bluegrass

Guitarists Charlie Starr and Paul Jackson work like a southern-fried Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood: Their rhythms are just as important as the leads, and they’re all about telling a story.

Photo by Jordi Vidal

Be Right Here is the Atlanta rock outfit’s eighth record. 23 years into their career, they’re as sure as ever that this music matters.

To some, Americana is a fashion or aesthetic. To others, it’s a music genre. Many also relate it to film. The thing that ties them all together is an emphasis on authenticity and heritage. Americana, in any form, takes the country’s roots and brings them to the people in an honest, reverent way. In that sense, Blackberry Smoke’s latest vintage-gear-fueled release, Be Right Here, is Americana at its finest.

Read MoreShow less

In this episode of Chasing Frets, the award-winning guitarist reveals his secrets for developing speed, tone, and clarity on an acoustic, and poses the question "What are we doing to get in our own way?"

Read MoreShow less

In this week's first episode, the champion flatpicker (he has won the IBMA Guitar Player of the Year award a staggering 10 times) explains how bluegrass rhythm guitar has developed over the years and describes specific techniques for developing your flatpick rhythm skills. As a bonus, he names a handful of classic albums that are required listening for anyone who loves flattop guitar.

Read MoreShow less