Guitar Center Sessions, DIRECTV's music performance show which saw sets by Peter Gabriel, Weezer, Jane's Addiction, Alanis Morissette and Peter Frampton last year, returns with nine new episodes. Also back is radio veteran and music supervisor Nic Harcourt, who conducts interviews with the musicians.
“In the upcoming episodes of Guitar Center Sessions, we really get down to the root of how these artists have overcome their struggles on the road to success,” says Harcourt. “These are musicians who have found a way to turn their passion into a profession and by sharing their stories we aim to inspire more artists to follow suit.”
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Artists featured in the coming weeks include Ben Folds Five, Skylar Grey, Jimmy Cliff, Papa Roach, Kinky, Hoobastank and more. Legendary Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh kicks off the series on Dec. 7.
“I am really proud of the finished product," Walsh tells The Hollywood Reporter. "It is always a crap shoot to film and record a concert live, but my band showed up and rocked and I am excited to present that to everyone. It was also a pleasure to work with Nic Harcourt, he is both a gentleman and a scholar.”
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Adds creator and Guitar Center director of music marketing and artist relations Dustin Hinz: "With limited quality platforms for artists to get their music heard, Guitar Center Sessions is our commitment to provide emerging and established talent with a world-class national television platform that exposes their music to the masses, while nourishing and inspiring music enthusiasts and fans across the globe."
See a full list of upcoming performances, all captured in hi-definition at Guitar Center’s famous Hollywood location, along with an exclusive clip of Ben Folds Five's upcoming performance of 1997 fan favorite "Brick" below:
Dec. 7 Joe Walsh
Dec. 14 Ben Folds Five
Dec. 21 Meiko
Dec. 28 Papa Roach
Jan. 11 Hoobastank
Jan. 25 Jimmy Cliff
Feb. 8 Kinky
Feb. 22 Andy Allo
March 8 Skylar Grey
Twitter: @THRMusic
Pictured below (from left): Robert Sledge, Ben Folds, Nic Harcourt and Darren Jessee