Category: Artists

Guitar Talk: Profiles & Interviews

Jerron-Paxton-Dom-Flemons-Yasmin-Williams-Tray-Wellington

Jerron Paxton, Tray Wellington, and Yasmin Williams Reflect on Expanding the Boundaries of Black Country Music

Multi-instrumentalist and historian Dom Flemons hosts a roundtable discussion with three talented artists who represent different aspects of American roots music.

Dom Flemons December 22, 2024

Passion and Fire: How Russian-Born Virtuoso Grisha Goryachev Became a Flamenco Guitar Master

In a wide-ranging phone interview, Goryachev discusses his early training, interactions with Paco de Lucía, arrival in America, and approach to performing.

Mark Small December 8, 2024

Niwel Tsumbu with guitar. photo by Matthew Hurrell O’Conor

Nylon-String Virtuoso Niwel Tsumbu Blends Congolese Roots with Global Sounds

No matter how far the Ireland-based guitarist travels, both physically and musically, his connection to Congo is ever-present, as this Zoom interview reveals.

E.E. Bradman December 1, 2024

Album Reviews

Review: Sharon Isbin and Amjad Ali Khan and Sons Deliver a Transcendent Fusion on ‘Live in Aspen’

East meets West in this fascinating collaboration of classical guitar and sarod, captured live at the Aspen Music Festival.

Blair Jackson December 13, 2024

Review: Robbie Basho’s Lost Live Recordings Unearth a Sonic Treasure Trove

The five-CD box set ‘Snow Beneath the Belly of a White Swan’ reveals the depth of Basho’s live genius, showcasing the American primitive pioneer’s eclectic influences and transcendent performances.

Greg Cahill November 22, 2024

Stephane Wrembel, Photo: Lawrence Sumulong

Review: Stephane Wrembel’s ‘Triptych’ Triology Is His Finest Work Yet

The guitarist-composer has outdone himself with his latest project, a three-album release called ‘Triptych Phase I,’ ‘Phase II,’ and ‘Phase III.’

Blair Jackson October 23, 2024

Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Hayen Pedigo playing his Yamaha F9 acoustic guitar.

Hayden Pedigo’s Avant-Folk Fingerstyle | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Pedigo’s simple, yet inventive guitar style shines in this solo acoustic Session

Joey Lusterman November 8, 2024

Clive Carroll Plays John Renbourn | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

For this AG Session Carroll performs two solo pieces, “The Hermit” and “The Pelican,” on a Ralph Bown guitar.

Joey Lusterman September 27, 2024

Independent Folk with Ana Egge | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

In this AG Session, idiosyncratic singer-songwriter Ana Egge plays three original tunes and performs a cover of Steve James’ rootsy song “Talco Girl.”

Joey Lusterman September 6, 2024

Sessions: Creative Director's Picks

Over the last 10+ years, Joey Lusterman has worked in every department at Acoustic Guitar magazine: front desk, ad sales, editorial, sound guy, camera man, booth babe, email coder, podcast editor, photographer, book designer… And he’s been behind the camera for nearly every Sessions video! Here are just a few of his favorites (see them all.)

All Artist Interviews and Stories

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Caitlin Canty

While on tour for her new album Reckless Skyline, singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty stopped byAcoustic Guitar to play three songs on her 1930s Recording King guitar and talk about her recent move to Nashville. Watch Canty, joined by pedal steel and regular guitarist Eric Heywood (Ray LaMontagne’s Pariah Dogs, Tift Merritt, The Pretenders), perform “Get Up,” “I Never,” and “Southern Man.”…

Whitney Phaneuf
August 5, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Indigo Girls

Emily Saliers and Amy Ray met in elementary school, started playing together in high school, and, 30 years later, are still making music as the Grammy-winning Indigo Girls. When the duo recently stopped by AG to do an Acoustic Guitar Sessions, they shared that the chemistry they felt when they began harmonizing and playing guitars together as teens…

Acoustic Guitar Editors
July 29, 2015

Singer-songwriter Anthony D'Amato performs in the Acoustic Guitar studio

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Anthony D’Amato

The NYC-based singer-songwriter talks about his approach to songwriting and guitar playing, and performs three songs from his latest release.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
July 23, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Keller Williams

Keller Williams has been recording for more than two decades and been a favorite of the jam-band circuit for much of that time. With a highly rhythmic playing style, Williams delivers some of the most high-energy acoustic music you’ll hear. During this wide-ranging interview, he talks about his new album, Vape, the…

Greg Cahill
July 9, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Charlie Parr

Raw, intense, and powerful, Charlie Parr's brand of blues will send shivers up your spine.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
July 2, 2015

Special thanks to our friends at the Den at the Fox Theater, Oakland, California. Click here to see the entire Acoustic Guitar Sessions archive.

