Mandolin virtuoso Sierra Hull can do it all: She juggles time with her own band, touring with Bela Fleck, and performing with the likes of Cory Wong, Brad Paisley, Billy Strings, and the Allman Betts Band.  On this week's podcast, we discuss a pair of eclectic covers she's just shared: Tears for Fears' "Mad World" and the Grateful Dead's "Black Muddy River" and hear all about them. We also talk about life on the road, electric octave mandolins(!), being a free agent, the art of changing mandolin strings, plans for the future, and so much more.

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

This week, we're joined by Trevor Boone of Seattle's Emerald City Guitars. 

This Seattle guitar store is like no other, where you'll often find multiple Dumble amplifiers, original 'Bursts and impossibly rare Fenders alongside players' grade guitars and amps.   They've also taken a unique approach to marketing and storytelling by hiring a full-time videographer to document some of the great tales behind their inventory, having an RV gassed up and ready to go, and self-producing a reality show about their latest vintage guitar finds on YouTube.    During our chat, we talk about the store's big bet on content creation, how Trevor brokers these staggeringly expensive deals, how to move a six-figure Dumble across the country (thanks for the tip, John Mayer), and so much more.   Visit Emerald City Guitars: https://emeraldcityguitars.com Follow their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/emeraldcityguitars ECG at the 2024 Fretboard Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYXhFarrQiU&t=1170s

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Register today: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

This week, we're launching a new monthly series called Meet the Contributors. It's where you can meet some of the many creative people who help make this magazine, our podcasts and our events possible. We'll profile the writers, photographers, filmmakers and creatives who make the FJ special...and hear about what other projects they're working on. This month, we're talking to Vancouver-based editor and writer Brian Lynch. Over the years, he's profiled Paul Pigat and builder Warren Murfitt for us. Of course, when he's not writing or editing, he's playing guitar. Brian just released a wild new record where he interprets the soundtrack music of Bernard Herrmann. He tells us all about it, how he got started as a writer/editor, and more.

Check out Lynch's new album here: https://blynch1.bandcamp.com/album/circle-spiral

We'll be sharing future Meet the Contributors installments over on our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/fretboard_journal

 

Bluegrass musician Woody Platt joins us this week to talk about his new solo album, 'Far Away With You' (Compass Records).

https://www.woodyplatt.com/music

Woody is best known as the former frontman and cofounder of Steep Canyon Rangers. In 2022, after countless shows with SCR and backing Steve Martin on-stage, Platt stepped down from the band to be closer to home. These days, he's busier than ever: In addition to playing, he's dabbled in real estate, worked as a fly fish guide, and spearheaded several music camps (including Bryan Sutton's Blue Ridge Guitar Camp). For this week's podcast, we talk about Woody's home state of NC in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, his return to making bluegrass, his ever-growing music camp empire, plus a lot more.

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Charleston, South Carolina's Daniel Patrick joins us this week for a lively talk about mandolins, being a gigging musician, and talking to your heroes. Daniel is the host of the popular Mandolins & Beer Podcast. He just released a great new album called 'Around the Clock' where he does covers with an all-star array of fellow mandolin players (Sam Bush, Joe K. Walsh, Tim O’Brien, Ronnie McCoury, and others). 

https://danielpatrickmusic.bandcamp.com/album/around-the-clock

During our chat, we hear about the unique live music scene of Charleston; why Daniel launched the podcast, his new album and so much more. 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: 

http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Collings: Check out their new Hill Country series of guitars: https://collingsguitars.com/hill-country-series/ Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

On this week's podcast, we're sharing our Q&A session with Martin CEO Thomas Ripsam live from the 2024 Fretboard Summit. During our chat, Thomas and FJ publisher Jason Verlinde discuss Martin's plans for the future, the changing demographics of guitar consumers, intellectual property, sales channels, and much more. 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: 

http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

What makes a great luthier tick? On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we attempt to find out. 

Recorded live at the 2024 Fretboard Summit, guitar repair gurus Evan Gluck, Tyler Geske, Trevor Healy, Mark Stutman, TJ Thompson, and Joe Glaser talk candidly about the personality traits that drove them to working on guitars. We hear about their attention to detail, the perils of imposter syndrome, and why time management is paramount.    It's an unfiltered chat with six of the most detail-oriented and thoughtful individuals in the guitar space. 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: 

http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

On this week’s podcast, we talk to Alister Atkin, founder of Atkin Guitars.

Alister and his growing team are building vintage-inspired flattop acoustics in Canterbury, England. During our chat, we talk about the company’s history, its ongoing growth, the aged finish that Atkin instruments are known for, how they've penetrated the US market, and even the company’s choice to start making electric instruments.

We think you’ll love getting to know Alister and his story.

https://atkinguitars.com

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: 

http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

Jayne Henderson and Sarah Weinberg join us to talk about Women in Lutherie, an online community and mentorship program connecting female instrument makers from around the world. 

Jayne is based in Asheville, North Carolina and is a second-generation guitarmaker. (Her father, Wayne Henderson, is a legendary builder of acoustic guitars and mandolins.)

Sarah is based in Tel Aviv, where she's the only female luthier in the entire city. 

Through Women in Lutherie, Sarah was able to meet Jayne and shadow her for two weeks in North Carolina, studying her build process. They attended our 2024 Fretboard Summit together and even started building a pair of ukuleles back at Jayne's shop. 

On this week's show, we hear all about the fellowship, what they learned from each other over the last two weeks, what being a luthier in Tel Aviv is like, and - most importantly - how we can inspire more women to take up guitarmaking. 

EJ Henderson Guitars & Ukuleles:  https://www.ejhendersonguitars.com https://www.instagram.com/ejhendersonguitars/ Sarah Weinberg:  https://www.instagram.com/what_is_sarah_doing/

Women in Lutherie:  https://www.womeninlutherie.org Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal: 

http://fretboardjournal.com/subscribe

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal

This week, we’re sharing one of the highlights from our 2024 Fretboard Summit: Joe Henry in conversation with Blake Mills.

During their chat, these two acclaimed producers and singer-songwriters discuss working with legacy artists (Blake has famously worked with Joni Mitchell; while Joe has worked with everyone from Joan Baez to Solomon Burke), the importance of a beginner’s mindset in the studio, the magic of Jim Keltner, honoring the song, and so much more.

It was one of many unforgettable Fretboard Summit 2024 sessions. We hope you love it.

Recorded August 24, 2024.

https://www.blakemillsonline.com

https://www.joehenrylovesyoumadly.com/

We’ll be sharing even more podcasts and videos from our Summit throughout the year. Thanks to all who attended.

Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 21-23, 2025 at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. For a limited time, you can register now with discounted early-bird pricing: https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/08-21-2025-fretboard-summit-2025/

This week's show is sponsored by:Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com (Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order) Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout). Love the podcast and want to support it? We have a Patreon page just for Fretboard Journal fans and loaded with bonus content. https://www.patreon.com/Fretboard_Journal