Lance Allyn

I built the tele in the middle years ago.😜 (actually “built” means I assembled the previously finished body, neck, pickups/wiring, bridge, machine heads, etc then gave it a great set up and intonation) Some people do this exact same thing, slap their name on the headstock, and proceed to charge a ridiculous amount for the instrument. Although this practice is dying quickly because of really good instruments that are extremely affordable in 2026. My students bring in really nice playing/sounding guitars that are so inexpensive it’s unbelievable.

University of Wisconsin- acquiring CEU’s in percussion during my high school summers

Lance and Zakk

CBS’s Rockstar Supernova contestant Dilana and I getting her guitar chops ready. She didn’t win that show, but has a good musical career going to this day:) Wow - the years have flown by. I have coached so many musicians over the years. I still have a hard time believing a kid from rural Nebraska got to have the career that I’ve been blessed with.

I definitely had top notch guitar teachers, and I am so grateful for that. Les Wise was one of those awesome teachers. It was awesome catching up with Les Wise during this interview a few years ago when Les was releasing his new book at the time. I have a real passion for teaching music and often think of my great instructors who also teach with enthusiasm ❤️

So great to be invited back to Musicians Institute, my Alma mater, the school that had so many great instructors! I wouldn’t have enough space here to describe the depth of knowledge that students like myself received here. The college has a lot of new buildings, classrooms, studios, and concert halls that didn’t exist when I was a student here and I enjoyed seeing the new environment and of course the original rooms brought back amazing memories for me as I sat in them.

Happy birthday to REO’s Dave Amato 🎂

So sorry to hear that Uncle Joe Benson passed away😥 Joe and I met years ago at an event in Longbeach, CA where he was the host for the evening and I was performing. I was so flattered that he noticed my guitar playing because Joe knew EVERYONE in the music business, in fact he knew most of my guitar heroes personally. But he graciously came up to me to talk and we became friends. Then he called me about guitar lessons. He is pictured here with my 70s Gibson Les Paul at my home around 15 years ago. It was his voice that I first heard on the radio spinning the rock and roll hits when I first moved to Los Angeles. He will be deeply missed by all…………