Category: Interviews and Profiles

Letter From Cuba: A Journey Across the Caribbean Island Where Acoustic Guitar is Omnipresent

The acoustic guitar is believed to be the first instrument heard in Cuba—it's as essential to the Cuban zeitgeist as cigars and rum, serving as the accompaniment to 500 years’ of history.

Melinda Newman
July 16, 2017

100 Years After His Death, Ragtime Composer Scott Joplin Continues to Inspire Guitarists

As Joplin reigned during the music’s heyday, he reclaimed the throne upon its return. Though “Maple Leaf Rag” was at no point forgotten, it was again a popular gateway to the genre.

Steve Boisson
June 25, 2017

Meet Joan Shelley: Folk’s Rising Star Talks Open Tunings, Influences, and Working with Jeff Tweedy

There’s a kind of clarity and calm in Joan Shelley’s music that feels especially welcome in these fractious times.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
June 20, 2017

‘Paul Simon: Words & Music’ Exhibit Opens in LA

Fresh from its run at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, the new touring exhibit Paul Simon: Words & Music has opened at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles—making its only West Coast stop. On display through September 10, the exhibit chronicles Simon’s life…

Whitney Phaneuf
June 19, 2017

Country Bluesman Reverend Peyton Is a Force of Nature: Watch Him Play 18 Instruments on 1 Song

"No blues society is going to come in and save blues music. That’s not how it works. The only thing that can save it is people making good music that other people want to hear."

Kenny Berkowitz
June 12, 2017

Guitar Talk: Tom Brosseau on His ‘North Dakota Impressions’

Fresh from releasing North Dakota Impressions, the last album in an ambitious trilogy, Tom Brosseau stopped by the Acoustic Guitar studios to talk about the regional, literary, and design influences behind this project. Watch a recent AG Session with Brosseau here.

Greg Cahill
June 8, 2017

Acoustic Guitar in Hand, Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Alynda Lee Segarra Is Taking On the World

As an artist, she says she feels compelled to “speak for equality, justice, and love. And I hope whatever I say encourages lots of little girls to play guitar.”

Pat Moran
June 3, 2017

Guitar Talk: Studio Ace and Songwriter Danny Kortchmar on Bonding with His Acoustic

Kortchmar discusses what has been the biggest adjustment in switching from electric to acoustic guitar live.

Melinda Newman
May 28, 2017

Gregg Allman, 1947–2017

Along with his brother Duane, Gregg and Duane formed the Allman Brothers Band, a powerhouse band that pioneered a new, groove-and-guitar-based style that came to be known as Southern rock.

Greg Olwell
May 27, 2017

A guitar workshop at the Guitar Foundtion of America's Summit Orchestra for kids

GFA Launches its First Guitar Summit Orchestra for Kids

This summer, upwards of 30 young guitarists will participate in the first-ever Guitar Foundation of America’s (GFA) Guitar Summit

Karen Peterson
May 8, 2017

Claissical guitarist Jason Vieaux in the Acoustic Guitar studio

Guitar Talk: Classical Guitarist Jason Vieaux on Playing More Musically [VIDEO]

“A lot of experimentation mixed with, hopefully, a good teacher that plays well can be a path to finding your tone or sound,” says the Grammy-winning guitarist.

Greg Cahill
April 26, 2017

Illustration of Ry Cooder and Lalo Guerrero by Olivia Wise

Ry Cooder Pays Tribute to Lalo Guerrero, “the Father of Chicano Music,” at Centennial Birthday Concert

Cooder and others honored the internationally acclaimed singer, performer, and prolific composer Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero on what would have been Guerrero's 100th birthday.

Karen Peterson
April 4, 2017

LA Unplugged: 12 Must-See Acoustic Music Spaces In and Around Los Angeles

The City of Angels has a lot to offer acoustic guitarists wanting to buy a new axe, hit up an open mic, or listen to bluegrass while chowing down on pizza.

