Some argue the age of the guitar hero ended decades ago. Given the cyclical nature of popular music, it’s time for a comeback. But don’t call it a comeback, because really, hot-shot guitarists have been here for years. Rocking their peers, if you will, in cities where blues-based live music still rules supreme. If Nashville is the capital city of rock guitar, J.D. Simo, 29, is the cool young mayor. Simo was born and raised in another great blues town, Chicago, gained prodigy status as a teenager, and spent his 20s as a coveted Nashville session player and stunt guitarist for legendary Nashville scene figure Don Kelley.

Having logged upwards of 5,000 stage hours with Kelley, J.D. staked out fronting his classic rock trio, SIMO. His sound is pure classic rock guitar hero, with elements of all the heavy hitters of the late ‘60s—Page, Clapton, Beck, Peter Green—with all the pace and authority of a chickin’ pickin’ country western virtuoso like Don Rich. For his most recent record, Let Love Show the Way (due January 2016), Simo traveled south to Macon, Georgia to lay tracks in the Big House, the ‘60s communal home of the Allman Brothers, and even used Duane’s famous gold Les Paul guitar. We caught up with Simo to talk about his latest recording, his penchant for vintage guitars, and barroom brawls on the tavern circuit.

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Homebase: Nashville, Tennesse

What does JD stand for? What kind of surname is Simo?

JD stands for Jeffrey Daniel. Simo is a Czech name.

You're kind of from all over--Chicago, Phoenix, Nashville. How does that influence your songwriting?

Well, everything one does affects what they write about. I'm fortunate that all three of these places are filled with culture and that definitely has had a part to play. I tend to write more about people and relationships. Therefore, the people I know and interact with end up having more impact what I write about.

Recently you recorded in Macon, Georgia at the Big House. Can you describe how the vibe of that room contributed to your final product?

In my opinion, when one performs and records what I'd call improvisational based music, vibe is so much more important than anything else! For no matter how good something sounds in a studio, if the magic isn't there, no piece of gear or editing can make it be there. So I tend to look for places that I know will be inspiring to work in and make a studio out of it. The Big House is a special place. I've had a lot of fond memories hanging there and it was a no-brainer. It was an honor to do it there. In two days we set up and tore down a full studio rig and cut the majority of the new record. I've done a lot of recording before and I've never had a session go so well and so much get accomplished in such a short amount of time! It just flowed, man. It's something that we'll never replicate. I'll be forever grateful to that grand old house and all who lived there!

I can hear some Duane Allman in your sound. What kind of influence did he have on your approach to the instrument?

Duane is huge influence for me. I have many heroes but he's a big one. Everything about the man is pretty righteous. Not to glorify him or nothing, but if you're going to look up to someone, I think he's a good one.. His slide approach in particular is very special to me. He sounds like a harmonica most of the time and I try to do the same. I love that sound!

Who are some of your current heroes in the world of music?

I think Jack White is tops man! I just did a session with him recently at his house and he's everything I hoped he'd be. I love the man and everything he does. I dig Sturgill Simpson a lot too. Chris Stapleton is bad mofo and a good buddy. Those are the few that immediately come to mind.

How did working with Don Kelley and others affect how you lead your own band?

Well the Don gig was a huge education. I did about 1,200 or more four-hour gigs in that band. It made me a musician. You can't stand on a stage for that many hours and not get better. That concept is something that is sorely missing these days. You need the experience. No way around it. I was very lucky to get in that band when I did and it shaped my playing the right way. On stage in front of people. Also the studio experience that went along with it helped immensely. For years there, I would do a 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. session then play with Don from 6-10 p.m. For years I did that.

As far as how I lead my band... again, everything influences you. What I took as a band leader away from Don is that when you hit the stage, it's time to be focused and present. When the music is happening, that's your job. You respect it and take it seriously and if someone isn't, then there's a problem. Luckily that's usually not a problem in SIMO.

A lot of people don't realize that being a career musician means more than having a band. What else does it take to make a living out of playing classic rock in 2015?

It's a job man. Like any other really. The show, or a record are focal points but you have all the other hours of the day and tasks that fill it that make the show or the record possible. It's a full time 24 hour a day commitment. To succeed it requires total focus and commitment to making it happen. Also it requires that from several others and you have to work as a team. It's a small business. Like opening a cupcake store or something. You invest time, money and effort in hopes that people like your product and allow your business to grow. Having said that, I think it’s the best job there is. Even if the lows can get very low, the highs are very high [laughs].

Tell me how your obsession with vintage instrument began.

It began with my ‘62 Gibson ES 335, red--which Gibson is making a signature model of at the moment; it should come out by the end of the year. I hadn't had access to vintage stuff and once I acquired that guitar, one by one all these collectors and dealers came into my life. Those relationships have granted me access to hundreds of some of the most precious instruments that exist! It's really astounding what I've had access to. I'm blown away and it's a hobby and a passion that is so fun!!

When you pick up and play a guitar for the first time, what speaks to you the most?

If it leads me to play a certain thing, then it's got something. If I have to stop and think of something to play, then it don't have it. I know immediately if an instrument has something in it for me to get. It's a weird thing.

What's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you at a gig?

Once when I was a teenager, a fight broke out in the club I was playing. Like one out of a movie. But the crazy part is that once the fight was broken up and the two guys who really went at it were thrown out and arrested, we started to play again and the drummer went up and knocked out the bass player! In the middle of a song! They'd been fighting verbally and the bassist said something I didn't hear and sure enough the drummer left the kit and knocked him on his ass in the middle of a song. We had to break them up and that's all folks. [laughs] Either one would make for a good story, but them being literally back-to-back was nuts and I'll never forget it. It happened in Sedona, Arizona at a club that is no longer there.