Raul Anthony
Jun 7, 2025
Guitar Worlds Collide: Vern Vennard and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Join Forces on Backstage Pass Radio
By Raul Anthony
Vern Vennard, lead guitarist of Zak Perry & The Beautiful Things and founder of NovAria Studios, is stepping into the spotlight with his first-ever appearance on Backstage Pass Radio, the acclaimed music podcast hosted by Randy Hulsey. Vern doesn't have to manage this one solo though, joining him for this epic episode is none other than Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, the virtuoso guitarist known for melting fretboards and rewriting the rules of what a guitar actually should be.
If you know, you know: Famous for his doubleneck guitar combining a fretless stesl neck guitar on-top with a traditional six-string on the bottom, Bumblefoot’s resume is the stuff of rock legend. From his wild, otherworldly solos as one of two lead guitarists for Guns N’ Roses (2006–2014) to his progressive explorations with supergroup Sons of Apollo, to a prolific solo career that’s as adventurous as it is technically mind-blowing. Ron has earned his place in the pantheon of true guitar gods.
“I mean, have you heard this guy?! As a player, Ron’s from another planet,” Vern says with a grin. “But it's not just as a player but as a human. He’s one of the most humble, genuine, giving people I’ve ever talked music with. Alien-level chops with monk-level humility. You don’t find that combo too often.”
Though Zak Perry has appeared on Backstage Pass a couple of times before, this is Vern’s debut—and a long time coming. He and Randy go way back, and the timing couldn’t have been better. “Randy’s been building the Backstage Pass thing from the ground up in a real organic way,” Vern says. “Ya know, it started as this grassroots spotlight on Texas musicians and now it’s one of the go-to long-form music podcasts out there. The guest list alone speaks for itself.”
That list includes Carmine Appice, the drumming icon behind Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart’s biggest hits; Holly Knight, who’s written smashes for Pat Benatar, Tina Turner, and Aerosmith; Rikki Rockett of Poison; and Russ Ballard, the songwriter behind ‘God Gave Rock and Roll to You’ and ‘Voices.’
In this latest episode, guitar fans get a rare treat: two tone freaks, gearheads, and road-hardened veterans trading war stories, shop talk, and deep dives into creative philosophy. The vibe is equal parts chill and electric.
“We got into everything,” Vern says. “Guitars, amps, tone philosophy...even swapped a few ‘you’ll never believe this gig’ stories. And there was something kind of poetic about it. Ron was born in Brooklyn and lives in New Jersey, I was born in Jersey and once lived in Brooklyn. So, getting us together was kinda inevitable, right?” (laughs)
The episode drops soon, and if you’re a fan of deep guitar, deeper conversations, and all things rock, it’s not one to miss.
Catch the new episode on Backstage Pass Radio, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere else podcasts live. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a tone-obsessed lifer, this one hits the sweet spot.