Music credits:

Intro: Prison Walls by Randy Godwin, performed by Buddy Ashmore and Pony Express.

Outro 1: The Ghoul (short sample) written and arranged by Jackson Laird.

Outro 2: The Spot Reprise written and arranged by Jackson Laird.

The expected release date of his album is June 2025. Look him up on Band Camp. The title of the album is "Up Time".

Podcast Note: All past, present and future GrassTalkRadio episodes are available on Podbean here: https://bradleylaird.podbean.com/

I trust that all of you are doing well, enjoying life and making good music.

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.

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.

-------------------------------------

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

They Said It Couldn't Be Done

Bill Monroe only made one minor mistake in the creation of Blue Grass music. That is the trying, and later elimination, of the accordion in his ensemble. Well, if you listen all the way to end of this podcast, you will hear some of the greatest music ever put on wax. Had Bill met Dominic Frontiere there is a good chance we would all have accordions in our bluegrass groups today! I challenge the whippersnapper upstart Chris Thile to play THAT! 

Aside from that monstrous revelation, I also talk about whether one should joke with government employees, growing mushroooms, divine intervention, "breakthrough" miracles, patience, the sub-conscious mind, and all those other good things which turn average "pickers" into self-surprising musicians.

If you want proof of my three bullseyes go to the show notes for this episode right here. With Jackson as my witness, miracles do happen!

No! Not the chair!

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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! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!

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.

Harmony

Harmony is the interaction between two or more different tones or pitches. Bluegrass music is nothing without harmony. (So is humanity by the way.) In this episode I walk you through a short course in bluegrass harmony singing. How do you figure out what note to sing? I'll try to help.

In the course of this episode I refer often to a PDF document which you can get for free over on my Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/bradleylaird

Just scroll down to the post entitled: Basics of Harmony Singing. There you can download a PDF which is very helpful to have in hand while listening to this episode.

In addition to discussing the contents of that PDF I present various audio examples of standard bluegrass trio harmony, duets, high lead trios, and high baritone trios of some of the best in the business.

And, along the way, I present a challenge that you (and two of your bluegrass picking pals) listen to the episode, study the document, and send in a recording of your trio singing the ultra-simple "Boil Them Cabbage Down"! You will be rewarded handsomely if you prove to me that at least someone found this useful.

Have fun with the episode and folks, let's put a little more spit and polish into our vocal harmonies! It's worth it. 

-------------------------------------

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! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!

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.

Host a Jam

Over the years I have been to lots of jam sessions and have organized and hosted quite few too. If you are starved for bluegrass pickin' I will explain how you "take the bull by the horns" and host your own jam session.

It can be a "one time only event" or it may turn into a regular, recurring session. Either way, it is a good way to get more bluegrass in your life and provide the same for other musicians.

In this episode I mention my "10 Jammandments Discussed" eBook. You can download it free here. (By the way, the final page in that eBook has a 25% discount coupon code for ANY of my instructional videos, courses and eBooks in my online store. Take advantage of that too!)

Enjoy the episode and I hope you have a jam session soon! Invite me!

-------------------------------------

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! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!

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.

Matt Hutchinson Interview

Here's a guy who loves bluegrass. So much that he is willing to create a podcast so you have someone to pick with! What's not to love? In this episode I strike up a conversation with Matt to learn about his Bluegrass Jam Along podcast and find out how a guy in the UK became interested in bluegrass and to share what he is doing with all of you.

Enjoy the episode, check out his podcast and I'll talk to you soon.

-------------------------------------

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! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!

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.

Life Is Good

In this episode I talk about how you can dive in to your solo, play like dog squeeze, feel totally humiliated and still get a round of applause. It's one of the hidden benefits of playing live. (They aren't usually paying that much attention!)

Before I get to that, I talk about a big storm, the first post-pandemic session at Pat's Place, my "Brad's Barn Jam", and some other gobblety-gook that you might enjoy.

Enjoy the episode and talk to you soon. Better yet, I hope to pick with you soon!

-------------------------------------

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! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!

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.

A Man's Entitled To His Opinion

200 episodes and over 100,000 downloads. Not bad!

This short episode is just to let you know I am still kicking. I have taken a little, well deserved break from the GTR Podcast and in this episode I fill you in a bit.

I have completed work on the F5 mandolin which I have been building and you can hear it in this episode. School's out, a light fixture in the kitchen tried to burn the house down, bluegrass has once again assured that I am officially below the poverty line, and life is good.

Enjoy the show and I'll talk to you in the next episode. I bet you can hardly wait! 

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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.

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.

Beach Balls & Train Wrecks

In this episode I talk a bit about the "Beach Ball Effect", I get interrupted by a friendly sales call, give you a short garden update, and then dig in to the topic of Train Wrecks and how they may be avoided. Have fun!

Talk to ya next week.

-------------------------------------

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.

Edumacation Are Fun!

In this show I respond to a couple of emails I received and discuss education and how we learn.

Have fun and I trust you take this "in the spirit in which it is intended."

In the episode I referenced this episode with the Self-Analysis Worksheet PDF:

http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-3-show-notes.html

And this blog post concerning self-directed learning:

http://www.bradleylaird.com/blog-articles/blog-36-guide.html

Talk to ya next week.

-------------------------------------

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.

Cancel This!

All I am saying is listen and make up your own minds. Cancel me if you must. Or, stick with me and the bluegrass way. Enough already!

I have heard so much sub-par bluegrass singing over the years--not from the pros like IIIrd Tyme Out and Doyle Lawson--but just in general. Some pretty lame singing is often the norm with bluegrass jams and SOME bands I have heard.

All I have to say is "tighten up" and take a hint from my closing outro music by Jackson, my son, and the Voices of the Valley Choir. The takeaway "pull quote" is at exactly 34:10. Shame on those who think otherwise.

I want to quote two verses in case you have trouble understanding the lyrics in the recording:

"We are pilgrims on the journey

We are travelers on the road

We are here to help each other

Walk the mile and bear the load"

"I will weep when you are weeping

When you laugh, I'll laugh with you

I will share you joy and sorrow

Till we've seen this journey through."

See ya next week.

This podcast is dedicated to my friend Bob Putnam. I love you Bob. God be with you, my friend.

-------------------------------------

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.

Nobody actually reads this stuff anyway so I am telling you that my cross-eyed sister once rode a bull moose across the Yukon Territory while playing a ukulele and singing My Old Kentucky Home. (Told ya! Nobody reads this crap!)

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.

The Art of Quitting

I have spent much airtime here discussing the starting of things. Jams, bands, lessons, etc. But there comes a time in the natural curve of things that we must give it up and say "I quit!" When and how do you do this? And why?

I hope you enjoy this early morning sermon and I hope that when or if you are driven to quit that you do it in the best way possible. You may be doing everyone a favor! Yourself and others. Could be!

-------------------------------------

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.

First, Tune That Thang!

After a wandering diatribe I eventually get to the topic of the day and discuss tuning. Real solid tuning! I talk about how to get an instrument in tune so it will withstand a severe beating and stay in tune. I talk about beats and the importance of clean unisons. I talk about string segments and "equalization of tension". I talk about sending Tony Fauci an invoice. I talk about potatoes, growing shitake mushrooms, chestnut trees, tending donkeys, and lots of other fun stuff. 

Note: You will discover as you listen to my tale of Dixon's mandolin woes that (in this episode) I never revealed what what happening with his mandolin. We cured the tuning issue and that was a big part of it. The rest was the jangling strings between the bridge and his cast tailpiece. We cured that pretty quickly. See my eBook "The Mandolin Handbook". 

-------------------------------------

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.

That Ain't Bluegrass

In today's episode I discuss that most difficult topic of deciding just what is and what is not bluegrass. After a bit about what I think IS bluegrass, I take the easier route and play for you ten samples of what I think IS NOT bluegrass. Enjoy!

For all of you bass players or wannabee bass players, please take advantage of this 20% discount off my Complete Bluegrass Bass Learning System. Use coupon code "bass20" before March 7, 2021 and save a pile of bucks!

-------------------------------------

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.

Bob Knysz Interview

This episode will introduce you to one of the movers and shakers in the mandolin world. Bob Knysz is an accomplished bluegrass musician and is also a founder of the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra.

We discuss his introduction to the mandolin, his experiences in the Chicago area, taking lessons from the great Jethro Burns, attending Bean Blossom, his relocation to Georgia, the beginnings of the South Eastern Bluegrass Association, the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra, The Classical Mandolin Society of America, and his involvement with a number of bluegrass groups. I know you will enjoy meeting Bob Knysz.

