The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast

Keith Billik
  • 4.8 (180)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

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

  1. 4D AGO

    #169 - Bruce Molsky

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Bruce Molsky is one of the top traditional musicians of his generation! A captivating performer as a vocalist, fiddler, guitarist, and of course: the banjo! Although he is best known for his recordings and performances in the Old Time style, his interests and playing skills really transcend those boundaries- as proven by his regular collaborations with musicians in the realms of bluegrass, progressive acoustic, African & Scandinavian music, and much more!   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio   Bruce on the web: https://www.brucemolsky.com/ Peghead Nation course (use coupon "pickyfingers" for a free month!!): https://www.pegheadnation.com/string-school/instructors/bruce-molsky

    1h 12m

  2. JAN 23

    #168 - Richard Bailey

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast Richard Bailey is best known as the long time banjoist and founding member of the amazing Grammy- and IBMA- award-winning band The SteelDrivers! But Richard's history as a Nashville banjo icon has led him to record and perform with some great bluegrass artists such as The Tennessee Gentlemen, Roland White, Rhonda Vincent, Jim Lauderdale, Vassar Clements, and other superstars like George Jones & Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, Nanci Griffith, Kathy Chiavola  - and that's just a few of them! It's easy to understand why when you hear Richard's perfect blend of groove, drive, creativity, taste, and tone. It was an honor to speak with him about his background and career in banjo! Sponsored by Elderly Instruments, Peghead Nation, Sullivan Banjos, and Bluegrass Country Radio SteelDrivers on the web: https://www.thesteeldrivers.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

    1h 9m

  3. JAN 6

    #167 - In Memoriam: Gabe Hirshfeld (Remix of Episode #105)

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   In tribute to Gabe Hirshfeld, who we lost in December 2025. Gabe will always be remembered for his amazing sense of humour, his kind and generous nature, and of course his myriad contributions to the banjo community as a talented player, setup technician, and all-around awesome nerdy guru.    Consider a donation to the Gabe Hirshfeld Memorial Fund, administered by the Boston Bluegrass Union   Original Notes: 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   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

    1h 55m

  4. 12/05/2025

    #166 - "Drift" by Wes Corbett

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   It's a Freshly-Picked episode, talking to Picky Fingers alum Wes Corbett (of the Sam Bush Band) about his new album of original music titled "Drift" - available now on Adhyaropa Records! Drift has everything you want from a modern banjo album: creative compositions, interesting arrangements, and virtuosic playing from Wes and his all-star cast of studio musicians. Hear all about it and get some sneak peeks (listens?) into the album itself directly from Wes!   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos   Wes on the web: https://www.wescorbett.com/ https://wescorbett.bandcamp.com/album/drift   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

    1h 26m

  5. 11/06/2025

    #165 - Daithi Melia

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast This episode features Daithi Melia, banjoist for JigJam, the phenomenal Irish-American bluegrass band that has been seemingly everywhere recently, from the Grand Ole Opry to Grey Fox, and everywhere in between. Daithi is an incredible player, with a mastery of traditional bluegrass idioms, modern progressive banjo sensibilities, and of course a heavy dose of the Irish music he grew up with. He weaves all of this together to help give JigJam their genre-bending appeal.    Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos   Daithi on the web: https://www.jigjam.ie/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com   Jig Jam

    58 min

  6. 10/15/2025

    #164 - "All God's Children" by East Nash Grass, feat. Cory Walker

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   It's a Freshly Picked episode, featuring a banjo-centric deep dive into the brand new album from East Nash Grass, titled "All God's Children" - featuring an interview with intrepid banjoist Cory Walker! ENG is one of those bands that seems almost impossible NOT to like: they have that elusive knack for sounding both classic and traditional and fresh and new all at the same time! They are each true masters of their instruments, and the band features multiple singers and songwriters to keep listeners on their toes. They deliver all of this with their trademark sense of humor and deep respect for bluegrass and country music. Enjoy!   Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos   East Nash Grass on the web: https://www.eastnashgrass.com/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com   Buy Merch - closeout sale on all Small & X-Small T shirts! www.banjopodcast.com

    1h 8m

  7. 09/09/2025

    #163 - Dueling Banjo Podcasts! Live From Ashokan, feat. BB Bowness, Hilary Hawke, Scott Hopkins, and Maggie Shar

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   In this special episode, podcast hosts Keith Billik (of The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast) and Hilary Hawke (of Banjo Chat) square off by interviewing an entire panel of banjo instructors... and each other! This episode was recorded at a fun live event during the 2024 Ashokan Banjo Weekend at the Ashokan Center in upstate NY and features Keith Billik, BB Bowness, Hilary Hawke, Scott Hopkins, and Maggie Shar.  Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos.   Ashokan Center/Ashokan Banjo Weekend: www.ashokancenter.org   BB Bowness: https://www.catherinebowness.com/   Hilary Hawke/Banjo Chat: https://www.hilaryhawkemusic.com/ https://hilaryhawke.bandcamp.com/album/lift-up-this-old-world-2 https://banjochat.podbean.com/   Scott Hopkins: www.scotthopkinsbanjo.com   Maggie Shar: www.maggieshar.com    Recorded by Connor Wenk   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

    58 min

  8. 08/15/2025

    #162 - Colton Crawford

    www.patreon.com/banjopodcast   Colton Crawford is the rare quadruple threat of 5-string banjo players: He plays banjo in the 2-finger, 3-finger, clawhammer, and flatpicked styles! He is best known for being an original member, performing, and recording as banjoist with The Dead South, a highly acclaimed band with whom Colton has toured the world. Although Colton's playing is rooted in traditional methods, his style is truly one-of-a-kind and has shaped the sound of The Dead South! Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, Bluegrass Country Radio, and Sullivan Banjos Colton on the web: https://www.thedeadsouth.com/ https://www.twitch.tv/coltoncrawford   WIN BELA FLECK'S BANJO! https://restringappalachia.org/   Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

    59 min
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4.8
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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

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