The series captures journalist & creator Kylie Olsson’s quest to learn guitar through candid conversations
AXS TV gives viewers an intimate glimpse into some of rock’s most talented strummers and their unique relationship with the guitar, in the all-new original music series Life In Six Strings With Kylie Olsson, premiering Monday, October 2nd at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT, immediately following the premiere of the original countdown series Spin 100 Greatest Rock Stars at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.
The series is the brainchild of award-winning music journalist, author, presenter, and director Kylie Olsson, an accomplished personality who has interviewed and worked with industry trailblazers such as Kiss, The Rolling Stones, Def Leppard, and more; and has notably served as host of the Download Festival’s virtual event during the lockdown; produced celebrated rock docs for the BBC; and penned The Art Of Metal and Rock, A Life Story. She is also on the voting committee for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Originally conceived during the lockdown, Life In Six Strings began as a popular YouTube series capturing Olsson’s journey to make her lifelong dream of learning the guitar a reality. Talking to some of rock’s top pickers, she gleaned invaluable tips and tricks while digging deep into the guitar’s incredible influence and impact on their lives and careers. Now, on AXS TV, the series finds the aspiring guitarist continuing her journey to learn the instrument, as she travels across the United States to meet a slate of axe-wielding icons at their homes and haunting grounds—touring through childhood towns, beloved shops, and more; providing an intimate glimpse into each artists’ origins, both sonically and geographically, and shedding a light on the people behind the larger-than-life rock personas.
“This series is deeply personal for me,” Olsson shares. “What started as a portrait of my own quest to learn the guitar has transformed into something far bigger. It’s a celebration—not just of this incredible instrument, but also its unique impact on the lives of some of rock’s most influential musicians. This is their story as much as it is mine, and I am so proud to be able to share it with AXS TV’s audience of fellow music enthusiasts.”
In the series premiere, Olsson heads to Nashville to catch up with celebrated bluesman Joe Bonamassa at Nerdville East, perusing his incredible collection of music memorabilia, vintage signs, and Americana, before hitting the streets in his ’55 Chevy to cruise to some of his favorite sites in the city. Followed by an emotional trek through Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt’s childhood home in Hudson, MA on October 9th, where Olsson learns to play the band’s signature hit “More Than Words” in Bettencourt’s childhood bedroom.
Other season highlights include a visit to Vermont to speak with Grace Potter, who opens up about her love for filmmaking and journey of self-discovery, before teaching Olsson the art of the slide guitar; an out-of-this-world hang with metal superstar Mick Mars, who invites Olsson into his dungeon to showcase his most iconic guitars and teach her how to master his signature sound, before exploring one of his favorite spots in Leipers Fork; a meeting with visionary virtuoso Steve Vai, who shows Olsson around his home studio, taking her beekeeping and touring through his favorite book shop, before presenting her with a surprisingly new musical challenge; and a collaboration with fretboard phenom Tyler Bryant, where Olsson gets to peruse his most cherished guitars, vintage mics, and more, before attempting to take on a “turnaround;” among others.
