Joe K. Walsh is an acclaimed master of bluegrass mandolin and a professor at Berklee College, and in this episode you’ll hear about many of his inspiring collaborations including with Darol Anger, Mike Block, Grant Gordy, Alex Hargreaves and Mike Marshall. We are also featuring some music from some of his albums inluding “If Not Now, Who?” We talked about Joe’s approach as an educator, the challenges and joys of the touring life, the importance of innovation and taking chances musically. Joe’s love of music and the mandolin shines brightly in this candid conversation.

Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/joe-k-walsh

Albums featured in this episode: https://garrisongordyhargreaveswalsh.bandcamp.com/album/bluegrass-and-the-abstract-truth

https://joewalsh.bandcamp.com/album/if-not-now-who

https://joewalsh.bandcamp.com/album/borderland

Joe K. Walsh website: ⁠ https://joekwalsh.com/⁠

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Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:28) Aaron Weinstein, Joe’s search for a different approach, “If Not Now, Who?” album

(07:23) Tom from “If Not Now, Who?”

(11:48) recording the album, Joe’s student days at Berklee, teaching approach

(19:01) songwriting

(20:41) Innisfree from “Borderland”

(24:10) Gibson Brothers, experience of touring

(28:40) mandolin family, David Grisman, Daryl Anger, Mr. Sun, Ger Mandolin Ensemble Mike Marshall

(36:12) Joy Kills Sorrow, maturing and working with different generations in the music business

(39:20) Daryl Anger, dangers of perfectionism in recordings

(41:43) please support this independent podcast

(42:35) healthy mindsets, Adam Hurt, creativity, teaching

(50:42) decision to pursue music professionally, early influences

(53:09) Grant Gordy, Mike Block, the value of music for community

(57:31) practicing the mandolin, transcribing, dealing with injuries

(01:02:07) mandolin demo Chinkapin Hunting

(01:04:02) Steve Gilchrist luthier, Bluegrass and mandolin community worldwide

(01:09:47) “Bluegrass and the Abstract Truth”, Alex Hargreaves, memorizing music

(01:15:07) Mahjong from “Bluegrass and the Abstract Truth”

(01:18:03) meeting Joe Walsh story

(01:19:18) reflecting on the mental game