LINKS:

For information about Bob and the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra: http://www.atlantamandolins.com/

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The episode also features a limited time discount on:

The Mandolin Treasure Chest

http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html

Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Feb. 20, 2021. This is a remarkable win-win-win offer. You win because you learn to play the mandolin! I win because I get your money and can buy dog food, hay, bacon, beer, biscuits (The Three Basic Food Groups) and chicken feed. And, in case you didn't know, Jared wins because he only gets paid for his fantastic announcements IF you actually purchase and use the coupon code. Help the guy out! We all win!

------------------------------------

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.

Tony Williamson Interview

Join me on this wide-ranging conversation with Tony Williamson. We discuss mandolin world addiction, mandolin family instruments, Bill Monroe and the "power pose", Union Grove, overalls, the Bluegrass Alliance, Grisman's porch, Harry Sparks, how a mandolin brought a man back from near death.

Then, the DGQ's first album, auditioning over the phone to play with Richard Greene, pie, flintknapping and archeology, and as if that were not enough, how a warehouse full of fine plastic guitars (made by Mario Maccaferri who also made Django's guitar) bankrolled Mandolin Central. This is a fun one and I know you will enjoy meeting Tony Williamson.

LINKS:

For Tony's website where you can get his music, watch videos, and drool over or purchase a fine, pre-war mandolin or mandolin family instrument. I encourage you to visit: http://www.mandolincentral.com/

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The episode also features a limited time discount on:

The Mandolin Treasure Chest

http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html

Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Feb. 14, 2021. This is a remarkable win-win-win offer. You win because you learn to play the mandolin! I win because I get your money and can buy dog food, hay, bacon, beer, biscuits (The Three Basic Food Groups) and chicken feed. And, in case you didn't know, Jared wins because he only gets paid for his fantastic announcements IF you actually purchase and use the coupon code. Help the guy out! We all win!

------------------------------------

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.

Happy ground hog day!!

Megan Chowning Interview

I always enjoy swapping stories and notes with other teachers. But this is no ordinary teacher! In this episode you will meet champion fiddler, professional musician and teacher Megan Chowning. It is a long winding conversation with something for players of all levels and all instruments. A part of the discussion is about her involvement with some John Hartford print and recording projects. Use these links to find out more:

LINKS:

For Megan's "everything fiddle" & the John Hartford Fiddle Devices Cards: www.fiddlestar.com

About Megan's music camps: www.nashvilleacousticcamps.com

For John Hartford's music: www.johnhartford.com

Additional information regarding the music tracks you hear in the episode can be found on my show notes page here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-179-show-notes.html You will also find an extensive explanation regarding my comparison of Lord Timothy Dexter, Esq. to John Hartford. Read and make of it as you will.

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The episode also features a limited time discount on:

The Mandolin Treasure Chest

http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html

Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Feb. 14, 2021. This is a remarkable win-win-win offer. You win because you learn to play the mandolin! I win because I get your money and can buy dog food, hay, bacon, beer, biscuits (The Three Basic Food Groups) and chicken feed. And, in case you didn't know, Jared wins because he only gets paid for his fantastic announcements IF you actually purchase and use the coupon code. Help the guy out! We all win!

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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.

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.

The Bluegrass Way of Life

After a bit of talk about starting seeds for the garden and an Amateur Radio event, I bring you Heather's (see episode 177) response to my advice regarding my Personal Feedback Solution. The String Changing Exercise I speak of is available free over on my Patreon page. Here is a link: https://www.patreon.com/bradleylaird

Also, at the start of this episode, Mr. Buck again announces a nice discount on one of my instructional courses. For all of you bass players or wannabee bass players, please take advantage of this 20% discount off my Complete Bluegrass Bass Learning System. Use coupon code "bass20" before Jan. 31, 2021 and save a pile of bucks!

And, then I get into the heart of the matter. Just what is "the bluegrass way of life"? It's a long rambling discussion of the many ways which bluegrass can bring out the best in us. I hope you enjoy it and I appreciate your support for this podcast.

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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.

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.

Personal Feedback

Teaching yourself via online lessons, books and videos can be incomplete without the feedback from a teacher. In this episode I demonstrate my Personal Feedback Solution with Heather, a beginning mandolin student. Heather was kind enough to allow us all to be a "fly on the wall" for this session. I encourage you to take advantage of this too!

Also, at the start of this episode, Mr. Buck again announces a nice discount on one of my instructional courses. For all of you bass players or wannabee bass players, please take advantage of this 20% discount off my Complete Bluegrass Bass Learning System. Use coupon code "bass20" before Jan. 31, 2021 and save a pile of bucks!

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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.

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.

In The Press Room

I am taking a bit of a break from bluegrass in this post-Christmas week. This week I present the second episode of my "other" podcast, never released, just to help you fill your time. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

The episode also features a big discount on:

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The Mandolin Treasure Chest

http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html

Use coupon code treasure20 at checkout to take 20% off through Dec. 31, 2020

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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.

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.

In A Giving Mood

In the spirit of Christmas I am in a giving mood. I have a hoard of freebies and discounts that I am tossing from my sleigh. I also discuss a super cool little Pick Pocket sent to me by Steven Mead, a listener to the show. Help me give away $1,000,000 worth of video lessons!

I even grew a Santa beard for the holidays! Merry Christmas!

The episode also features several discounts on my products:

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The Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook

Link for description or purchase:  https://payhip.com/b/ebgP

Use coupon code save20christmas to take 20% off through Dec. 24, 2020

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The Mandolin Treasure Chest

http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html

Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Dec. 30, 2020

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FREE Salt Creek Video Mandolin Lesson

29 Minute video lesson + PDF with tab and standard notation + 2 practice tracks.

http://www.bradleylaird.com/playthemandolin/videos-salt-creek.html

Use coupon code saltymando to take 100% off through Dec. 25, 2020

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FREE Basic Setup Information for Banjo or Mandolin

These articles explain how to position your bridge and get tuned up and playing.

BANJO UNBOXING & SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

MANDOLIN UNBOXING & SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

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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.

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.

Make Something

This episode is meant to encourage you to try your hand at making something. Something that can be fun and useful to your bluegrass picking! I present 16 ideas to get your wheels turning.

The episode also features a 20% discount on two products if you act before Dec. 17, 2020:

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The Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook

Link for description or purchase:  https://payhip.com/b/ebgP

Use coupon code save20christmas to take 20% off through Dec. 17, 2020

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The Complete Banjo Learning System

Link for description or purchase: http://www.bradleylaird.com/dojo/buy-BLS.html

Use coupon code save20banjo to take 20% off through Dec. 17, 2020

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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.

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.

The Mike Bub Interview

Mike Bub, familiar to bluegrass fans for his long stint with The Del McCoury Band, sat down for a marathon chat about how he got started, gigging in the Nashville scene, gear talk about the bass, amps, mics, monitors, and before we knew it we had clocked nearly two hours!

Mike has a a great sense of humor, a thousand stories and lots of good insights about life as a sideman. I know you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Mike's extensive discography: https://www.discogs.com/artist/709369-Mike-Bub

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. If you want to be the next Mike Bub, check out my Bluegrass Bass Instruction Course and get busy practicing!

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.

The Andy Leftwich Interview

I had the honor and pleasure of a nice long conversation with Andy Leftwich and I know you will enjoy hearing it. Andy earned his "creds" by playing for over 15 years with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. That is no small feat and one he should be rightly proud of.

Andy is a humble guy and also an amazing musician. We could all learn a few things by emulating his musical process and his way of looking at life. Enjoy!

Here are links to the various things we talked about:

Andy's website: www.andyleftwich.com

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.

Ranger Brad's Crystal Ball

The advantage of doing a lot of teaching is that the teacher gets to observe many, many students. I have learned a lot from my students. In this episode I share some of what I have learned and I present you my theory, and an interesting method, to predict just how far you may go in your musical quest. Follow along, do a little self-analysis, and calculate your potential. The scale runs all the way from No Talent Bum all the way up to Most Exalted Master. Have fun!

If you want the PDF file that shows the chart and questions you can download it free here. Ranger Brad's Crystal Ball PDF --It certainly is helpful to have at hand as you listen to this episode.

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.

The Rob Ickes Interview

In this episode I share a recorded chat that I had with the masterful dobro player and musician Rob Ickes. We go from how a kid in California got into the dobro all the way to playing with... well, rather than spoil it for you... you will just have to listen to the episode.

Here are links to the various things we talked about:

Rob's website: robickes.com

Rob's dobro instructional site: bigmusictent.com

Rob Reso Summit information: resosummit.com

Rob also mentioned:

byrlguitars.com (his current favorite reso guitar)

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.

The Life Blood of Bluegrass

This episode is a discussion of a topic near and dear to my heart. I am talking about jam sessions! Not taking anything away from the pros and the heroes; I just want to remind you that there are more of us than there are of them. We need them and they need us. I hope this episode encourages you to go to a jam or start a jam.

For those of you who want my sweet potato pie recipe go the show notes page here. If you are looking for The Ten Jammandments Discussed, it is here.

