Radio’s Rikki Lee Travolta Chats with Guitar Wizard Michael Thomas

This Thursday is Thanksgiving. You probably have plans that day. You might even have Black Friday shopping plans for the next morning. But when Friday afternoon rolls around, you’ll want to be parked in front of your radio or streaming device for an interview with one of hard rock’s premier guitarists. The Friday, November 25^th episode of my radio show It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee will feature an interview with one of my favorite guitarists – hard rock virtuoso Michael Thomas. Thomas currently tours the world as the lead guitarist for Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses fame. Steven Adler and his band are in high demand, recreating the magic of Guns N’ Roses’ early days on the Sunset Strip and the music from multi-platinum album Appetite for Destruction that changed the face of heavy metal upon its release in 1987 by Geffen Records. Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash is an icon. So, recreating his music alongside Steven Adler is a daunting challenge, but one that Michael handles with aplomb. He knows how to give the audience exactly what they want. For those who are unfamiliar with it, It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee is a weekly radio program that sheds light on stars from throughout the entertainment industry including music, theater, film, television, and literature. The program airs Fridays at 3 PM Central on suburban Chicago’s 101.5 FM and streaming at the It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee page at www.HuntleyRadio.com. In the Friday interview, Michael explains both the obligations and the joys of playing songs originated by artists like GNR’s legendary guitarist Slash. Covering a well-known song, Michael explains, requires a delicate balance. One must stay true to the notes and techniques of the original musicians who popularized the songs, but you must also know when the audience might want a little custom flair thrown in. Prior to taking a prominent position in Steven Adler’s solo band, Michael Thomas established himself in the industry with blazing solos and power chords for Faster Pussycat, Engines of Aggression, and Beautiful Creatures. He’s even crossed genres to work with artists like Snoop Dogg. Thomas also wrote Steven Adler’s single Alive that premiered on the Howard Stern Show in support of the release of Adler’s biography My Appetite for Destruction. Powered in part by the popularity of the single on MTV and VH1, Adler’s book became a New York Times Best Seller. When it comes down to it, I became a fan because Michael Thomas is a guitarist who knows how to put on a show. He entertains the audience both with his masterful musicianship and his onstage theatrics. One of the things we discuss in the interview is that Michael has a chameleon quality that lets him recreate virtually any guitarist’s style. It’s an amazing and rare talent. In addition to his work with Steven Adler, Michael is currently recording a solo album for Golden Robot Records. In preparation of that album, Michael has a single that is fresh out of the gate and demanding airplay on rock stations across the country. That single, Take Me, features a dramatic mural of magnificent sound thanks to Thomas’ layered instruments and killer vocals. Take Me is a fantastic new song that will hit the sweet spot for rock fans. The song is true anthem rock – the kind of song that can get a whole stadium of people rocking out to the same beat. Check out the review. During our interview, Michael and I will discuss the inspirations for the song Take Me, as well as the ideas behind the thrilling video that Screamer Magazine recently debuted to audiences worldwide. If you want, you can see the video in its entirety at: https://youtu.be/bqEejgoQp_4 This is going to be a fun week no matter how you cut it. First enjoy your Thanksgiving Turkey Day with your family on November 24 and then tune in the next afternoon to It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee to hear a great interview with one of rock music’s best guitarists. You will be fascinated by his stories. Current and past episodes of It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee are available to listen to free of charge at: https://huntleyradio.com/hcr/its-showtime-with-rikki-lee/ For the latest information on Michael Thomas visit www.MichaelThomas19.com.