Last Call
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In his monthly Last Call blog, Nashville-based guitarist John Bohlinger muses on life as a working musician, connecting to music on a deeper level, and surviving touring. Great insights delivered with humor—just what we all need on a regular basis.
ARTICLES
Last Call: Will Sell Out, Make Offer
November 19, 2019
The dichotomy of artistic freedom and selling out, and the difference between making a living and making a life.
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Last Call: Following Van Halen on a Quest for Power Control
October 17, 2019
Early on, Eddie discovered Variacs allowed him to adjust the electrical voltage output to his amps. Here’s a way to do it if you’re on a budget.
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Last Call: Sing for Your Gig
September 16, 2019
Why should you be singing? It will help your career, plus it feels good.
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Last Call: Close Your Eyes, Be Transported
August 20, 2019
Put on the blinders, focus inward, and tap into the moment.
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Last Call: Space Is Music, Too
June 17, 2019
Think about playing guitar as a communication device in a larger conversation.
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Last Call: Find Your Purpose
May 19, 2019
If My Little Pony can make life more meaningful, why not playing guitar?
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Last Call: An Unofficial Limited Etymology of Music Terms
April 19, 2019
Some handy definitions for cool cats who gig—and civilians.
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Last Call: Musician, Heal Thyself
March 11, 2019
Now there’s scientific evidence that music is a medicine for melancholy.
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Last Call: Wearing Out Things That Nobody Wears
February 11, 2019
Consider the power of positive dressing.
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Last Call: My Least Favorite Design Flaw
January 7, 2019
What if brain cramps are really a sign of genius?
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Last Call: Adaptation
December 10, 2018
In an ever-changing world, it’s evolve, resist, or both.
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Last Call: The Appeal of Dweedly-Dweedly
November 12, 2018
Repetitive patterns are part of a guitarist’s vocabulary, but they don’t tell the full story.
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Last Call: Trust Me or Fire Me
October 16, 2018
In music, movies, and maybe even life, a little faith in skill and talent makes for a better result.
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Last Call: Maybe This Gig Is Not for You
September 13, 2018
A takeaway from the saga of Stevie Ray Vaughan and David Bowie.
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Last Call: It’s Not Who You Know; It’s Who Knows You
August 14, 2018
To get around in the music biz, ya gotta get around.
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Last Call: Award Show Stuff You Don’t See
June 25, 2018
Double-pay, free guitars, bumps, vamps, and green-room gaggles behind the magic of the small screen.
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Last Call: Bohlinger’s Unofficial Guide to Music City
May 20, 2018
Our columnist’s take on the 6-string delights of Nashville—with a little added spice.
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Last Call: The Ups and Downs of Touring
May 10, 2018
Embracing whatever life on the road brings.
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Last Call: Worst Gig Ever
April 13, 2018
Fish cleaner, kissing bandit, parasite host, or bad-luck honky-tonk bass player?
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