Playback Sessions

Sonora

Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

  1. Sep 23

    The One Concept That Unlocks Blues Playing | Corey Congilio

    Corey Congilio joins Playback Sessions for a masterclass in the one concept that unlocks more interesting blues playing. Plus the real story of how Corey went from getting fired in Nashville to building a career entirely on his own terms. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:13 – Getting Into Music at Age 13 05:19 – Surviving Cancer & Choosing Guitar 08:33 – Nashville Baptism by Fire & Getting Fired 10:26 – The Fishman Demo Breakthrough 21:54 – Forced Into Being an Artist 24:50 – The Blues EP & Recording at Blackbird 28:06 – Advice for Musicians in 2026 33:51 – Arpeggios: The Pass Key to Everything 36:00 – Mixing Arpeggios With Pentatonic 37:26 – Arpeggio Substitutions Over Dominant Chords 40:07 – D Minor 7 Over G7 Explained 49:47 – Applying It to Funk & One-Chord Grooves 53:16 – Barry Harris Pivot Technique & Robben Ford 54:11 – Working Class Guitar & What's Coming Next 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥Guest: Corey Congilio Editor: Carl Reeverts Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #CoreyConglio #BluesGuitar #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #GuitarLesson #BluesImprovisation #GuitarTechnique #WorkingGuitarist #MusicCareer #GuitarPodcast #Arpeggios

    The One Concept That Unlocks Blues Playing | Corey Congilio

  2. Sep 23

    Larkin Poe Spent 15 Years Getting This Wrong

    Megan and Rebecca Lovell of Larkin Poe join Playback Sessions for one of the most honest conversations we've had on the show. Two sisters, one band, fifteen years of label deals, genre pivots, and near-breakdowns on the road 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:05 – Touring While Pregnant 05:27 – Early Musical Background 07:00 – Transition from Classical to Bluegrass 10:11 – Going Electric & Finding Their Sound 15:49 – Label Experience & Creative Control 17:43 – Starting Their Own Label 26:18 – Authenticity vs Industry Expectations 28:04 – The "Small Batch" Mindset 34:30 – Writing "Little Bit" 39:42 – AI vs Human Imperfection 43:51 – Imposter Syndrome & Practice 49:48 – Learning Through Covers 54:11 – Grammy Win & What Changed 1:12:06 – T-Bone, Tyler Bryant & What's Next 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥Guest: Larkin Poe (Megan Lovell + Rebecca Lovell) Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #LarkinPoe #BluesRock #AmericanaMusic #IndependentArtist #LapSteel #GuitarLesson #Songwriting #ElvisCostello #MusicBusiness #RootsRock #GrammyWinner #Megan Lovell #Rebecca Lovell

    Larkin Poe Spent 15 Years Getting This Wrong

  3. Sep 22

    15-Minute Rule for Writing Better Songs | Margaret Glaspy

    Margaret Glaspy joins Playback Sessions for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about making music by accident, the creative power of letting go of the plan, and what it feels like to learn how to write songs all over again. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 0:00 — Intro 2:36 — James Bay, Madison Cunningham & Norah Jones Just Showed Up 4:01 — Too Shy to Ask Anyone — What This Album Changed 6:42 — "Play It Like a Funeral" — The Take That Made the Record 9:25 — How She Chose the Songs (Pure Stream of Consciousness) 12:34 — Jesus, Etc. — Why She Asked Norah Jones 15:52 — Jeff Tweedy Heard the Cover and Cried 18:59 — East Coast vs. West Coast — What the Studios Say About Us 26:15 — How Making Covers Rewired Her Songwriting 29:33 — The Album Title — Found in the Library of Congress 34:16 — Her Writing Process: More Prolific Than Ever 42:07 — What Actually Blocks Her From Finishing Songs 43:01 — The 15-Minute Rule That Changed Everything 46:14 — Straight to the Typewriter — Her Daily Creative Ritual 50:23 — What's Coming: New Record, Touring, Joe Henry 53:20 — "I Feel Like I'm Learning to Write Songs Right Now" 54:11 — Where to Find Margaret Glaspy 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥Guest: Margaret Glaspy Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #MargaretGlaspy #Songwriting #SongwritingTips #AcousticGuitar #IndieMusic #FolkMusic #MusicProduction #Typewriter #WriterBlock #NorahJones #JamesBay

