The Pluck Podcast

In episode 3 of The Pluck, Dr. Jonathan Smith sits down with guitarist and composer Michael Kramer for a wide-ranging conversation about listening, practice, creativity, and the deeper forces that shape musical life. Michael reflects on early lessons from his uncle, formative guitar teachers, the importance of taking the blues seriously, and the path that led him from rock and jazz discovery into...

On this episode of The Pluck , Jonathan sits down with Mississippi banjo man Anthony Howell , a national champion known for his hard‑driving Scruggs‑based style, modern twists, and viral social media videos.​ They talk about growing up homeschooled with Mel Bay mandolin DVDs, finding the banjo through Alan Sibley, and putting in eight-hour practice days to win the Winfield National Banjo Champions...

In this inaugural episode, Grammy‑winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux shares how curiosity and structure have shaped his career: managing rapid repertoire shifts, collaborating with top composers, and balancing performance with innovative recording projects. You’ll hear his approach to intentional practice and scheduling, working with non‑guitarist composers on challenging pieces, and the oft...

The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. In this short intro, I share what the show is about, who it’s for, and why we’re digging into how the pros write, record, and play music for plucked‑string instruments—guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, and more. If you work with plucked strings and want clearer, more idiomatic parts that feel good under the hands and hold up on stage and in...