The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

This week, we're sharing one of the highlights from our 2024 Fretboard Summit: Joe Henry in conversation with Blake Mills. During their chat, these two acclaimed producers and singer-songwriters discuss working with legacy artists (Blake has famously worked with Joni Mitchell; while Joe has worked with everyone from Joan Baez to Solomon Burke), the importance of a beginner's mindset in the studio, the magic of Jim Keltner, honoring the song, and so much more. It was one of many unforgettable Fretboard Summit 2024 sessions. We hope you love it. Recorded August 24, 2024. https://www.blakemillsonline.com https://www.joehenrylovesyoumadly.com/ We'll be sharing even more podcasts and videos from our Summit throughout the year. Thanks to all who attended. Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/ This week's show is sponsored by:Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Detroit-based guitarist Nick Shillace joins us this week to talk about discovering the music of John Fahey, running a successful music school, and his excellent new album, A Rich Boy's Measured Blues. Nick is one of dozens of musicians and luthiers attending our 2024 Fretboard Summit, taking place August 23-25, 2024 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. https://fretboardsummit.org Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Collings Guitars: https://www.collingsguitars.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Two of Nashville's finest guitarists – Tom Bukovac and Guthrie Trapp – join us this week to talk about their new album, IN STEREO. We chat about what brought them to Nashville way back when, the making of the album, the gear they used on it, tube amps, and so much more. Order IN STEREO: https://bakedalaskarecords.com Our 2024 Fretboard Summit takes place August 23-25, 2024 at Chicago's Old Town School. This year's Summit features 80 luthiers and exhibitors. Performers include Adam Levy, Colin Hay, Blake Mills, Joel Paterson, Jake Eddy, Jordan Tice, Valerie June, and Joe Henry. Register to attend this unforgettable guitar weekend: https://fretboardsummit.org Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Collings Guitars: https://www.collingsguitars.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal  

Toronto's William "Grit" Laskin has been building acoustic instruments since 1971. Best known as one of the world's foremost inlay artists, Grit painstakingly crafts wildly ornate fingerboard and headstock creations that serve as one-of-a-kind tributes to his clients and their passions. When he's not building, Grit has also run a record label, performed around North America as a folk artist, and even invented an engraving filler used by fellow luthiers worldwide. In 2012, he was named to the Order Of Canada (C.M.)., Canada's highest civilian honor.  As if that weren't enough, Grit has just penned a novel. 'The Stradivari Formula' is a thriller filled with intrigue, mystery and even a guitar-related plot. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we hear all about it, the research that went into it, and more.   Order the Stradivari Formula on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3A0tjNv Follow Grit: https://williamlaskin.com/ The Fretboard Journal's Fretboard Summit takes place August 23-25, 2024 at Chicago's Old Town School. This year's Summit features 80 luthiers and exhibitors, including Collings, Martin, Jason Kostal, Frank Bros., Michael Greenfield, and others. Performers include Colin Hay, Blake Mills, and Joe Henry. Register to attend this unforgettable guitar weekend: https://fretboardsummit.org Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

