Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout Podcast with Adam Rafferty Adam Rafferty: Fingerstyle Guitarist, Composer and Touring Musician

Summary, Episode 19:







In 1988, Don became the first Canadian to win the U.S. National Fingerpick Guitar Championship. He won again in 1996, still the only two-time winner of the competition.







Don has toured regularly since 1989, across Canada, the USA, a dozen European countries, Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, Russia and India.



























He has played live and on recording with U.S. guitarist Andy McKee, Canadian singer/guitarist Brooke Miller, Canadian guitarist Calum Graham, & Toronto bassist Jordan O’Connor. Don composes scores for television, radio and film, and does production and recording engineering for a variety of other musicians.







He’s released numerous CDs and DVDs for the Candy Rat Record label, including his new album, A Million Brazilian Civilians, on CD and see-through orange vinyl.







(Timestamps are for audio version of the podcast.)







* 2:49 Welcome Don!* 3:52 Don’s earliest musical influences.* 6:50 Don as a composer first, guitarist second.* 8:40 Discovering Leo Kottke’s approach…music with humor.* 9:20 Exposure to modern composers Steve Reich, Xenakis, John Adams.* 10:40 Don talks about composing for film & TV.* 15:44 We discuss alternate tunings and why Don Does uses them.* 22:33 Why composes away from the guitar.* 24:04 Music – Don plays his composition – “A Million Brazilian Civilians.”* 27:33 Don’s relationship to classical guitar.* 31:04 I ask Don about his live sound setup.* 32:50 Keep it simple…we talk pickups, pedals and other guitar nitty gritty.* 34:53 Don tells his “pedalboard on the highway” mishap story.* 39:46 What are Don’s hobbies outside music?* 41:25 His best advice for musicians.* 44:47 The guitar tablature “trap.”* 50:22 Ending credits & podcast contact info.* 53:14 Music – Don plays his composition – “Seven Seven Four.”







Don’s Links:







* https://donrossonline.com/* Don on Facebook* Don on Youtube* Don on Twitter* Don’s band project is called “Don Ross – Louder Than Usual”











Don Ross plays his original composition “Seven Seven Four”











Don Ross plays his original composition “A Million Brazilian Civilians“











“Don Ross – Louder Than Usual” plays “Groovy Sunflowers”

Summary, Episode 18:

Jim Nichols has an unusual approach to the guitar – he uses a thumb pick and fingers to play everything from Chet Atkins style to modern jazz.

He served as master instructor for the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops, Stanford Jazz Workshops and held clinics on both jazz and Atkins style for the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society national convention in Nashville.



In addition to an acoustic duo CD with Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, and a duo CD with fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith, Jim and his wife Morning, have 5 CDs to their credit.

Jim’s solo CD, “Jazz and Country” was chosen by Guitar Player Magazine as a “pick of the year” for ’96 and in 2001, he was featured in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and Acoustic Guitar Magazine.



Show Notes:

In this episode, Jim and I talk about how he started playing guitar, his inspirations, and his approach to blending Chet Atkins fingerstyle and jazz guitar.

(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)



* 2:08 Welcome Jim!

* 3:47 Jim talks about record companies & touring.

* 4:40 How Jim began playing music & uke.

* 6:08 Jim gets his first guitar.

* 6:54 Jim discovers Duane Eddys version of “Trambone” by Chet Atkins.

* 7:45 Flatpicks never again! Jim discovers the thumb pick and learns Chet stuff.

* 14:17 Jim discusses how Wes & Buddy Montgomery were not music readers.

* 19:41 How Jim got the jazz influence – his parents.

* 23:08 The benefits of learning from Chet’s recordings.

* 23:36 Another influence – Howard Roberts.

* 25:48 Jim’s approach to technique & using the thumbpick.

* 26:41 Jim talks about his guitar collection.

* 29:03 Music track from the “Jazz & Country” Album – “Freightliner Blues”

* 32:23 Gear chat – his versatile guitars that can cover several styles.

* 35:41 Traveling with guitars; Jim’s take & tips for flying.

* 38:17 All about Jim’s duo record with Tommy Emmanuel – “Chet Lag” (a.k.a. “Happy Hour”)

* 43:35 Jim’s Kirk Sand Guitar – a birthday present from his wife, vocalist Morning Nichols.

* 45:22 “Jazz & Country” his solo CD as a reaction to being a sideman and a dedication to Chet Atkins.

