In the latest episode of the Rock Interview Series, host Thomas Orwat, Jr. sits down with virtuoso guitarist Sammy Boller. Recorded on November 21, 2025, the conversation dives into Sammy’s brilliant new all‑instrumental solo EP “Midnight Garden” and his whirlwind journey joining the Goo Goo Dolls on tour.
Sammy recalls how quickly it all happened: “I saw them in Buffalo in August… and then later that week Brad Fernquest had to leave the band. So it happened real quick. It was shocking, man.”
With the Goo Goo Dolls suddenly in need of a guitarist, Sammy got the call in the middle of the night: “It was Sunday at like 1:00 am. I get a text from their manager saying, ‘You think you can learn this show?’ He sent me a YouTube video… I didn’t even know if it was real.”
By Monday afternoon, the decision was made. “He called and said, ‘Hey, we need you. You need to fly out tomorrow.’ I asked, ‘When’s the first show?’ He goes, ‘It’s tomorrow.’”
Sammy stayed up all night cramming, making charts, and learning the set. “I showed up the next day… we rehearsed at soundcheck and got through as much as we could. It wasn’t perfect, but we got through it. And I got to finish out the tour. It was the most wild summer of my life.”
Now performing full‑time with the Goo Goo Dolls, Sammy reflects on the connection he shares with the band: “They’re really proud of being from Buffalo, and that’s how I feel about Detroit. We connected on that really early on. We’re proud of where we came from.”
Catch the full interview to hear more about Sammy’s unique playing style, his new EP, and his experiences on the road with one of the world’s most popular bands.
Please subscribe to the Rock Interview Series. For more on Sammy Boller, visit www.sammyboller.com.
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Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
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