In our 54th issue, Eric Pooley shares the story of Maya de Vitry going solo after her lengthy stint as one third of the Americana band The Stray Birds. It's a poignant interview about starting from scratch, being vulnerable and taking chances. On this week's podcast, we hear even more about Maya's journey with her collaborator Anthony da Costa. Maya's new album, The Only Moment, is out now and we get the whole tale of how it developed and was recorded. https://www.mayadevitry.com The Fretboard Journal's Fretboard Summit takes place August 23-25, 2024 in Chicago. Register to attend this one-of-a-kind guitar camp: https://fretboardsummit.org Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Today we share an hour-long interview with one of the true greats of guitar-making, John Monteleone. Collectors and musicians around the world have sought out John's archtop creations, resulting in six-figure price tags, a quartet of guitars at the Met (the Four Seasons), and even a song penned by Mark Knopfler (simply titled, "Monteleone"). He's also the subject of a full-length documentary, The Chisels Are Calling.  As if that isn't enough, nearly 50 of his instruments from throughout his career have been amassed for a very special exhibit at the Long Island Museum entitled "Musical Masterworks: John Monteleone's Guitars and Other Instruments." The exhibit runs through October 13th, 2024.  https://longislandmuseum.org/exhibition/musical-masterworks-john-monteleones-guitars-and-other-instruments/ From August 1-3, 2024, John also is hosting his own Art of the Guitar Festival in Stony Brook (just a mile away from the aforementioned museum). https://www.thejazzloft.org/monteleone During our chat, we talk about his early days in lutherie, building instruments and doing repairs for Mandolin Brothers. We chat about the influence of Jimmy D'Aquisto, what inspires him today, his workshop, new models on the horizon, and more.  The Fretboard Journal is proud to announce that we're throwing a guitar festival. Read our 'First Timer's Guide to the Fretboard Summit' to learn all about it: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/a-first-timers-guide-to-the-fretboard-summit Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Meet Scott Tsai, founder of Philadelphia's Queens Vintage Guitars. Queens Vintage Guitars may just be the newest brick & mortar vintage guitar store in the country. On today's podcast, owner Scott Tsai tells us about its inception, its community focus, and so much more.  https://queensvintageguitars.com Scott's story is fascinating: His love for guitar started with a Yamaha from Costco. He became hooked on the music of Tommy Emmanuel, landed a job at NYC's Retrofret (thanks to sheer tenacity), and gradually amassed a collection of rare Epiphone archtops from the 1930s. He gives us a mini history lesson on Epiphones and explains what makes their archtops different from their Gibson counterparts.  Plus: Scott's short-lived stint as a paparazzi photographer! Meet Scott and close to 100 former FJ subjects, podcast guests, luthiers and brands at this year's Fretboard Summit in Chicago. Read our 'First Timer's Guide to the Fretboard Summit' to learn about it: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/a-first-timers-guide-to-the-fretboard-summit/ Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal  

We just premiered Mikkel Ploug's beautiful arrangement of Bach's Art of the Fugue for guitar on our YouTube channel. Today, we hear all about it.  Ploug talks to us about how he turned to a Gibson ES-330 and an Estey-era Magnatone M-14 for this recording, his arrangement process on the Bach piece, and so much more. We talk gear, European jazz, and the experience of commissioning a guitar-themed piece from composer Bent Sørensen.  Watch Ploug play the Art of the Fugue here: https://youtu.be/5Sl1mQB9HR4 Follow Mikkel here: https://www.instagram.com/plougmikkel/ https://www.mikkelploug.com We're throwing a guitar festival this August in Chicago. Read 'A First Timer's Guide to the Fretboard Summit':  https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/a-first-timers-guide-to-the-fretboard-summit/ Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal  

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy joins us this week to talk about the band's new, long-awaited album, 'As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again.' Longtime readers of the magazine will remember Colin gracing the cover of our 45th issue. This time around, we chat about why there was a six-year break Decemberists albums, the tedious side of touring, the joys of writing, Nic Jones and British folk and more.  https://www.decemberists.com/ We're throwing a guitar festival this August in Chicago. Read 'A First Timer's Guide to the Fretboard Summit': https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/a-first-timers-guide-to-the-fretboard-summit/ Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal  

Bluegrass banjo legend Tony Trischka joins us this week to discuss the making of his new album, 'Earl Jam.' He also gives us a mini-masterclass into the world of Earl Scruggs. The story behind 'Earl Jam' is truly remarkable: Upon receiving a USB drive full of never-before-released Earl Scruggs home recordings from the '80s and '90s, Trischka decided to transcribe his favorite moments and solos, note-for-note. His playing of these transcriptions became the foundation for the album, which also features guest spots by Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Brittany Haas, Stuart Duncan and others. It's like hearing a completely new Earl Scruggs record in 2024. Just as memorable as the album are some Trischka's stories about Scruggs and his influence. Somehow, King Curtis Ravi Shankar, Petticoat Junction, Steve Martin, and KFC all get mentioned...and a lot more!   https://www.tonytrischka.com/earl-jam A First Timer's Guide to the Fretboard Summit: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/a-first-timers-guide-to-the-fretboard-summit/ Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print edition and reserve your copy of Fretboard Journal 54:  https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription This week's show is sponsored by: StewMac: https://stewmac.sjv.io/R5jvRR (Affiliate link) Izotope: https://www.izotope.com (Use the code FRET10 to save 10%) Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal