The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we are talking to Jim and Frank from Wood & Wire Fine Fretted Instruments, a recently opened Chicago-area guitar store celebrating high-end and boutique instruments. This may just be the most Fretboard Journal-ish guitar retailer on earth.

https://woodandwire.net

Jim Newcomb served as CEO of the Old Town School of Folk Music and is responsible for bringing the Fretboard Summit to Chicago. Frank Hamilton is a former student at the Galloup School and headed the repair shop at the recently closed Guitar Works from 1999-2004.

Wood & Wire distinguishes itself with an inventory featuring bigger boutique brands like Collings, Huss & Dalton and Boucher alongside hand-picked luthier-built instruments from legends such as Jason Kostal, Tyler Wells, Paul Woolson and others. They are also carrying both high-end acoustics and electrics, vintage instruments, and select amps.

During our chat, we talk about the origin of the store, their desire to make it a community hub, guitar design, and so much more.

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.

The great John Leventhal joins us once again to talk about the making of his new solo album, 'National Drift.'

https://www.instagram.com/johnleventhal/

We talk about his recording process for the album, how the songs came to be, the guitars he's currently loving, the perils of compression and so much more.

Watch John perform "The Old Improv" on our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/M-1JbpOEwVY

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.

Frank Gross, founder of West Seattle's Thunder Road Guitars, joins us this week. Thunder Road is a unique brick-and-mortar success story. Thanks to some smart business moves (online and off), Thunder Road has thrived. In fact, Frank recently purchased and renovated a commercial space for the store! During our chat, we talk about Seattle's thriving independent guitar stores; Thunder Road's offerings (they carry big brands like Fender and Gibson alongside consignment instruments); and so much more.

https://www.thunderroadguitars.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.

On today's episode, guest host Ryan Richter sits down with multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Nate Mercereau.

Renowned for pushing the boundaries of stringed instruments, Nate continues to redefine what it means to play and compose with the guitar as the centerpiece.

In this conversation, Ryan and Nate dive into the making of Mercereau's compelling new album, Fantastic Thoughts. They discuss the creative philosophy, gear setups, and spontaneous moments of inspiration that shaped the record, giving listeners an insider's look into Nate's unique artistic process.

https://www.natemercereau.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). We are also brought to you by Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington.

Molly Tuttle joins us this week to talk about guitars (of course), her touring rig, life on the road and so much more.

We chat about vintage Martins, the new Martin double-neck guitar she's using (the Martin Grand J-28E DN), why she hasn't gone electric yet, and so much more. It's a fun chat with one of the bluegrass world's most inspiring artists. https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing and features Christopher Guest; a cover story penned by John Monteleone and other surprises: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). and Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com, located in Seattle, Washington!

Bluegrass guitar hero Bryan Sutton joins us this week to talk about his brand-new album, From Roots to Branches, Vol. 1 ( Mountain Home Music Company). The album features Sutton in a duo setting with a bevy of friends, including Tommy Emmanuel, Billy Strings, Joe Bonamassa, Sierra Hull, the late Doc Watson, and others. As you'll hear, the performances range from straight bluegrass to a rather rocking tune with Billy Strings.

We also talk about his Blue Ridge Guitar Camp, session work, the joys of downsizing your guitar collection, and the secret studio weapon known as the Epiphone Seville (who knew?). We even brainstorm on a rather hilarious Fretboard Summit golf tournament.

https://www.bryansutton.com https://www.blueridgeguitarcamp.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is now mailing: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Maisy Owen joins us this week to talk about her gorgeous debut album, Dark on a Sunny Day (Tompkins Square).

Maisy talks about her music-filled upbringing (her dad is songwriter Gwil Owen; radio programming legend Rob Bleetstein is a family friend); her decision to take up the guitar; unlikely jobs (and songwriting sessions); her newfound love for British folk and so much more. Maisy also performed some songs while visiting us, available on our YouTube channel.

https://www.maisyowen.com Get the record: https://tompkinssquare.bandcamp.com/album/dark-on-a-sunny-day

Register for our 2026 Summit: https://fretboardsummit.org/tickets

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is just a few weeks away: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Today, we pay tribute to singer-songwriter Glen Hansard (1970-2026), frontman for the Frames and Swell Season.

In 2009, Fretboard Journal publisher Jason Verlinde sat down with Glen at Seattle's Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub for an hour-long chat about guitars (including his famously worn Takamine), meeting your heroes, busking, and more. Today, we're sharing the audio from that conversation for the very first time.

This interview ended up serving as the cover story for our 17th issue, which we published in 2010.

As you'll hear, this was recorded 16 years ago in a busy pub and was not meant to be a podcast. There is plenty of background restaurant noise and the occasional interruption from fans and waitstaff. But we think it paints a nice portrait of a truly unique artist. We hope you enjoy it.

The article that came out of this interview can be found here. We also filmed Glen busking in front of Pike Place Market minutes after this interview. Watch that here.

Register for our 2026 Summit: https://fretboardsummit.org/tickets

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is just a few weeks away: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Today on the podcast, Summer School Electronics founder Mark Turley joins us once again. We talk about Summer School's current pedal offerings, the 2026 Fretboard Summit, and the two pedal-making classes that Mark will be teaching at the Summit.

https://www.summerschoolelectronics.com

Sign up for Summer School's Pedal Classes: https://www.summerschoolelectronics.com/shop/p/fretboard-summit-pedal-building-class-amnk8

Register for our 2026 Summit: https://fretboardsummit.org/tickets

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is just a few weeks away: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Today on the podcast, we are joined by guitarist Louis Campbell, who talks to us about growing up playing traditional music, studying with Martin Simpson, his affinity for using the electric guitar like a piano, and much more.

You can check out his original music via his duo Spafford Campbell: https://www.spaffordcampbell.com Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine. Issue 60 is just a few weeks away: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com