Cameron Knowler interview

07/27/22 • 69 min

My guest this week is Cameron Knowler.
Cameron is a multi-instrumentalist who specialises in bluegrass, old time and jazz. I was first introduced to Cameron by Bob Minner, who I interviewed back in March 2022 (episode #177).
Cameron also writes regularly for Acoustic Guitar magazine and has written a fascinating book called 'Guitars Have Feelings Too - A Method for Rural Guitarists', which looks in depth at the relationship between old-time and bluegrass guitar and how both styles have developed progressively (as well as what we can learn as guitarists by looking back towards the source of many of the fiddle tunes we play).
The ideas in the book, and how they relate to playing acoustic music, form the main part of the interview. I found this one fascinating and hope you do too!
You'll find more info at Cameron's website as well as his YouTube channel and Instagram account.

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Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

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Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I know who you are!)

Support the show

===
Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Review us on Apple Podcasts

Previous Episode

Mini Jam #4 - 3 tunes at 75bpm

This week we've got something I haven't done in a while - a mini jam episode. That means we're playing 3 tunes back to back instead of focussing on just one. The idea is it feels a bit more like playing at a jam session. I know some of you use these tracks to work up to attending a jam so hopefully this will help with that!
I've gone for the 3 most popular tunes from the first year and a bit of the podcast. They are:

Cherokee Shuffle in A (starts at 1:30)
Whiskey Before Breakfast in D (starts at 9:32)
Turkey in the Straw in G (starts at 16:49)

We're doing all three at 75bpm and each tune follows our regular 'jam along' format. That means I play backup and you play lead, then we swap, then we repeat the whole thing another 3 times. The whole jam lasts around 25 minutes.

If you want chord charts for these tunes, head to bluegrassjamalong.com, where you'll also find details of how to get in touch. I'd love to hear any feedback on these mini jams so do let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Matt

Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I know who you are!)

Support the show

===
Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Review us on Apple Podcasts

Next Episode

Scott Nygaard (Peghead Nation) interview

My guest on the podcast this week is guitarist and Peghead Nation founder Scott Nygaard.
We chat about playing with Chris Thile and Tim O'Brien, including how Scott got the gig with Tim after a chance meeting. We also talk about how Peghead Nation was founded, the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award they're receiving next month and how the site has developed over the years.
We also cover various other topics, including improvising, Scott's musical influences, the importance of going back to the sources of fiddle tunes and Scott's forthcoming record, which was heavily influenced by recovering from a serious bike accident last year.
I really enjoyed our chat and hope you do too.
You can find out more at Scott's website and see the full range of courses and sign up (which I highly recommend) at Pehgead Nation
Happy picking.
Matt

Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I know who you are!)

Support the show

===
Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)