We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Greg Carroll. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Greg below.

Greg, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned how to play guitar when I was 15, in the 10th grade. A friend of mine had a black Squier Strat covered in stickers—he was really into punk and ska bands like Sublime. He handed it to me and taught me the power chords to Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. I picked it up so quickly he encouraged me to start learning more songs. Looking back, I think the years of piano lessons from my grandma helped develop my musical ear.
That same night I dug out my mom’s old classical guitar from the basement. It was missing a few strings, but I played those chords over and over. I had zero knowledge about guitars or strings, so when we went to the music shop to buy new ones, I accidentally got steel strings and snapped the tuning pegs off that nylon-string guitar—oops. Lesson learned.
Soon after, I bought a green Strat knock-off on eBay for $80 and used it all through high school and college. I modified it with EMG active pickups, a new neck, and black hardware. That guitar taught me how to jam, solo, and be in a band—and also how to string a guitar, wire pickups, adjust a neck, and discover what gear works best with different pickups.
In college at Middle Tennessee State University, I studied recording and production. I bought and sold tube amps and gear on the side to fund my curiosity and test new sounds. I learned a lot academically, but I really grew when I started writing and recording my own music. That’s when the real questions started—how do I make this sound the way I hear it in my head? I’m still chasing that answer, and probably always will.
Advice? Don’t wait for a degree or a fancy piece of gear to start creating. Start now—with whatever you have. Practice daily. Set achievable goals like finishing a song or learning one solo. Consistency is everything. For guitarists: learn a lick, a chord, or a full song every day. Before gigs, I used to learn something new just to impress my bandmates during improvisations—I’d sneak in parts from Zeppelin or Van Halen and it always got a reaction.
Time off kills momentum. Life gets busy, especially with jobs, families, or kids. Don’t wait for a free weekend—just get in 10 minutes a day if that’s all you have. And never compare yourself to someone online—compare yourself to who you were last week. The people who keep showing up are the ones who get better. It’s not about talent—it’s about consistency.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Greg Carroll. I’m a guitarist, songwriter, mixer, and performer. I’m currently the lead guitarist for Jason Newsted (Metallica) in his New York-based project, The Chophouse Band. Before that, I played for nearly 8 years with Joey Belladonna (Anthrax) in his classic rock cover band, Chief Big Way.
I originally wanted to be a guitarist like Slash or Zakk Wylde and tour the world. But in college, I fell in love with the business side of music. I joined a pop-rock band called The Compromise as their bassist—despite not owning a bass at the time. We were local favorites and had a lot of buzz. After our first paid gig, I helped turn us from a college band into a functioning business, opening a bank account and budgeting more seriously.
After graduation, I had to step away from that band and return to my hometown to work in the family business. I played cover gigs on weekends and eventually met Joey Belladonna, who invited me to join his band after I handed him my musician business card—yes, get a card! Playing with him was a huge part of my journey.
In 2012, I discovered music licensing and began composing for TV, commercials, and online content. I found my niche in indie rock and created hundreds of instrumental tracks. Although the licensing model eventually shifted, it taught me how to produce quality music from home and earn passive income while working full-time.
Then in 2020, I learned Jason Newsted had moved to my town. A local venue owner gave him my number. Jason texted me, and we jammed. Soon I was learning his original music and playing live with him. It’s surreal—Metallica is the band that made me want to do this in the first place.
Today, I make and release music under my own name. I’ve become passionate about recording, mixing, and mastering. Jason taught me something powerful: it’s not enough to play covers—you have to write your own music and build a catalog to show what you’re capable of.
What sets me apart is my versatility—I play, record, produce, and perform. I’m a working musician who has navigated both the stage and the studio, while raising a family and working full-time. I know what it takes to stay consistent, even when life gets in the way.
My advice to aspiring musicians? Go to shows. Let bands see you rock out. Be professional, be visible, and bring business cards. Record your own music. Learn how to mix and master it yourself—it saves money and gives you creative control. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being a musician is having something that gives me daily focus. Whether it’s a spike in streams or a royalty check, those small wins add up. Playing live is amazing, but I get nervous when gigs are far apart—stage rust is real.
Recording at home is where I thrive. There are no nerves, just focus. I might plan to just lay down rhythm guitar, or tweak one section, and that leads to something bigger. After tracking, I’ll listen to the mix in the car on my way to work, jot down notes, tweak it at night, and repeat.
Mixing is my escape. It gives my brain something productive to chew on, instead of spinning out over things I can’t control. It’s deeply therapeutic—and seeing each new song sound better than the last is endlessly motivating.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There have been several moments in my career that felt like they were “the big break”—but they didn’t pan out. I interned at a music publishing house and hoped it would lead somewhere, but the owner offered no help or leads. I joined a band in Nashville with amazing songs and a killer singer, and I thought for sure they were going places—but they fizzled out. I played with Joey Belladonna for years and thought it would lead to more opportunities, but it never evolved beyond the cover circuit.
Now, I’m lucky to play with Jason Newsted. And while that’s been an incredible experience, it’s reinforced something I’ve learned over and over: you have to make your own path. No one’s going to hand you a record deal or a career. You can’t sit around hoping someone else will give you your dream—you have to create it.
That realization is what keeps me writing, recording, and mixing my own songs. It’s not about waiting anymore—it’s about building. Even if it’s one song at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.greg-carroll.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinnyatlasmusic/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkinnyAtlasMusic/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skinny-atlas-music-heavy-guitar-riffs-for-video-ads-82675486/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkinnyAtlasMsic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC53Mu2EjAkxgyqp6Bh00QuQ
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/skinnyatlasmusic
• Other: https://www.skinnyatlasmusic.com

Image Credits

Mark McGauley