Summary, Episode 26:

A native of Italy, D’Agostino has made his considerable international mark as a musical artist on the guitar since he arrived in America 37 years ago. In 2017 Guitar Player listed him as one of the 50 transcendent superheroes of the acoustic guitar. The CD, “Every Step of The Way,” was awarded by Acoustic Guitar’s People’s Choice Awards with a Bronze medal for Best Acoustic Album of All Time. His signature Seagull acoustic guitar has been voted among the ten best signature guitars by Guitar Player magazine.  

 

To date, Peppino has recorded 19 CD’s, performed in over thirty-seven countries at international festivals and concert halls. He has shared the stage with such greats as Leo Kottke, Sergio Assad, Larry Carlton, Eric Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor, Roland Dyens, David Tanenbaum, and many more.

Peppino's Social Links:

• http://www.peppinodagostino.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/user/peppinodagostino
• https://www.facebook.com/PeppinoDAgostinoGuitar
• https://twitter.com/pdagostino
• https://www.musicworldretreats.com/

About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

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Summary Episode 25: Jon Gomm is a singer songwriter considered to be one of the world’s true virtuoso guitarists possessing a unique style most elite musicians consider revolutionary. Jon was born and continues to live in the North of England.

His songs are driven by his use of one acoustic guitar to create drum sounds, basslines and twisting melodies all at the same time with no external effects. The emphasis remains on his soulful vocals and songwriting with his original material influenced by everything from Robert Johnson to Radiohead.

His live shows combine deeply personal performances allied with a natural wit, with a once seen, never forgotten two-handed guitar style, both physical and complex, producing sounds people can barely believe are coming from a humble acoustic guitar.

Jon's Links:

• Jon's Website
• Facebook
• Youtube
• Instagram
• Twitter

 

About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

 

Subscribe via:

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Summary, Episode 24:

Thomas Fellow is a musician with an almost inexhaustible supply of innovative energy. He is a first rate acoustic guitarist,a stunning virtuoso and is considered one of the best musical collaborators in the guitar world.

His name is associated with the development of the pioneering education program called the "Acoustic Guitar (concert music, world music, jazz, and pop)"at the “University of Music Dresden” (Germany). He's the the artistic director of the "European Guitar Award" and he is also known for authoring the comprehensive book entitled the "FELLOW GUITAR BOOK" - which focuses on the guitars role as an accompanying instrument.

35 years after his first full-length concert (at the age of 17) he has performed over 3000 concerts in more than 30 countries.

• www.thomasfellow.de
• EUROPEAN GUITAR QUARTET - "Medusa"

  About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

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Summary, Episode 23: Muriel Anderson is one of the more multi-dimensional guitarists on the scene today. She plays primarily nylon string but also plays a 20-string harp guitar in her concerts, frequently accompanied by a backdrop of visuals by photo-artist Bryan Allen.

Her current program includes a virtual re-enactment of the solar eclipse, with music and images from around the world.

She is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson’s ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT and is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship and has performed/recorded with Chet Atkins, Les Paul, and Victor Wooten among others.

She is currently working on a music and cookbook project, and is dedicating this year to working more on behalf of the charity she founded, The Music for Life Alliance, to support music education for kids.

Muriels’s Links:

• www.murielanderson.com
• Muriel on Youtube
• Muriel on Facebook
• Muriel on Twitter
• "A Bakers Dozen"
• Nightlights Live!

About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

 

Subscribe via:

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Summary, Episode 21:

For twenty years, Billy McLaughlin astounded audiences around the world with his complex and rhythmic music. At the height of his international recording and touring career, Billy was diagnosed with Focal Dystonia, a mysterious and yet-to-be-cured neuromuscular disorder that rendered him unable to play his own music. Despite every effort to combat his condition, soon Billy’s career was over.But the long deafening silence was broken when Billy began a historic comeback. He was doing the unthinkable – relearning his songs one note at a time with his opposite hand…

Billy’s Links: www.billymclaughlin.com Billy on Youtube Billy on Facebook Billy on Twitter Billy on Instagram

About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

 

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Summary, Episode 21:

Richard started playing the guitar at age 5 and has never looked back. Focusing early on with the fingerstyle guitar of Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed, he began transcribing classical music, Jazz, the gypsy style of Django Reinhardt, bluegrass, ragtime and the blues to Sousa marches.

Now he is a seasoned performer with thousands of performances worldwide to his credit.

