#165 - Daithi Melia
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
This episode features Daithi Melia, banjoist for JigJam, the phenomenal Irish-American bluegrass band that has been seemingly everywhere recently, from the Grand Ole Opry to Grey Fox, and everywhere in between. Daithi is an incredible player, with a mastery of traditional bluegrass idioms, modern progressive banjo sensibilities, and of course a heavy dose of the Irish music he grew up with. He weaves all of this together to help give JigJam their genre-bending appeal. Sponsored by , , , and Daithi on the web: Contact the show: Jig Jam
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#164 - "All God's Children" by East Nash Grass, feat. Cory Walker
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
It's a Freshly Picked episode, featuring a banjo-centric deep dive into the brand new album from East Nash Grass, titled "All God's Children" - featuring an interview with intrepid banjoist Cory Walker! ENG is one of those bands that seems almost impossible NOT to like: they have that elusive knack for sounding both classic and traditional and fresh and new all at the same time! They are each true masters of their instruments, and the band features multiple singers and songwriters to keep listeners on their toes. They deliver all of this with their trademark sense of humor and deep...
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#163 - Dueling Banjo Podcasts! Live From Ashokan, feat. BB Bowness, Hilary Hawke, Scott Hopkins, and Maggie Shar
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
In this special episode, podcast hosts Keith Billik (of The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast) and Hilary Hawke (of Banjo Chat) square off by interviewing an entire panel of banjo instructors... and each other! This episode was recorded at a fun live event during the 2024 Ashokan Banjo Weekend at the Ashokan Center in upstate NY and features Keith Billik, BB Bowness, Hilary Hawke, Scott Hopkins, and Maggie Shar. Sponsored by , , , and . Ashokan Center/Ashokan Banjo Weekend: BB Bowness: Hilary Hawke/Banjo Chat: Scott Hopkins: Maggie Shar: ...
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#162 - Colton Crawford
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
Colton Crawford is the rare quadruple threat of 5-string banjo players: He plays banjo in the 2-finger, 3-finger, clawhammer, and flatpicked styles! He is best known for being an original member, performing, and recording as banjoist with The Dead South, a highly acclaimed band with whom Colton has toured the world. Although Colton's playing is rooted in traditional methods, his style is truly one-of-a-kind and has shaped the sound of The Dead South! Sponsored by , , , and Colton on the web: WIN BELA FLECK'S BANJO! Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com
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#161 - Cynthia Sayer
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
Cynthia is a modern virtuoso of the 4-string plectrum banjo! She is celebrated not only for her talents in the traditional jazz/plectrum repertoire, but also for her original pieces and creative interpretations of different musical genres from around the world. Her accolades include the 2023 Steve Martin Banjo Prize and an inductee into the American Banjo Hall Of Fame, the first banjoist to win the 2019 Bistro Award and 2018 Global Music Awards, and in 2018 the first 4-string jazz banjoist to be a featured artist at the iconic Newport Jazz Festival. Cynthia rose to international...
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#160 - "Daggomit!" by Max Wareham
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
It's a Freshly Picked episode! This time, we're taking an in-depth look and listen to "Daggomit!" - the new solo project by banjoist Max Wareham. Max is best known as the longtime banjoist for bluegrass legend Peter Rowan, and as the author of the definitive book on Rudy Lyle. In addition to his sweet banjo skills, "Daggomit!" also showcases Max's arranging, singing, and songwriting. The album also features a top-notch list of supporting musicians, including Chris Eldridge, Chris Henry, Laura Orshaw, Mike Bub, Larry Atamanuik, Peter Rowan, Gabe Hirshfeld, and David Grier. Recorded by...
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#159 - Marc Horowitz
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
Marc Horowitz (aka the "Banjo Whisperer") is a fantastic player in both 3-finger and clawhammer styles: he came up in the '60's folk scene in NYC, and became an in-demand sideman and session player, playing on commercials, movie soundtracks, and folk and pop music records, and many more. He's a teacher, and lists a guy named Bela Fleck among his former students. He's a setup technician, personally entrusted by Steve Martin to maintain Steve's stable of instruments. Marc now works as a design consultant with Gold Tone Banjos, and helped bring into existence their flagship...
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#158 - Ryan Cavanaugh (Remix from episodes 10 & 11)
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
This is a re-mix of an interview from 2018 that was originally released as a 2-part episode. Ryan Cavanaugh is best known for his innovative approach to playing jazz on the 5-string banjo, his tenure with legendary saxophonist Bill Evans’s band Soulgrass, and his genre-defying solo recordings. Through his mastery and creativity, he has truly pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the instrument. He is currently working on solo projects, and touring with Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters. Sponsored by , , , and Ryan on the web: Contact the show:...
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#157 - Graham Sharp
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
Graham Sharp is a prolific, award-winning banjo player, singer, and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Steep Canyon Rangers, as well as several of his own solo records. One constant of the Rangers' sound through the years is the presence of Graham's expert banjo picking, whether that means hot licks on a fast bluegrass tune, tasteful support of a down-tempo song, or even navigating double banjo performances alongside the band's longtime collaborator Steve Martin. Sponsored by , , , and Graham on the web: Contact the show:
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#156 - Mike Munford (Re-Mix of Episode #16 from November 2018)
The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast
It's a Re-mixed episode! The new-and-improved version of this classic interview with the great Mike Munford. Mike is best known for his recordings and performances with Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, as a banjo setup guru, and an afficionado of prewar Gibson flathead banjos. His thrilling style of playing earned him the 2013 IBMA Banjo Player of the year award. Sponsored by , , , and . Contact the show:
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Colton Crawford is the rare quadruple threat of 5-string banjo players: He plays banjo in the 2-finger, 3-finger, clawhammer, and flatpicked styles! He is best known for being an original member, performing, and recording as banjoist with The Dead South, a highly acclaimed band with whom Colton has toured the world. Although Colton's playing is rooted in traditional methods, his style is truly one-of-a-kind and has shaped the sound of The Dead South!
Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos
Colton on the web:
https://www.twitch.tv/coltoncrawford
WIN BELA FLECK'S BANJO!
https://restringappalachia.org/
Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com