The Lipstick Pickup Podcast with Emily Vardaman Walters
A lipstick pickup is an electric guitar pickup with a captivating sound and appearance that has a devoted cult following that grows with each passing year. True to their name, they were originally chrome lipstick tubes stuffed with magnets and electronics that were the inspired invention of Nathan Daniel, founder of Danelectro. Born from his genius instinct for innovation as well as his devotion to a "rigid cost control" philosophy, they were an essential component of the guitars that helped stoke an affordable rock-n-roll revolution.
The Lipstick Pickup Podcast is an amateur (but very inspired), unscripted, rarely edited conversation devoted to the entirety of the subject. Hosted by Emily Vardaman Walters, The Lipstick Pickup Podcast is a fan-friendly primer on the subject of Danelectro guitars and their impact on the history of popular music of all genres.
The Lipstick Pickup Podcast with Emily Vardaman Walters
INTO THE LIPSTICK STRAT-OSPHERE WITH GUITARIST STEVEN COOPER | The Lipstick Pickup Ep.25
On this episode, I take a trip through the Lone Star State with Steven Cooper, a native Texan and Nashville-based touring/session guitarist who has worked with a variety of artists including the Watson Twins, Patrick Sweany, Jessie Baylin, Nicole Atkins, and his own band Indianola. Steven's knowledge of lipstick Stratocasters can be traced back to his youth spent at Dallas' legendary Charley's Guitar Shop and two of Texas' favorite guitar-playing sons: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Charlie Sexton. In addition to discussing the Lipstick Stratocaster's rich history, we explore the importance of communication and professionalism, navigating Nashville's music culture, and the complexities of owning vintage guitars.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stephen Cooper and the Lipstick Stratocaster
03:16 The Journey of a Young Guitarist
06:09 Charlie's Guitar Shop: A Hub of Musical Knowledge
09:16 The Evolution of Guitar Ownership
12:18 The Impact of Local Music Scenes
15:17 The Legacy of Charlie's Guitar Shop
17:56 The Influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan
20:52 The Importance of Small Amplifiers
23:53 The Role of Jazz in Guitar Playing
27:04 The Guitar Community and Its Evolution
29:45 The Value of Vintage Guitars
32:41 The Relationship Between Charlie and Stevie Ray Vaughan
38:33 The Supportive Role of Relationships in Music
41:11 The Evolution of the Lipstick Strat
47:34 The Legacy of Stevie Ray Vaughan
51:25 Charlie Sexton: A Multifaceted Artist
56:05 The Gear Behind the Sound
01:10:48 The Power of Instruments in Music
01:12:15 Guitar Acquisitions and Personal Preferences
01:14:15 Touring Experiences and Musical Connections
01:16:49 The Significance of Guitar Shops
01:20:17 The Journey of Giving and Receiving Guitars
01:22:35 Guitar Choices and Personal Comfort
01:24:30 Influences and Early Musical Inspirations
01:27:37 The Role of Communication in Music
01:31:15 Building Relationships in the Music Scene
01:33:24 The Economics of Vintage Guitars