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For people who play bluegrass music... or want to!
Episodes
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 203
Curtis Jones Interview
Curtis Jones is a supremely diverse musician and a world-class acoustic guitarist. Down to earth, humble and amazingly gifted. I know you will enjoy meeting my friend Curtis Jones. If you want your mind blown, go see him play live.
His interview is another in my series to try to convince the listeners that Georgia has produced an amazing number of fine bluegrass musicians. Sometimes many people tend to think that great bluegrass simply must come from Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia or Tennessee. Curtis is one more great example in favor of Georgia born musicians.
The segue music you hear at the start of the interview is from Curtis' CD "Blue As I" (1998) and is a bit of his original instrumental "Pistol Pete". The outro music is his song "Better Days" from the same recording.
Both tunes feature Curtis on guitar, Alison Brown on banjo, Dan Tyminski on mandolin and Missy Raines on bass. "Better Days" features Curtis singing lead with Shawn Lane singing tenor.
Enjoy the show.
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If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you all!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 202
Jim "Duck" Adkins Interview
Duck is many things: musician, banjo player, singer, band leader, teacher. He has been playing and entertaining crowds for fifty years and is a well-known figure in the Atlanta and N. Georgia area. Sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversation with this one-of-a-kind bluegrass personality.
The segue music you hear at the start of the interview is Jim Adkins and Cedar Hill kicking off "Runaway" on their 1984 album "Mama Don't Allow". The outro music is the "Duck" singing "Your Cheating Heart" from Cedar Hill's 1982 recording "Ruff N Ready".
Note: We could have talked for 100 hours. This interview barely scratches the surface of what this guy has been up to for half a century. Get to know him. You will be better for it.
Enjoy the show.
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If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you all!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 201
Harps Jackson Interview
Everything you ever wanted to know about the harmonica brought to you by a guy who truly can play the thing. He has played in blues, gospel, country, rock and bluegrass settings and he is always tasteful and skilled. You can't say that for a lot of folks who get up on stage and blow through some pathetic, sorry attempt. Harps is the kind of player, with the kind of dedication, who cares about music. I feel lucky to have met him, to have played with him in two bands, and call him my friend. I hope you enjoy this discussion and glean some of his wisdom which can be applied to all forms of music.
Both of the sample musical cuts are from The Incorrigible String Band's CD titled "It's Raining Words". Harps is on harmonica, Cory Chambers on guitar and vocals, Tim Ussery on mandolin and Bradley Laird on bass.
Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you all!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 200
Merry Christmas
I just came in the from the yard throwing the baseball back and forth with Jackson and my wife is in the house making Christmas cookies. When I finish this episode I plan to sit down and watch "The Christmas Story" with the family.
In this episode I talk about creating a digitized version of my Flatiron mandolin and I offer up a couple of examples created by my son. I talk a bit about Doyle Lawson's retirement, jamming with the radio on Christmas songs, and that's about it.
Merry Christmas, folks!
IT IS NOT TOO LATE!!! All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells!
Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you all!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 199
Uncle Rico's Time Machine
Put the handle between your legs. Set the date on the dial. Don't forget to put the crystal in the clamp. Tell Kip to throw the switch. You will be instantly transported to another time and place. In this case, Motorhead's Bar and Grill on a Thursday night in McDonough, Georgia.
Take notes. This has everything: How to cope with 15 free shots for the band, the buzzing of countless neon lights, screaming adoring fans, smashing beer bottle sounds, the snapping of a "smoke eater" machine, a late fiddle player, a fill in bass player thereby causing us to "wing" all of the harmonies since we are missing our tenor singer.
Pay attention to Buddy's guitar playing. Those little mid-range licks put right into the gaps! It is a perfect representation of good bluegrass guitar. David's banjo playing is top notch and different from what you are used to. Mike's fiddle, despite no time to warm up, is truly amazing. Tony's bass playing, even though he is winging it on every tune, proves what a great musician (with "great ears") he truly was. And the tone from my 1985 Carlson Flatiron is better than I have ever heard it. Golden times before everyone lost their minds. Back then, only WE had lost out minds.
This episode is dedicated to the memory of my good friend and mentor Tony Terrell who taught me so much about piano tuning, rebuilding and introduced me to so much great music.
It has a drunk bar owner (the guy with the $300 at the end of the night) hassling us to play Free Bird, our answer, including an "alright, wise guy, I'll show you", cynically wicked slide mandolin solo using a Craftsman deep well socket, multiple "guest slots" from folks in the audience, a tear-jerking version of Dixie, Sally Goodin the old time way... It has it all. And despite all of the very obvious flaws, it is a great gig! And they kept us on for 3 more years!
By the way, when I told Harry that we'd play Free Bird in the fourth set, that was a joke. We were only booked for three sets.
Happy Thanksgiving, folks!
And don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming! All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells!
Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you all!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Monday Nov 08, 2021
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 198
A Major Award & The Ed Davis Method
In this episode I discuss an award my son received for his music composition "Run Away" and how we can learn from that. You can download his award winning composition for free right here in my online store. (In the episode I mistakenly said that his song was on his EP "Beacon". Wrong. It is on "Hands Up". But, it doesn't matter. You can download both EPs for free.
I also talk about a recent gig and something you should check for if your microphones are getting long in the tooth. Then I get to the meat of the episode and explain to you the Ed Davis method of taking music lessons and how it might be something wise for you to try.
I also made quick mention of one of my personally favorite creations for banjo players--The Flint Hill Scrolls eBook. You can get a copy for yourself right here. http://www.bradleylaird.com/dojo/buy-FHS.html
And don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming! All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells!
Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you all!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Friday Oct 15, 2021
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 197
Chatty Light Interview
Recently I was asked to be a guest on the Chatty Light Podcast. I thought you might enjoy hearing it. Thank you, Colton, Alex and crew! It was fun.
And for my son Jackson's Christmas fund, don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming!. All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells!
Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you all!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 196
Mushrooms and Metronomes
This nice cool evening I simply held the recorder in my hand and talked about how you can focus and get good at one thing and it will carry over into lots of other things you have not even tried. I also talk a bit about my mushroom project and other oddities. Enjoy the show!
And for my boy Jackson's Christmas fund, don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming!. All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells!
Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. I love you guys and gals!
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Friday Aug 20, 2021
Friday Aug 20, 2021
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 195
An Early Morning Rant
One of the things in life that I cherish is to rise early, to get up before the chickens, watch the stars and think about life.
This morning I got up, jotted down a few notes on a brown paper sack, and hit record. My intended subject was "Ten Ways To Play Better Bluegrass" but, as usual, I wandered a bit.
I have included actual live cricket sounds and a bug zapper in the background just to help you imagine the scene. I also did an unpaid endorsement of The Bug-A-Salt 3.0. Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 194
David Mathis of Gallagher Guitar
Gallagher guitars, made in Tennessee, were first brought to the attention of guitar players when the legendary Doc Watson chose a D-50 Gallagher in the late 1960's.
David has taken of the reins to keep the Gallagher legacy alive and you too can still get your hands on one! Here is a link to the Gallagher website. Enjoy the show.
-------------------------------------
If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.