The world's top podcast for banjo players, fans, and enthusiasts! Hosted by Keith Billik; listen to interviews with professional players, playing tips, and equipment discussions. Contact the show at pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Brad Campbell began playing professionally when he was just a teenager, and went on to tour, record, and perform with bands such as Gary Adams & the Bluegrass Gentlemen, Wendy Smith & Blue Velvet, and finally landed his dream gig playing with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Brad is the very definition of hard-driving bluegr…
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#149 - Jens Kruger (Remix of Episode #26 from May 2019)
1:14:59
1:14:59
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode is a new-and-improved remix of Episode #26 from May of 2019, featuring banjo phenom Jens Kruger. Jens is the longtime banjoist and composer with acclaimed bluegrass group The Kruger Brothers, and has inspired a generation of musicians with his dazzling, inventive, and soulful playing. He is also an innovato…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Johnny Baier is one of the world's foremost performers, entertainers, and educators of the 4-string tenor and plectrum banjos. A true virtuoso and student of the traditions of the instrument, Johnny lays down some serious knowledge for any of you unfamiliar with the 4-string banjo world! He is also the director of the A…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Welcome back to Ned Luberecki, the star of Episode #13! Since our last interview, Ned has continued boldly taking the banjo to places no man has gone before! His primary performing gig is with the Becky Buller Band, which just released "Jubilee" which reached #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts! Ned is also a 2024 indu…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Rachael Davis is an incredible singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist - including some mad clawhammer banjo skills! She is currently Nashville-based and has toured far and wide, but she was raised in Michigan, where she became and remains a folk music legend! She is best known for performing & recording her origi…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Randy Barrett is a great banjoist in both 3-finger & clawhammer styles, a singer, songwriter, educator, and author. He is best known for his three solo recordings, and his performances with Big Howdy, a Washington, D.C.-based bluegrass band, and as President of Bluegrass Country Radio. His recent book "On Banjo" was a c…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast In this demonstration episode, Keith runs down the list of all the major effects food groups and gives a live demonstration of what they all sound like with acoustic banjo! 03:01 - Intro, overview of episode 15:15 - Dry Banjo Sound (EMG ACB Barrel pickup through Grace Design Felix Preamp) 16:38 - Octave effect (TC Elect…
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REPLAY - Jim Mills (From Episode #111)
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast With the unexpected passing of banjo legend Jim Mills (December 18, 1966 – May 3, 2024), we revisit this interview originally released as Episode #111. 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 …
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Chris Coole has made a name for himself as one of the top clawhammer banjoists in Old Time and Acoustic music. He is best known for playing in bands such as The Lonesome Ace Stringband and the Foggy Hogtown Boys, collaborations with the likes of Ivan Rosenberg, Erynn Marshall, and John Showman, as well as his solo work.…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Jim "Wild Jimbo" Pankey, who has played both 3-finger and clawhammer style professionally for many years with the Hamilton County Ramblers and other groups. These days, Jim is a top banjo influencer through his instructional Youtube channel, and has helped thousands of banjoists all over the world …
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Kevin Kniebel, a talented banjoist, singer, and songwriter who performs and records with the jamgrassy old time band Pert Near Sandstone! PNS brings some great songwriting and arrangements to their high-energy, foot-stomping enthusiastic old timey sound, which makes them one of the top must-see liv…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Colton Powers, an outstanding bluegrass banjoist and singer, best known for his recordings and performances with Seth Mulder & Midnight Run. Colton also attended East Tennessee State University, where he honed his hard driving banjo picking style! Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Paige Capos, Elderly I…
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#139 - "Labor of Lust" feat. Kyle Tuttle
1:11:31
1:11:31
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This is a "Freshly Picked" episode, featuring the new album "Labor of Lust" by Kyle Tuttle. Kyle is best known for being featured on Episode #18, as well as his performances and recordings with the Jeff Austin Band, the Lil Smokies, and now the Grammy Award-winning Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway! This album shows Kyle …
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Brian Alley, a great player in both the 3-finger and clawhammer styles. He is best known for performing and recording with his band: Portland, Oregon-based band Never Come Down. NCD have been gaining major steam on the bluegrass/jamgrass scene, and have a new record to be released in early 2024 tit…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Ken Perlman, an innovative banjoist who blazed the melodic clawhammer trail. He is also known for his efforts in learning, preserving, and teaching various other fiddle music traditions, particularly that of Prince Edward Island. Ken is also one of the foremost leaders in banjo education: he author…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose! Sam is a multi-faceted musician adept at both clawhammer and 3-finger playing, as well as composing, singing, and songwriting. They currently perform with one of the top jamgrass bands on the scene The Lil Smokies. Check it out! Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instrum…
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#135 - "Off the Edges" by Wilson Thicket
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast It's a Freshly Picked episode, featuring the debut EP "Off the Edges" from Michigan-based bluegrass adjacent band Wilson Thicket! Keith sits down with all four members of Wilson Thicket to discuss this landmark dazzling, groundbreaking work of art, including the banjoist who happens to be... Keith himself! Wilson Thicke…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast A "Freshly Picked" episode about the new album from banjo legend Alan Munde! Alan and Keith go through several tracks on the album and discuss Alan's approach to the compositions and arrangements. Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, and Sullivan Banjos Alan on the web: https://almundesbanjocollege.com/ Get…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Chris Warner, a banjo player best known for his performing and recording with Jimmy Martin, as well as his several great solo albums! Chris perfectly exemplifies the Jimmy-approved style of hard-driving bluegrass banjo, and is also an in-demand banjo setup tech and neck builder. Check it out! Spons…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Janie Rothfield, a world-renowned banjoist, fiddler, composer, and educator. Janie has lived in many places, learning from the folks she meets along the way, and tells all about how that has shaped her style on both fiddle and banjo. Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and Sullivan Ba…
