Tim O'Brien | Banjo Studio Podcast Episode 19

Chad Kopotic is the master builder over at the Deering Banjo Company and has been with Deering for 27 years now. Chad knows pretty much everything there is to know when constructing and setting up banjos. He's a great resource and gives us a lot of great tips on how to properly set up your banjo.

New Orleans tenor banjoist, guitarist, and bassist Don Vappie drops by Banjo Studio to talk with us today. Don has been inducted in the Banjo Hall of Fame and has won the Steve Martin Banjo Award, as well as many other accolades. We get into a number of things including some chord voicings, articulation and phrasing in your music, what it means to be Creole, and more!

Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana but based in New Orleans, Doug Belote is one of the most in demand drummers on the scene today. He has played or recorded with too many musicians to name but some of these include Jerry Douglas, Derrick Trucks, Dr. John, John Oates, Robben Ford, Charlie Hunter, Anders Osborne, Ryan Cavanaugh, and many more (including yours truly). Doug can play anything, from the most avant garde jazz to a rock solid train beat. 

Take a listen to Doug's musical story, some of his concept about locking in a groove but playing in the cracks, as well as one of the most hillarious stories about how he got hired to be Jerry Douglas' (the dobro player) drummer and how he thought he was trying out for the Jerry Reed gig!

We're glad to feature shredding 5-string banjoist Ryan Cavanaugh back on the Banjo Studio podcast as we reboot our podcast in this 1st episode of Season 2. Ryan just released a fantastic record called Ryan Cavanaugh Screams Electric with his New Orleans based jazz fusion trio. We get into the process of making this record as well as a number of other topics.

In this episode we interview French guitarist Antoine Boyer. Antoine has his roots in gypsy jazz, learning the guitar alongside his father at an early age. Then is his teens he went on to study classical guitar. In recent years he has moved into more modern jazz sounds by adding electric guitar to his palette of sonic choices. 

He is an extraordinary talent with incredible taste and chops. He's only in his early 20s but yet has recorded 6 albums under his name. His most recent recording, Tangram, features Korean harmonica player Yeore Kim. This album is an incredible work and was featured on the Banjo Studio list of top albums made from 2021. 

In this interview we talk about his roots, the guitars he plays, what to look for in a gypsy jazz style guitar, recording techniques, and more.

In this interview with Tim O'Brien, Banjo Studio Podcast host Jonathan Freilich talks with Tim about his newest recording  "He Walked On".

We recently got to chat with banjo master Tony Trischka about many topics including his new recording Shall We Hope.

Taj Mahal has been one of my favorite musicians since I was a teenager. We were very honored that Taj would take time to speak with us. Initially slated for a short 15-20 minute interview, Taj had a good time speaking with the Banjo Studio Podcast host, Jonathan Freilich, and spoke with him for over an hour! 

Listen as Taj talks about his beginnings, how he got started playing the banjo, his approach to the banjo and the way he tunes it, and much more. 

If you aren't familiar with Taj Mahal, now is the time to start checking out his very deep catalog of recordings.

“Like ancient culture,” he adds, “the people are as much a part of the performance as the music. Live communication through music, oh yeah, it’s right up there with oxygen!” - Taj Mahal

David Grier is one of the greatest flatpicking guitarists of all time. Listen to his reflections on Tony Rice's influence, the direction of bluegrass today, his own influences, and more.

David Immergluck is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven and the Monks of Doom, as well as for his tenure with American singer songwriter John Hiatt. A versatile musician, Immerglück plays mandolin, pedal steel guitar, bass, slide guitar, electric sitar, keyboards, and sings.