* 52:53 Current projects, gigs, guitar camps.

* 57:53 Jim’s best advice to musicians – listen attentively.

* 1:04:45 Jim reminds us about CAAS in Nashville in July (Chet Atkins Appreciation Society)



Jims’s Links:



* Visit Jim and Morning Nichols’s web site at http://www.jimandmorningnichols.com

* Jim & Morning on Facebook



Jim Nichols plays “Freightliner Blues”



Jim Nichols plays “Like Someone In Love”



Jim Nichols plays “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”

Summary, Episode 17:

Over the past 25 years, Michael Fix has released fifteen albums, together with several DVD’s, songbooks, singles and EPs, tours internationally each year, and has established himself as one of Australia’s finest guitarists and composers, writing evocative music for television, film and documentaries.



He’s won numerous awards for his music, and is a Maton guitar endorsee (with his own signature model guitar), his guitar workshops are in high demand all over Australia and internationally.

As a record producer working from his own studio in Brisbane, he is in great demand. He’s toured and recorded with a diverse range of artists, and regularly appears at festivals and concerts throughout the world.



Show Notes:

In this episode Michael and I talk about his philosophy, his approach to guitar, technique, stage sound and more.

(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)



* 3:20 How Michael got started with guitar

* 6:21 Motivation from real life lessons

* 7:41 His advice – find a teacher who inspires

* 8:12 Danger of Youtube “only” learning

* 17:53 Listening to Chet, Jerry & Merle records with Tommy Emmanuel

* 19:18 Music Track: Tangalooma Sunset

* 22:10 Michael talks about his technical approach

* 28:21 Michael tour – the Acoustic Guitar Spectacular

* 32:20 His life as a composer & producer for film, music libraries and more

* 46:26 Michael talks about Maton Guitars & hios signature model

* 53:22 I ask Michael about his live sound setup

* 55:46 Michael’s best advice for musicians

* 1:04:19 Michael’s Austrian (EU) Summer Workshop (Aug 2019)

* 1:08:22 Music Track: Coppertown Blues



Michael’s Links:



* http://www.michaelfix.com/

* Michael on Facebook

* Michael on Youtube

* Michael on Twitter



Michael plays “Tangalooma Susnset”



Michael plays “Coppertown Blues”



Michael plays “Spaces (Without You)”



Michael’s Upcoming Austrian Workshop

Summary, Episode 16:

Andrea Valeri is defined as the “Prince of the Acoustic guitar” and is now a veteran of many of the biggest stages around the globe. He’s toured from Australia to New Zealand, from Russia to Canada, from Europe to the African continent.



At eighteen Andrea was awarded the title of “Italian musical excellence.” He has already released 6 solo albums, the most recent Mediterraneo “(2016).

Veteran Guitarists are calling him a rising “Star of the guitar world.” Just listen to his music to find out why…



Show Notes:

In this episode Andrea and I talk about his earliest musical inspirations, his current Euro Orchestra Project, his “Tuscany Guitar Camp” and more…enjoy!

(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)



* 3:13 Guitar was a happy accident

* 4:05 Andrea’s “missing finger”

* 5:11 How he got inspiration from TV show themes

* 7:27 Influences: Mark Knopfler, Paco De Lucia, Tommy Emmanuel & Michael Fix

* 14:09 His Euro Orchestra Project

* 17:07 New CD with Orchestra

* 21:00 How Andrea comes up with musical ideas

* 23:30 His musical dedication to Nicolas Tesla

* 28:53 Listen to Andrea play “With my Fathers Eyes” from his CD “Mediterraneo”

* 32:22 Andrea’s “Tuscany Guitar Camp”

* 45:56 His film music writing projects

* 47:10 Other hobbies & interests – archaeology, history, geology, Ancient Greece

* 52:14 Andrea’s best advice to musicians…



Andreas’s Links:



* http://www.andreavaleri.com/

* Andrea on Facebook

* Andrea on Youtube

* Andrea on Instagram



Andrea valeri plays “With My Father’s Eyes”



Andrea valeri plays “Mediterraneo”

Summary, Episode 15:

Stephan Bormann is a guitarist with extreme openness and versatility. With a strong foundation in jazz, he adds creative fun and unique sounds to the music that he plays and helps shape projects with his individual style.



His love of the music of America, Scandinavia, Africa and Brazil make him a world traveler on the guitar, versatile in many styles and familiar with the various facets of the instrument.