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.

Mandolin Super Heroes

This episode is an introduction to the great mandolin players. This episode took a while to formulate since, quite frankly, there are so many very good mandolinists. I couldn't possibly include every mandolin player "of note" so I decided to focus on the people who influenced me strongly.

I hope you enjoy this episode and will take my advice and purchase recordings of the players you enjoy. This episode is part of a series discussing the major players of each bluegrass instrument. I have already released similar episodes regarding pioneering Dobro and banjo players.

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.

Report From The Barn

In this episode I talk about a recent jam session, two new mandolin video lessons in my store (Stealing Jazz Licks 1 and Stealing Jazz Licks 2), my son Jackson's new 6 song EP "Beacon" which you can get for free, and then I discuss the value of doing the same old thing over and over and over.

The intro music is "Prison Walls" written by Randy Godwin and played by Pony Express. The outro music is a bit of Dixon County Breakdown played by the jammers at the barn featuring Mike Estes on fiddle.

If you enjoy 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.

Rattles, Buzzes & Twangs

It happens to everybody! You are blissfully playing along and suddenly (or slowly) your instrument begins to sound like crap! Buzzing, rattles, twangs, tinny sound! What the H.E. double hockey sticks is going on?

Listen to this episode where I walk you through the myriad of possible causes for these annoying sounds. We start with the most likely and work our way all the way through the rarest possibilities.

Don't worry. It happens. And the solution is usually very simple. You just have to find the cause.

The intro music is "Prison Walls" written by Randy Godwin and played by Pony Express. The outro music is the tail end of a long jam (not sure what tune it was) played by our band "The Pluck Tones".

If you enjoy 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.

"Jason" Meets The Inquisitor

In this episode you will meet "Jason" (boo hiss!) who has been accused of multiple infractions against civil society and, in particular, reckless destruction of the good character of untold numbers of bluegrass musicians. 

As the self-appointed inquisitor, I brought the guilty, I mean "the accused", before the court of public opinion. Members of the jury, listen to the proceedings and draw your own conclusions. Lest I be accused of attempting to sway the jury let me only say, respectfully, to the supposed Mr. "Jason": "May The Most High have mercy on your soul. Bailiff! Take him away! The executioner awaits!"

If you enjoy his degrading insinuations, deliberate attacks on innocent women and children, scurrilous lies regarding persons of unquestioned integrity and good character, then I encourage you to witness this vile scoundrel for yourself (If you can stomach it.) by visiting themonrover.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast and by the guest do not represent the views of anyone. All rights reserved. No purchase necessary. Must be over 18 to enter. No refunds. We reserve the right to change our minds without notice. Not responsible for dental damage due to the consumption of steel objects. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and similarities between any fictional character and any real person was strictly coincidental.

If you enjoy 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.

Western Red Interview

Think you don't like country music? Well, considering what I hear on "country" radio today, I tend to agree. But, if you dig back just a bit you will find that bluegrass is country music!

Today I present something a little different. It has long been my contention that bluegrass, honky-tonk, western swing, and old-time country are all branches of the same tree. Think: back stage at the temple. I mean The Grand Ole Opry!

You know, that alley-way where Melissa slugged Bessie Lee. That alley Jimmy Martin strutted across to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge to douse his disappointment in another PBR. All those folks were hanging out in the same place. Musically and culturally.

To discuss these concepts, I invited a fellow podcaster and radio personality, Western Red of the If That Ain't County podcast, on to the show. I trust that you will enjoy our chat.

Your interest in bluegrass will be enhanced by listening and supporting what Red is doing. You may even go out and buy an Emmons 8 string, 4 pedal steel guitar--with a '66 Fender Twin Reverb amp-- like I did in 1978! Wish I never sold that thing! (I was young and stupid. Now I am just old and stupid. If you have a pedal steel laying around I would appreciate you packing it up and sending it to me.)

If you enjoy 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!

Special Episode - Jam Tracks 3

This short episode is to announce the release of new material on my site. As promised, I have completed Bluegrass Jam Tracks #3. It is a collection of 68 MP3 tracks covering 10 songs/tunes at multiple tempos. I had a number of requests from folks who have collection #1 and #2 asking for specific tunes. I have answered those requests in this edition.

As a listener to GrassTalkRadio you can get a discount if you decided to download the collection. It's all explained in this micro-episode. Save some bucks and, in these strange times, have someone to pick with!

Note: The special listener discount coupon code is only valid through August 31, 2020 so don't fiddle around too long!

If you want to download those 9 free tracks I mentioned in the episode, read the full descriptions of all of my jam tracks, or just start downloading, point yer little browser here:

http://www.bradleylaird.com/tracks/index.html

Ya'll take care, be well, and get to picking!

The Dobro Pioneers

Bill Monroe said that a Dobro sounds like an old tin bucket! That's one thing Bill and I disagree on. I think he was just sore because Lester and Earl left him, dropped the mandolin and added Josh Graves. (In later years, Bill and Josh were good friends and I think the tin bucket comment was dropped.) 

Dobro is a big part of bluegrass music and in this episode we listen to samples of some of the pioneers who brought "that old hub cap guitar" into the bluegrass world, including Josh Graves, Mike Auldridge, Tut Taylor, Curtis Burch, Jerry Douglas and a few more.

If you enjoy 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!

Dog Days of Summer

The dog days of summer are upon us. In this episode I catch you up on the bluegrass happenings around the Kingdom of Lairdonia and tell you a little story from my first real job. Then I get to the heart of the episode: "Lessons From The Dawg". Not him. Real dogs! You'd be surprised what you can learn from watching a couple of dogs. And, amazingly, how it relates to pickin' bluegrass.

In this episode I mentioned the book "Mandolin Song Book" which is here.

If you enjoy 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!

Lizzy Long Interview

Today I had a chance to catch up with Lizzy Long and discuss how she learned to play, what it's like to play with Little Roy Lewis, her new album on Vine Records "Dreaming Again", and her stories of time spent with Earl and Louise Scruggs.

Be sure to scope out her new album here:

https://117group.com/award-winning-roots-artist-lizzy-long-releases-her-sophomore-album-dreaming-again/

You can find Lizzy's schedule and bio here:

lizzylong.com

Here is a video from the 2006 Earl Scruggs Tribute that Lizzy and I talked about. You can see Lizzy at 8:54! You would be amazed at some of the names of banjo players in that crowd that you would recognize!

If you enjoy 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!

Make Hay While The Sun Shines

Today, for perhaps the first time I really get into grass! Real grass--the kind my donkeys eat-- and talk about hay making, baling and why you will not be able to play your bass fiddle for two days due to sore hands if you spend the day totin' hay bales by the string!

This episode also includes information about my brand new checkout process system which should eliminate some of the problems folks have reported attempting to make a purchase using PayPal. The new system is up and running and humming right along. You can give it a "dry fire test" by visiting my online store at www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

I also give you a mini-report on the jam session I held here at the barn, grumble a bit about the state of the bluegrass world, and try to offer up some encouragement.

In the last episode I talked about: Bluegrass Jam Tracks #2. You can hear some free sample tracks here. And, as I said in today's episode, I am working on Volume #3 so if you have a particular tune you'd like to see included be sure to send me an email and let me know!

If you enjoy 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!

Tab Vs Standard, Et Al

Today, after the usual introductory baloney, I discuss the merits of tablature versus standard notation. Then I take the topic further by discussing 3 more ways to learn to play music. I hope you enjoy the episode. Have fun!

In today's episode I also talked about a cool page on the internet you should check out with a directory of the top bluegrass podcasts. You will find it here on blog.feedspot.com.

I also make another brief mention of my newest creation: Bluegrass Jam Tracks #2. Try them out. You can hear some free sample tracks here.

If you enjoy 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!

After that I chill out and read you another listener email, describe the new jam track collection I just created. I also do a little shout out to the Mandolin and Beer Podcast and, in particular, the Matt Mundy interview episode. Then I finish up with a little plug for my son Jackson's new 4 song EP which you can download here for free.

Chord Progressions

In this episode I talk about chords, chord progressions and jam tracks. Having an understanding of the "Chords By The Numbers" idea can be very useful both in backup and lead playing. Ride along as I do my best to explain.

Links to the various resources I discuss in the episode are listed on the show notes page at grasstalkradio.com

If you enjoy 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!

Survival Strategies

In this episode we hear an audio submission from a fellow listener. Then, I share 8 ways I have attempted to stay sane in this time of no picking, no festivals, no shows and very little fun!

I also discuss my downloadable book "The Mandolin Song Book". If you listen to the show you will learn how to work out the puzzler and get a 25% discount. All you have to do is identify the famous mandolin player pictured on the cover of the book. You can get all the details here on the show notes page here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-156-show-notes.html

If you enjoy 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!

