262 - Jim Kimo West (Solo, Weird Al Yankovic)

262 - Jim Kimo West (Solo, Weird Al Yankovic)

From Have Guitar Will Travel Podcast by James Patrick Regan

April 23, 2026

About this episode

In this episode, guitarist Jim Kimo West discusses his musical journey, gear, and experiences touring with Weird Al Yankovic.

262 - Jim Kimo West (Solo, Weird Al Yankovic) In episode 262 of “Have Guitar Will Travel”, presented by Vintage Guitar Magazine, host James Patrick Regan speaks with guitarist Jim “Kimo” West who is a slack key guitarist and plays guitar with Weird Al Yankovic. In our conversation Jim discusses his current tour schedule with George Kahumoku and with Weird Al later in the summer. Jim takes us through his musical history growing up in Canada and moving to Florida at a young age playing in bands and eventually moving to LA and quickly becoming a member of Weird Al’s band. Jim tells us how he came to embrace slack key guitar after a post tour trip to Maui and how playing and writing slack key songs for fun started a second career. Jim talks about meeting Frank Zappa and Glen Frey while playing guitar in a cover band in Tampa. Jim takes us through his gear early on Telecasters, Les Paul’s and Fender Bassmans and Marshalls and his gear now Tom Anderson Strat types and Fractal AX FX 3 and the FM 9 and Taylor guitars for his slack key gigs he also takes us through his pickup system for his Taylor’s and the banjo tuners he uses. Jim discusses working with Rick Derringer who produced Weird…

People in this episode

Host: James Patrick Regan

Guest: Jim Kimo West

Topics covered

  • slack key guitar
  • touring
  • musical history
  • gear
  • collaboration

Keywords

  • Weird Al Yankovic
  • George Kahumoku
  • Frank Zappa
  • Glen Frey
  • Rick Derringer

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Telecasters, Les Paul’s, Bassmans, Marshalls, Tom Anderson, Fractal AX FX 3, the FM 9, Taylor, Les Paul, Fender Bassman

Books & works: Have Guitar Will Travel, Delphinus

Places: Canada, Florida, LA, Maui, Tampa

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