He’s the author of the well-loved definitive guitar arranging bible entitled “Solo Guitar Book” and teaching guitar at the Hochschule für Musik in Dresden since 1994, where he is a professor of guitar jazz, rock, and pop.



Show Notes:

In this episode Stephan and I talk about his musical roots in Communist (DDR) East Germany, his book “Solo Guitar Book”, his 16 string resonator guitar, and more….enjoy!

(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)



* 3:17 Stephan’s musical beginnings in Communist Germany (DDR)

* 5:50 Buying records in Germany behind the wall

* 13:04 Stephan’s inspiration to play guitar

* 15:29 His jazz guitar influence

* 16:40 The inspiration of “Friday Night in San Fransisco”

* 18:33 Stephan’s “Aliquot” resonator 18 string guitar by Oliver Klaproth

* 22:52 Music Track “Elevation Of Love by Esbjörn Svensson”

* 26:19 Different guitars for different sounds

* 28:24 Going deep into the musical moment

* 31:42 Meeting his musical soulmates

* 36:36 His longtime projects – duo with Thomas Fellow and a duo with Cristin Class

* 40:00 The teaching philosohy at the Musik Hochshule in Dresden

* 43:37 Discovering and supporting the special talents of students

* 45:58 His best musical advice

* 46:54 About his “Solo Guitar Book”

* 55:22 Music Track “Don’t Give Up” – 10 String Orchestra



Stephans’s Links:



* https://stephanbormann.de/

* Stephan Bormann on Facebook

* Stephan Bormann on Youtube



Stephan Bormann plays Elevation Of Love by Esbjörn Svensson:



The 10 String Orchestra:



With Cristin Class Trio:

Summary, Episode 14:

Petteri Sariola (1984) is a fingerstyle virtuoso and a singer/songwriter from Helsinki, Finland. He’s known for his fierce live performances, beautiful songwriting and percussive approach on the acoustic guitar.



Sariola has been awarded with Nokia Young Talent scholarship, Honorary Prize in the Helsinki Funk Awards and been on the cover “Frets” (USA) and twice on the cover of Akustik Gitarre (DE), the biggest acoustic guitar magazine of Europe.

Petteri has opened concerts for Tori Amos (USA), Andy McKee (USA) and Rodrigo Y Gabriela (MEX), to name a few.

His brand new solo album “Resolution” has received raving reviews and it concludes a 10 year project of creating a trilogy of albums containing original compositions.



Show Notes:

In this episode Petteri Sariola and I chat about his influences, classical studies, gear, the “meaning of song” and more…enjoy!

(Time stamps are for audio version of the podcast.)



* 3:43 Petteri talks about his inspiration & influences – Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Green Day & Living Color

* 5:05 Early on – seeing his mom on stage

* 6:00 His 10 years of classical studies, how it shaped him

* 8:07 Benefits of classical study, what it’s good for and what it’s not

* 15:56 His vital musical relationship with his brother

* 16:45 Indian solfeggio & African percussion studies

* 23:58 Music Track “The Clockwork”

* 27:00 His bands – “The Northern Governors” & “Dead Sirius 3000”

* 28:52 I ask Petteri about his playing approach & equipment

* 30:30 Network Connection Breakdown – Sorry!

* 30:55 New network connection – playing technique & live sound

* 31:29 Petteris concept regarding “the 80 possible movements” of the hands

* 33:45 His live sound

* 37:34 Using several pickups & his pedalboard & mixer

* 39:52 His mixer QSC Touch mix 16

* 43:20 Currently learning jazz chops & electronic music hip hop & techno

* 50:17 What music is Petteri listening to lately?

* 52:57 Petteri’s advice to guitarists

* 54:19 The importance of ballads & resisting “clickbait” flashy online playing

* 58:03 His vocal studies & newest CD “Resolution”

* 59:11 The importance & message of “the song”

* 1:00:11 Concerto de Aranjuez – I tell the story

* 1:02:11 Outgrowing older songs – and can you play them now?

* 1:13:18 Music Track – guitar & vocals “Howling at the Moon”



Petteri’s Links:



* http://petterisariola.fi

* http://facebook.com/petterisariolaofficial

* http://instagram.com/petterisariola

* http://youtube.com/petterisariola

* http://twitter.com/petterisariola




The Clockwork:



Howling at the Moon: