Guitar Center Launches New Podcast with "America's Arbiter of Cool Music" Nic Harcourt

Guitar Center (www.guitarcenter.com), the world's largest musical instrument retailer,

has just added a free podcast to its list of music programming. At: Guitar Center with

Nic Harcourt is a new podcast hosted by renowned music tastemaker and music

journalist Nic Harcourt that will feature riveting interviews and intimate performances

with some of the biggest names in music.  The podcasts are available now on the

iTunes, Zune and Blackberry networks and at www.atguitarcenter.com/podcast.

The free podcast is an extension of the same concept behind the award-winning

television show Guitar Center Sessions, a series also hosted by Harcourt that runs

exclusively on DIRECTV and features exclusive performances and in-depth

conversations with revered musicians. The podcasts will highlight compelling artists

by engaging them in insightful conversation that inspires musicians and encourages

individuals to make music a part of their lives. Past sessions have recently

presented Weezer, Cake, Peter Gabriel, Jane's Addiction, Buddy Guy and The Cult. For

clips of upcoming episodes, visit www.guitarcenter.com/sessions.

"When Guitar Center asked me to be a part of this new podcast, I was excited at the

opportunity to engage artists in conversations they're most passionate about -

music," said Harcourt. "No noise - no advertisers - just the stories behind the

great artists of our time, told from their perspective. I'm excited that Guitar

Center recognizes the potential in a program like this."

"Nic is a phenomenal talent with an unparalleled taste in music," said Dustin Hinz,

director of music and entertainment marketing for Guitar Center. "He is authentic

and credible throughout the industry, and his ability as an interviewer to dig deep

with some of the household names in music and get incredible stories never ceases to

amaze us. Guitar Center is honored to work with someone who continues to make such a

lasting impact on popular culture."

At: Guitar Center with Nic Harcourt is free to stream or download, and is readily

available for subscription via iTunes, Zune and Blackberry Podcasts. The current

podcast includes an in-depth live studio interview with innovative artist and

producer Quincy Jones, featuring the legend's take on art, production and an

uncertain future of the music industry.

"I think the consumer wants to be closer to the creator," said Jones. "We are all

trying to figure it out. We've never faced it before, but it's here."

Nic Harcourt, renowned tastemaker and host of the award-winning program Guitar

Center Sessions on DIRECTV, is a highly regarded interviewer and an authority on

music and pop culture. From his post as music director of the legendary radio

station and Los Angeles cultural institution KCRW, and as host of the station's

Morning Becomes Eclectic program, the New York Times dubbed the United Kingdom

native "America's arbiter of cool music." Harcourt's interviews have told the story

of some of pop history's most iconic artists, and he has been credited with helping

launch the careers of numerous popular acts, including Coldplay, Norah Jones, Death

Cab For Cutie and Sigur Ros, among others.

In his roll on Guitar Center Sessions, Harcourt delves into the anatomy of a

successful band, offering real connections between fans in the live studio audience

and their icons. At: Guitar Center with Nic Harcourt furthers the retailer's mission

to advance the aspiring artist by bringing real stories of success within arms reach

of any listener.