The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Ron is a living banjo legend and, through his award-winning banjo & fiddle playing, has been an important piece in defining the sound of modern bluegrass. He is best known as a sideman in such groups as the Lynn Morris Band, JD Crowe & the New South, The Dan Tyminski Band, the Boxcars, and currently records and performs with the legendary Seldom Scene! That, of course is in addition to his countless session credits as both a musician and producer. We cover all the important topics of the day, including Drive, how to sound more like JD Crowe, Mashing, and much more.

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio

Ron on the web:

https://www.seldomscene.com/

Custom Banjo Straps by Tom Bennett (TAB Customs):

https://www.facebook.com/TABCustom

Contact the show:

[email protected]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Tyler Jackson is renowned as one of the world's top tenor banjoists - His banjo playing can be heard on his solo recordings; on collaborations with David Grisman, his wife and flautist extraordinaire Kristin Jackson, fiddler Dale Morris Jr; and most recently, on the soundtrack to the new Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell feature film "The Rivals of Amziah King." He also happened to be the longtime touring upright bassist for Country Music Legend Ray Price and is now the Assistant Curator of the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City.

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio

Tyler on the web:

https://www.tylerjacksonmusic.com/

https://americanbanjomuseum.com/

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Daniel Grindstaff started his professional career when he was just a teenager and quickly gained experience with legends such as Jim & Jesse & the Osborne Brothers! Since that time, you can hear Daniel's amazing tone, taste, and timing on his solo records, and on performances and recordings with his current project: Daniel Grindstaff & the Uptown Troubadours- a band which was just nominated for the IBMA New Artist of the year and made their debut on the Grand Ole Opry!

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos

Daniel on the web:

https://danielgrindstaff.com/

GET PICKY FINGERS MERCH!! - www.banjopodcast.com/shop

Contact the show: [email protected]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

It's a freshly picked episode! Today we're listening to "Fit For a Dog," the debut solo album from Frank Evans (formerly of the Slocan Ramblers and current touring banjoist for Bronwyn). Frank is one of the finest banjo players, singers, composers, and curators of cool songs that Nashville has to offer! He is joined on the album by an amazing cast of musical characters, including Casey Campbell, Mike Bub, Jake Stargel, Shad Cobb, Justin Moses, Maya devitry, Oliver Craven, George Jackson, Caleb Clauder, and Gaven Largent. It's available NOW so check it out!

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos

Frank on the web:

https://frankevansmusic.com/

Contact the show:

[email protected]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Today's episode features Joe Larson, of the band TopHouse! TopHouse one of the hardest working bands out there today: they tour coast-to-coast, write and record original music, and make entertaining internet content for their fans. TopHouse incorporates banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and more, they are more in the pop-folk realm rather than bluegrass- known for their catchy hooks, quirky sense of humor, and diverse musical influences. Joe Larson is at the center of it all, being a primary singer and songwriters, and of course, he's the band's banjo player in charge of adding creative parts to the band's recordings and performances.

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos

Joe on the web:

https://tophousetheband.com/

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Hubby Jenkins is a captivating performer of traditional American roots music, bringing a strong vocal style and multi-instrumental skills - including, of course, plenty of banjo - to every performance. Hubby is best known as a former member of the award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, and continues his musical journey touring the country as a solo performer.

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio

Hubby on the web:

https://www.hubbyjenkins.com/

Contact the show: [email protected]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Barry Abernathy is one of the most respected banjoists of his generation! He is best known for his performances and recordings with such legendary award-winning bands like Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Mountain Heart, and Appalachian Road Show. One thing is clear: wherever Barry goes, hard-driving banjo playing and great singing follows, and all of this is on top of overcoming some physical limitations that probably would have stopped most banjo careers before they even began!

Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos

Barry on the web:

https://www.theappalachianroadshow.com/

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Bruce Molsky is one of the top traditional musicians of his generation! A captivating performer as a vocalist, fiddler, guitarist, and of course: the banjo! Although he is best known for his recordings and performances in the Old Time style, his interests and playing skills really transcend those boundaries- as proven by his regular collaborations with musicians in the realms of bluegrass, progressive acoustic, African & Scandinavian music, and much more!

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio

Bruce on the web:

https://www.brucemolsky.com/

Peghead Nation course (use coupon "pickyfingers" for a free month!!):

https://www.pegheadnation.com/string-school/instructors/bruce-molsky

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Richard Bailey is best known as the long time banjoist and founding member of the amazing Grammy- and IBMA- award-winning band The SteelDrivers! But Richard's history as a Nashville banjo icon has led him to record and perform with some great bluegrass artists such as The Tennessee Gentlemen, Roland White, Rhonda Vincent, Jim Lauderdale, Vassar Clements, and other superstars like George Jones & Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, Nanci Griffith, Kathy Chiavola - and that's just a few of them! It's easy to understand why when you hear Richard's perfect blend of groove, drive, creativity, taste, and tone. It was an honor to speak with him about his background and career in banjo!

Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio

SteelDrivers on the web:

https://www.thesteeldrivers.com/

Contact the show:

[email protected]

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

In tribute to Gabe Hirshfeld, who we lost in December 2025. Gabe will always be remembered for his amazing sense of humour, his kind and generous nature, and of course his myriad contributions to the banjo community as a talented player, setup technician, and all-around awesome nerdy guru.

Consider a donation to the Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund, administered by the Boston Bluegrass Union

Original Notes:

This episode features a long and winding banjo chat with Gabe Hirshfeld, a true gentleman and scholar. Gabe studied banjo at the Berklee College of Music, as well as some great mentors such as Mike Kropp and Ben Freed. He performed and recorded with The Lonely Heartstring Band, and now plays on a freelance basis and does setup work

Contact the show:

[email protected]