The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People (A Podcast About Acoustic Instruments, Music, & Artists)

In this candid episode of the Acoustic Shoppe Podcast, we open up about the uncertain future of music retail.We share our real-world experiences from inside the shop, how the market has changed in recent years, and the growing challenges of selling acoustic instruments in a digital-first world.From shifting customer habits to supply chain changes and brand dynamics, we discuss what keeps us hopeful — and what keeps us up at night.

In this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, we sit down with the legendary multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and storyteller J.P. Cormier. From his early days as a prodigy to becoming one of the most respected musicians in bluegrass, folk, and Celtic music, J.P. opens up about the road, the craft, the struggles, and the moments that shaped him.We dive into his musical influences, his approach to songwriting and flatpicking, behind-the-scenes road stories, the realities of the music industry, and the resilience it takes to build a lifelong career in acoustic music. Whether you’re a fan of J.P.’s incredible picking or simply love hearing honest conversations from real-world musicians, this episode is packed with insight and heart.If you enjoy deep musical conversations and want more artist interviews, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for future episodes of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People.

Remember when Lloyd Loars and Pre-War Martins were about 20-30k, we do too! Weather it was for an investment or maybe a nostalgic reason, I know we all have instruments that we wish would could get a second chance at. We have encountered TONS over the years, here's a list of the ones that still haunt us. 💬Let us know below, what's your one that got away? 🎵We're giving away a guitar! Learn More -- https://youtu.be/sx_iHWo8yz4

Darrin is one of the most influential voices, producers, & creators in the Bluegrass 7 country music world - you may just not realize it! As a producer and backup vocalist, he has been featured on countless hits. We so happy to have him on the podcast to discuss behind the scenes moments, touring moments, and how he became successful!

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Alvarado and Matt Miller of Driftwood Guitars—master luthiers and YouTube creators known for their stunning custom acoustic builds. We dive into their journey from hobbyists to full-time guitar makers, how YouTube transformed their business, and the challenges of balancing craftsmanship with content creation.

From passing out at a sweltering Bluegrass festival to being stuck in a Canadian blizzard, the Chapmans have had quite the experiences in their 20+ years of touring. For those that only know The Acoustic Shoppe, before all of this the Chapmans were a family band! Take a trip with us down memory lane as John, Jason, & Jeremy talk about their best and worst moments on the road.

The Acoustic Shoppe Knows Tony Polecastro! Back at the Fretboard Summit we had the opportunity to sit down with incredible individuals in the acoustic world, one of which was Tony! Here we deep dive into his history with the Old Town School of Folk, his YouTube career, & his innovative and inspiring methods of spreading acoustic guitar. Thank you for joining us, Tony!

In this episode of TAS Knows People, we know David Grier! - One of the most influential flatpickers of our time.David shares stories from his musical journey, his approach to flatpicking, thoughts on creativity, and advice for players at any stage. With decades of performance and teaching experience, he brings humor, honesty, and deep insight into the world of acoustic guitar.🔗https://www.davidgrier.com/ Follow David Grier! - https://www.facebook.com/DavidGrierMusic

In this episode of the Acoustic Shoppe Podcast, we sit down with banjo virtuoso and musical storyteller Jens Kruger for a rich and insightful conversation. This conversation holds much more than just insight into playing music, but also shares funny and heartwarming stories from Jens' life. Thank you for this conversation, Jens!

In this episode of TAS Knows People Podcast, we’re joined by Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard, the new owners of Breedlove Guitars, following the retirement of Tom Bedell.We dive into their backgrounds, their vision for the future of Breedlove, and how they plan to continue its legacy of innovation, sustainability, and tone.If you’re a Breedlove fan or just love hearing what’s next for acoustic guitar brands, this is a must-watch episode!🔗Shoppe Our Breedlove Guitars Here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/breedlove🔗Shoppe Our Bedell Guitars Here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/bedell

We're joined by a very special guest today - Chris Meikle from Alvarez Guitars! Chris, one of the great minds of business and guitar designing, stopped by to give us some insight on the history of St. Louis Music and Alvarez/Yairi guitars. Thanks so much for stopping by, Chris! 🔗Shoppe our collection of Alvarez/Yairi Models here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/alvarez-yairi

In this episode of the Acoustic Shoppe Podcast, we’re talking all things Fretboard Summit 2025 — and yes, we’re attending!We share what we’re most excited about this year: exclusive guitars, builder showcases, workshops, and the overall celebration of all things acoustic. From legendary luthiers to the jam circles, it's one of the most inspiring events in the guitar world.🔗Learn more about the Fretboard Summit here! - https://fretboardsummit.org/

We’re proud to welcome Maton Guitars to The Acoustic Shoppe family! In this episode of the Acoustic Shoppe Podcast, we sit down with Rob & Kevin, two members of the Maton team to learn more about the company’s Australian roots, approach to craftsmanship, and what sets their guitars apart.Whether you’re new to Maton or already a fan, this episode is full of insights into tonewoods, design, and why Maton has earned such a loyal following.🔗View Our Maton Guitars In Stock Here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/maton-guitars

In this episode of the Acoustic Shoppe Podcast, we take a break from reviews and artist interviews to talk about something a little different—our favorite competitors in the music retail world!From the way they run their shops to how they treat their customers, these businesses make the acoustic industry better. We highlight some of the stores we love collaborating with, learning from, and supporting, and why we think healthy competition makes us all better.

