Wispy Mop Music Acoustic Radio Podcast

Brian Owens has a wonderful story to tell.  Pulling himself out of drug addiction, he has become a father, a husband and a respected luthier, building guitars for the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Co.  As a guitar player, he has performed his music in front of 5,000 people.  Listen to his incredible journey.

Douglas Naselroad is the director of the Appalachian School of Luthiery and master luthier at Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company.  In addition to building professional level guitars, mandolins and dulcimers, Doug helps train folks going through recovery to learn a trade.

Tom Dews is a masterful acoustic blues instrumentalist and songwriter, as well as being a talented rack-mount harmonica player.  Here is his story.

Todd Coyle has passed away.  Todd was part of the musical fabric woven into the Charles Town, WV and Shepherdstown, WV music scene.  This is a podcast that Todd and I recorded on Sunday, March 30, 2021.  

Michael Betteridge fell in love with radio as a kid listening to late night AM radio (hidden under the covers).  Music and guitars quickly joined his love of radio.  Join me as he brings us on his journey from under the covers to his current position as general manager of WTHU AM-1450 in Thurmont MD.

Songwriter Brenden Bosmans is a prolific writer who records in his home studio, writing and recording a complete song in one day.  He also loves Martin Guitars and tells us why.

Parents' Choice Award-Winning Artist Jon Lewis of Mr. Jon & Friends talks about his transition into performing kids music.

Cape Cod native Bob Thatcher explains how his song 'Cape Cod Christmastime' was born.

Players have definite opinions on whether Martin Guitars are better than Taylor Guitars, and vice versa.  Here is my take on the subject.

Piedmont Blues finger-style guitarist Bill Sovitsky tells us when and how he started playing guitar, and why he chose Piedmont-style blues.

Heath J Hardin aka 'Olds Sleeper' and 'Jellyspine Jenkins' writes and records his songs on a Zoom H2 portable recorder.  He's the king of low-fi production.  His active 'I wonder what that would sound like' mind has conjured up 29+ album projects of mostly original compositions.  Join me for a fun conversation.

Acoustic musician and guitar collector Max Honn lost his battle with pancreatic cancer several days ago.  He was a wonderful man.  I'm a better person for having known him.  Here is my conversation with Max from several years ago.

Retired educator Guy Hofer grew up in Chicago listening to his father play fiddle for the Kenosha Cornhuskers.  His musical life began playing a ukulele with three broken strings.  A Gibson hollow body electric gave way to an Italian acoustic 6-string.  His retirement gift to himself was a Martin.  Guy talks about music, teaching French and Spanish, and throws in a good story about the Oscar Mayer...

I discuss the different stages of recording 'Fredericktowne Christmas'... warts and all.  ;-)

Check out a preview of my new song 'Fine To Me', then listen to my friend Mitch Scott talk about his life of adventure - JFK 50 Mile Race, Hang Gliding, hip replacements and more....

The Hidden Poet (Steven Gellman) has just released his new album titled 'All You Need'.  It's his first all acoustic album, written during the first year of COVID.

Americana artist Dominica Knapp learned clawhammer banjo after seeing Abigail Washburn in concert.  She was smitten with the sound and asked for a banjo for Christmas.  The COVID shutdown allowed her the time to learn.

Mechanicsburg PA native Kevin Neidig is an excellent guitarist.  He sings really well also.  He is the 2023 Central Pennsylvania Music Awards 'Best Americana Artist', as well as one of the 2023 emerging artists at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.   

Ralph Hertges is a retired therapist who dreamt of being a philosopher, but who didn't want to teach or make pizza.  In retirement, he has rediscovered his love of guitar doodling on his trusted 1970's Ovation Folklore guitar.

Biao Zou is an IT manager for a Buffalo (NY) based company.  He was stuck in Buffalo during COVID while his wife was stuck in China.  Having free evening and weekend time, he decided to improve his acoustic guitar skills.  Biao explains how COVID and a budget Orangewood Guitar lead him to be an Avian Guitar player/fan and ultimately the U.S. distributor for Avian Guitars.  Fascinating story ! 

I asked Tony Denikos to list his favorite original songs and write a little something about each.  Here is the list of his top 11, and why.

Maryland based singer-songwriter Tony Denikos' 2009 CD 'Already Gone' went to #2 on the Euro Americana Chart and #7 on the Freeform American Roots Chart .  Starting out as a bass player in his teens, Tony transitioned to playing bars and clubs with his trusty Ovation 6-string in the Norfolk VA area before returning to the Mid-Atlantic region.  He has left bar gigs behind for songwriter showcases a...

Maryland based singer-songwriter David (Dave) Mott lost his battle with cancer on December 2, 2022.  Dave was a loyal family man, successful business owner, avid golfer and a regional performing singer-songwriter.  Dave's dream was to record an album of his original songs.  Please join me and listen to the songs of David (Dave) Mott.  Rest in Peace Dave.

Baltimore based Heather Aubrey Lloyd splits her time between her band ilyAIMY, her solo career, songwriting/recording, producing live-stream videos and doing the laundry.  And once in a while she gets invited to open for A-List performers like Gordon Lightfoot.  

The music community lost a terrific singer-songwriter performer in late November.  Pete Looney was one of most popular live performers at regional wineries, farm breweries, restaurant bars and distilleries.  He was also a wonderful open mic host, introducing many folks to the joys of live performance.  With his internal optimism, he continued to perform until shortly before he succumbed to cancer....