The Mail Bag

In this episode I catch you up on what's been happening around the Principality of Lairdonia (very little) and then I dive into the mail bag a read a slew of listener emails. Have fun!

You will find the garden photos and other show notes for this episode here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-155-show-notes.html

If you enjoy 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!

Mando Workshop

This bonus episode is in two sections. The first part talks about "workshops", what they are, how they tend to go down, and my experiences being on both sides--sitting in the audience or presenting the program.

The second part is almost like sitting through one of my mandolin workshops. Download the free 18 page "handout" and follow along! It's almost like being there. You'll learn my version of Franz Liszt's hand exercises to increase your finger control and flexibility and a lot more!

You can download the fabled 1988  "workshop booklet" as a PDF here so you can follow along. The hand exercises and everything else I mention is in the PDF. Grab it!

The show notes for this episode are at: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/bonus-episode-10-show-notes.html

If you enjoy 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!

The Banjo Masters

At the request of a listener and patreon supporter I put together this hour long romp through the albums I consider to be essential listening for all bluegrass banjo players.

In the episode I also mention my book The Flint Hill Scrolls. You can read about it and download it here.

If you play another instrument there is plenty to listen to here for you too! Have fun and thank you Henry for the very good question.

The show notes for this episode are at: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-154-show-notes.html

If you enjoy 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!

Hunkering Down

After the old one-two punch of lockdown followed by storms which knocked out the electricity, I thought the clouds were parting. Then, 45 minutes later the internet went out and stayed out. I am right now at the McDonald's parking lot in Americus, Georgia uploading this for you.

In this episode, after I vent all of my frustrations, Jackson reads another email from a fellow listener named Henry and I talk about growing potatoes and other such nonsense. Pardon the short description and the lack of an episode specific graphic. We are getting bad vibes sitting here and scamming the free wifi so I'll add the show notes page if and when the internet comes back on at home.

The show notes for this episode are at: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-153-show-notes.html

If you enjoy 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!

Ad Lib Thoughts

I started this episode three times. Each time I hit record I began wandering off on little rabbit trails and I would hit stop, gather my thoughts, and then begin anew. I have an idea that I am not the only person with that type of thinking processes right now.

In this episode, after a quick email from one of your fellow listeners (who only had one simple question) I talk about breathing and its relation to relaxed playing, I talk about the ultimate master of focused, laser beam concentrated picking (the pickle jar effect), how fear can harm your playing abilities, and I give a little shout out to the Josh Cole Bluegrass Podcast.

Keep your chin up, folks!

If you enjoy 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!

The Underground Tape

A little humor is in order. To wit, I present you with what I consider to be the classic underground tape, handed from picker to picker over decades, of Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt burying the hatchet and ending their longstanding feud.

Smile folks. This too shall pass.

If you enjoy 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.

Tristan Scroggins Interview

This episode features a conversation with mandolinist Tristan Scroggins discussing the differences between Old-Time and Bluegrass jam sessions, his new book of fiddle tunes for mandolin, how to get over fear of taking solos and more. Additional show notes and links to Tristan's website and his new book are found here.

If you enjoy 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.

Ear Training

How can you improve your solos? How can you take breaks on songs you don't know? How can you express yourself better through your instrument and with your voice? Get started with "ear training!"

Grab your instrument (it doesn't matter what you play!) and try playing along with the sample ear training exercises I present.

If you enjoy 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.

Do Me a Favor

"Breaker breaker one nine. How 'bout a radio check? Come back."

After over 150 episodes I am doing a radio check, so to speak. I want to hear from you. Send me an email if you are listening to this show. It will only take a few minutes and I would really appreciate it.

If you like this podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Dynamics

Often skimmed over with beginning students, and sorely needed by many long-time players, the art of employing dynamics can add a great deal to your musicianship and sound.

As a prelude to this discussion I update you a bit on keeping "the farm" operational, report from a recent gig, and a job I did running sound for the 3 Redneck Tenors act. Fun stuff.

In the heart of this episode I attempt to explain the concept, the terminology and give you a road map for improving your dynamic abilities.

The outro music is a demo recording of a good bluegrass gospel song called "Final Hour", written by Randy Godwin and Darryl Wilson. My job was to stand in Randy's closet and play banjo and mandolin. As I recall, Randy played the bass and guitar parts.

If you enjoy 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.

Jamplification

Are you satisfied with the sound you experience at your local jam session? Has someone suggested setting up a mic or two? Will it help or hurt? After a bit of discussion about what it means to be an "expert" I dish the dirt on the use of PAs at jam sessions.

Thank you to Charles Schlaufman for emailing me with his question and this show topic. You too can submit questions, comments or show topic ideas to me at brad@bradleylaird.com.

The outro music is a recording of "Rickett's Hornpipe" recorded on a Tascam 4 track analog cassette recorder in my living room back about 1999. That is Mike Estes on fiddle, Buddy Ashmore on guitar, David Ellis on banjo (with removed resonator), me on mandolin, and Randy Godwin on bass.

If you enjoy 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.

Your Bluegrass Bucket List

In this episode I challenge you to create your own "bluegrass bucket list" of things you dream of doing, seeing, experiencing, or creating. First, dream it. Then, do it!

Get out a pencil and make a list. Start checkin' them off!

The show notes for this episode (and some embedded YouTube videos of some of Jackson's recent DAW creations) are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-146-show-notes.htm

If you enjoy 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.

Considering Duality

It is rare to find anything in this world which is all bad or all good. It's always somewhere in the grey zone. In this episode I discuss the ten things I think are bad in bluegrass and ten things I think are absolutely superlative. You have to keep a balance.

I close the podcast with a comparison (for those frothing at the mouth for a "definition" of bluegrass) between the poetic form called a sonnet and the string band form we call "bluegrass".

The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-145-show-notes.htm

If you enjoy 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. This really helps keep gas in the car and food in the fridge. And, with luck, I will get a new set of bass strings in 2020.

Metro Gnomes

Personal practice with a metronome is one of the best ways to improve your playing. I have said that so many times. Unfortunately, a lot of folks just don't do it. Not for long anyway.

In this episode I discuss the frustrations of that evil device and how you can turn that nasty little gnome into your personal slave. Or at least come to terms with him. My collection of metronome MP3 tracks can be downloaded here.

The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-144-show-notes.htm

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

20/20 Vision

Welcome to the new year and the new decade. In this show I talk about the idea of knocking out unfinished projects and ideas. I also talk about my never-ending tune book and a recent jam session with my pals in Atlanta. Here we go. 2020 is here. Let's pick!

The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-143-show-notes.htm

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Cases and Gig Bags

Ah, gig bags! The luthier's best friend! In this episode I run through a list of the 8 major kinds of cases and gig bags. I talk about their purposes and give you my two-cents worth on the available types. The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-142-show-notes.htm

Now is the season to get your copy of Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here. Every purchase puts Christmas bucks in his pocket and maybe he can get me a really nice pair of socks or a set of strings with his massive profits. (Not bass strings. He can't afford that and neither can I!) Help the boy!

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-142-show-notes.html

Crabs and Bluegrass

So I woke up from a horrible nightmare and starting thinking about fishing for crabs. Yes! That's a topic for GrassTalkRadio! Please indulge me and check out this episode where I rip on folks who have stolen the name "bluegrass" and give you step by steps for collecting your own bucket full of blue crabs. Yummmmy! (Be sure you have a large enough pot or you'll be releasing your crabs!)

Please go to the show notes. You are missing the extras if you don't. http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-141-show-notes.html

Now is the season to get your copy of Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here. Every purchase puts Christmas bucks in his pocket and maybe he can get me a really nice pair of socks or a set of strings with his massive profits. (Not bass strings. He can't afford that and neither can I!) Help the boy!

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-141-show-notes.html

Get Out Of Your Rut

Lord, have mercy! Does every song have to be in G or A? As I recline on the shrink's couch I vent my frustrations of playing everything in just one or two keys and playing the same songs over and over (ad nauseum).

Just for novelty, if nothing else, try playing in B or B-flat just once! I'd happily play a song in G# or Eb just for freaking relief!

In this episode I share three ideas for getting out of your rut. Learn to play in new keys. Try new tunings and, for cryin' out loud, bring a new song to the table once in a while.

Now is the season to get your copy of Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here. Every purchase puts Christmas bucks in his pocket and maybe he can get me a really nice pair of socks or a set of strings with his massive profits.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-140-show-notes.html

Christmas Songs for Mandolin

When my son Jackson was 9 years old he was really interested in music notation software (and still is) and I set him on a project to create a book. Christmas Songs For Mandolin was the result and I am very proud of him!

The downloadable PDF eBook contains 12 popular Christmas songs written out in standard notation and mandolin tablature. (Dad helped steer him into the mando-friendly keys and double checked that everything was playable.) He is now eleven years old and took over the microphone of GrassTalkRadio to encourage you to purchase his book. He explains it all very well in this bonus episode.

