Interview with David Grier for Banjo Studio

At the end of January I interviewed flat picking guitar phenom, David Grier for the Banjo Studio Podcast.. He has a very extensive career and an incredibly dextrous touch. If you are interested in bluegrass at all, this will be something to check out.

Banjo Studio says:

David Grier is one of the greatest flatpicking guitarists of all time. Listen to his reflections on Tony Rice's influence, the direction of bluegrass today, his own influences, and more.

Check out the podcast here…

New separate page with all collected Banjo Studio podcast episodes

Have you checked out the cool series of interviews I have conducted for Banjostudio.com. A place for epically great guitars and banjos.

The interviews are with some very amazing musicians: players of banjo and guitar and incredible songwriters, grammy winners, people with ideas. They are now collected on this page.

So far the list of posted interviews includes Joe Henry, Mary Gauthier, Valerie June, Adam Levy, Steve Khan, Jens Kruger, Riley Baugus, Alison Brown, Rob McCoury, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ryan Cavanaugh, Danny Barnes, Adam Levy and Jens Kruger.

If you don’t know who they are and you are interested in a wide variety of music, you will be boosted in to some very fascinating new musical and cultural (are they the same?) areas.

The Page is here…

Interview with banjo virtuoso, Jens Kruger for The Banjo Studio Podcast

There is a new episode up for this interview I conducted recently with Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers.

Banjo Studio says:

Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers is a modern master of the 5 string banjo who is taking the instrument to places it has never been. Born in Switzerland and now living in North Carolina, Jens' music bridges American folk music and European classical music styles. He has composed for a full symphony orchestra as well as a number of string quartets and more. 

In this interview, we dig deep into his compositional techniques, style, and more. Enjoy!

https://www.banjostudio.com/blogs/banjo-studio-podcast/jens-kruger-banjo-studio-podcast-episode-14

Interview with songwriter, producer, Joe Henry, for Banjo Studio

It was a privilege to speak with with, Joe Henry. His work covers a lot of ground. The accomplishment is quite staggering. Through all that though, he has very lucid and articulate awareness of the work and the subjects and fields in which he is involved. He is also very philosophically engaging which makes for a great and special interview. He speaks a lot about music, producing, poetry, songwriting, literature, and other things too. Enjoy!

The Banjo Studio says:

Joe Henry is a prolific songwriter, guitarist, producer, and author. He has won multiple Grammy awards, has 15 studio albums under his own name, and has produced countless artist’s recordings. His production credits include Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Rhiannon Giddens, Aarron Neville, Soloman Burke, and many, many more. 

This is a fascinating interview with one of the great creative forces in American music of our time. Listen to Joe Henry go into depth about his songwriting process, production process, and more. If you’re a fan of music of any kind you will enjoy and learn from this interview.

THE INTERVIEW IS HERE…

Interview with guitarist Adam Levy for The Banjo Studio

I recently had the opportunity to interview the great guitarist/songwriter, Adam Levy. Folks have described this one as inspiring. You may too. Adam’s record output is filled with greats and worth checking over at his band camp page.

THE INTERVIEW>>>

Banjo Studio says:

Guitarist Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracey Chapman) is known for his tone and taste. Adam talks with host Jonathan Freilich about his concept on the guitar, how he looks at the guitar from a more compositional/pianistic approach as oppose to a cliche guitar licks approach, his studies with Ted Greene, his current online guitar lessons course, and more.

Adam is an in demand sideman, songwriter, bandleader, guitar journalist, and guitar educator. Take a listen, you'll be sure to learn something that will improve your own playing.

Interviewed Valerie June for the Banjo Studio

A couple of weeks back I had the opportunity to interview Valerie June for the Banjo Studio. Have a listen, her music is great and her positivity is infectious and inspiring.

Banjo Studio says:

This week we talk with the mesmerizing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, ukulele) Valerie June. Valerie hails from Tennessee and has a unique sound that blends blues, country, and Appalachia. She has an amazingly effervescent, positive spirit and this comes across in her music. Host Jonathan Freilich talks about her influences, her songwriting process, and more.

This is a fantastic interview. Take a listen. Valerie also performs a song for us on the banjo! 

THE INTERVIEW CAN BE HEARD HERE…

New podcast: Interviewed Banjoist, Riley Baugus for the Banjo Studio.

Recently I had a conversation with Riley Baugus for the Banjo Studio Podcast.

