www.patreon.com Explore the power of the pentatonic scale- a musical device that you’ve undoubtedly heard many times, but may not know how to take advantage of in your own composing, improvising, and general playing. Topics: What is a pentatonic scale, and how is it constructed? Why is it important, and how is it used? Why […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Welcome to a Freshly Picked episode featuring a discussion with the incredible bluegrass/jazz/avant garde banjoist Ryan Cavanaugh about his new EP titled “Screams Electric” – and he does just that! The album features Ryan’s typically amazing banjo prowess, as well as Doug Belote (drums), Kevin Scott (bass), Billy Cardine (electric Dobro), and Roger […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Ben Krakauer, a creative and distinctive banjo player, composer, ethnomusicologist, and educator. Ben is best known for playing with Old School Freight Train (a band that became David Grisman’s backup band for a tour!), his two all-original instrumental solo albums, and as a music professor at Warren Wilson College.   […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   In this episode, we welcome Cameron DeWhitt back to the show! (Listen back to episode #82 for our previous podcaster vs. podcaster episode)   Cameron is a wonderful clawhammer/pitchfork style banjo player, performer, educator, and podcaster. Their podcast “Get Up In the Cool” is among the most popular in the world for a […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Today we have a Freshly Picked Epiosode featuring “Things Are Simple” by Bill Evans! With this appearance on the podcast, Bill secures his lead as world record holder for featured Picky Fingers appearances (currently at 3). We chat about his new album, and plenty of other updates including his family’s scary brush with […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast is now 5 years old! In this episode, guest host (and featured guest from Episode #1) Davey Jones turns the mics on Keith, and subjects him to the torment and humiliation that is normally reserved for Keith’s interview subjects. Learn all about the man behind the voice that […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Welcome to a “Freshly Picked” episode, featuring a discussion with podcast veteran and banjo phenom B.B. Bowness! She will be taking us on a banjo-centric tour of the new Mile Twelve album titled “Close Enough to Hear,” which was just released on February 3, 2023. There are some great songs and sounds on […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Today’s guest is the world-renowned, award-winning, snappy dressing banjoist, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and educator Joe Newberry! Per usual, Joe is eloquent and generous in discussing his career, banjo style, songwriting approach, and his collaborations with mandolinist Mike Compton and fiddler April Verch. Recorded at the 2022 Great Lakes Music Camp at Camp Blodgett […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   For this Bonus episode, I have a quick chat about the upcoming Banjo Summit with Jake Schepps, an extraordinary banjo player in his own right, and the Director of the Banjo Summit! About Banjo Summit: 2-day online banjo workshop aimed at teaching accessible techniques to add color to your traditional playing or take […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features the incomporable Jim Mills, one of the top banjo players of his generation and a purveyor of the traditional Scruggs-style of playing. Jim has won the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award a record 6 times, as well as numerous Grammy awards. He has also established himself as one […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Hank Smith, a versatile performer, teacher, and composer. Hank currently performs, records, and tours with Hank, Pattie & the Current, but has also spent time contributing his vast banjo and composing talents to Blu Bop, a Bela Fleck & the Flecktones tribute band, jamgrass groups, banjo with string quartet music, […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features a true legend of bluegrass banjo: Terry Baucom! AKA “The Duke of Drive,” Terry has a playing style that has become iconic and influential to the modern generation of banjo players. He was a key founding member of bands such as Boone Creek, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out, […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Max Wareham, a fantastic banjo player who studied with Tony Trischka and Bill Keith. He currently performs with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan’s bluegrass band. Max recently published a wonderful book titled “Rudy Lyle: the Unsung Hero of the Five-String Banjo” which thoroughly examines the life and playing style of one […]

www.patreon.com   This episode features Joe Mullins, of Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers! Joe is one of the heroes of traditional bluegrass banjo playing, and has been a top professional in the industry for decades. The son of famed radio DJ and fiddler Paul “Moon” Mullins, Joe has been around bluegrass all his life, […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Alex Berman, the banjoist and lead singer for the Baltimore-based jamgrass band the Dirty Grass Players! Alex has an exciting approach to his playing, is a creative improviser, and strong singer to boot. This interview was recorded backstage at the 2022 Del Fest!   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, GHS Strings, […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features a long and winding banjo chat with Gabe Hirshfeld, a true gentleman and scholar. Gabe studied banjo at the Berklee College of Music, as well as some great mentors such as Mike Kropp and Ben Freed. He performed and recorded with The Lonely Heartstring Band, and now plays on a […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Finally, a rare clawhammer episode! This one features Michael J. Miles, a fantastic Chicago-based banjo player, singer-songwriter, and composer. Michael is well versed in many types of traditional American music, but also brings influences from Africa, Bach, pop music, and much more to his compositions and performances.   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Introducing a NEW podcast that Keith is working on (as editor) with Ben Wright (banjo player with the Henhouse Prowlers, and featured on episode # 47). The podcast is titled “Arts in the Edge” and is produced by American Voices, a non-profit that conducts cultural exchange through the performing arts to isolated regions […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Sign up on Patreon to get a FREE Download of this album!   This “Freshly Picked” episode features “Just a Little Talk With Myself” – the brand new debut solo album from Steven Moore, a multiple-time winner of the National Banjo Championship, many other high-profile contests, and the featured gues from episode #49! […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Scott Anderson, a Florida-based player who wears many different hats in the banjo realm: he is a professionally touring performer, composer, recording artist, writer, collector, and educator. Scott is best known for playing with the Jim Hurst Band, Endless Highway, the Scott Anderson Band, and his current group Medicine Springs. Recorded […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Trevor Holder, banjo player for the Price Sisters and fantastic Reno-style disciple. Trevor loves digging into early bluegrass and even pre-Scruggs banjo styles, which can be heard at his live performances as well as his recent album “Chattanooga Dogs” with his longtime musical friend Conner Vlietstra.   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Our 100th episode!! This one is a recorded interview with the late banjo legend Wade Mainer and his wife, Julia (“Hilbilly Lilly”) Mainer- in an interview conducted by folk legend Mike Seeger. Wade was a pre-Earl Scruggs fingerstyle (2-finger) banjoist, and became a legendary country performer and a major influence on early bluegrass […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Caleb Dostal, the banjo player for jamgrass superstars the Lil Smokies! Caleb shares all sorts of insightful ideas about how he approaches playing the instrument- check it out!   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, GHS Strings, and Elderly Instruments   Caleb on the web: https://www.thelilsmokies.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com Check […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon! Andy has been one of the top banjo superstars in the jamgrass scene for many years, and always impresses audiences with his high-flying improvisational style that is both distinctly modern and yet rooted in traditional 3-finger playing styles. Andy has also played with the Emmett-Nershi […]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Gena Britt, a longtime professional bluegrass musician who has contributed her fantastic banjo, upright bass, and vocal talents to such bands as Petticoat Junction, New Vintage, Lou Reid & Carolina, Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, and the Gena Britt Band. Her current gig is with the highly acclaimed all-female supergroup Sister […]