Melinda Newman
March 23, 2017

Ann Savoy Is a Driving Force in Louisiana’s Folk Scene & the Matriarch of a Kick-Ass Musical Dynasty

“A friend of mine once said, ‘You’re the most egoless guitar player I’ve ever met,’” Ann says. “It’s not about me, it’s about how I fit into the band and how I can make them happy."

Kenny Berkowitz
March 13, 2017

A Tribute to British Fingerstylist Bert Jansch and His Influential Arrangements

The legendary Scottish musician sojourned through the pits and pinnacles of music-making guided by his own compass, largely disinterested in popular trends.

Steve Boisson
March 7, 2017

GUITAR TALK: Singer-Songwriter Greg Brown on His Soft Spot for Martin D-18s & More [VIDEO]

Brown, a longtime Gibson player, had more than a few tales, including one about discovering a sweet vintage Martin D-18.

Greg Cahill
March 2, 2017

Blues & Jazz Great Geoff Muldaur Explains How to Find Your Own Voice

AG couldn't resist asking Muldaur to ruminate on the art of finding your own musical voice: How does one find their own style that is informed by the blues legends but does not mimic them?

Greg Cahill
February 24, 2017

Guitar Talk: John McCutcheon on Incorporating Guitar into the Family Setting

Looking back on his impressive, 45-year career, John McCutcheon, who recently released Trolling for Dreams, discusses the role of music and guitar-playing in family life, his first guitar, and why it's important for guitarists to not compare themselves to their heroes.

Anna Pulley
February 23, 2017

Next-Gen Pickers: 6 Rising Stars are Carrying on the Bluegrass Tradition by Making It Their Own

Today’s rising generation of bluegrass musicians carries on the tradition of remaking the tradition in their own way, as is clear from these conversations with six standout guitarists.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
February 16, 2017

GUITAR TALK: Union Station Guitarist Ron Block on Developing Your Bluegrass Technical Skills

Ron Block discusses his formative influences, buying his first good guitar at his father’s music store, his tunings, and the best way to start learning to play bluegrass.

Andy Hughes
February 16, 2017

Dave Wilson being interviewed in the Acoustic Guitar studio

Guitar Talk: Dave Wilson of Chatham County Line Explains What He Loves About Bluegrass [VIDEO]

Wilson discusses his passion for bluegrass and how that excitement is conveyed in his band's music

Greg Cahill
February 16, 2017

Guitarist Shawn Camp of the Earls of Leicester Gets to Wear a Colonel Sanders String Tie & Emulate Lester Flatt—Life is Good

Covering a range of standards and rarities, these 17 new tracks with guitarist Shawn Camp find the Earls of Leicester at the top of their game.

Kenny Berkowitz
February 16, 2017

Matron Saints of Guitar: Elizabeth Cotten, Maybelle Carter, Joni Mitchell, and 3 More Women Who Revolutionized Music As We Know It

Here's a brief look at six often-overlooked women who took the guitar to new places and left their imprints on modern music.

Anna Pulley and Anna Pulley
February 3, 2017

Listen to Laura Marling’s Podcast ‘Reversal of the Muse,’ with Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris & More

Powerhouse British guitarist and singer-songwriter Laura Marling—whose meteoric rise began when she was 18 with her 2008 debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim (Virgin)—has women on her mind. “It occurred to me that in ten years of making records, I had only come across two female engineers working in studios,”…

Karen Peterson
February 2, 2017

In Her Own Words: Rosanne Cash, Gillian Welch, Ani DiFranco, Janis Ian, Valerie June & More Share Their Passion for Guitar

From the March 2017 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY WHITNEY PHANEUF, ANNA PULLEY, KAREN PETERSON & PAULINE FRANCE When the editors of Acoustic Guitar decided to carve out a special section on the topic of women, guitars, and success, I was hesitant. The sheer act of compiling women guitarists, educators, and luthiers into a…

Whitney Phaneuf, Whitney Phaneuf and Whitney Phaneuf
February 2, 2017