As he said in the episode, he explains his financial needs but I would like to mention that he is also saving up his money to make a trip with his choir --Voices of The Valley-- to perform in New York City at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Some of his funds raised will also go towards that project... after he get's the backup drive he has his heart set on. Thanks for listening and we appreciate any support you can give Jackson.

If you want to get the PDF ebook just follow this link.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Be a Good Student

Taking private lessons can be a wonderful learning experience or a complete waste of time and money. Much of it depends upon what you do as a student.

In this episode I share ten tips, gleaned from my observations with my own private lesson students over many years, that I think will help you make the best progress when taking lessons.

Don't forget that you can save a pile with the discount coupon code found in my free eBook The Ten Jammandments Discussed. Download it here.

I also mentioned Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-139-show-notes.html

Humidity

As bluegrass musicians we all deal with instruments made of wood. Humidity should be understood to keep your instrument from self-destructing. It's not that complicated really. Listen in and I will give you the low down.

The outro music is the tune "Laird's March" written and played by me, myself and I.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-138-show-notes.html

Don't Count Yer Chickens Before They Hatch

We all face plans which might fall apart before our very eyes. Sometimes as a result of our own actions and some completely by chance. Sometimes a bit of both. Allow me to elaborate on my strategies for dealing with situations such as these.

I talk about being hired AND fired in under 4 hours as a guitar player. I talk about coming within mere inches of slamming the car into a herd of wild hogs just this morning. I talk about my dashed plans for becoming a quail farmer. I talk about Del McCoury showing up in Nashville at the same time as Bill Keith. Stuff happens and you learn to deal with it! Enjoy the show.

The outro music is the tune song "Swing Low" played by our band Pony Express. Patrons of this podcast can download the entire album as a bonus way of saying thank you for supporting the show.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-137-show-notes.html

Class Is In Session

Close your textbook, get out a #2 pencil. We are having a pop quiz. But before we do let's talk about the importance of the right hand and I'll explain a great way to create custom right hand exercises which will absolutely improve the very tunes and breaks you are working on! It's easy. The "textbooks" I refer to in the episode are Mandolin Master Class and The Flint Hill Scrolls.

The outro music is the tune I wrote called "McDonough" played live at the Red Light Cafe, Atlanta, Georgia with the band Pony Express. Patrons of this podcast can download the entire album as a bonus way of saying thank you for supporting the show.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-136-show-notes.html

Guest Host: Stewart Crawford

This globe-spanning episode is our first listener hosted show. Stewart Crawford, banjoist in Australia, presents the story of bluegrass down under and outlines some excellent improvisation concepts.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-135-show-notes.html

Paradise and Paradox

This episode covers a wide range of topics beginning with my recent return visit to Picker's Paradise. I talk about fried chicken, Col. Sander's Mandolin Band, the R.Q. Jones reso guitar, jamming, some good bands I heard and then I wind up with a little paradox I want you to think about.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-134-show-notes.html

Strike While The Iron Is Hot

In this short bonus episode I am opening a door for you. Listen to the episode and don't wait around. You need to contact me soon.

Whether you are a beginning picker, an experienced performer, a teacher, or perhaps you build instruments or work at (or own) a company producing a product for the bluegrass world... this is your chance. Let's hear what you have to say.

You can be a "nobody" or be a really famous, big-time, hot shot. Both categories have something valuable to say. Podcasting is hot right now and this is a great chance for you to try your hand at it and the grasstalkradio.com audience will hear you.

Listen to this bonus episode and I'll explain and then contact me. Let's put YOU on the air. Contact me before October 15, 2019 if you want to be considered. It costs you nothing but your time and energy and you never know what doors it might open to your future. Besides that it will be fun and interesting!

The show notes for this episode are here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/bonus-episode-07-show-notes.html

If you think the show is worth listening to then I hope you will consider becoming a Patreon supporter.

www.patreon.com/bradleylaird

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass.

Your Questions

This week I answer a pile of emails I have received from listeners. We talk banjo strings, what bass fiddle to buy, mandolin barre chords, how long do strings last and a lot more! Luckily, nobody asked "Hey, who cut your hair?" But, there is always next time.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-133-show-notes.html

Stage Patter and Talk

A huge chunk of your on-stage persona is created when you step up to a microphone and say something. Something pithy. Something funny. Something poignant. Make it count. Listen to this episode where I play samples of the greatest bluegrass emcees at their finest. Introducing songs. Introducing the musicians. Yakkin' it up with the little people... the fans who make it all possible!

I have samples here from Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt (one of the best!), Jesse McReynolds, and plenty more to get you on the right path. Samples and ten tips to sharpen your image on stage.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-132-show-notes.html

Capo Talk

Capos have been around for a very long time and are extremely useful in playing fretted instruments. It's funny that their use is almost required in bluegrass if you play banjo or guitar. But they are heavily frowned on with the mandolin. If you don't know how to use a capo you can learn here on my website.  

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-131-show-notes.html

Recording Options

This episode continues on the theme I started in Episode 129. In this show I talk more specifically about the options you have for recording. There are four levels beginning with the simple portable recorder, to the portable stereo digital recorder, to digital multi-track "porta-studios" and onwards to computer/software based recording.

I hope this information helps you choose where to begin when you want to record some bluegrass based upon the purposes you have in mind.

The Mandolin Treasure Chest which I spoke about at the beginning of the show is fully described here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-130-show-notes.html

Recording Basics

This episode is the first installment in a short series on home recording. In this introduction I discuss the difference between analog and digital, why we record, and talk some about older technologies such as the Edison cylinder and magnetic tape.

I think this background primer will help you even if all you want to do is record your banjo picking on an iPhone app. Do you know what an A/D converter is? If you talk on a cell phone you use them everyday! Do you know how to make your own record player with a sheet of paper and a pin? This fun stuff and more are contained within.

Technical note: I saved this audio file in a larger, less compressed format than I have been using. It should improve the audio quality just a bit but make it a tad slower to download. Let me know if you can hear any difference.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-129-show-notes.html

Should I Just Give Up?

This episode has two topics. After giving you a rundown of the trials and tribulations of starting up my own bluegrass jam session--with four weeks under our belts-- I answer a listener's question about trying to decide whether to join a band or just sit around playing quietly at home after the kids go to sleep.

I hope that my direct and honest approach does not offend too many people, but by golly, you deserve to be happy too! It is a balancing act and I think I do a better job talking about in the podcast than trying to describe my thoughts here in this description. Just go listen and then let me know if you think I am all wet.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-128-show-notes.html

Nobody Bats a Thousand!

After two years of steady podcasting I have discovered a lot of similarities between the art of podcasting and the art of learning to make good music.

One of the ten similarities I discuss in this show is the fact that nobody gets a base hit every time they step up to the plate. In fact, everybody is going to strike out sometimes. That's all part of the bluegrass game. I hope you enjoy this episode and that it offers you some encouragement and food for thought.

If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-127-show-notes.html

Song Structures

The majority of bluegrass songs and tunes will fall into five categories based upon their structure. There are two main types of instrumentals and three variations of vocal songs. Recognizing these structural differences will help you determine what to do during your solos and to better arrange songs for your band or jam session.

I present audio examples of each structure type. After listening to this you'll never ask this question "Am I supposed to play the verse or the chorus during my break." Enjoy the show!

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-126-show-notes.html

Stall Recovery

The last thing you want to do in an airplane is to stall. You either recover or go into a chaotic spin towards earth. Hearing the warning signs and being able to correct before it is too late is vital for maintaining safe and level flight. The same is true for learning to make music. I'll explain in this podcast.

Contrary to your natural instinct, the solution to counteracting a stall is to push the nose down. Yikes!!! Your reaction will be to pull back on the stick to avoid the sudden stop when you hit the ground! You must gain air speed and point your nose down. Same with music.

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-125-show-notes.html

Doug Hutchens Interview

In this episode I talk with Blue Grass Boy Doug Hutchens. Doug was working and mowing the grass at Bean Blossom and was in the right place at the right time to become Bill Monroe's bass player in 1971.

Doug's story is fascinating and he has been involved in documenting the history of the Blue Grass Boys and honoring Bill Monroe for many years. There were some technical issues with the recording and Doug has offered to come back on the show at a future date to discuss his time at Gibson and other topics. Enjoy the show!

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-124-show-notes.html

Son of Podcast Shoutouts

Back in Episode #75 I ran down a list of the other podcasts I listen to and find interesting. This episode is a repeat of that idea and I shout out the ten podcasts that I have been listening to lately. Before I get into the list I spend some time talking about where bluegrass fits into the over arching umbrella of so-called "country music."

I hope you enjoy the show. And thanks ED!

