Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 134 Paradise and Paradox   This episode covers a wide range of topics beginning with my recent return visit to Picker's Paradise. I talk about fried chicken, Col. Sander's Mandolin Band, the R.Q. Jones reso guitar, jamming, some good bands I heard and then I wind up with a little paradox I want you to think about.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this sho...

GrassTalkRadio.com Bonus Episode 07   Strike While The Iron Is Hot   In this short bonus episode I am opening a door for you. Listen to the episode and don't wait around. You need to contact me soon.   Whether you are a beginning picker, an experienced performer, a teacher, or perhaps you build instruments or work at (or own) a company producing a product for the bluegrass world... this is your ch...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 133 Your Questions   This week I answer a pile of emails I have received from listeners. We talk banjo strings, what bass fiddle to buy, mandolin barre chords, how long do strings last and a lot more! Luckily, nobody asked "Hey, who cut your hair?" But, there is always next time.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 132 Stage Patter and Talk   A huge chunk of your on-stage persona is created when you step up to a microphone and say something. Something pithy. Something funny. Something poignant. Make it count. Listen to this episode where I play samples of the greatest bluegrass emcees at their finest. Introducing songs. Introducing the musicians. Yakkin' it up with the little peo...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 131 Capo Talk   Capos have been around for a very long time and are extremely useful in playing fretted instruments. It's funny that their use is almost required in bluegrass if you play banjo or guitar. But they are heavily frowned on with the mandolin. If you don't know how to use a capo you can learn here on my website.    If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will kee...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 130 Recording Options   This episode continues on the theme I started in Episode 129. In this show I talk more specifically about the options you have for recording. There are four levels beginning with the simple portable recorder, to the portable stereo digital recorder, to digital multi-track "porta-studios" and onwards to computer/software based recording.   I hope...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 129 Recording Basics   This episode is the first installment in a short series on home recording. In this introduction I discuss the difference between analog and digital, why we record, and talk some about older technologies such as the Edison cylinder and magnetic tape.   I think this background primer will help you even if all you want to do is record your banjo pic...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 128 Should I Just Give Up?   This episode has two topics. After giving you a rundown of the trials and tribulations of starting up my own bluegrass jam session--with four weeks under our belts-- I answer a listener's question about trying to decide whether to join a band or just sit around playing quietly at home after the kids go to sleep.   I hope that my direct and...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 127 Nobody Bats a Thousand!   After two years of steady podcasting I have discovered a lot of similarities between the art of podcasting and the art of learning to make good music.   One of the ten similarities I discuss in this show is the fact that nobody gets a base hit every time they step up to the plate. In fact, everybody is going to strike out sometimes. That's...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 126 Song Structures   The majority of bluegrass songs and tunes will fall into five categories based upon their structure. There are two main types of instrumentals and three variations of vocal songs. Recognizing these structural differences will help you determine what to do during your solos and to better arrange songs for your band or jam session.   I present audio...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 125 Stall Recovery   The last thing you want to do in an airplane is to stall. You either recover or go into a chaotic spin towards earth. Hearing the warning signs and being able to correct before it is too late is vital for maintaining safe and level flight. The same is true for learning to make music. I'll explain in this podcast.   Contrary to your natural instinct...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 124 Doug Hutchens Interview   In this episode I talk with Blue Grass Boy Doug Hutchens. Doug was working and mowing the grass at Bean Blossom and was in the right place at the right time to become Bill Monroe's bass player in 1971.   Doug's story is fascinating and he has been involved in documenting the history of the Blue Grass Boys and honoring Bill Monroe for many...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 123 Son of Podcast Shoutouts Back in Episode #75 I ran down a list of the other podcasts I listen to and find interesting. This episode is a repeat of that idea and I shout out the ten podcasts that I have been listening to lately. Before I get into the list I spend some time talking about where bluegrass fits into the over arching umbrella of so-called "country music....

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 122 Don't Be Bad   Most folks, when starting out, have a desire to be good; to become a good picker or singer. But I think it may be a better idea to start at the other end of the quality spectrum and work on NOT being bad.   This episode also features the first installment of a special Bluegrass History feature written and presented by my son Jackson.    If this podca...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 121 The Power of Small Things   After a quick update about that "pickup gig" I did last Friday night, I launch into a discussion of the power of small incremental change over time. The analogies are all over the board, from the Federal Reserve System, to hair loss, lifting cattle as an exercise technique, and growing tomatoes. Of course, I talk about bluegrass too! Hav...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 120 Pickup Gigs   This episode is a rambling discussion of pickup gigs. Those are the sort of gigs which are done with no rehearsals--just a collection of musicians who show up at the same place and at the same time--and somehow, seemingly by magic, sound like a real band. I tell you my strategy for that sort of gig.   I also answer a listener question regarding learni...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 119 Two Vital Tools   This episode is a discussion of the two most important tools in playing bluegrass instruments. I suggest ways to think about them and ways to care for and improve them. Have fun.   Technical note: You'll hear a touch of "white noise" in the background at times but it is actually a gentle, much-needed rain coming down on the tin roof of my barn.   ...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 118 To Plug or Not To Plug   In this episode I discuss the pros and cons of electric amplification in the bluegrass world. I compare simply using microphones versus "plugging in" by using transducers, magnetic pickups, or internal mics.   I get into outboard gizmos like preamps, direct boxes, guitar amps, wireless rigs and effects devices and their usage in the bluegra...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 117 Crutches and Training Wheels   Anyone who has ever sprained an ankle or broken a leg knows how valuable a crutch can be. Learning to ride a bike is made easier by using training wheels. But, eventually, you must throw them away!   In this episode I discuss the use and misuse of various crutches and training aids in learning, jamming and performing bluegrass. I hope...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 116 Motivations for Music   There are many reasons for picking up an instrument and trying to get some musical sounds out of it. In this episode, I present my theory that music is not about the sounds you make. That's just a part of it. It's about the people. The connections. The communication.   Maybe I am completely "full of it", in which case I encourage you to do y...

GrassTalkRadio.com Bonus Episode 06   Insert Coin, Press Play - In this short bonus episode I am asking for your assistance. I have created a Patreon page which makes it easy for you to help keep the wheels greased here at GrassTalkRadio headquarters.   Speaking of quarters, that's all it takes! You can probably dig around in the belly of your washing machine or under your driver's seat and find a...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 115 The Need For Speed   This past weekend I played a Kentucky Derby Party gig on bass with The Pluck Tones. That, and that screwy contested result, got me thinking about speed and the need for speed.   Then, out of the blue, I got an email from a fellow who stated he was struggling to keep up with the speed demons in his bluegrass jam. This podcast is a full response...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 114 Tie Up Loose Ends   In this episode I talk for a bit about my leap of faith in you and then I get on with a list of ten things you can do to tie up some loose ends.   There are always things awaiting your attention and perhaps today is the day to make your own list of 10 things that you have been meaning to do. Take care of them and, when you've checked off all 10,...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 113 More To Life Than Bluegrass   I intended this episode to be a short, 10 minute, explanation of why I couldn't put up a full length podcast today. I was going to talk about my bandwidth limitation struggles, etc. But, when I started I just got to talking about some things very important to me--and which I hope are important to you--and I just rambled on for 40 minut...

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 112 Creative Thanks   I set out this morning to answer some listener emails and I got to talking about a very thoughtful gift I received this week from a listener. I'll tell you all about it. I never got to those emails.   I also talk about automotive parking brakes, the old shareware days, my Egyptian hieroglyph font and a sweet little letter I got in the mail. The ep...