Richard has performed in five continents - North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia solo and alongside Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Clapton, Albert Lee, Dave Peacock, Martin Taylor, Brent Mason, Gary Brooker, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Joe Brown, Ralph McTell and many others.

  Richard’s Links: https://richardsmithmusic.com/ Richard on Facebook  Richard on Youtube    About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

 

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Summary, Episode 20:

Don Alder plays acoustic fingerstyle guitar with a passion that has quickly earned him a reputation as Vancouver’s “best kept little secret”. Don is a world-class fingerstyle guitarist with a “wow factor” that has let to multiple endorsement deals with major manufacturers and a collaboration with Greenfield guitars to produce a signature acoustic guitar- the “Don Alder G4” model.

Don currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His unique style of playing incorporates fingerpicking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a wall of sound.

He is often referred to as sounding like a four piece band. Don’s music is his own unique weave of deeply textured melody and story. Lyrical and compelling, his original songs are notes of exploration – some passionate and haunting, some hard-driven, others light and teasing.

In quiet pieces or pushing right to the edge, Don’s phenomenal fingerstyle playing and rich voice captivate.

“Alder can make a single instrument sound like a 4 piece band. The Guy’s like the acoustic Hendrix”. Picque News Magazine”

“Don is Canada’s secret fingerstyle weapon – it’s only a matter of time until everyone discovers this world class player. I am honored to have Don endorsing my guitars.” World Class Luthier, Michael Greenfield

(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)

• 2:44 Welcome Don Alder!
• 4:20 Don’s earliest musical inspirations
• 8:34 Don gets an electric guitar in his hands for the first time
• 14:02 Don starts playing in bands
• 15:52 Don and the bass player’s onstage gun prank goes wrong
• 19:42 Don explains how he started playing solo acoustic guitar
• 22:39 Music – Don plays his composition “Fingers Fingers Fingers”
• 27:30 Don becomes a studio player
• 37:01 Don’s musical, color, touch, and his personal approach to the guitar – how to learn how to play like yourself
• 46:07 At a live performance people are looking for a journey, they want to walk home with an experience
• 52:04 Don’s advice he would like to give to more guitar players – more heart, play music not just songs and technique
• 53:35 A fellow guitarist seeking advice writes a song for Don Alder
• 57:31 Don’s message to all musicians
• 58:58 Don’s last message to everyone!
• 1:00:03 Ending credits and podcast contact info
• 1:03:01 Music – Don plays his composition “Haunting Me”

Don’s Links:

• http://www.donalder.com/
• Don on Facebook
• Don on Youtube
• Don on Twitter

  About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

 

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Summary, Episode 19:

In 1988, Don became the first Canadian to win the U.S. National Fingerpick Guitar Championship. He won again in 1996, still the only two-time winner of the competition.

Don has toured regularly since 1989, across Canada, the USA, a dozen European countries, Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, Russia and India.

He has played live and on recording with U.S. guitarist Andy McKee, Canadian singer/guitarist Brooke Miller, Canadian guitarist Calum Graham, & Toronto bassist Jordan O’Connor. Don composes scores for television, radio and film, and does production and recording engineering for a variety of other musicians.

He’s released numerous CDs and DVDs for the Candy Rat Record label, including his new album, A Million Brazilian Civilians, on CD and see-through orange vinyl.

(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)

2:49 Welcome Don! 3:52 Don’s earliest musical influences. 6:50 Don as a composer first, guitarist second. 8:40 Discovering Leo Kottke’s approach…music with humor. 9:20 Exposure to modern composers Steve Reich, Xenakis, John Adams. 10:40 Don talks about composing for film & TV. 15:44 We discuss alternate tunings and why Don Does uses them. 22:33 Why composes away from the guitar. 24:04 Music – Don plays his composition – “A Million Brazilian Civilians.” 27:33 Don’s relationship to classical guitar. 31:04 I ask Don about his live sound setup. 32:50 Keep it simple…we talk pickups, pedals and other guitar nitty gritty. 34:53 Don tells his “pedalboard on the highway” mishap story. 39:46 What are Don’s hobbies outside music? 41:25 His best advice for musicians. 44:47 The guitar tablature “trap.” 50:22 Ending credits & podcast contact info. 53:14 Music – Don plays his composition – “Seven Seven Four.”

