Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

This is an update to let you know what's been happening in my world and to explain "wassup" with the podcast. In this episode I explain where I have been since the last episode in 2022, new things going on like my near death experience and I tell you about Jackson's senior project. Bear in mind that the sound samples I include are low-res, mono files and the actual vinyl and CDs are full bore stereo. You know how it is with podcast audio. But, I think you'll get the idea.   Music credits: Intro: Prison Walls by Randy Godwin, performed by Buddy Ashmore and Pony Express. Outro 1: The Ghoul (short sample) written and arranged by Jackson Laird. Outro 2: The Spot Reprise written and arranged by Jackson Laird. The expected release date of his album is June 2025. Look him up on Band Camp. The title of the album is "Up Time".   Podcast Note: All past, present and future GrassTalkRadio episodes are available on Podbean here: https://bradleylaird.podbean.com/   I trust that all of you are doing well, enjoying life and making good music.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 203   Curtis Jones Interview   Curtis Jones is a supremely diverse musician and a world-class acoustic guitarist. Down to earth, humble and amazingly gifted. I know you will enjoy meeting my friend Curtis Jones. If you want your mind blown, go see him play live.   His interview is another in my series to try to convince the listeners that Georgia has produced an amazing number of fine bluegrass musicians. Sometimes many people tend to think that great bluegrass simply must come from Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia or Tennessee. Curtis is one more great example in favor of Georgia born musicians.   The segue music you hear at the start of the interview is from Curtis' CD "Blue As I" (1998) and is a bit of his original instrumental "Pistol Pete". The outro music is his song "Better Days" from the same recording.   Both tunes feature Curtis on guitar, Alison Brown on banjo, Dan Tyminski on mandolin and Missy Raines on bass. "Better Days" features Curtis singing lead with Shawn Lane singing tenor.   Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 202   Jim "Duck" Adkins Interview   Duck is many things: musician, banjo player, singer, band leader, teacher. He has been playing and entertaining crowds for fifty years and is a well-known figure in the Atlanta and N. Georgia area. Sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversation with this one-of-a-kind bluegrass personality.   The segue music you hear at the start of the interview is Jim Adkins and Cedar Hill kicking off "Runaway" on their 1984 album "Mama Don't Allow". The outro music is the "Duck" singing "Your Cheating Heart" from Cedar Hill's 1982 recording "Ruff N Ready".   Note: We could have talked for 100 hours. This interview barely scratches the surface of what this guy has been up to for half a century. Get to know him. You will be better for it.   Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 201   Harps Jackson Interview   Everything you ever wanted to know about the harmonica brought to you by a guy who truly can play the thing. He has played in blues, gospel, country, rock and bluegrass settings and he is always tasteful and skilled. You can't say that for a lot of folks who get up on stage and blow through some pathetic, sorry attempt. Harps is the kind of player, with the kind of dedication, who cares about music. I feel lucky to have met him, to have played with him in two bands, and call him my friend. I hope you enjoy this discussion and glean some of his wisdom which can be applied to all forms of music.   Both of the sample musical cuts are from The Incorrigible String Band's CD titled "It's Raining Words". Harps is on harmonica, Cory Chambers on guitar and vocals, Tim Ussery on mandolin and Bradley Laird on bass.   Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 200   Merry Christmas   I just came in the from the yard throwing the baseball back and forth with Jackson and my wife is in the house making Christmas cookies. When I finish this episode I plan to sit down and watch "The Christmas Story" with the family.    In this episode I talk about creating a digitized version of my Flatiron mandolin and I offer up a couple of examples created by my son. I talk a bit about Doyle Lawson's retirement, jamming with the radio on Christmas songs, and that's about it.   Merry Christmas, folks!   IT IS NOT TOO LATE!!!  All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells! Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 199   Uncle Rico's Time Machine   Put the handle between your legs. Set the date on the dial. Don't forget to put the crystal in the clamp. Tell Kip to throw the switch. You will be instantly transported to another time and place. In this case, Motorhead's Bar and Grill on a Thursday night in McDonough, Georgia. Take notes. This has everything: How to cope with 15 free shots for the band, the buzzing of countless neon lights, screaming adoring fans, smashing beer bottle sounds, the snapping of a "smoke eater" machine, a late fiddle player, a fill in bass player thereby causing us to "wing" all of the harmonies since we are missing our tenor singer.  