254 - Eric Martin (Mr.Big, Eric Martin Band)

About this episode

In this episode, James Patrick Regan interviews Eric Martin about his music career, current tour plans, and memorable experiences.

254 - Eric Martin In episode 254 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with Eric Martin from Mr. Big and the Eric Martin Band. Eric tells us about his current tour plans touring Europe with an all star cast doing the “Rock Meets Classic” shows and then the “Masters of Voices” shows in South America and he gives us a few road stories from the past. Eric takes us through his guitars a Gibson J-200 and Yamaha acoustic Jumbos. Eric gives us a little bit of history with bands around the SF Bay Area and tells us about his vocal coach Judy Davis who has a lot of impressive credits and Eric tells us about opening for AC/DC on their first US tour and his interactions Mike Varney who’d eventually recommend him for what would become Mr. Big. Eric describes having his band getting managed by Journey’s manager Herbie Herbert and the brief amount of time he spent in the band Toto and a project with Neil Schon and he discusses jamming with both Neil and Eddie Van Halen. To find out more about Eric you can go to his website: ericmartin.com Please subscribe, like, comment, share and review this podcast…

People in this episode

Host: James Patrick Regan

Guest: Eric Martin

Topics covered

• Eric Martin
• Mr. Big
• Rock Meets Classic
• Masters of Voices
• San Francisco Music Scene
• Judy Davis
• Mike Varney
• Neil Schon
• Eddie Van Halen

Keywords

• tour
• guitars
• road stories
• AC/DC
• Toto

Mentioned in this episode

Products: J-200, Jumbos, Gibson J-200, Yamaha acoustic Jumbos

Books & works: Have Guitar Will Travel, Rock Meets Classic

Places: Europe, South America, the SF Bay Area, US

More episodes of Have Guitar Will Travel Podcast

• 268 - William Reaves (Breakfield) · May 18, 2026
• 267 - Christo Ruppenthal (Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association) · May 10, 2026
• 266 - Ryan Bingham · May 3, 2026
• 265 - Mark Lettieri and Purbayan Chatterjee · April 30, 2026
• 264 - Stacy Mitchhart · April 28, 2026
• 263 - John Pita (City of the Sun) · April 26, 2026