Bob Wagner is a Vermont-based guitarist, songwriter, and producer whose thoughtful playing and song-first approach have made him one of the region's most respected musicians. Over the years, he's built a career as an in-demand sideman, performing and recording with artists like Mike Gordon, Kat Wright, Josh Panda, and many others. Whether he's laying down a soulful slide part, supporting a singer-songwriter, or stretching out during an improvisational jam, Wagner has earned a reputation for playing exactly what the music needs.
After spending years helping bring other artists' songs to life, Wagner has stepped into the spotlight with his debut solo album, I've Been Down. Recorded primarily in Nashville with an outstanding group of musicians—including Jano Rix, Oliver Wood, and Laur Joamets—the album blends rock, soul, Americana, and country into a collection of honest, deeply personal songs. Rather than chasing a specific genre, Wagner lets each song find its own direction, creating a record that's as varied as the influences that shaped him.
As a guitarist, Wagner cites players like Derek Trucks, Jimmy Herring, John Scofield, David Gilmour, Trey Anastasio, Jerry Garcia, Oliver Wood, and Tony Rice as major influences. But if there's one idea that defines his playing, it's listening. Whether he's recording in the studio or performing on stage, his goal is to serve the song, support the musicians around him, and create meaningful musical conversations.
In this interview, Bob shares the story behind I've Been Down, what he learned from recording in Nashville and touring with Mike Gordon, his approach to songwriting and improvisation, the gear that's inspiring him these days, and why becoming a better listener has had a bigger impact on his playing than any practice routine.
🎸 Q & A
After years of being the guitarist supporting other artists, what finally convinced you it was time to make a record under your own name?
I might not use the term "convinced", as I've been planning on recording my own music for a long time. I just kind of put it on pause over the years while I was more focused on other projects (mainly Kat Wright, and Josh Panda before that, and most recently Mike Gordon).
But the songs had built up to a place that felt like an album. And I had a big opening on my calendar that started looking a lot like a neon sign that was pointing squarely at my songs.
Several songs on I've Been Down blend country, soul, rock, and Americana without feeling tied to any one genre. Do you write with stylistic boundaries in mind, or do you simply follow wherever the song leads?
Every song is unique and I try very much to not get in the way of where they want to go. I was a bit surprised to hear as much "country" influence in some of these songs, though maybe I shouldn't be as I grew up listening to 90s country radio fairly nonstop, thanks to my Dad. And I'm into a number of the contemporary country (or country adjacent) artists. I love so much different music and find it hard to stay in one lane.
You recorded most of I've Been Down at The Studio Nashville alongside musicians like Laur Joamets, Oliver Wood, and Jano Rix. What did that experience teach you about making records at such a high level?
Well I just can't say enough about Jano Rix. He's basically Stevie Wonder as far as I'm concerned - and that is to say he is King of Planet Music. I really think his playing is just about as good as music gets. So I was extremely happy he was available and interested to work on this record with me. And so much of his talent shines through on these songs (on piano, keyboard, Shuitar (sp?) percussion, 2nd drum set, backing vocals etc).
Working with Oliver Wood on a few songs was a dream come true as well, as I'm a huge fan of his. Tracking in the Wood Brothers' studio, I got to make use of a number of Oliver's guitars on the session which was a real treat for me (his vintage Stella rubber bridge guitar, his main axe - the Guild Slim Jim, and his vintage National steel guitar).
Working with Laur was a wild bit of kismet - happened at the 11th hour on my last day in the studio, a total fluke actually as he was coming in for a session the following day and I was lucky enough to enlist him on a few tunes - maybe that's the norm down there but it felt like pure Nashville magic to me. I'm a huge fan of his playing with Sturgill Simpson / Johnny Blue Skies so yeah, that was special.
You're known as a tasteful guitarist who always seems to serve the song. Has your philosophy on guitar playing changed as you've become more focused on songwriting?
Hopefully I'm playing less notes... but probably not. I'm just trying to listen more and more... and am mostly convinced that as long as I removed any obstacles to listening to whats going on around me (whether that be in terms of the mix on stage / stage volume / stage placement / in-ears vs wedges etc) that the playing mostly just takes care of itself.
However, lately I've been thinking that I really need to focus a bit on "wrapping up solos"... that seems to be something I've let slip a bit - feels like I need to work on "navigating the exit ramp" lately. And I'd appreciate any tips out there...
You recently spent time on the road in Mike Gordon's band. Night after night, what did that experience teach you about being a better guitarist, improviser, or bandmate?
It's just all about listening - if you're really listening, you're ready for anything, which in turn means you're ready to best help support your bandmates on stage.
Mike has such big ears, as does everyone in that band, so it's a real masterclass in listening. The key of a song or a jam can (and will) change on a dime so you can't be checked out or phoning it in. Also I need to be listening on both a macro AND micro level - making decisions on when its time to kick things up just as much as when its time to wind them down.
What does your typical guitar practice routine look like these days? Is there one practice habit that's had the biggest long-term impact on your playing?
I'd like to plead the 5th on this one as I'm fairly horrible at practicing, and maybe always have been. I'm more of a "playing = practicing" type, which is not perfect by any means.
I'm not terribly interested in playing faster these days (thankfully) but I am trying to navigate changes in a more mature way, something I struggle with. Mostly I'm more interested in improving (or preserving) whatever ear training skills I have.
When you hit a creative wall, do you have any exercises or routines that consistently help you get unstuck?
Take a walk. Take a shower. Cook a meal. 9 times out 10 a good long walk yields more creative results than anything that would happen with a guitar in my hands. For me, anyway.
What gear (guitar/amp/pedals) are you using lately—and why?
I'm in love with my Benson Preamp. It's too versatile for its own good if you ask me - it's the best clean boost, almost the best OD, and fully dimed, its basically Band Of Gypsys level fuzz. I'd actually like to get a second one on my board and experiment with stacking them.
Also I'm spending more time on my 1930s Oscar Schmidt rubber bridge guitar (usually with the Benson Preamp > a small amp). This has been a really interesting game changer for me the last few years - learning to embrace the way the notes just die off instead of sustain... it's kind of the opposite from traditional guitar playing.. and I love it.
For club gigs, I'm usually a Deluxe Reverb guy, though I could be swayed towards something else right now. I'm in the market and up for a change.
What guitarists or musicians have influenced your sound the most?
I think I wear a lot of my influences on my sleeve so its probably not too hard to guess that I'm a fan of Derek Trucks, Jimmy Herring, John Scofield, David Gilmour, Trey Anastasio, Jerry Garcia. I adore Oliver Wood's playing. And of course bluegrass guys like Tony Rice. But that's just guitar stuff. If I started listing other instrumentalists I'd never finish writing this.
⚡ Lightning Round
One album every guitarist should listen to?
Sunset - Jim Oblon (2014)
Desert island guitar and amp?
Well on a desert island I'd probably prefer to have my Iris acoustic with me BUT if we're going electric... my Creston Tele + a Kay 703 (5 watts), though I've been dreaming of making a wall of 4 of these amps, like a Kay stack.
What guitarist should everyone know about?
Xavier Lynn (Mono Neon, Mike Gordon)
Check out Bob's new album 'I've Been Down':
Spotify | Apple Music | Tidal | Bandcamp
