Steve Vai: “My Secret Weapon Is the Same As Everyone Else’s”

It's no slag to pin Rich Robinson as a rhythm-guitar master. He actually prefers that lane of rock. His musical heartbeat pulses on complex chord changes and moving, harmonious melodies that you can hum. If big brother and Black Crowes' lead singer Chris Robinson is the driver, Rich is the rumbling Hemi motor. It's not always been easy, and it's not always been pretty, but the duo has rock and rolled for 36 years producing 11 groovy albums including their brand-new release, A Pound of Feathers.

Leading up to the record's release Rich sat down with host John Bohlinger to speak on several topics: riding the band's meteoric rise in 1990, dealing with their unimaginable success as a teenager, explaining why he never forces creativity or guitar playing, sharing the reasons he regularly relies on open tunings, reminiscing being shaped and inspired by the Atlanta music scene (including bands like R.E.M. & the B-52s), and trying to remain true, honest, and pure to their simpatico sibling songwriting approach.