge JustStrings.com picks.
Expires: While supplies last
Coupon Code: None required
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Gibson and Epiphone are giving away an Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500ME acoustic guitar…powered by the all-new Epiphone eSonic2 preamp system.
Entry Deadline: May 31, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

The Deal: Guitar Center will be hosting what they claim is their biggest one-day sale of the year - The Guitar Center Memorial Day Sale.

This sale happens tomorrow only - Monday, May 26th. You can either shop online, by phone (866-498-7882), or at any Guitar Center location.

According to the Guitar Center website, here’s what’s happening:

On Monday, May 26th, you’re invited to Guitar Center’s biggest one-day savings event of the year. Starting at 8am, you’ll find incredible price cuts on guitars, basses, amps, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, lighting and DJ gear. Save on floor models, closeouts, used gear, returns, scratch n’ dents and more at prices marked down to the absolute minimum.

We’ve reduced prices on thousands of brand new factory-sealed items. And just for this one-day sale, we worked closely with several of our top manufacturers to buy their overstocked warehouse merchandise at drastically reduced prices, and we’re passing the savings directly on to you. You’ll find deals below our everyday low prices, with many items below our cost!

Plus, with special 15-month financing you can take home the gear and pay later.

This month, get no interest and no payments for 15 months on participating manufacturers when you use your Preferred Player Card.* Get all the gear you need without having to pay a single penny up front!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Musicians Friend is offering a $5 instant rebate on the already low price of the Nady SP1 Microphone and Stand Package. This microphone and stand package includes a Nady SP1 mic with mic clip, 20′ mic cable, and a tripod fixed-boom mic stand.
MSRP: $95.89
Regular Price: $24.99
Current Price: $19.99 after instant rebate
Savings: $75.90(79%)
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Logitech is teaming up with musical innovators Duran Duran on their 2008 ‘Red Carpet Massacre’ U.S. tour.

You’ll have a chance to win one of three separate grand prizes, featuring a Gibson Les Paul Studio, a Gibson Thunderbird Bass (both personally autographed by the band), or a Logitech Transporter network music player, their most premium audiophile digital audio tuner, valued at $2,000.00.
Entry Deadline: May 31, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

The Deal: HowAudio.com is giving you the chance to win 1 of 3 Mixcraft Recording Studio Software Packages.

Here’s some info about Mixcraft:

Mixcraft is a multi-track audio recording program, that allows you to record and play multiple tracks of audio and MIDI virtual instruments at the same time. Add effect processing such as reverb, delay, guitar amp simulator, flanger or any 3rd party VST™ or DirectX™ effects. Hook up a MIDI keyboard and you can play a whole studio full of virtual synthesizers! As remix software, it supports Apple Loops™, Acid Loops™ and our own custom loop format. Mixcraft’s Song Kits allow you to create your own song in dozens of styles to sing along or rap to. Creating your own loop or extracting a loop from a well known song is a few clicks away. With Mixcraft, you can always be on the beat! When you’ve finished your project, mix down your music to CD or MP3 directly in Mixcraft! Even with all this power.

Entry Deadline: July 31, 2008.
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Calling all Fall Out Boy fans!!! Musicians Friend has put Squier by Fender Pete Wentz Signature Guitar Straps on sale for just $9.99. Save $5 off the regular sale price.
MSRP: $16.99
Regular Price: $14.99
Current Price: $9.99
Savings: $7.00(41%)
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Here’s a sick deal for you space-conscious guitarists.

If lugging around a bulky guitar stand is cramping your style, check out these Wallacher Amplifier Mount Guitar Stands. These stands easily slip under the top handle of most amps using existing screws and folds flat for easy transportation. The rubber-padded yoke holds your axe safely. Even if you’re weary, they’re on sale for $2.99 each. What do you have to lose???
MSRP: $29.95
Current Price: $2.99
Savings: $26.96(90%)
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

The Deal: Musicians Hut has just announced a new promo that will run throughout the month of May. Their Uncle Sam Jam Sale offers 10% off on all orders over $250. Also, Musicians Hut is offering free shipping on all orders over $99. No coupon code is required.
Expires: May 31, 2008.
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal