Keith Billik

The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast

Music EN ↓ 184 episodes

The world's top podcast for banjo players, fans, and enthusiasts! Hosted by Keith Billik; listen to interviews with professional players, playing tips, and equipment discussions. Contact the show at pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

Author

Keith Billik

Category

Music

Podcast website

banjopodcast.com

Latest episode

Jun 10, 2026

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Episodes

#125 - Riley Baugus 14.08.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Riley Baugus is one of the top Old Time clawhammer banjoists, singers, guitarists, and open-back banjo builders out there on the scene today! He is best known for his solo work, as well as collaborations with Dirk Powell, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, T-Bone Burnett, and many more! Recorded at Midwest Banjo Camp. Sponsored by Peghead Nation , Elderly Instruments , and S...

#124 - "Masters of the 5-String Banjo" Revisited! Feat. Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick 25.07.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Today's episode looks at the "behind-the-scenes" journey of making the best banjo book in existence: The Masters of the 5-String Banjo! Published nearly 40 years ago and written by banjo legends Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick, the book featured everything a true banjo nerd could want to know: in-depth interviews with the top players of the day, tablature of signature t...

#123 - Murphy Henry 10.07.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode's guest is the great bluegrass banjoist, author, and educator Murphy Henry! Murphy made a name for herself with her energetic banjo playing and singing, and has broadened her reach in recent years to writing (including her 2013 book "Pretty Good For a Girl" about the history of women in bluegrass) and of course teaching: she founded The Murphy Method, wh...

#122 - Butch Robins 27.06.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features legendary banjoist Butch Robins! Butch played several years with Bill Monroe, and is also well known for his stints with the New Grass Revival, Leon Russell, and his excellent solo recordings, among others. Topics include his views on bluegrass timing, stories about Bill Monroe, his famous pre-war flathead RB-4, and what he REALLY thinks of Bill...

#121 - Victor Furtado 11.06.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Victor Furtado, a fantastic young clawhammer player who performs and records with The Wildmans as well as his own solo material. Victor is taking clawhammer banjo to brave new places, and demonstrates many of his innovative techniques! He is a winner of the Steve Martin Banjo prize, and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.   Sponsored by...

#120 - Alan Munde (Replay from 6/22/18) 31.05.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Enjoy this replay featuring the legendary banjoist Alan Munde! This interview originally aired 6/22/2018 in two parts as episodes 6 & 7.   Alan needs no introduction- he is among the most influential banjo players, composers, and instructors of his generation. After playing with Jimmy Martin, Alan went on to record and perform under his own name, as well as with lege...

#119 - Pentatonic Power! 15.05.2023

www.patreon.com Explore the power of the pentatonic scale- a musical device that you've undoubtedly heard many times, but may not know how to take advantage of in your own composing, improvising, and general playing. Topics: What is a pentatonic scale, and how is it constructed? Why is it important, and how is it used? Why does it work the way it does? When you learn major pentatonic scales, you'r...

#118 - "Screams Electric" by Ryan Cavanaugh 01.05.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Welcome to a Freshly Picked episode featuring a discussion with the incredible bluegrass/jazz/avant garde banjoist Ryan Cavanaugh about his new EP titled "Screams Electric" - and he does just that! The album features Ryan's typically amazing banjo prowess, as well as Doug Belote (drums), Kevin Scott (bass), Billy Cardine (electric Dobro), and Roger Tipping (electric...

#117 - Ben Krakauer 18.04.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Ben Krakauer, a creative and distinctive banjo player, composer, ethnomusicologist, and educator. Ben is best known for playing with Old School Freight Train (a band that became David Grisman's backup band for a tour!), his two all-original instrumental solo albums, and as a music professor at Warren Wilson College.   Sponsored by Peghead Nation...

#116 - Cameron DeWhitt 04.04.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   In this episode, we welcome Cameron DeWhitt back to the show! (Listen back to episode #82 for our previous podcaster vs. podcaster episode)   Cameron is a wonderful clawhammer/pitchfork style banjo player, performer, educator, and podcaster. Their podcast "Get Up In the Cool" is among the most popular in the world for a wide variety of old time and related music. The...

#115 - "Things Are Simple" by Bill Evans 20.03.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Today we have a Freshly Picked Epiosode featuring "Things Are Simple" by Bill Evans! With this appearance on the podcast, Bill secures his lead as world record holder for featured Picky Fingers appearances (currently at 3). We chat about his new album, and plenty of other updates including his family's scary brush with fate, his Peghead Nation courses, other musical...

#114 - Keith Billik 07.03.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast is now 5 years old! In this episode, guest host (and featured guest from Episode #1) Davey Jones turns the mics on Keith, and subjects him to the torment and humiliation that is normally reserved for Keith's interview subjects. Learn all about the man behind the voice that usually just gets to be the one asking the questions! Keith dis...

