Playback Sessions

Margaret Glaspy joins Playback Sessions for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about making music by accident, the creative power of letting go of the plan, and what it feels like to learn how to write songs all over again.

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📍 Chapters:

0:00 — Intro

2:36 — James Bay, Madison Cunningham & Norah Jones Just Showed Up

4:01 — Too Shy to Ask Anyone — What This Album Changed

6:42 — "Play It Like a Funeral" — The Take That Made the Record

9:25 — How She Chose the Songs (Pure Stream of Consciousness)

12:34 — Jesus, Etc. — Why She Asked Norah Jones

15:52 — Jeff Tweedy Heard the Cover and Cried

18:59 — East Coast vs. West Coast — What the Studios Say About Us

26:15 — How Making Covers Rewired Her Songwriting

29:33 — The Album Title — Found in the Library of Congress

34:16 — Her Writing Process: More Prolific Than Ever

42:07 — What Actually Blocks Her From Finishing Songs

43:01 — The 15-Minute Rule That Changed Everything

46:14 — Straight to the Typewriter — Her Daily Creative Ritual

50:23 — What's Coming: New Record, Touring, Joe Henry

53:20 — "I Feel Like I'm Learning to Write Songs Right Now"

54:11 — Where to Find Margaret Glaspy

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥Guest: Margaret Glaspy

Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #MargaretGlaspy #Songwriting #SongwritingTips #AcousticGuitar #IndieMusic #FolkMusic #MusicProduction #Typewriter #WriterBlock #NorahJones #JamesBay

Tim Stafford joins Playback Sessions for a powerful, honest conversation about the real cost of touring, lessons from legends like Tony Rice and Doc Watson, and what it takes to stay grounded in music after decades on the road.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

0:00 — Intro

0:41 — Live Performance: "The Blue Grays"

5:55 — Welcome — One of Bluegrass's Most Prolific Songwriters

6:15 — How It Started: Got Bumped on Banjo, Picked Up Guitar

8:55 — The PhD He Almost Finished Instead

9:35 — Writing 300 Songs With One Co-Writer

11:00 — Inside a Co-Write: The Actual Process

18:51 — Do You Know When You're Writing a Hit?

20:41 — What He Learned in Alison Krauss's Band

23:11 — How Blue Highway Started — "I Had No Intention of Starting a Band"

26:47 — His Son Didn't Recognize Him at the Airport

30:16 — Tony Rice's Rhythm Changed All of Bluegrass

39:21 — Writing the Tony Rice Biography — 10 Years

42:07 — Roy Orbison Stopped the Bus for Tony Rice

49:53 — Who Actually Coined the Word "Bluegrass"?

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Guest: Tim Stafford

Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #TimStafford #TonyRice #BluegrassHistory #Flatpicking #AcousticGuitar #Songwriting #BlueHighway #DocWatson #MartinGuitars #MusicHistory

Becca Stevens joins Playback Sessions for a wide-ranging conversation about writing her most personal album through the loss of her mother and the birth of her children and why she almost never released it.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

02:15 – Becca’s Songwriting Philosophy

06:40 – The Inner Critic Explained

10:25 – How Artists Sabotage Their Own Songs

14:10 – Writing Songs That Feel Too Personal

18:20 – Processing Grief Through Music

22:45 – The Trap of Chasing Hits

27:05 – Why Writing for the Audience Fails

31:50 – “Serve the Song” Mindset

36:10 – Working with David Crosby

40:30 – The “Volcano” Writing Process

44:15 – Collaborating with Jacob Collier

48:25 – Creativity in the Studio

53:10 – When the Muse Shows Up

58:40 – Closing Performance

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Guest: Becca Stevens

Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #BeccaStevens #Songwriting #AcousticGuitar #DavidCrosby #JacobCollier #SufjanStevens #MusicTheory #DADGAD #SingerSongwriter

Andy Wood, a virtuoso guitarist with deep musical roots in bluegrass, rock, country, metal, and fusion, shares transformative insights on technique, tone, and practice strategies in this episode. Wood discusses a pivotal mindset shift that improved his time feel, techniques from his mandolin playing that enhanced his right-hand precision, and his focus on depth over tone chasing. He also delves into his transition from sideman to artist, his alternate picking mechanics, and lessons from performing with top artists. With practical advice on practicing speed and maintaining precision, this episode offers essential tips for guitarists aiming to elevate their craft.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:13 Transition from Sideman to Artist

02:27 Impact of COVID on Music Creation

08:25 The Importance of Image and Branding

10:31 Collaborations and Mentorship

15:04 The Role of Community in Music

29:27 Passing the Torch to the Next Generation

36:09 The Role of Patreon in Supporting Content

37:08 The Economics of Music and Events

44:35 Practicing Techniques and Speed

01:09:35 The Myth of Brute Forcing Practice

01:10:22 The Importance of Playing Clean

01:11:17 Playing with Ears, Soul, and Heart

01:11:58 Recording Yourself for Improvement

01:16:26 Transcribing and Lifting Vibes

01:20:17 The Value of Musicality Over Technique

01:35:49 The Role of Musicality in Performance

01:38:55 Upcoming Projects and Events

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Guest: Guest: Andy Wood

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #AndyWood #GuitarTechnique #AlternatePicking #GuitarLesson #RascalFlatts #SteveMorse #BrentMason #FastGuitar #ChickenPicking #GuitarTone

We dive deep into capturing the iconic Jimi Hendrix sound with RJ Ronquillo. From selecting the perfect Stratocaster to understanding Hendrix's pedal setup, we cover everything you need to recreate Hendrix's legendary tone. Discover the significance of reverse angled bridge pickups, specific pedal usage, and tuning techniques that form the essence of Hendrix's sound. RJ also demonstrates essential Hendrix playing styles, from rhythmic patterns to iconic licks, and shares his personal journey through Hendrix's musical legacy. A must-watch for any Hendrix enthusiast!

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction at Carter Vintage Guitars

00:08 Essential Hendrix Gear

00:41 Choosing the Right Guitar

01:15 Dialing in the Hendrix Tone

04:20 Hendrix's Unique Playing Techniques

13:37 Rhythmic Mastery of Hendrix

19:20 Hendrix's Flashy Performance Style

21:32 Favorite Hendrix Licks and Riffs

23:31 Getting into Hendrix: Recommended Albums

25:05 Conclusion and Additional Resources

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Guest: RJ Ronquillo

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #RJRonquillo #JimiHendrix #GuitarTone #Stratocaster #FuzzFace #GuitarLesson #BluesGuitar #GuitarPedals #HendrixChord #LittleRichard #GuitarTechnique

Lindsay Ell joins Playback Sessions for an honest conversation about leaving her record deal, rebuilding her team, writing her most vulnerable music yet, and navigating fame and identity in the modern music industry.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

02:00 – Writing the Scariest Thing First

04:47 – “Fence Sitter” & Not Knowing

10:00 – This Record Feels Different

13:00 – When Art vs Success Collided

14:30 – Leaving Her Record Deal

16:00 – Rebuilding Her Entire Team

20:40 – Randy Bachman Mentorship

24:50 – First Stadium Show Disaster

27:20 – Playing Lead for Shania Twain

31:00 – Vision Boards & Manifesting

34:30 – You’re Not Entitled to Outcomes

37:00 – Why Commercial Music Repeats

39:30 – AI, Copyright & The Future

45:05 – Brad Paisley, Guitar Painting & What’s Next

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Lindsay Ell

Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #LindsayEll #CountryMusic #IndiePop #Songwriting #ShaniaTwain #RandyBachman #MusicIndustry #GuitarLesson #WomenInMusic #FenderGuitars #NashvilleMusic

Trey Hensley joins Playback Sessions for an honest conversation about impostor syndrome, rebuilding his right hand after injury, serving the song over speed, and how Tony Rice shaped his musical evolution. This is Trey at his most open, fear, growth, and identity included.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

