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

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 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 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

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

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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