The link to that is here…

Banjo Studio says…

In this episode, we talk with master old time Appalachian musician and banjo builder Riley Baugus. Riley plays in the Round Peak style which comes from the area of Surry County, North Carolina. Host Jonathan Freilich talks with Riley about the Round Peak style, what is old time music, his musical path, and more. Riley has recorded with Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Allison Kraus, and more. He also sang on the Academy Award Nominated soundtrack for the movie Cold Mountain. 

Riley plays and sings a few tunes! Take a listen!

Freilich interviews guitarist, Chris "Critter" Eldridge for The Banjo Studio podcast

Had the opportunity to interview acoustic guitar wizard, Chris Eldridge. I think this one will be interesting to many people with many different interests. If you don’t know his work you will find a new lane to check out. If you like the sound of steel string guitar, his playing draws out all the iconic color of the instrument.

The Banjo Studio interviews have really been intriguing to be involved with and this one is right at the top end of what is becoming a great archive of interviews.

Banjo Studio wrote:

Chris "Critter" Eldridge is a master of the dreadnought guitar and is the guitarist & sings with Punch Brothers, Live From Here, Julian Lage, and more. This is a great interview and host Jonathan Freilich talks with Chris about compositional form of the Punch Brothers tunes, Chris' training with legendary guitarist Tony Rice, how to get the best live sound and recorded sound for an acoustic guitar, and more!

The link to the interview…

Alison Brown interview for The Banjo Studio podcast now up.

She also has two Grammy’s and did a long stint with Alison Krauss and Union Station, as well as having a very large catalogue of her own.

Link to the interview…

Continuing with the series for The Banjo Studio where you can get my favorite guitars (Collings) and also great instruments from the banjo family (Deering)…

I spoke with master 5 string banjoist and Compass Records founder Allison Brown.

Banjo Studio says:

In this interview we talk with Allison about the development of the Deering Julia Belle banjo, how she made the jump from the business world to becoming a full time professional musician, how she balances being an artist and CFO of a successful record company, and much more.

New interview with Ketch Secor at Banjo Studio.com

I recently interviewed Ketch Secor of The Old Crow Medicine show. The podcast is up now and available at Banjo Studio.

Banjo Studio says:

In this episode, we talk with Ketch Secor, a founding member and frontman of the band Old Crow Medicine Show. Take a listen to stories of how the band came to be, what brought Ketch down this path. Host Jonathan Freilich talks with Ketch about a number of subjects including the effect the banjo had on Ketch's musical journey, how Old Crow Medicine Show got its start, the influence of African Americans in country and old-time music, and more.

The direct link to the episode.

Podcast interview with Mary Gauthier at Banjostudio.com

Another episode of the series I’m working on for The Banjo Studio. This time with Mary Gauthier. If you don’t know her songwriting, you should!

Banjo Studio says:

Mary Gauthier is one of the most articulate and poignant songwriters of our time. She grew up in southern Louisiana, moved to the Boston area where she started her singer/songwriter career and is now based in Nashville. Her most recent record, Rifles And Rosary Beads was nominated for a Grammy Award. This record consists of songs she co-wrote with U.S. military veterans and their families. Mary is currently working on a book about her life journey. 

Host Jonathan Freilich talks with Mary about what brought her to a place of such clarity in her songwriting, what motivates her, and what she is currently working on.

The podcast is available here…

Podcast interview with Danny Barnes at Banjo Studio

Carrying on from the Ryan Cavanaugh, this fantastic conversation with banjo phenom, Danny Barnes just posted.

Banjo Studio says…

Songwriter/banjoist Danny Barnes is always experimenting and trying to become a better musician. Host Jonathan Freilich talks with Danny on his path from traditional banjo styles to how he created his own sound.  Danny recently released his Man On Fire album which is killer. This  was produced by Dave Matthews and  he is featured as a guest artist as well as Bill Frisell, John Paul Jones (bass and mandolin), and drummer Matt Chamberlain.

Danny Barnes

Now host of Banjo Studio Podcasts- this week with Ryan Cavanaugh

I’m back to doing music interview podcasts. This time for BanjoStudio.com. This week is number 1- modern banjo virtuoso Ryan Cavanaugh about his journey to becoming one of the most innovative banjoists in history. 

Banjo Studio sells Deering Banjos, Collings guitars and accessories. They are at- https://www.banjostudio.com.

To get directly to the podcast-

https://www.banjostudio.com/blogs/banjo-studio-podcast/banjo-studio-podcast-episode-1-ryan-cavanaugh