In this special PTSD Awareness Month episode, we’re joined by Nigel Fischer of Guitars for Vets—a program that provides guitars and lessons to U.S. military veterans working through PTSD and other challenges.Nigel shares his personal story as both a graduate and now a team member of the program, explaining how music helped him through his own healing journey. We also talk about how Guitars for Vets works, the power of community, and how a simple guitar can change a life.🎗️ This month, we’re also raising funds to help purchase new guitars for veterans in the program. Learn how you can get involved, donate, and make a real impact.🔗Donate to Guitars For Vets Today! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/products/guitars-for-vets 🔗Breedlove Bid - https://givebutter.com/c/sxQjjG/auction/items/1043236 🔗Learn More About Guitars For Vets - https://guitars4vets.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------#GuitarsForVets #Veterans #AcousticShoppePodcast #BluegrassMusic #AcousticGuitar #GuitarInstrumental #MusicLovers #TheAcousticShoppeReviews

Get ready for a super fun show today! We're ranking our personal top 5 (or more) acoustic albums of all time - Jeremy, Jason, and John each get their own picks. We're truly diving into albums that made us the musicians we are and influenced us as well as ones we constantly have on repeat. Let us know below - What are your favorite acoustic albums of all time?Albums Mentioned:---Bluegrass World's Greatest Show - https://open.spotify.com/album/7Fjd2zD32WeWO9djI0sWQd?si=3Lbhok38SeWmVvlQew46sg --Once More, The Osborne Brothers - https://open.spotify.com/album/2REAJIpiENXKVF48GBv7b7?si=0_O32-VYRqaTsirROVvFcw ---Looking For Yourself, Lonesome River Band - https://open.spotify.com/album/5cvvNvHWIxyGfF5GU0Ma8Y?si=gj8vRPNyRf2VQI-wPrOnbg---IIIrd Tyme Out - https://open.spotify.com/album/7Lb7TXqtoEP0xvz8MvB4rK?si=2Qy9hSXbTVmIUUF9eUnVSg ---Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot - https://open.spotify.com/album/0soZVSmJj6uqIxaKK3oGlj?si=g3sQ20VKSjypUBuSh9Oc5g ---Little Sparrow, Dolly - https://open.spotify.com/album/0RYsRBFuNAoqYyHHvSJj6x?si=89V22-4YRG61vSswpR2pjQ ---Heartsongs, Dolly - https://open.spotify.com/album/34kJ0pnpcaCcviAnwgIanO?si=U67HAZpxQFCEE0i09TSzRw ---The David Grisman Quintet - https://open.spotify.com/album/3WFYnejh2lEBcrQq2gclVq?si=CgbdMIr9Ts2ganDRHfU4oA ---The News Is Out, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - https://open.spotify.com/album/2LexSbiWDgDF0xOeTQevsm?si=GSSMUxkISYOie_7czn54Jg ---The Cold Hard Facts, Del McCoury Band - https://open.spotify.com/album/0Rwgw63MsaoCoyAIE3J6Ao?si=bu02WsiUR9eoXP_6IcfdMg---Punch, Punch Brothers - https://open.spotify.com/album/3hIwCfH78un6mI9gEfws4f?si=48ZpuAZoRYSbRon4F2L9iQ ---Bluegrass Album Band, Vol. 3 - https://open.spotify.com/album/5cMQA1GEBU5bBZmsMF8HR8?si=qzZf0P5ATyqeRVxugVClew ---Cold on the Shoulder, Tony Rice - https://open.spotify.com/album/6XEGLw8ko21Y1IN0irPS1i?si=O22tG64SQoe-pj9q51KOMA ---Flat & Scruggs Live at Carnegie Hall - https://open.spotify.com/album/0tKGsmRLUOv8YmtoLroBjE?si=W4JXh5uiRfi7cqzWcJWy5w ---JD Crowe Live In Japan - https://open.spotify.com/album/3D6XeUDPFP78UpnGjLB1wV?si=RhWBU1yXSAuLKeldUCiOlQ ---Red On Blonde, Tim O'Brien - https://open.spotify.com/album/1g1SmW9O61u6tKktYfYcrj?si=O3Gn40u_Q4aemqRShBiXyQ ---So Long So Wrong, Alison Krauss - https://open.spotify.com/album/7fNscFnVAEZzQMiRhmQyCd?si=dODRczcWTJmMNRIz5Tv6tA ---Just When We're Thinking It's Over, The Cox Family - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaDOIIyvD38 ---Forget About It, Alison Krauss - https://open.spotify.com/album/5OpoA9mtyVQ1bENOHHWGc1?si=v8jT_dh6TPuG70RMtLhYqg ---Gone Like The Cotton, The Cox Family - https://open.spotify.com/album/5fvWKwgjOETVCXvBVuaYlX?si=Pl1RHVYYS_KFz7tTZs2sXA ---Nickel Creek - https://open.spotify.com/album/5SGG7graQOU3OnK3cZZCNd?si=yAQtgSOXSGCCV9HpVIjq_Q

In this episode of TAS Knows People Podcast, we’re joined by the one and only Jim Pankey—banjo player, teacher, and beloved figure in the bluegrass community. Jim shares his story of getting started on banjo, building a music career, and why teaching and mentoring beginners is such a huge part of his mission today. Jim brings both humor and heart to this wide-ranging conversation. If you’ve ever learned from Jim online—or just love a good banjo story—this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows Things, we break down the current U.S. tariff changes and what they mean for acoustic instruments. From the impact on imported tonewoods and parts to how price hikes could reshape the used market, we explore which brands are affected most—and what this might mean for stores like ours.We also talk candidly about how The Acoustic Shoppe is preparing for the changes and what it means for players shopping in 2025 and beyond. If you’ve been eyeing a new guitar, mandolin, or banjo… you’ll want to listen in.*Please note that his is not a political podcast. No matter where you stand in the mix, we're just sharing our thoughts on how this will effect us. Please keep all comments respectful, we are ultimately here for the love of music.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👕Get Your TAS Merch!: https://bit.ly/TASMerch🪕Instruments At TAS -- ⌁Check out our Guitars here: https://bit.ly/TASGuitars ⌁Check out our New Arrivals here: https://bit.ly/TAS-New-Arrivals⌁Check out our Dreadnought Guitars here: https://bit.ly/TASDreadnoughts⌁Check out our Mandolins here: https://bit.ly/TASMandolins⌁Check out our Banjos here: https://bit.ly/TASBanjos---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🌎Follow The Acoustic Shoppe Everywhere! --Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAcousticShoppe/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theacousticshoppe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theacousticshoppeTAS Knows People Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1yM0Y64DROnRmg9FfWnmNY?si=b76e9b34d9ab4694Our Website: https://www.theacousticshoppe.com/Reverb: https://reverb.com/shop/the-acoustic-shoppe🎙️We use Ear Trumpet Labs Microphones for instrument demos - Thank you Ear Trumpet Labs! https://www.eartrumpetlabs.com/👍Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell icon to stay updated with all things Acoustic Shoppe. Follow us on our journey through the music world, and share your thoughts in the comments below!#Tariffs #GuitarPodcast #AcousticPodcast #TASPodcast #trumptariffs #BluegrassMusic #AcousticGuitar #GuitarInstrumental #MusicLovers #TheAcousticShoppeReviews

This episode we welcome back the one and only Richard Hoover of Santa Cruz guitars! He was one of our very first episodes on this podcast and we were lucky to get a bit of his time to become a repeat guest on the show.We deep dive into Richards past, reflecting on 50 years of guitar building and what the future holds. safe to say, The Acoustic Shoppe now knows Richard Hoover even more than before! ⁨

We caught up with Lilian Werbin of Elderly Instruments at IBMA, where we talked about the store's legacy, its evolving role in the acoustic community, and what it's like running one of the most respected music shops in the country! From supporting artists to preserving tradition while embracing change, this conversation is a deep dive into the acoustic retail world, Lilian's story, and where Elderly Instruments will grow! Thank you Lilian for sitting down with us for this conversation!  @ElderlyInstruments  🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations from IBMA and beyond.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------👕Get Your TAS Merch!: https://bit.ly/TASMerch🪕Instruments At TAS -- ⌁Check out our Guitars here: https://bit.ly/TASGuitars ⌁Check out our New Arrivals here: https://bit.ly/TAS-New-Arrivals⌁Check out our Dreadnought Guitars here: https://bit.ly/TASDreadnoughts⌁Check out our Mandolins here: https://bit.ly/TASMandolins⌁Check out our Banjos here: https://bit.ly/TASBanjos🌎Follow The Acoustic Shoppe Everywhere! --Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAcousticShoppe/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theacousticshoppe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theacousticshoppeTAS Knows People Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1yM0Y64DROnRmg9FfWnmNY?si=b76e9b34d9ab4694Our Website: https://www.theacousticshoppe.com/Reverb: https://reverb.com/shop/the-acoustic-shoppe🎙️We use Ear Trumpet Labs Microphones for instrument demos - Thank you Ear Trumpet Labs! https://www.eartrumpetlabs.com/👍Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell icon to stay updated with all things Acoustic Shoppe. Follow us on our journey through the music world, and share your thoughts in the comments below!#ElderlyInstrumetns #LilianWerbin #AcousticMusicStores #TheAcosuticShoppeKnowsPeople #AcousticShoppePodcast #BluegrassMusic #AcousticGuitar #GuitarInstrumental #MusicLovers #TheAcousticShoppeReviews