The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   In this special episode, podcast hosts Keith Billik (of The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast) and Hilary Hawke (of Banjo Chat) square off by interviewing an entire panel of banjo instructors... and each other! This episode was recorded at a fun live event during the 2024 Ashokan Banjo Weekend at the Ashokan Center in upstate NY and features Keith Billik, BB Bowness, Hilary Hawke, Scott Hopkins, and Maggie Shar.  Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos.   Ashokan Center/Ashokan Banjo Weekend: www.ashokancenter.org   BB Bowness: https://www.catherinebowness.com/   Hilary Hawke/Banjo Chat: https://www.hilaryhawkemusic.com/ https://hilaryhawke.bandcamp.com/album/lift-up-this-old-world-2 https://banjochat.podbean.com/   Scott Hopkins: www.scotthopkinsbanjo.com   Maggie Shar: www.maggieshar.com    Recorded by Connor Wenk   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com  

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Colton Crawford is the rare quadruple threat of 5-string banjo players: He plays banjo in the 2-finger, 3-finger, clawhammer, and flatpicked styles! He is best known for being an original member, performing, and recording as banjoist with The Dead South, a highly acclaimed band with whom Colton has toured the world. Although Colton's playing is rooted in traditional methods, his style is truly one-of-a-kind and has shaped the sound of The Dead South! Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos Colton on the web: https://www.thedeadsouth.com/ https://www.twitch.tv/coltoncrawford   WIN BELA FLECK'S BANJO! https://restringappalachia.org/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Cynthia is a modern virtuoso of the 4-string plectrum banjo! She is celebrated not only for her talents in the traditional jazz/plectrum repertoire, but also for her original pieces and creative interpretations of different musical genres from around the world. Her accolades include the 2023 Steve Martin Banjo Prize and an inductee into the American Banjo Hall Of Fame, the first banjoist to win the 2019 Bistro Award and 2018 Global Music Awards, and in 2018 the first 4-string jazz banjoist to be a featured artist at the iconic Newport Jazz Festival. Cynthia rose to international prominence as a founding member of Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz Band, and has played with leading jazz, popular, and roots music artists including Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, Andy Statman, Les Paul, Marvin Hamlisch, Wynton Marsalis, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Vince Giordano, The Kingston Trio, Scott Robinson, and many others.  Sayer has appeared as a guest and performer on CBS, FOX & ABC network television, on NPR's “Piano Jazz,” and elsewhere. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, DownBeat, Fretboard Journal, People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and countless other local, trade, and foreign media outlets.   Cynthia Sayer is also an avid educator. She has been a guest clinician at The Berklee College Of Music, The New School and others, given multiple educational programs at Lincoln Center, in public schools, and more. She’s on the faculty of the NY Hot Jazz Camp, and gives lessons and workshops. Her play-along program, You're IN The Band is popular with players of all instruments learning and practicing traditional/hot jazz and swing. Her newest book for banjo, guitar and mandolin, The Swinging Solos Of Elmer Snowden, was published in 2022.  Cynthia lives in New York City and endorses Ome banjos, GHS Strings, Blue Chip Picks, and The Realist Banjo Pickups by David Gage.   Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos   Cynthia on the web: https://cynthia-sayer.squarespace.com/  

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   It's a Freshly Picked episode! This time, we're taking an in-depth look and listen to "Daggomit!" - the new solo project by banjoist Max Wareham. Max is best known as the longtime banjoist for bluegrass legend Peter Rowan, and as the author of the definitive book on Rudy Lyle. In addition to his sweet banjo skills, "Daggomit!" also showcases Max's arranging, singing, and songwriting. The album also features a top-notch list of supporting musicians, including Chris Eldridge, Chris Henry, Laura Orshaw, Mike Bub, Larry Atamanuik, Peter Rowan, Gabe Hirshfeld, and David Grier. Recorded by Sean Sullivan at the Tractor Shed, and mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering. Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos Max on the web: https://www.maxwareham.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Marc Horowitz (aka the "Banjo Whisperer") is a fantastic player in both 3-finger and clawhammer styles: he came up in the  '60's folk scene in NYC, and became an in-demand sideman and session player, playing on commercials, movie soundtracks, and folk and pop music records, and many more. He's a teacher, and lists a guy named Bela Fleck among his former students. He's a setup technician, personally entrusted by Steve Martin to maintain Steve's stable of instruments. Marc now works as a design consultant with Gold Tone Banjos, and helped bring into existence their flagship Bluegrass Heart model. Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This is a re-mix of an interview from 2018 that was originally released as a 2-part episode. Ryan Cavanaugh is best known for his innovative approach to playing jazz on the 5-string banjo, his tenure with legendary saxophonist Bill Evans’s band Soulgrass, and his genre-defying solo recordings. Through his mastery and creativity, he has truly pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the instrument. He is currently working on solo projects, and touring with Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters.   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio   Ryan on the web: www.ryancavanaughbanjo.com   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Graham Sharp is a prolific, award-winning banjo player, singer, and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Steep Canyon Rangers, as well as several of his own solo records. One constant of the Rangers' sound through the years is the presence of Graham's expert banjo picking, whether that means hot licks on a fast bluegrass tune, tasteful support of a down-tempo song, or even navigating double banjo performances alongside the band's longtime collaborator Steve Martin.   Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos   Graham on the web: https://grahamsharp.com/ https://www.steepcanyon.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com  