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#131 - Playing Banjo with Jimmy Martin, feat. Chris Warner and Tom Adams
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51:33
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast In this special episode, Keith chats with Chris Warner AND Tom Adams: two banjo greats in their own right, but who also happen to both be veterans of Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys band. They share their experiences in dealing with Jimmy from both a personal and professional standpoint, all from a banjo player's per…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Tabitha Agnew Benedict, a banjo-playing product of Northern Ireland best known for performing and recording with the Foreign Landers and Cup O'Joe, as well as the all-female British bluegrass band Midnight Skyracer! Tabitha has a creative and masterful approach to playing not only traditional-style…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Ben Eldridge, the highly influential banjo player best known for his work with the groundbreaking band The Seldom Scene, with whom he performed and recorded for several decades. Ben's blending of driving bluegrass playing with cascading melodic passages and tasteful accompaniment has made him an in…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Tom Adams, one of the most influential banjo players of his generation! Tom is best known for his exciting, energetic, creative, and driving banjo style which earned him multiple IBMA Banjo Player of the Year awards. He is best known for his performances and recordings with such artists as Jimmy Ma…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features John Bullard, a performer and author who has dedicated his efforts toward playing authentic renditions of classical music on the banjo! John discusses his background learning bluegrass banjo and classical guitar, and the decision to combine the two passions. Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Ins…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Casey Henry! Casey has been exposed to banjo music her entire life (via her parents Murphy and Red Henry), and has been teaching and playing professionally since her teenage years. She is best known for her performances and recordings with such groups as Uncle Earl, the Dixie Bee Liners, Casey & Ch…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Riley Baugus is one of the top Old Time clawhammer banjoists, singers, guitarists, and open-back banjo builders out there on the scene today! He is best known for his solo work, as well as collaborations with Dirk Powell, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, T-Bone Burnett, and many more! Recorded at Midwest Banjo Camp. Sponsor…
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#124 - "Masters of the 5-String Banjo" Revisited! Feat. Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Today's episode looks at the "behind-the-scenes" journey of making the best banjo book in existence: The Masters of the 5-String Banjo! Published nearly 40 years ago and written by banjo legends Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick, the book featured everything a true banjo nerd could want to know: in-depth interviews with the …
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode's guest is the great bluegrass banjoist, author, and educator Murphy Henry! Murphy made a name for herself with her energetic banjo playing and singing, and has broadened her reach in recent years to writing (including her 2013 book "Pretty Good For a Girl" about the history of women in bluegrass) and of co…
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features legendary banjoist Butch Robins! Butch played several years with Bill Monroe, and is also well known for his stints with the New Grass Revival, Leon Russell, and his excellent solo recordings, among others. Topics include his views on bluegrass timing, stories about Bill Monroe, his famous pre-war …
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Victor Furtado, a fantastic young clawhammer player who performs and records with The Wildmans as well as his own solo material. Victor is taking clawhammer banjo to brave new places, and demonstrates many of his innovative techniques! He is a winner of the Steve Martin Banjo prize, and a graduate …
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#120 - Alan Munde (Replay from 6/22/18)
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1:21:43
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www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Enjoy this replay featuring the legendary banjoist Alan Munde! This interview originally aired 6/22/2018 in two parts as episodes 6 & 7. Alan needs no introduction- he is among the most influential banjo players, composers, and instructors of his generation. After playing with Jimmy Martin, Alan went on to record and pe…
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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 does it work the way it d…
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#118 - "Screams Electric" by Ryan Cavanaugh
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1:21:44
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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 Cardin…
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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 Warr…
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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 w…
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#115 - "Things Are Simple" by Bill Evans
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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 …
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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 usually just ge…
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#113 - "Close Enough to Hear" by Mile Twelve
1:15:21
1:15:21
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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 the album and, …
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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. Record…
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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 you…
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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 of the top experts, …
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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…
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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, and now the Duk…
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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 …
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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, and has decades of insight to pul…
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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 St…
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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 freelance basis and doe…
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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.…
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BONUS - Arts on the Edge podcast w/ Ben Wright
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7:24
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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…
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