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-123-show-notes.html

Don't Be Bad

Most folks, when starting out, have a desire to be good; to become a good picker or singer. But I think it may be a better idea to start at the other end of the quality spectrum and work on NOT being bad.

This episode also features the first installment of a special Bluegrass History feature written and presented by my son Jackson.

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-122-show-notes.html

The Power of Small Things

After a quick update about that "pickup gig" I did last Friday night, I launch into a discussion of the power of small incremental change over time. The analogies are all over the board, from the Federal Reserve System, to hair loss, lifting cattle as an exercise technique, and growing tomatoes. Of course, I talk about bluegrass too! Have fun.

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-121-show-notes.html

Pickup Gigs

This episode is a rambling discussion of pickup gigs. Those are the sort of gigs which are done with no rehearsals--just a collection of musicians who show up at the same place and at the same time--and somehow, seemingly by magic, sound like a real band. I tell you my strategy for that sort of gig.

I also answer a listener question regarding learning and performing bluegrass with electric bass instead of an upright. I have been asked by several people recently whether or not my Bluegrass Bass Instruction Course can be used with electric bass and it certainly can.

This discourse takes the usual Ranger Brad Style of meandering turns and touches on the need to have some understanding and appreciation of Bill Monroe, the size of catfish in the Flint River, the nocturnal feeding habits of large carnivorous reptiles, and the question "Should you have a crop duster bomb your home?" Have fun.

Technical note: I noticed a couple of tiny "dropouts" in the audio this week, probably caused by my museum artifact Mac G3 recording setup, which I hope you will overlook. I have a bass gig today and just didn't have time to go back and investigate the causes. It does not detract from the content.

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-120-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music.

Two Vital Tools

This episode is a discussion of the two most important tools in playing bluegrass instruments. I suggest ways to think about them and ways to care for and improve them. Have fun.

Technical note: You'll hear a touch of "white noise" in the background at times but it is actually a gentle, much-needed rain coming down on the tin roof of my barn.

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-119-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music.

To Plug or Not To Plug

In this episode I discuss the pros and cons of electric amplification in the bluegrass world. I compare simply using microphones versus "plugging in" by using transducers, magnetic pickups, or internal mics.

I get into outboard gizmos like preamps, direct boxes, guitar amps, wireless rigs and effects devices and their usage in the bluegrass realm.

If this podcast helps you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-118-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music.

Crutches and Training Wheels

Anyone who has ever sprained an ankle or broken a leg knows how valuable a crutch can be. Learning to ride a bike is made easier by using training wheels. But, eventually, you must throw them away!

In this episode I discuss the use and misuse of various crutches and training aids in learning, jamming and performing bluegrass. I hope you enjoy this episode.

I also give a quick shoutout to my Patreon supporters and my recent GrassTalkRadio supporters. Thanks friends! Without you this would not, could not happen. Thank you.

If these thoughts and ideas help you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page. Grab a cigar and glass on cognac on the way in.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-117-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music--my sister was once bitten by a moose. (Just checking if you actually read this stuff! Send me an email mentioning the moose bite so I get some feedback. Thanks.)

Motivations for Music

There are many reasons for picking up an instrument and trying to get some musical sounds out of it. In this episode, I present my theory that music is not about the sounds you make. That's just a part of it. It's about the people. The connections. The communication.

Maybe I am completely "full of it", in which case I encourage you to do your own thinking, but I do think you should give these ideas a bit of a spin in your own mind. Who knows? I might have said something that makes perfect sense.

I also give a shoutout to my Patreon supporters and my recent GrassTalkRadio supporters. Thanks guys and gals! Without you this would not, could not happen. Thank you.

If these thoughts and ideas help you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter or you can join "the club" over on my Patreon page.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-116-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music--one of many forms of music which are really about communication with your fellow man. (Or woman.) You know what I mean!

Insert Coin, Press Play - In this short bonus episode I am asking for your assistance. I have created a Patreon page which makes it easy for you to help keep the wheels greased here at GrassTalkRadio headquarters.

Speaking of quarters, that's all it takes! You can probably dig around in the belly of your washing machine or under your driver's seat and find a handful of quarters. Fifty cents an episode (chump change) is only $2 a month. Do whatever your pocketbook allows.

If your power is about to be turned off, I don't want your money. But, on the other hand, if you are on your 3rd high dollar mandolin and the dividend checks just keep coming in, maybe you could chip in a bit more than the average bear.

If you think the show is worth listening to then I hope you will consider becoming a Patreon supporter. I shot a video explaining more and you can sign up here:

www.patreon.com/bradleylaird

There is a video I made from my back porch which explains more on that page.

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--that form of music in which you must "save up to go on tour." (Quote from Seldom Scene mandolinist and tenor singer, John Duffey.)

The Need For Speed

This past weekend I played a Kentucky Derby Party gig on bass with The Pluck Tones. That, and that screwy contested result, got me thinking about speed and the need for speed.

Then, out of the blue, I got an email from a fellow who stated he was struggling to keep up with the speed demons in his bluegrass jam. This podcast is a full response to his email with tips for how to keep up when the tempos get insanely fast.

If these thoughts and ideas help you I hope you will keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter.

You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-115-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music--the music which takes a mournful theme and sets it against a speedy, uplifting beat. Talk about juxtaposition!

Tie Up Loose Ends

In this episode I talk for a bit about my leap of faith in you and then I get on with a list of ten things you can do to tie up some loose ends.

There are always things awaiting your attention and perhaps today is the day to make your own list of 10 things that you have been meaning to do. Take care of them and, when you've checked off all 10, you'll sleep better that night.

You can help keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter. The question is: Will you? I hope that you will.

If you enjoy the show you can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-114-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music–a participation sport which only survives through the activity of the fans who also play and sing it.

More To Life Than Bluegrass

I intended this episode to be a short, 10 minute, explanation of why I couldn't put up a full length podcast today. I was going to talk about my bandwidth limitation struggles, etc. But, when I started I just got to talking about some things very important to me--and which I hope are important to you--and I just rambled on for 40 minutes.

Then I tried to upload it. It was TOO long. Should I wait until the first of the month? I don't want to wait for the reset of my upload space. So, I bit the bullet. Stuck the ol' Minie ball between the molars and clicked "upgrade". I am counting on YOU to help me make this podcast continue. I'll talk more about this later and explain how you can help. For now let me describe this episode:

This show talks about the broader world of music, how we learn, why you shouldn't stand to close to a raging flood going down a drainage ditch, and how there is more to life than bluegrass. I know. You thought I would never say that. I am the "bluegrass, bluegrass, BLUEGRASS!" guy. But, it's true. There are other things of equal importance. And some things (*sniff sniff*) that are more important.

I'll be back next week with a full-blown podcast to recap the Voices of the Valley concert which I will attend tonight and I will explain my leap of faith in you the listener.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to stretch the rubber bars of your cage.

You can help keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter.

If you enjoy the show you can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-113-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music. We love the people in the audience, and we love jammers, but this show is for the folks willing to stand up front, play and sing and consider the audience.

Creative Thanks

I set out this morning to answer some listener emails and I got to talking about a very thoughtful gift I received this week from a listener. I'll tell you all about it. I never got to those emails.

I also talk about automotive parking brakes, the old shareware days, my Egyptian hieroglyph font and a sweet little letter I got in the mail. The episode also includes a mini-review of McClung's mandolin arm rests and a Frank Ford pegwinder crank.

Take the time to do little things for the folks in your life who make your life better. Pick a dandelion and hand it to your wife and tell her she is beautiful. Stuff like that.

Pet a dog. Say something nice to a tree. Find the right kid and give him a walking liberty half dollar and tell him about how money used to be real silver! Give a promising picker one of those tortoise shell picks you've been hoarding. After you stop looking at your stock portfolio and checking your bank balance, these are the only things that are left that really count.

You can help keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter.

If you enjoy the show you can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-112-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play bluegrass music. We bluegrass folks are very inventive.

Bluegrass Bass Learning System - In this bonus episode I announce the completion of a project 40 years in the making.

It can help you if you want to learn to be a better bass player or it can help that lousy bass player you suffer with. Do yourself a favor and point that dude or dudette to my course.

Read all about it on my own website here. Or, if you want to download it, just click here.

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--where carting a dog house bass around, and playing it well, is sometimes appreciated!

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Mankind, along with many other creatures, is a planner. But often these plans go awry just like the poor mouse in Robert Burns' poem. How can you devise, tweak and implement plans which actually work and bring about positive results?

Plans do work! They can also fail miserably. Come along for this discussion of "plan versus no plan" and the art of attempting to actually follow plans--all related to learning to become a better bluegrass musician.

Here are some of the plans I have customized for you:

Mandolin: The Mandolin Treasure Chest

Bluegrass Banjo: The Banjo Learning System

Clawhammer Banjo: Clawhammer Banjo Lessons 1-6

Bluegrass Bass: Bass Instruction Course

You can help keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter.

If you enjoy the show you can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-111-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who love planning bluegrass "stuff" such as planning to learn an instrument, to go to a festival, to start a band, to write a song, start a podcast, write an instruction book, invite some pickers over for a jam. Some of those plans work out and make the world a better place.

Let's Get Picky - The pick. That's where it starts. You can have a hundred grand tied up in a glorious instrument but if your pick is crummy, or if you use it in a crummy way, you might as well be playing that $99 Amazon deal-of-the day instrument.

Conversely, you could be starting out with that $99 special and take a little care with pick choice–find one that really sounds good and suits you–and make much better music!

All right. Let's talk picks...

You can help keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter.

If you enjoy the show you can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-110-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who love making music with wooden boxes, strung with wire and plunked with bits of plastic or other semi-flexible materials... and let's not forget that high, lonesome wailing. Yeah!

Don't Do Like I Did - When I got home from the jam session last night I had one of those forehead slapping, Homer Simpson "Doh!" moments. I hope you enjoy this little short episode describing something you should never do at a gig or a jam session.

The number of listeners to this podcast has risen over the last months (which is a great thing) but the donations, purchases or other financial support has not risen accordingly. Due to technical bandwidth limitations with my current podcast hosting plan (Yes, it costs me to put these out.) I was forced to squeeze this episode down to the bare minimum in terms of length and file size. I would really like to move up to the "unlimited plan" with my hosting service but, frankly, that all depends on you.

You can help keep this show going and growing by becoming a GrassTalkRadio Supporter.

If you enjoy the show you can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-109-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who love bluegrass music and get a thrill participating and contributing to the scene.

Listener Questions - By request, I begin this episode by telling the story of how I helped rob a bank!

After that I clear my email inbox and answer some listener questions and comments. I decided to do this "on air" because you might have the same question. It's sort of a "kill two birds with one stone" effort.

I think you will learn a few things and enjoy hearing what other people are saying and thinking. If you have written to me recently I may be replying to you!

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-108-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who have discovered bluegrass music and want to learn to play it too!

Gold Nuggets - Sometimes, if you back up and take a second look at things, you will discover some gold nuggets which you missed in your headlong rush the first time!

In this episode I explain my "how to ace college" method, guaranteed to bring you up at least 2 letter grades, and the value of note taking and how to challenge your mind. That is a very important topic if you are attempting to improve your musicianship!

Near the end of the episode I talk about my inspiration for a song I wrote entitled "Harvey Johnson" and close the show out with the entire song. I hope you like it and please record and perform it. And if you have any pull with Del McCoury, just once in my life, I'd love to hear him sing it! (I have a couple of other people in mind too.)

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-107-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who have the courage to play and enjoy the kind of music they like, regardless of what the mainstream media is pouring out as "acceptable" and "trendy"!

In and Out - You are either on the outside looking in or the inside looking out. Learning how to earn access to the musical circles is key to growth and personal satisfaction.

In this episode I discuss the concept of "being in" and how to get "in". I conclude this episode with some sure-fire ways to be "out!" too. Enjoy the show.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-106-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass music--a realm of interlocking and overlapping circles!

How To Pick With Grisman - Would your wildest dreams come true if you could sit and jam with David Grisman for hours on end? Or maybe Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Jerry Garcia, or any of your musical heros? You'd be surprised at how easily this can be done. And guess what? You will become a better player at the same time.

I also give a quick update on the progress of the Apricot Ale I brewed during Episode 104.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-105-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--one of the rare styles in which you can easily meet and possibly jam with the biggest "stars" in the genre!

Homebrewing a Jam Session - If you can only get lousy bread at the store, you should learn to make your own! If the local grocery store only sells crummy rot gut beer, you learn to make your own. If the jam sessions you attend do not suit you, you start your own jam session. Yes. I said you. Don't sit around hoping someone else will take the initiative. Just do it yourself.

Because I was pressed for time this week, you will discover that this episode is a little different. While I discuss how to start your own jam session I am also rattling pots and brewing a 5 gallon batch of homebrewed apricot ale. You can learn a little about both subjects if you listen in.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-104-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--hillbilly jazz which thrives on jamming!

Build Something - Plenty of people in the bluegrass realm eventually try their hand at making an instrument. In this episode I discuss my own history of home-made instruments and offer up some tips and encouragement in the hope that you might try it too.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-103-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the music where old logs, brass, wire and varnish are held in high regard!

Human Compressors - In this short bonus episode I talk a bit more about audio compressors and make an analogy regarding human behavior.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/bonus-episode-04-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the most mighty fine music in the world!

Audio Jargon - There are a lot of terms that get thrown about when describing audio. The terms have pretty specific meanings. Are you using the word echo when you really mean reverb? Have you heard the term "compression"? Do you know what it means?

If you are a beginner you may think this stuff is not important, but the first time you ever step on a stage – at an open mic, a festival, or to record a demo – you are going to hear these terms. Ride along and I will try to de-mystify some of the basics.

As a little addendum, near the end, I included some demonstration sound samples so you could hear echo, reverb and compression. Have fun twisting those knobs.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-102-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the music where even roadies and sound techs feel the love!

Keith Billik of the Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast - This episode is a conversation with a fellow podcaster. We talk about why we do this nutty thing called podcasting, how we got started, and plans for the future. The banjo is an important part of the bluegrass equation and Keith is doing a good job of creating informative and entertaining banjo-centric content.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-101-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the music where even banjo players feel the love!

Buddy Ashmore Interview - The friendships you make in bluegrass are often more important than the music you make. I met Buddy within a few months of starting to play bluegrass and we have knocked around the bluegrass scene for over 40 years. For this 100th episode I decided to call him and just shoot the breeze for a while. Enjoy.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-100-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--one of the more persistent forms of music in the world!

Counting Off - If it doesn't bother you that the first 15 seconds of every song your group plays sounds like dog squeeze, don't listen to this episode. However, if you do care, consider the importance of the art of "counting off" songs and listen to this episode.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-99-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--one of the most formidable forms of music in the world!

Year End Wrap Up - A new year is a good time to stop and think about what was accomplished over the last 12 months. It's also a good time to become pensive regarding the future. 

After a bit of that I turn to a listener question about deciding who will sing lead in your band. Like many questions... it all depends!

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-98-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the most misunderstood music in the world!

Tech Tips - I try not to spend too much time talking about my own site and my own products. My wife has several times listened to a show and said "Brad, that was good but you never mentioned your website address." She's right. Sometimes I do forget.

In this episode I am going to give you a "walking tour" of my site, through the labyrinth of secret passages, hallways, store rooms and even the attic! There are hundreds of pages of free information on my site and perhaps you missed something cool.

Another thing which happens from time to time (probably about half of one percent of my customers) is I get an email from someone saying "I tried to buy your book but it wouldn't let me. Help!"

So, to address and potentially prevent such things, the second thing I am doing in this episode is to explain, for the technically challenged, a bit about how my eBooks and videos actually get from me to you.

I talk about PayPal, credit and debit cards, what information I have about you (not much!), the best way to contact me, zip files, the downloading process, the plethora of "computing" devices, and the file formats I use to provide my books and videos. There is a good chance you will learn a few things that you didn't know.

I hope this bit of extra information makes the experience of using my site and my instructional materials easier for you.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/bonus-episode-03-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the most under-appreciated music in the world!

The Master Class Story - It is amazing how the entire course of one's life can be altered by one seemingly small event or decision. This is the story of how I was convinced by a student to write my first book. What a can of worms he opened! But, alas. He was right!

In addition to sharing the back story of how I got started producing instructional books and videos, I answer a question sent to me by a listener that may be on the minds of many.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-97-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the coolest music in the world!

10 Good Gadgets - If you hang around picking bluegrass long enough you will eventually be on stage with a band. You may be giggin' a lot or just once in a while. Either way, you are going to experience being part of a "self-contained entertainment" situation. That's the kind of gig where you carry your own sound and lights. It's kinda like back when Bill was carrying his own tent show.

There are things which can make that kind of show easier. Let me tell you some of what I have learned.

One of the things I talked about was the value of having an easy to set up, compact "store" for your CDs and other merchandise. I made a quick YouTube video showing what I used and you can see it on the show notes page (link below) or just go here: The Pony Express General Store.

There is still time! Christmas times a'coming! Learn some Christmas tunes on that mandolin with Jackson's Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-96-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the most difficult music to define in the world!

Common Mistakes - This episode is a discussion of things which I've seen students do that I think hinder their progress. How many of these things are you guilty of?

And don't forget--Christmas times a'coming! Learn some Christmas tunes on that mandolin with Jackson's Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-95-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the coolest music in the world!