00:25 – Live from Woodshed Experience

00:47 – Summer Touring + Teaching Camps

01:14 – Final Year of the Duo + New Records

01:35 – Acoustic vs Electric Recording Process

04:38 – What Producers Changed in His Playing

05:55 – Balancing Acoustic & Electric Identity

08:27 – Right-Hand Drills: Pick Direction & Tone

12:52 – The Injury That Forced Him to Rebuild

14:16 – Anchoring vs Closed Fist Technique

16:00 – Learning the Bluegrass “Bounce”

26:13 – Duo Arranging: Filling Space with Two Players

33:34 – Tony Rice: Innovation & Jazz Influence

42:47 – Impostor Syndrome & The Mental Game

56:34 – What’s Next: New Record & Touring Plans

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Trey Hensley

Editor: Carl Reeverts

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #TreyHensley #Flatpicking #BluegrassGuitar #AcousticGuitar #GuitarLesson #GuitarTechnique #AlternatePicking #ImposterSyndrome #Songwriting #WoodshedGuitarExperience #TonyRice #DocWatson

John Oates joins Playback Sessions for an honest conversation about life after 50 years on stage, reinvention, creativity, and what it really means to move forward after massive success. This is about identity, evolution, and staying inspired long after the hits.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

02:45 – The Weight of Legacy

06:30 – Why Reinvention Matters

10:12 – Finding Identity Beyond the Duo

15:40 – Nashville & Creative Reset

20:55 – Staying Curious After Success

25:30 – Writing From Experience

31:10 – Americana Influence

36:42 – Music Industry Then vs Now

42:18 – AI & The Future of Music

48:55 – Racing, Passion & Balance

54:20 – Lessons From Decades Touring

1:00:05 – What Keeps Him Inspired

1:04:30 – Advice to Younger Artists

1:07:57 – Closing Thoughts

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Guest: John Oates

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#JohnOates #HallAndOates #PlaybackSessions #Americana #Songwriting #ClassicRock #MusicPodcast #NashvilleMusic #CreativeLongevity #MusicIndustry

Noel Johnston joins Playback Sessions for a thoughtful conversation about exploration, 2-5-1 thinking, Mick Goodrick’s influence, and why memorizing licks isn’t enough. This episode dives into curiosity, harmonic awareness, and approaching guitar as a lifelong study.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro at The Woodshed Guitar Experience

00:45 – Rethinking Common Progressions

02:30 – Why Exploration Beats Memorization

04:10 – Learning From Listening Deeply

05:50 – Thinking in Harmonic Movement

07:15 – Breaking Out of Scale Boxes

08:45 – Developing Musical Curiosity

10:20 – Teaching Through Demonstration

12:05 – Exploration as Practice

13:40 – Mick Goodrick’s Influence

15:10 – “The Advancing Guitarist”

16:45 – Moving Beyond Patterns

18:20 – Modern Jazz Language

19:55 – How to Study Differently

22:45 – Final Thoughts

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at @woodshedguitarexperience - Crossville, TN

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

Guest: Noel Johnston

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#NoelJohnston #PlaybackSessions #JazzGuitar #MickGoodrick #Improvisation #Fretboard #MusicEducation #ModernJazz #GuitarMindset #AdvancingGuitarist

Sarah Jarosz opens up about creativity, vulnerability, and learning to trust your musical instincts. From leaving your ego at the door to singing ideas before playing them, Sarah shares how letting yourself sound “stupid” is often the doorway to something real.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram

https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/

📍 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

02:15 – Singing ideas instead of playing them

05:40 – Why sounding bad is part of the process

09:30 – Learning to trust your first instincts

14:10 – Don’t edit yourself too early

19:45 – Vulnerability in songwriting

25:30 – Letting songs reveal themselves

31:10 – Confidence vs control

36:40 – Staying honest in the studio

42:20 – Advice for young musicians

47:10 – What creativity feels like when it’s right

51:30 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions

-YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions

-Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast

-Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast

📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.

🎥 Host: Spencer Handley

🔥 Guest: Sarah Jarosz

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #SarahJarosz #Songwriting #AcousticGuitar #Mandolin #OctaveMandolin #ImWithHer #ChrisThile #AmericanaMusic #BluegrassMusic #GuitarLesson #CreativeProcess