Carl Verheyen & Franciscan Merlot

For the past 25 years, Carl Verheyen has been one of LA’s elite “first call” session players. His guitar work can be heard in films like Star Trek, The Crow, The Negotiator, Gladiator, Walking Tall, True Lies, and Ratatouille as well as TV shows that include Cheers, Scrubs, Samantha who, Frasier, Married with Children, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, and Happy Days. His playing graces albums by everyone from the Bee Gees to Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton to Glenn Frey, Cher to Dave Grusin, and Tiffany to Victor Feldman.

In 1996 Carl won the LA Music Awards category of Best Guitarist. He holds a position as an adjunct instructor of studio jazz guitar in the Thorton School of Music at the University of Southern California.

 As an elite “first call” session player, Carl is an expert in blues, jazz, pop, country, rock, and even orchestral music where he is expected to sight-read a score one minute, then launch into an improvised metal shred the next without dropping a note. But in addition to session work, Carl has followed in the steps of guitarists like Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Howard Roberts, and Steve Lukather pursuing a career as a solo artist, composer, and band leader. He’s been a member of the British rock group Supertramp since 1985 and still plays with them as well as touring with his own group.

Not only is he a technical master of the guitar, but his tone is superb, in some ways reminiscent of the sounds Eric Johnson gets out of his instrument. Carl is one of the best. Hope you enjoy him.

Constant as the wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYnqC7R-UZQ

Garage Sale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_0WV3CLbqo

Little wing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Ibqf55WRA

Take one step: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtQapyal-js

New Years Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5MAY3K4saA

Eastern Steppes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akKIJpYny6M

All you need is love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05bPKHBtw4E&feature=relmfu

No walkin blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QNl0Kj14fE&feature=relmfu

Topanga Hoedown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLLYGwHVUWo&feature=relmfu

Down like hail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_rOhvC2dNU&feature=relmfu

In the stream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvNtolOH4mQ&feature=relmfu

Maggie’s Ladder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqKRWiBQEm0&feature=related

Good Bye Pork Pie Hat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qXC402o7us&feature=related

Henry’s Farm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHFXzFUpDfs&feature=related

I’m pairing Carl with a 2008 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Merlot that I picked up at Costco for $16.00. It features dark berries and spices on the nose followed by cherry, blackberry, dark plums, and a touch of vanilla on the palate. It’s a smooth drinking wine with a nice mouthfeel and a long, elegant finish. Pick up a bottle and enjoy it with Carl Verheyn’s incredible guitar.

Cheers!