#113 - "Close Enough to Hear" by Mile Twelve 20.02.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Welcome to a "Freshly Picked" episode, featuring a discussion with podcast veteran and banjo phenom B.B. Bowness! She will be taking us on a banjo-centric tour of the new Mile Twelve album titled "Close Enough to Hear," which was just released on February 3, 2023. There are some great songs and sounds on the album and, needless to say, some incredible banjo playing!...

#112 - Joe Newberry 06.02.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Today's guest is the world-renowned, award-winning, snappy dressing banjoist, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and educator Joe Newberry! Per usual, Joe is eloquent and generous in discussing his career, banjo style, songwriting approach, and his collaborations with mandolinist Mike Compton and fiddler April Verch. Recorded at the 2022 Great Lakes Music Camp at Camp Bl...

BONUS - Banjo Summit w/ Jake Schepps 29.01.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   For this Bonus episode, I have a quick chat about the upcoming Banjo Summit with Jake Schepps, an extraordinary banjo player in his own right, and the Director of the Banjo Summit! About Banjo Summit: 2-day online banjo workshop aimed at teaching accessible techniques to add color to your traditional playing or take you beyond bluegrass. Regardless of your favorite s...

#111 - Jim Mills 23.01.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features the incomporable Jim Mills, one of the top banjo players of his generation and a purveyor of the traditional Scruggs-style of playing. Jim has won the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award a record 6 times, as well as numerous Grammy awards. He has also established himself as one of the top experts, collectors, and dealers for Pre-War Gibson Maste...

#110 - Hank Smith 09.01.2023

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Hank Smith, a versatile performer, teacher, and composer. Hank currently performs, records, and tours with Hank, Pattie & the Current, but has also spent time contributing his vast banjo and composing talents to Blu Bop, a Bela Fleck & the Flecktones tribute band, jamgrass groups, banjo with string quartet music, and much more!   Sponsored by Pe...

#109 - Terry Baucom 28.12.2022

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features a true legend of bluegrass banjo: Terry Baucom! AKA "The Duke of Drive," Terry has a playing style that has become iconic and influential to the modern generation of banjo players. He was a key founding member of bands such as Boone Creek, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out, and now the Dukes of Drive. Recorded at the 2022 IBMA World of...

#108 - Max Wareham 12.12.2022

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Max Wareham, a fantastic banjo player who studied with Tony Trischka and Bill Keith. He currently performs with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan's bluegrass band. Max recently published a wonderful book titled "Rudy Lyle: the Unsung Hero of the Five-String Banjo" which thoroughly examines the life and playing style of one of Bill Monroe's early banj...

#107 - Joe Mullins 28.11.2022

www.patreon.com   This episode features Joe Mullins, of Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers! Joe is one of the heroes of traditional bluegrass banjo playing, and has been a top professional in the industry for decades. The son of famed radio DJ and fiddler Paul "Moon" Mullins, Joe has been around bluegrass all his life, and has decades of insight to pull from his experiences with bands such as The Tr...

#106 - Alex Berman 14.11.2022

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features Alex Berman, the banjoist and lead singer for the Baltimore-based jamgrass band the Dirty Grass Players! Alex has an exciting approach to his playing, is a creative improviser, and strong singer to boot. This interview was recorded backstage at the 2022 Del Fest!   Sponsored by Peghead Nation , GHS Strings , and Elderly Instruments   Alex on the...

#105 - Gabe Hirshfeld 01.11.2022

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   This episode features a long and winding banjo chat with Gabe Hirshfeld, a true gentleman and scholar. Gabe studied banjo at the Berklee College of Music, as well as some great mentors such as Mike Kropp and Ben Freed. He performed and recorded with The Lonely Heartstring Band, and now plays on a freelance basis and does setup work. 

#104 - Michael J. Miles 17.10.2022

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Finally, a rare clawhammer episode! This one features Michael J. Miles, a fantastic Chicago-based banjo player, singer-songwriter, and composer. Michael is well versed in many types of traditional American music, but also brings influences from Africa, Bach, pop music, and much more to his compositions and performances.   Sponsored by Peghead Nation , Elderly Instrum...

BONUS - Arts on the Edge podcast w/ Ben Wright 12.10.2022

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Introducing a NEW podcast that Keith is working on (as editor) with Ben Wright (banjo player with the Henhouse Prowlers, and featured on episode # 47).  The podcast is titled "Arts in the Edge" and is produced by American Voices, a non-profit that conducts cultural exchange through the performing arts to isolated regions of the world. Subscribe to "Arts on the Edge"...

#103 - "Just a Little Talk With Myself" by Steven Moore 26.09.2022

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Sign up on Patreon to get a FREE Download of this album!   This "Freshly Picked" episode features "Just a Little Talk With Myself" - the brand new debut solo album from Steven Moore, a multiple-time winner of the National Banjo Championship, many other high-profile contests, and the featured gues from episode #49! This album really highlights Steven's artistry with m...

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