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Yonder Mountain String Band

With 17 years of heavy touring under their belts, Yonder Mountain String Band has become one of the biggest names on the bluegrass circuit.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
June 25, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Ross Hammond

Perhaps best known as an electric avant-jazz player, Sacramento's Ross Hammond has long been a devotee of the acoustic guitar.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
June 25, 2015

Luther Dickinson and Anders Osborne during their Acoustic Guitar Session backstage at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Luther Dickinson and Anders Osborne

The duo performs two songs from 'Freedom & Dreams,' including a gorgeous jam on "Dyin' Days," and Dickinson delivers a solo fingerpicking showpiece.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
June 18, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Dáithí Sproule

One of the foremost proponents of DADGAD tuning, Dáithí Sproule remains a major influence on contemporary Irish music.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
June 12, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Kathy Kallick

Kathy Kallick and friends drop by for an intimate performance and interview. A veteran of the Northern California bluegrass scene, Kathy Kallick is a powerful singer and songwriter whose rootsy, well-crafted music is full of deep passion. Kallick recently visited the AG studios (along with mandolin player Tom Bekeny and Dobro…

Whitney Phaneuf
June 4, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Holly Miranda

The gifted singer-songwriter Holly Miranda stopped by with her Gibson L-200 Emmylou Harris model to sing two songs and chat about music.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
May 28, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Ed Gerhard

Fingerpicking and lap steel master Ed Gerhard has been wowing audiences for about four decades now, building a solid following around the U.S., Europe, and the Far East with his spellbinding solo instrumental performances and CDs, the most recent of which is called There and Gone.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
May 22, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents the Infamous Stringdusters

Dobro player Andy Hall and guitarist Andy Falco joined us for an intimate three-song performance

Acoustic Guitar Editors
May 14, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Translator

San Francisco post-punkers Translator reunite and unplug for Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Acoustic Guitar Editors
May 7, 2015

Tom Paxton playing guitar and singing during his Acoustic Guitar Session

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Tom Paxton

Joined by guitarist Robin Bullock, the folk legend performs a few tunes, shares a few stories, and, of course, talks guitars.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
April 30, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Nahko

Reminiscent of socially conscious artists such as Michael Franti, Ben Harper, and Bob Marley, Nahko’s music definitely has a message. After spending time in the non-contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii, Nahko had a musical epiphany on his return to the mainland.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
April 23, 2015

The Gift of a Guitar: How ‘American Idol’ contestant Hollywood Anderson Found His Calling

“That guitar did more than change my life,” Hollywood Anderson says. “It saved me.” Anderson (his real name is Anderson Footman) is talking about the worn Fender Squier steel-string acoustic that lifted him this year off the streets of New York City and into the American Idol spotlight, where his high…

Acoustic Guitar Editors
April 23, 2015

Album Review: James McMurtry Strips Down to Acoustic Guitars on ‘Complicated Game’

There’s not a better living American songwriter than James McMurtry, whose literary bloodline—son of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Larry McMurtry (The Last Picture Show, Lonesome Dove)—makes a damn good case for a genetic predisposition for telling great stories.

Mark Kemp
April 22, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Martin Sexton

Thanks to his incredibly soulful, highly versatile voice, Martin Sexton probably could have made a name for himself as merely a singer. Add in his deft songwriting touch and a distinctive, engaging guitar style, and Sexton becomes a true triple threat. Sexton recently stopped by the AG studios to talk…

Acoustic Guitar Editors
April 16, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Aoife O’Donovan

With her absolutely gorgeous crystalline voice and unique singing style, Aoife O'Donovan has become one of folk music's leading lights.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
April 9, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Hot Buttered Rum

A longtime favorite of the festival circuit, Hot Buttered Rum delivers a heartfelt, tuneful string-band sound that is sure to put a smile on your face.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
March 26, 2015

William Fitzsimmons singing and playing guitar in the Acoustic Guitar studio

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents William Fitzsimmons

The singer-songwriter shares a couple of original songs and talks about his approach to songwriting, his fascination with fingerpicking and alternate tunings.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
March 19, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Eliza Gilkyson

Eliza Gilkyson visited Acoustic Guitar headquarters, her 1951 Gibson CF-100e in tow, to deliver a wonderful three-song set.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
March 12, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Joseph Arthur

Joseph Arthur delivers stirring covers of a pair of tunes from the album, "Coney Island Baby" and "Sword of Damocles," in addition to a couple of top-notch originals.

Mark Kemp
March 5, 2015

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Preston Reed

Preston Reed's integrated percussive guitar playing is on full display in these two songs.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
February 26, 2015