Pay attention to Buddy's guitar playing. Those little mid-range licks put right into the gaps! It is a perfect representation of good bluegrass guitar. David's banjo playing is top notch and different from what you are used to. Mike's fiddle, despite no time to warm up, is truly amazing. Tony's bass playing, even though he is winging it on every tune, proves what a great musician (with "great ears") he truly was. And the tone from my 1985 Carlson Flatiron is better than I have ever heard it. Golden times before everyone lost their minds. Back then, only WE had lost out minds. This episode is dedicated to the memory of my good friend and mentor Tony Terrell who taught me so much about piano tuning, rebuilding and introduced me to so much great music.  It has a drunk bar owner (the guy with the $300 at the end of the night) hassling us to play Free Bird, our answer, including an "alright, wise guy, I'll show you", cynically wicked slide mandolin solo using a Craftsman deep well socket, multiple "guest slots" from folks in the audience, a tear-jerking version of Dixie, Sally Goodin the old time way... It has it all. And despite all of the very obvious flaws, it is a great gig! And they kept us on for 3 more years!  By the way, when I told Harry that we'd play Free Bird in the fourth set, that was a joke. We were only booked for three sets.   Happy Thanksgiving, folks!   And don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming! All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells! Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 198   A Major Award & The Ed Davis Method In this episode I discuss an award my son received for his music composition "Run Away" and how we can learn from that. You can download his award winning composition for free right here in my online store. (In the episode I mistakenly said that his song was on his EP "Beacon". Wrong. It is on "Hands Up". But, it doesn't matter. You can download both EPs for free.   I also talk about a recent gig and something you should check for if your microphones are getting long in the tooth. Then I get to the meat of the episode and explain to you the Ed Davis method of taking music lessons and how it might be something wise for you to try.   I also made quick mention of one of my personally favorite creations for banjo players--The Flint Hill Scrolls eBook. You can get a copy for yourself right here. http://www.bradleylaird.com/dojo/buy-FHS.html   And don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming! All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells! Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 197   Chatty Light Interview Recently I was asked to be a guest on the Chatty Light Podcast. I thought you might enjoy hearing it.  Thank you, Colton, Alex and crew! It was fun. And for my son Jackson's Christmas fund, don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming!. All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells! Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 196   Mushrooms and Metronomes This nice cool evening I simply held the recorder in my hand and talked about how you can focus and get good at one thing and it will carry over into lots of other things you have not even tried. I also talk a bit about my mushroom project and other oddities. Enjoy the show!  And for my boy Jackson's Christmas fund, don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming!. All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells! Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you guys and gals!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 195   An Early Morning Rant   One of the things in life that I cherish is to rise early, to get up before the chickens, watch the stars and think about life.   This morning I got up, jotted down a few notes on a brown paper sack, and hit record. My intended subject was "Ten Ways To Play Better Bluegrass" but, as usual, I wandered a bit.   I have included actual live cricket sounds and a bug zapper in the background just to help you imagine the scene. I also did an unpaid endorsement of The Bug-A-Salt 3.0. Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 194   David Mathis of Gallagher Guitar   Gallagher guitars, made in Tennessee, were first brought to the attention of guitar players when the legendary Doc Watson chose a D-50 Gallagher in the late 1960's.   David has taken of the reins to keep the Gallagher legacy alive and you too can still get your hands on one! Here is a link to the Gallagher website. Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 193   They Said It Couldn't Be Done   Bill Monroe only made one minor mistake in the creation of Blue Grass music. That is the trying, and later elimination, of the accordion in his ensemble. Well, if you listen all the way to end of this podcast, you will hear some of the greatest music ever put on wax. Had Bill met Dominic Frontiere there is a good chance we would all have accordions in our bluegrass groups today! I challenge the whippersnapper upstart Chris Thile to play THAT!    Aside from that monstrous revelation, I also talk about whether one should joke with government employees, growing mushroooms, divine intervention, "breakthrough" miracles, patience, the sub-conscious mind, and all those other good things which turn average "pickers" into self-surprising musicians.   If you want proof of my three bullseyes go to the show notes for this episode right here. With Jackson as my witness, miracles do happen!   No! Not the chair! ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 192   Harmony   Harmony is the interaction between two or more different tones or pitches. Bluegrass music is nothing without harmony. (So is humanity by the way.) In this episode I walk you through a short course in bluegrass harmony singing. How do you figure out what note to sing? I'll try to help. In the course of this episode I refer often to a PDF document which you can get for free over on my Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/bradleylaird Just scroll down to the post entitled: Basics of Harmony Singing. There you can download a PDF which is very helpful to have in hand while listening to this episode. In addition to discussing the contents of that PDF I present various audio examples of standard bluegrass trio harmony, duets, high lead trios, and high baritone trios of some of the best in the business. And, along the way, I present a challenge that you (and two of your bluegrass picking pals) listen to the episode, study the document, and send in a recording of your trio singing the ultra-simple "Boil Them Cabbage Down"! You will be rewarded handsomely if you prove to me that at least someone found this useful. Have fun with the episode and folks, let's put a little more spit and polish into our vocal harmonies! It's worth it.  ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 191   Host a Jam   Over the years I have been to lots of jam sessions and have organized and hosted quite few too. If you are starved for bluegrass pickin' I will explain how you "take the bull by the horns" and host your own jam session.   It can be a "one time only event" or it may turn into a regular, recurring session. Either way, it is a good way to get more bluegrass in your life and provide the same for other musicians.   In this episode I mention my "10 Jammandments Discussed" eBook. You can download it free here. (By the way, the final page in that eBook has a 25% discount coupon code for ANY of my instructional videos, courses and eBooks in my online store. Take advantage of that too!)   Enjoy the episode and I hope you have a jam session soon! Invite me!   ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 190   Matt Hutchinson Interview   Here's a guy who loves bluegrass. So much that he is willing to create a podcast so you have someone to pick with! What's not to love? In this episode I strike up a conversation with Matt to learn about his Bluegrass Jam Along podcast and find out how a guy in the UK became interested in bluegrass and to share what he is doing with all of you.   Enjoy the episode, check out his podcast and I'll talk to you soon.   ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 189   Life Is Good   In this episode I talk about how you can dive in to your solo, play like dog squeeze, feel totally humiliated and still get a round of applause. It's one of the hidden benefits of playing live. (They aren't usually paying that much attention!)   Before I get to that, I talk about a big storm, the first post-pandemic session at Pat's Place, my "Brad's Barn Jam", and some other gobblety-gook that you might enjoy.   Enjoy the episode and talk to you soon. Better yet, I hope to pick with you soon!   ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! Without you I would have quit a long time ago!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 188   A Man's Entitled To His Opinion   200 episodes and over 100,000 downloads. Not bad!   This short episode is just to let you know I am still kicking. I have a taken a little, well deserved break from the GTR Podcast and in this episode I fill you in a bit.   I have completed work on the F5 mandolin which I have been building and you can hear it in this episode. School's out, a light fixture in the kitchen tried to burn the house down, bluegrass has once again assured that I am officially below the poverty line, and life is good.   Enjoy the show and I'll talk to you in the next episode. I bet you can hardly wait!    ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 187   Beach Balls & Train Wrecks In this episode I talk a bit about the "Beach Ball Effect", I get interrupted by a friendly sales call, give you a short garden update, and then dig in to the topic of Train Wrecks and how they may be avoided. Have fun!   Talk to ya next week. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 186   Edumacation Are Fun!   In this show I respond to a couple of emails I received and discuss education and how we learn.   Have fun and I trust you take this "in the spirit in which it is intended."   In the episode I referenced this episode with the Self-Analysis Worksheet PDF: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-3-show-notes.html   And this blog post concerning self-directed learning: http://www.bradleylaird.com/blog-articles/blog-36-guide.html Talk to ya next week. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 185   Cancel This!   All I am saying is listen and make up your own minds. Cancel me if you must. Or, stick with me and the bluegrass way. Enough already!   I have heard so much sub-par bluegrass singing over the years--not from the pros like IIIrd Tyme Out and Doyle Lawson--but just in general. Some pretty lame singing is often the norm with bluegrass jams and SOME bands I have heard.   All I have to say is "tighten up" and take a hint from my closing outro music by Jackson, my son, and the Voices of the Valley Choir. It's not bluegrass but IT IS a lesson is not being a flipping slouch!   See ya next week.   This podcast is dedicated to my friend Bob Putnam. I love you Bob. God be with you, my friend. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Nobody actually reads this stuff anyway so I am telling you that my cross-eyed sister once rode a bull moose across the Yukon Territory while playing a ukulele and singing My Old Kentucky Home. (Told ya! Nobody reads this crap!)   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 184   The Art of Quitting   I have spent much airtime here discussing the starting of things. Jams, bands, lessons, etc. But there comes a time in the natural curve of things that we must give it up and say "I quit!" When and how do you do this? And why? I hope you enjoy this early morning sermon and I hope that when or if you are driven to quit that you do it in the best way possible. You may be doing everyone a favor! Yourself and others. Could be! ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 183   First, Tune That Thang!   After a wandering diatribe I eventually get to the topic of the day and discuss tuning. Real solid tuning! I talk about how to get an instrument in tune so it will withstand a severe beating and stay in tune. I talk about beats and the importance of clean unisons. I talk about string segments and "equalization of tension". I talk about sending Tony Fauci an invoice. I talk about potatoes, growing shitake mushrooms, chestnut trees, tending donkeys, and lots of other fun stuff.  Note: You will discover as you listen to my tale of Dixon's mandolin woes that (in this episode) I never revealed what what happening with his mandolin. We cured the tuning issue and that was a big part of it. The rest was the jangling strings between the bridge and his cast tailpiece. We cured that pretty quickly. See my eBook "The Mandolin Handbook".  ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 182   That Ain't Bluegrass   In today's episode I discuss that most difficult topic of deciding just what is and what is not bluegrass. After a bit about what I think IS bluegrass, I take the easier route and play for you ten samples of what I think IS NOT bluegrass. Enjoy!   For all of you bass players or wannabee bass players, please take advantage of this 20% discount off my Complete Bluegrass Bass Learning System. Use coupon code "bass20" before March 7, 2021 and save a pile of bucks! ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 181   Bob Knysz Interview   This episode will introduce you to one of the movers and shakers in the mandolin world. Bob Knysz is an accomplished bluegrass musician and is also a founder of the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra. We discuss his introduction to the mandolin, his experiences in the Chicago area, taking lessons from the great Jethro Burns, attending Bean Blossom, his relocation to Georgia, the beginnings of the South Eastern Bluegrass Association, the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra, The Classical Mandolin Society of America, and his involvement with a number of bluegrass groups. I know you will enjoy meeting Bob Knysz. LINKS: For information about Bob and the Atlanta Mandolin Orchestra: http://www.atlantamandolins.com/ ------------------------------------ The episode also features a limited time discount on: The Mandolin Treasure Chest http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Feb. 20, 2021. This is a remarkable win-win-win offer. You win because you learn to play the mandolin! I win because I get your money and can buy dog food, hay, bacon, beer, biscuits (The Three Basic Food Groups) and chicken feed. And, in case you didn't know, Jared wins because he only gets paid for his fantastic announcements IF you actually purchase and use the coupon code. Help the guy out! We all win! ------------------------------------ If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 180   Tony Williamson Interview   Join me on this wide-ranging conversation with Tony Williamson. We discuss mandolin world addiction, mandolin family instruments, Bill Monroe and the "power pose", Union Grove, overalls, the Bluegrass Alliance, Grisman's porch, Harry Sparks, how a mandolin brought a man back from near death. Then, the DGQ's first album, auditioning over the phone to play with Richard Greene, pie, flintknapping and archeology, and as if that were not enough, how a warehouse full of fine plastic guitars (made by Mario Maccaferri who also made Django's guitar) bankrolled Mandolin Central. This is a fun one and I know you will enjoy meeting Tony Williamson. LINKS: For Tony's website where you can get his music, watch videos, and drool over or purchase a fine, pre-war mandolin or mandolin family instrument. I encourage you to visit: http://www.mandolincentral.com/   ------------------------------------ The episode also features a limited time discount on: The Mandolin Treasure Chest http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Feb. 14, 2021. This is a remarkable win-win-win offer. You win because you learn to play the mandolin! I win because I get your money and can buy dog food, hay, bacon, beer, biscuits (The Three Basic Food Groups) and chicken feed. And, in case you didn't know, Jared wins because he only gets paid for his fantastic announcements IF you actually purchase and use the coupon code. Help the guy out! We all win! ------------------------------------ If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.   