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   It's a Re-mixed episode! The new-and-improved version of this classic interview with the great Mike Munford. Mike is best known for his recordings and performances with Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, as a banjo setup guru, and an afficionado of prewar Gibson flathead banjos. His thrilling style of playing earned him the 2013 IBMA Banjo Player of the year award. Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos.   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com    

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Bob Carlin is among the world's top innovators and prolific performers of clawhammer banjo, and is best known for his solo recordings, collaborations with artists such as Bruce Molsky, Cheick Hamala Diabate, John Hartford, Erynn Marshall, and as a longtime member of the legendary Hartford String Band. He also enriches the banjo world through his substantial work as an author, folklorist, and instructor.   Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio   Photo by Mac Carbonell   Bob on the web: http://www.bobcarlinmusic.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com  

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Tim Ellis, a wonderful bluegrass banjoist best known for his years performing & recording with Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys. He has also worked as a sideman for various other professional groups and recording sessions, and released an album under his own name titled "Banjo Serenade."   Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos.   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Today we have a follow-up episode to #152, which featured the engineers behind the innovative ToneDexter product, by Audio Sprockets. In this one, host Keith Billik demonstrates what ToneDexter can do, by programming wavemaps using every combination of 3 different banjo pickups (by K&K, Schatten, and EMG) and 5 different microphones (by Rode, Behringer, Shure, Audio Technica, and Mesanovic). Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio Episode Time Codes: Intro & explanation of WaveMap Shootout - 03:40   Microphone Base Samples (Not using ToneDexter): Rode NT5 (Small diaphragm condenser) - 12:27 Behringer ECM8000 (Omnidirectional measurement microphone) - 17:27 Shure SM57 (Dynamic cardioid) - 22:29 Audio Technica AT4047(Large diaphragm Condenser) - 27:05 Mesanovic Model 2 (Figure 8 ribbon) - 31:46   Pickup Base Samples (Not using ToneDexter): K&K Banjo Twin - 40:38 Schatten BJ-02 - 47:13 EMG ACB Barrel - 53:47   Wavemap Samples   K&K Pickup wavemaps: Rode NT5 - 42:18 Behringer ECM8000 - 43:18 Shure SM57 - 44:16 Audio Technica AT4047 - 45:14 Mesanovic Model 2 - 46:14   Schatten Pickup WaveMaps: Rode NT5 - 48:26 Behringer ECM8000 - 49:29 Shure SM57 - 50:32 Audio Technica AT4047 - 51:38 Mesanovic Model 2 - 52:42   EMG ACB Barrel Pickup WaveMaps: Rode NT5 - 55:02 Behringer ECM8000 - 56:08 Shure SM57 - 57:16 Audio Technica AT4047 - 58:22 Mesanovic Model 2 - 59:30   Conclusion + Keith’s Reaction - 1:00:36   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com  

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This Bonus episode is a recording of a "Fireside Chat" session from the 2024 Great Lakes Music Camp, featuring legendary banjoist (and Bluegrass Boy) Bob Black! Bob shares his stories and experiences of his time playing and working for Bill Monroe in the mid-1970's.   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com Bob Black on the web: www.banjoy.com  

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode will tell you everything you want to know about ToneDexter, an innovative product from Audio Sprockets for live acoustic musicians that gives you the tone of a microphone, with the simplicity of using a pickup! Here to discuss that, as well as ToneDexter's many other features, are James May and Josh Bennett, the engineers and developers behind the product. Stay tuned for part 2 of the ToneDexter episode, which will feature audio clips using various pickup & microphone combinations using the ToneDexter's wavemap technology!   Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio   Tonedexter on the web: www.tonedexter.com Josh Bennett website: https://joshbennett.com.au/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Bob Black is a legendary bluegrass banjoist, best known for performing & recording with Bill Monroe, Kenny Baker, William Lawson, his current band Banjoy, and many others! He is a true master of the traditional bluegrass style, and was an innovator of the melodic style of playing fiddle tunes on banjo. He is also an author, and has written several books about his time as a Bluegrass Boy, a biography of Roland White, and others. Sponsored by Bluegrass Country Radio, Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and Sullivan Banjos.   Bob on the web: www.banjoy.com Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com  

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 bluegrass banjo with huge tone and impeccable timing!   Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

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 innovator in banjo design, and works in that capacity for Deering Banjos. Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio.   Jens on the web: https://www.krugerbrothers.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com  

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 American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City, a 2019 inductee into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame, and a board member of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize.   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio   Johnny on the web: https://americanbanjomuseum.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

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 inductee into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame! Whew! Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Paige Capos, and Sullivan Banjos   Ned on the web: www.nedski.com   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com   Buy Official Picky Fingers Merch!! www.banjopodcast.com

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 original solo material, with Shout Sister Shout! (swing & jazz with members of Steppin In It) and with her vocal-based supergroup the Sweet Water Warblers (also featuring May Erlewine and Lindsay Lou).    Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Paige Capos, and Sullivan Banjos   Rachael on the web: https://www.rachaeldavis.com/ https://sweetwaterwarblers.com/   T SHIRT SALE all discontinued colors, and Small/Extra Small shirts of ALL sizes are only $12! Visit www.banjopodcast.com   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

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 collaboration with, and an examination of the banjo style of, the late great Ben Eldridge. Sponsored by Paige Capos, Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and Sullivan Banjos   Randy on the web: https://www.randybarrett.net/   $12 T-shirt Sale on Discontinued colors and Small/Extra Small sizes!   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com