 

Don’s Links:

https://donrossonline.com/

Don on Facebook

Don on Youtube

Don on Twitter

Don’s band project is called “Don Ross – Louder Than Usual”

 

About the Podcast

Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask

Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page

Check out the complete episode playlist here

 

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Jim Nichols has an unusual approach to the guitar - he uses a thumb pick and fingers to play everything from Chet Atkins style to modern jazz.

He served as master instructor for the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops, Stanford Jazz Workshops and held clinics on both jazz and Atkins style for the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society national convention in Nashville. In addition to an acoustic duo CD with Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, and a duo CD with fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith, Jim and his wife Morning, have 5 CDs to their credit.

Jim's solo CD, "Jazz and Country" was chosen by Guitar Player Magazine as a "pick of the year" for '96 and in 2001, he was featured in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine.

 

Show Notes:

In this episode, Jim and I talk about how he started playing guitar, his inspirations, and his approach to blending Chet Atkins fingerstyle and jazz guitar.

(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)

• 2:08 Welcome Jim!
• 3:47 Jim talks about record companies & touring.
• 4:40 How Jim began playing music & uke.
• 6:08 Jim gets his first guitar.
• 6:54 Jim discovers Duane Eddys version of “Trambone” by Chet Atkins.
• 7:45 Flatpicks never again! Jim discovers the thumb pick and learns Chet stuff.
• 14:17 Jim discusses how Wes & Buddy Montgomery were not music readers.
• 19:41 How Jim got the jazz influence – his parents.
• 23:08 The benefits of learning from Chet’s recordings.
• 23:36 Another influence – Howard Roberts.
• 25:48 Jim’s approach to technique & using the thumbpick.
• 26:41 Jim talks about his guitar collection.
• 29:03 Music track from the “Jazz & Country” Album – “Freightliner Blues”
• 32:23 Gear chat – his versatile guitars that can cover several styles.
• 35:41 Traveling with guitars; Jim’s take & tips for flying.
• 38:17 All about Jim’s duo record with Tommy Emmanuel – “Chet Lag” (a.k.a. “Happy Hour”)
• 43:35 Jim’s Kirk Sand Guitar – a birthday present from his wife, vocalist Morning Nichols.
• 45:22 “Jazz & Country” his solo CD as a reaction to being a sideman and a dedication to Chet Atkins.
• 52:53 Current projects, gigs, guitar camps.
• 57:53 Jim’s best advice to musicians – listen attentively.
• 1:04:45 Jim reminds us about CAAS in Nashville in July (Chet Atkins Appreciation Society)

  Jims’s Links:

• Visit Jim and Morning Nichols’s web site at http://www.jimandmorningnichols.com
• Jim & Morning on Facebook

  About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here

Over the past 25 years, Michael Fix has released fifteen albums, together with several DVD’s, songbooks, singles and EPs, tours internationally each year, and has established himself as one of Australia’s finest guitarists and composers, writing evocative music for television, film and documentaries.

He’s won numerous awards for his music, and is a Maton guitar endorsee (with his own signature model guitar), his guitar workshops are in high demand all over Australia and internationally.

As a record producer working from his own studio in Brisbane, he is in great demand. He’s toured and recorded with a diverse range of artists, and regularly appears at festivals and concerts throughout the world.

 

Show Notes:

In this episode Michael and I talk about his philosophy, his approach to guitar, technique, stage sound and more.

(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)

• 3:20 How Michael got started with guitar
• 6:21 Motivation from real life lessons
• 7:41 His advice – find a teacher who inspires
• 8:12 Danger of Youtube “only” learning
• 17:53 Listening to Chet, Jerry & Merle records with Tommy Emmanuel
• 19:18 Music Track: Tangalooma Sunset
• 22:10 Michael talks about his technical approach
• 28:21 Michael tour – the Acoustic Guitar Spectacular
• 32:20 His life as a composer & producer for film, music libraries and more
• 46:26 Michael talks about Maton Guitars & hios signature model
• 53:22 I ask Michael about his live sound setup
• 55:46 Michael’s best advice for musicians
• 1:04:19 Michael’s Austrian (EU) Summer Workshop (Aug 2019)
• 1:08:22 Music Track: Coppertown Blues

  Michael’s Links:

• http://www.www.michaelfix.com/
• Michael on Facebook
• Michael on Youtube
• Michael on Twitter

  About the Podcast

• Ask me a question for the podcast Q & A episodes HERE - adamrafferty.com/ask
• Like, join friend us on the Facebook podcast page
• Check out the complete episode playlist here