Happy ground hog day!!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 179   Megan Chowning Interview   I always enjoy swapping stories and notes with other teachers. But this is no ordinary teacher! In this episode you will meet champion fiddler, professional musician and teacher Megan Chowning. It is a long winding conversation with something for players of all levels and all instruments. A part of the discussion is about her involvement with some John Hartford print and recording projects. Use these links to find out more: LINKS: For Megan's "everything fiddle" & the John Hartford Fiddle Devices Cards: www.fiddlestar.com About Megan's music camps: www.nashvilleacousticcamps.com For John Hartford's music: www.johnhartford.com Additional information regarding the music tracks you hear in the episode can be found on my show notes page here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-179-show-notes.html You will also find an extensive explanation regarding my comparison of Lord Timothy Dexter, Esq. to John Hartford. Read and make of it as you will. ------------------------------------ The episode also features a limited time discount on: The Mandolin Treasure Chest http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Feb. 14, 2021. This is a remarkable win-win-win offer. You win because you learn to play the mandolin! I win because I get your money and can buy dog food, hay, bacon, beer, biscuits (The Three Basic Food Groups) and chicken feed. And, in case you didn't know, Jared wins because he only gets paid for his fantastic announcements IF you actually purchase and use the coupon code. Help the guy out! We all win! ------------------------------------ If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

  GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 178   The Bluegrass Way of Life   After a bit of talk about starting seeds for the garden and an Amateur Radio event, I bring you Heather's (see episode 177) response to my advice regarding my Personal Feedback Solution. The String Changing Exercise I speak of is available free over on my Patreon page. Here is a link: https://www.patreon.com/bradleylaird   Also, at the start of this episode, Mr. Buck again announces a nice discount on one of my instructional courses. For all of you bass players or wannabee bass players, please take advantage of this 20% discount off my Complete Bluegrass Bass Learning System. Use coupon code "bass20" before Jan. 31, 2021 and save a pile of bucks!   And, then I get into the heart of the matter. Just what is "the bluegrass way of life"? It's a long rambling discussion of the many ways which bluegrass can bring out the best in us. I hope you enjoy it and I appreciate your support for this podcast. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 177   Personal Feedback   Teaching yourself via online lessons, books and videos can be incomplete without the feedback from a teacher. In this episode I demonstrate my Personal Feedback Solution with Heather, a beginning mandolin student. Heather was kind enough to allow us all to be a "fly on the wall" for this session. I encourage you to take advantage of this too!   Also, at the start of this episode, Mr. Buck again announces a nice discount on one of my instructional courses. For all of you bass players or wannabee bass players, please take advantage of this 20% discount off my Complete Bluegrass Bass Learning System. Use coupon code "bass20" before Jan. 31, 2021 and save a pile of bucks! ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 176   In The Press Room   I am taking a bit of a break from bluegrass in this post-Christmas week. This week I present the second episode of my "other" podcast, never released, just to help you fill your time. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!   The episode also features a big discount on: ----------------------------------- The Mandolin Treasure Chest http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html Use coupon code treasure20 at checkout to take 20% off through Dec. 31, 2020 ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 175   In A Giving Mood   In the spirit of Christmas I am in a giving mood. I have a hoard of freebies and discounts that I am tossing from my sleigh. I also discuss a super cool little Pick Pocket sent to me by Steven Mead, a listener to the show. Help me give away $1,000,000 worth of video lessons! I even grew a Santa beard for the holidays! Merry Christmas!   The episode also features several discounts on my products: ----------------------------------- The Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook Link for description or purchase:  https://payhip.com/b/ebgP Use coupon code save20christmas to take 20% off through Dec. 24, 2020 ------------------------------------ The Mandolin Treasure Chest http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure/index.html Use coupon code treasure20 to take 20% off through Dec. 30, 2020 ------------------------------------ FREE Salt Creek Video Mandolin Lesson 29 Minute video lesson + PDF with tab and standard notation + 2 practice tracks. http://www.bradleylaird.com/playthemandolin/videos-salt-creek.html Use coupon code saltymando to take 100% off through Dec. 25, 2020 ----------------------------------- FREE Basic Setup Information for Banjo or Mandolin These articles explain how to position your bridge and get tuned up and playing. BANJO UNBOXING & SETUP INSTRUCTIONS MANDOLIN UNBOXING & SETUP INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 174   Make Something   This episode is meant to encourage you to try your hand at making something. Something that can be fun and useful to your bluegrass picking! I present 16 ideas to get your wheels turning.   The episode also features a 20% discount on two products if you act before Dec. 17, 2020: ----------------------------------- The Christmas Songs For Mandolin eBook Link for description or purchase:  https://payhip.com/b/ebgP Use coupon code save20christmas to take 20% off through Dec. 17, 2020 ------------------------------------ The Complete Banjo Learning System Link for description or purchase: http://www.bradleylaird.com/dojo/buy-BLS.html Use coupon code save20banjo to take 20% off through Dec. 17, 2020 ------------------------------------ If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 173   The Mike Bub Interview   Mike Bub, familiar to bluegrass fans for his long stint with The Del McCoury Band, sat down for a marathon chat about how he got started, gigging in the Nashville scene, gear talk about the bass, amps, mics, monitors, and before we knew it we had clocked nearly two hours!   Mike has a a great sense of humor, a thousand stories and lots of good insights about life as a sideman. I know you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did!   Mike's extensive discography: https://www.discogs.com/artist/709369-Mike-Bub   If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. If you want to be the next Mike Bub, check out my Bluegrass Bass Instruction Course and get busy practicing!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 172   The Andy Leftwich Interview   I had the honor and pleasure of a nice long conversation with Andy Leftwich and I know you will enjoy hearing it. Andy earned his "creds" by playing for over 15 years with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. That is no small feat and one he should be rightly proud of.   Andy is a humble guy and also an amazing musician. We could all learn a few things by emulating his musical process and his way of looking at life. Enjoy!   Here are links to the various things we talked about: Andy's website: www.andyleftwich.com   If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 171   Ranger Brad's Crystal Ball   The advantage of doing a lot of teaching is that the teacher gets to observe many, many students. I have learned a lot from my students. In this episode I share some of what I have learned and I present you my theory, and an interesting method, to predict just how far you may go in your musical quest. Follow along, do a little self-analysis, and calculate your potential. The scale runs all the way from No Talent Bum all the way up to Most Exalted Master. Have fun!   If you want the PDF file that shows the chart and questions you can download it free here. Ranger Brad's Crystal Ball PDF --It certainly is helpful to have at hand as you listen to this episode.   If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 170   The Rob Ickes Interview   In this episode I share a recorded chat that I had with the masterful dobro player and musician Rob Ickes. We go from how a kid in California got into the dobro all the way to playing with... well, rather than spoil it for you... you will just have to listen to the episode.   Here are links to the various things we talked about: Rob's website: robickes.com Rob's dobro instructional site: bigmusictent.com Rob Reso Summit information: resosummit.com   Rob also mentioned: byrlguitars.com (his current favorite reso guitar)   If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 169   The Life Blood of Bluegrass   This episode is a discussion of a topic near and dear to my heart. I am talking about jam sessions! Not taking anything away from the pros and the heroes; I just want to remind you that there are more of us than there are of them. We need them and they need us. I hope this episode encourages you to go to a jam or start a jam.   For those of you who want my sweet potato pie recipe go the show notes page here. If you are looking for The Ten Jammandments Discussed, it is here.   If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 168   Mandolin Super Heroes   This episode is an introduction to the great mandolin players. This episode took a while to formulate since, quite frankly, there are so many very good mandolinists. I couldn't possibly include every mandolin player "of note" so I decided to focus on the people who influenced me strongly.   I hope you enjoy this episode and will take my advice and purchase recordings of the players you enjoy. This episode is part of a series discussing the major players of each bluegrass instrument. I have already released similar episodes regarding pioneering Dobro and banjo players.   If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 167   Report From The Barn   In this episode I talk about a recent jam session, two new mandolin video lessons in my store (Stealing Jazz Licks 1 and Stealing Jazz Licks 2), my son Jackson's new 6 song EP "Beacon" which you can get for free, and then I discuss the value of doing the same old thing over and over and over.   The intro music is "Prison Walls" written by Randy Godwin and played by Pony Express. The outro music is a bit of Dixon County Breakdown played by the jammers at the barn featuring Mike Estes on fiddle.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 166   Rattles, Buzzes & Twangs   It happens to everybody! You are blissfully playing along and suddenly (or slowly) your instrument begins to sound like crap! Buzzing, rattles, twangs, tinny sound! What the H.E. double hockey sticks is going on?   Listen to this episode where I walk you through the myriad of possible causes for these annoying sounds. We start with the most likely and work our way all the way through the rarest possibilities.   Don't worry. It happens. And the solution is usually very simple. You just have to find the cause.   The intro music is "Prison Walls" written by Randy Godwin and played by Pony Express. The outro music is the tail end of a long jam (not sure what tune it was) played by our band "The Pluck Tones".   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 165   "Jason" Meets The Inquisitor   In this episode you will meet "Jason" (boo hiss!) who has been accused of multiple infractions against civil society and, in particular, reckless destruction of the good character of untold numbers of bluegrass musicians.    As the self-appointed inquisitor, I brought the guilty, I mean "the accused", before the court of public opinion. Members of the jury, listen to the proceedings and draw your own conclusions. Lest I be accused of attempting to sway the jury let me only say, respectfully, to the supposed Mr. "Jason": "May The Most High have mercy on your soul. Bailiff! Take him away! The executioner awaits!"   If you enjoy his degrading insinuations, deliberate attacks on innocent women and children, scurrilous lies regarding persons of unquestioned integrity and good character, then I encourage you to witness this vile scoundrel for yourself (If you can stomach it.) by visiting themonrover.com.   Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast and by the guest do not represent the views of anyone. All rights reserved. No purchase necessary. Must be over 18 to enter. No refunds. We reserve the right to change our minds without notice. Not responsible for dental damage due to the consumption of steel objects. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and similarities between any fictional character and any real person was strictly coincidental.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 164   Western Red Interview   Think you don't like country music? Well, considering what I hear on "country" radio today, I tend to agree. But, if you dig back just a bit you will find that bluegrass is country music!   Today I present something a little different. It has long been my contention that bluegrass, honky-tonk, western swing, and old-time country are all branches of the same tree. Think: back stage at the temple. I mean The Grand Ole Opry!   You know, that alley-way where Melissa slugged Bessie Lee. That alley Jimmy Martin strutted across to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge to douse his disappointment in another PBR. All those folks were hanging out in the same place. Musically and culturally.   To discuss these concepts, I invited a fellow podcaster and radio personality, Western Red of the If That Ain't County podcast, on to the show. I trust that you will enjoy our chat.   Your interest in bluegrass will be enhanced by listening and supporting what Red is doing. You may even go out and buy an Emmons 8 string, 4 pedal steel guitar--with a '66 Fender Twin Reverb amp-- like I did in 1978! Wish I never sold that thing! (I was young and stupid. Now I am just old and stupid. If you have a pedal steel laying around I would appreciate you packing it up and sending it to me.)   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Special Episode 2   Special Episode - Jam Tracks 3   This short episode is to announce the release of new material on my site. As promised, I have completed Bluegrass Jam Tracks #3. It is a collection of 68 MP3 tracks covering 10 songs/tunes at multiple tempos. I had a number of requests from folks who have collection #1 and #2 asking for specific tunes. I have answered those requests in this edition.   As a listener to GrassTalkRadio you can get a discount if you decided to download the collection. It's all explained in this micro-episode. Save some bucks and, in these strange times, have someone to pick with!   Note: The special listener discount coupon code is only valid through August 31, 2020 so don't fiddle around too long!   If you want to download those 9 free tracks I mentioned in the episode, read the full descriptions of all of my jam tracks, or just start downloading, point yer little browser here:   http://www.bradleylaird.com/tracks/index.html Ya'll take care, be well, and get to picking!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 163   The Dobro Pioneers   Bill Monroe said that a Dobro sounds like an old tin bucket! That's one thing Bill and I disagree on. I think he was just sore because Lester and Earl left him, dropped the mandolin and added Josh Graves. (In later years, Bill and Josh were good friends and I think the tin bucket comment was dropped.)    