Polishing Vocals - Roll up your sleeves, put some elbow grease into your singing, and the results will astonish you! This episode continues the thread of the importance of good singing in bluegrass. The basics of finding harmony parts was discussed in Episode #93 and today I dig into ways to polish and hone your vocals.

Correct notes, accurate harmonizing, and matching of tone and rhythms is what makes those bluegrass trios so fine! If you refuse to do it for yourself, please do it for your audience!

And don't forget--Christmas times a'coming! Learn some Christmas tunes on that mandolin with Jackson's Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-94-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the most awesome music in the world!

Bluegrass Vocal Stacks - What is the best way to move up a rung or two on the ladder of greatness? Improve your singing--in particular your bluegrass harmony singing.

In this episode I run through the basics of devising and understanding bluegrass trio singing. Lead, tenor and baritone. I also discuss the three ways to stack bluegrass harmonies: standard trio, high lead and high baritone.

And don't forget--Christmas times a'coming! Learn some Christmas tunes on that mandolin with Jackson's Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-93-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Non-Musical Skills - It's not all about the music. Yes, good musical skills are important but there are a lot of other handy skills which can propel your music forward. How are your soldering skills? Know how to jump start a car? Do you gripe and belly-ache a lot? 

And don't forget--Christmas times a'coming! Learn some Christmas tunes on that mandolin with Jackson's Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-92-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Just Say Yo! - I love irony. Irony is: "a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result." That is exactly, to a tee, what I describe in this episode. Bluegrass. Strictly clean and decent. Yeah, right.

Have a great week. I still have a lot of downed trees to deal with.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-91-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

My Life As A Stripper - In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael I quickly put together this episode giving you a taste of what it's like to be forced to camp out. To fill out the promised full length episode I include a test episode from a possible future podcast series.

The only sorta-kinda bluegrass content in this episode is me talking about making a new fretboard for a 1909 Gibson Mandola by the light of kerosene lanterns during this storm.

Anybody who stops by over the next few weeks, hoping to pick or shoot the breeze, better bring their chain saw and bottle of George Dickel. Bring your guitar too.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-90-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Quick Update - I recorded this short episode while walking around the barn gathering up and tying down anything which could blow into the next county. I give a very short review of a festival I went to last weekend and talk a bit about playing with drummers.

I am releasing this show a day early because the last time a hurricane steamed through our county it was nearly a week before I had electricity and internet. If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be back next week for a full length show.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-89-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Give It A Rest - A bit of obsession is helpful at times but you don't want to become Captain Ahab chasing a mythical white whale!

In this episode I talk about the importance of providing opportunities for your subconscious mind to process all those inputs you pour into your head when practicing.

Taking time off, whether 10 minutes, a week, or a month, is important to your sanity and will improve your overall progress as a musician.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-88-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Why We Record - Here are 8 reasons to capture sound for the future. As examples you will hear Tiny Moore jamming backstage with Grisman, a limited release of The Tattooed Biker, Swedish bluegrass patriarch Bo Gustafsson playing a Gibson K-4 mandocello for the first time, a whacked out version of Old Joe Clark and other equally historic recordings.

You should record. Have you ever wanted to go back in time? Well, you can. Just hit record now.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-87-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Tuning Gizmos - Imagine choosing the shade of paint based upon the sound of the color. Absurd, right? So why are so many tuning their instruments visually?

In this episode I explore the modern trend of tuning visually with various "tuning gizmos" and compare it to the "old time way". After all, is not part of playing bluegrass about preserving some of the old time ways? Settle in and ride with me on this thought excursion.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-86-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Behind The Curtain - Think of that scene from The Wizard of Oz when the wizard bellows into a microphone, "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" Toto pulled back the curtain and Dorothy found out that the mighty and powerful wizard was a humbug! That's show biz!

This episode explores how some of that goes on in all performance arts including bluegrass. I take you behind the curtain and reveal a bit of the reality.

I also do a bit of discussion about being an "opening act" and how that may be the high point of your musical achievement--and that's great! Opening for the "big boys" is a feather in your cap and something to be proud of.

I hope that you enjoy the show and will support our sponsor... me!

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-85-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Pro Habits - Here are 21 ways you can measure your degree of professionalism. We all want to be viewed as good at what we do. The bluegrass world, and the world at large, is populated by a wide spectrum of people. At one end of the scale are the "hacks" and at the other end the "pros". Have fun and enjoy the show.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-84-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

We Are All Selling - I've heard that around 9% of working adults are "in sales." In this episode I discuss my theory that we are all selling. The exchanges aren't always in the form of money. Accounts may be settled or tabulated in such commodities as appreciation, loyalty, assistance, encouragement, attention and the like.

Some things, like learning to play music, are hard to precisely value in monetary terms. Enjoy this rambling postulation.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-83-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Who You Are - Today I talk about the broad spectrum of people and their goals, hopes and dreams. Advice has to be tailored to each person since no two people are exactly alike. Which of these categories of musician fits you best?

I also spend a few minutes rationalizing the numbers of listeners I have on the podcast and compare it to hosting a live theatre event. Not so bad really. Have fun and thanks for listening.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-82-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Lemme See That Guitar - In this episode I tell you how I evaluate a student's guitar. From peghead all the way to the end pin, I discuss how to get the instrument in good playing condition. Have fun and thanks for listening.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-81-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

A Can of Worms - Today I reach my hand down into that ooey, gooey can of worms and discuss just what exactly is this thing called bluegrass. And then, as promised, I dive into a discussion of "fringe" bluegrass instruments. Have fun and enjoy the show. I had a good time making it.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-80-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Grilled Over Improv - This episode is for any player who wants to improvise. It recounts an email exchange I had with a student over a decade ago. I hope you enjoy it and learn something in the process.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/bonus-episode-02-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Mics: Friend or Foe? - Microphones are not very intelligent. They simply react to their surrounding sonic environment. In this episode I touch on the "one mic" setup for live performances and then go into depth about the art and science of performing in noisy clubs, bars, and joints. Have fun and enjoy the show.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-79-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Get a Clue - As a service to the newbie, I am going to just say the things which people actually think. I hope I do not make enemies of everyone I have ever picked with. That is not my intention. It's just that folks are usually too nice to really clue you in. Strap in and hang on.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-78-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

The Thinker - In this episode I ramble on about the rise of tablet devices, debate cause and effect versus chance, discuss two general categories of bluegrass players, and describe narrowly missing being pulverized by a thousand pounds of green pecan timber.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-77-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Be Prepared - In this episode I talk about how to be prepared for whatever may come your way when you are jamming or gigging. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Right?

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-76-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Podcast Shout Out - I am a podcast addict. In this episode I roll through a list of other podcasts that I listen to that I think you will enjoy. Check 'em out, support them, and this wonderful world of "personalized radio" will continue. For a list of links to the podcasts I mentioned in this show just go to the show notes page for this episode. (Link below.)

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-75-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Feedback Loop - In the world of music performing, feedback is the devil. But in the world of learning to play, feedback is vitally important. In this episode I discuss the varieties of feedback you will encounter and which you can rely upon and which you might be better to ignore. I also talk a bit about the qualities one should look for when seeking someone to build an instrument for you and how that logic can be applied in seeking instruction. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-74-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

The Great Wheel - In this episode I lead you through a thought experiment to help you better understand time and the operation of the "bluegrass machine". I preface this with a revelation of the process I go through to create each episode and then go deep into the complex gear train of a fully functioning band.  I then present my Great Wheel Theory. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-73-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Lemme See That Mandolin - This episode is another installment in my series talking about what I check for when examining a student's instrument. In addition to talk about mandolins I also tell some stories and discuss proper protocol when handling someone else's instrument. You also learn Bill Monroe's particularly pithy protocol. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-72-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Nature - This morning, with no real plan, I was reminded of the importance of our connection with Nature. To quote Butch Robins (speaking about Bill Monroe and his creative process), "If something happened in his conscious surroundings, such as a bird flying by or a dog barking, he would make sounds within the music flowing from him that reflected the action he had just ingested with one of his five senses."

After some rambling pre-dawn social commentary, I turned the show over to Nature herself. Sometimes the best way to recharge your battery is to un-plug. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-71-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Bluegrass on Vinyl - In this episode explain why I love vinyl records, big home stereo systems, and album covers. Then I race through a tour of 400 pounds of bluegrass records which have influenced, entertained, mystified and inspired me. I also try to make you feel guilty (just a little) when you listen to records on YouTube instead of showing up at a performance and carting home some swag, merch and physical recordings.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-70-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Pickers Paradise - This past weekend I practiced what I preach. My wife and son were off on a year-end 5th grade school field trip and I did what any devout bluegrasser would do. I loaded up and took off to a weekend bluegrass festival. In this episode I recount my experience, talk a bit about some of the bands I saw and heard, and describe the poor man's teardrop camper that was my humble abode for the weekend.

If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-69-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!