Dobro is a big part of bluegrass music and in this episode we listen to samples of some of the pioneers who brought "that old hub cap guitar" into the bluegrass world, including Josh Graves, Mike Auldridge, Tut Taylor, Curtis Burch, Jerry Douglas and a few more.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 162   Dog Days of Summer   The dog days of summer are upon us. In this episode I catch you up on the bluegrass happenings around the Kingdom of Lairdonia and tell you a little story from my first real job. Then I get to the heart of the episode: "Lessons From The Dawg". Not him. Real dogs! You'd be surprised what you can learn from watching a couple of dogs. And, amazingly, how it relates to pickin' bluegrass.   In this episode I mentioned the book "Mandolin Song Book" which is here.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 161   Lizzy Long Interview   Today I had a chance to catch up with Lizzy Long and discuss how she learned to play, what it's like to play with Little Roy Lewis, her new album on Vine Records "Dreaming Again", and her stories of time spent with Earl and Louise Scruggs.   Be sure to scope out her new album here: https://117group.com/award-winning-roots-artist-lizzy-long-releases-her-sophomore-album-dreaming-again/   You can find Lizzy's schedule and bio here: lizzylong.com     Here is a video from the 2006 Earl Scruggs Tribute that Lizzy and I talked about. You can see Lizzy at 8:54! You would be amazed at some of the names of banjo players in that crowd that you would recognize!   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!

This episode describes the Treasure Hunt. Find a gold coin by digging around on www.bradleylaird.com and get a massive discount off any instructional material in the store. Listen to the episode, find a gold coin on my site, and cash in with an insanely huge discount before July 31, 2020. Happy hunting!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 160 Make Hay While The Sun Shines   Today, for perhaps the first time I really get into grass! Real grass--the kind my donkeys eat-- and talk about hay making, baling and why you will not be able to play your bass fiddle for two days due to sore hands if you spend the day totin' hay bales by the string!   This episode also includes information about my brand new checkout process system which should eliminate some of the problems folks have reported attempting to make a purchase using PayPal. The new system is up and running and humming right along. You can give it a "dry fire test" by visiting my online store at www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   I also give you a mini-report on the jam session I held here at the barn, grumble a bit about the state of the bluegrass world, and try to offer up some encouragement.     In the last episode I talked about: Bluegrass Jam Tracks #2. You can hear some free sample tracks here. And, as I said in today's episode, I am working on Volume #3 so if you have a particular tune you'd like to see included be sure to send me an email and let me know!   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 159 Tab Vs Standard, Et Al Today, after the usual introductory baloney, I discuss the merits of tablature versus standard notation. Then I take the topic further by discussing 3 more ways to learn to play music. I hope you enjoy the episode. Have fun!   In today's episode I also talked about a cool page on the internet you should check out with a directory of the top bluegrass podcasts. You will find it here on blog.feedspot.com.   I also make another brief mention of my newest creation: Bluegrass Jam Tracks #2. Try them out. You can hear some free sample tracks here.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!

Today's episode is a mish-mash of thoughts running through my head. First I talk a bit about the garden and the rural roots of bluegrass--and bugs! Then, I tell you about a real life "Little Girl and The Dreadful Snake" tale and how those reptiles which have been attacking my chickens and their eggs. After that I chill out and read you another listener email, describe the new jam track collection I just created. I also do a little shout out to the Mandolin and Beer Podcast and, in particular, the Matt Mundy interview episode. Then I finish up with a little plug for my son Jackson's new 4 song EP which you can download here for free.  

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 157 Chord Progressions In this episode I talk about chords, chord progressions and jam tracks. Having an understanding of the "Chords By The Numbers" idea can be very useful both in backup and lead playing. Ride along as I do my best to explain.   Links to the various resources I discuss in the episode are listed on the show notes page at grasstalkradio.com   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 156 Survival Strategies In this episode we hear an audio submission from a fellow listener. Then, I share 8 ways I have attempted to stay sane in this time of no picking, no festivals, no shows and very little fun!   I also discuss my downloadable book "The Mandolin Song Book". If you listen to the show you will learn how to work out the puzzler and get a 25% discount. All you have to do is identify the famous mandolin player pictured on the cover of the book. You can get all the details here on the show notes page here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-156-show-notes.html   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!