    15-Minute Rule for Writing Better Songs | Margaret Glaspy

  4. Sep 22

    The Airport Moment That Changed Tim Stafford's Life

    Tim Stafford joins Playback Sessions for a powerful, honest conversation about the real cost of touring, lessons from legends like Tony Rice and Doc Watson, and what it takes to stay grounded in music after decades on the road. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 0:00 — Intro 0:41 — Live Performance: "The Blue Grays" 5:55 — Welcome — One of Bluegrass's Most Prolific Songwriters 6:15 — How It Started: Got Bumped on Banjo, Picked Up Guitar 8:55 — The PhD He Almost Finished Instead 9:35 — Writing 300 Songs With One Co-Writer 11:00 — Inside a Co-Write: The Actual Process 18:51 — Do You Know When You're Writing a Hit? 20:41 — What He Learned in Alison Krauss's Band 23:11 — How Blue Highway Started — "I Had No Intention of Starting a Band" 26:47 — His Son Didn't Recognize Him at the Airport 30:16 — Tony Rice's Rhythm Changed All of Bluegrass 39:21 — Writing the Tony Rice Biography — 10 Years 42:07 — Roy Orbison Stopped the Bus for Tony Rice 49:53 — Who Actually Coined the Word "Bluegrass"? 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Tim Stafford Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #TimStafford #TonyRice #BluegrassHistory #Flatpicking #AcousticGuitar #Songwriting #BlueHighway #DocWatson #MartinGuitars #MusicHistory

    The Airport Moment That Changed Tim Stafford's Life

  5. Sep 22

    Why You Should Ignore Your Audience | Becca Stevens

    Becca Stevens joins Playback Sessions for a wide-ranging conversation about writing her most personal album through the loss of her mother and the birth of her children and why she almost never released it. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:15 – Becca’s Songwriting Philosophy 06:40 – The Inner Critic Explained 10:25 – How Artists Sabotage Their Own Songs 14:10 – Writing Songs That Feel Too Personal 18:20 – Processing Grief Through Music 22:45 – The Trap of Chasing Hits 27:05 – Why Writing for the Audience Fails 31:50 – “Serve the Song” Mindset 36:10 – Working with David Crosby 40:30 – The “Volcano” Writing Process 44:15 – Collaborating with Jacob Collier 48:25 – Creativity in the Studio 53:10 – When the Muse Shows Up 58:40 – Closing Performance 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Becca Stevens Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #BeccaStevens #Songwriting #AcousticGuitar #DavidCrosby #JacobCollier #SufjanStevens #MusicTheory #DADGAD #SingerSongwriter

    Why You Should Ignore Your Audience | Becca Stevens

  6. Sep 21

    Stop Practicing This Way If You Want to Play Fast w/ Andy Wood

    Andy Wood, a virtuoso guitarist with deep musical roots in bluegrass, rock, country, metal, and fusion, shares transformative insights on technique, tone, and practice strategies in this episode. Wood discusses a pivotal mindset shift that improved his time feel, techniques from his mandolin playing that enhanced his right-hand precision, and his focus on depth over tone chasing. He also delves into his transition from sideman to artist, his alternate picking mechanics, and lessons from performing with top artists. With practical advice on practicing speed and maintaining precision, this episode offers essential tips for guitarists aiming to elevate their craft. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:13 Transition from Sideman to Artist 02:27 Impact of COVID on Music Creation 08:25 The Importance of Image and Branding 10:31 Collaborations and Mentorship 15:04 The Role of Community in Music 29:27 Passing the Torch to the Next Generation 36:09 The Role of Patreon in Supporting Content 37:08 The Economics of Music and Events 44:35 Practicing Techniques and Speed 01:09:35 The Myth of Brute Forcing Practice 01:10:22 The Importance of Playing Clean 01:11:17 Playing with Ears, Soul, and Heart 01:11:58 Recording Yourself for Improvement 01:16:26 Transcribing and Lifting Vibes 01:20:17 The Value of Musicality Over Technique 01:35:49 The Role of Musicality in Performance 01:38:55 Upcoming Projects and Events 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Guest: Andy Wood Executive Producers: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #AndyWood #GuitarTechnique #AlternatePicking #GuitarLesson #RascalFlatts #SteveMorse #BrentMason #FastGuitar #ChickenPicking #GuitarTone

    Stop Practicing This Way If You Want to Play Fast w/ Andy Wood

  7. Sep 21

    Jimi Hendrix TONE Secrets Revealed by RJ Ronquillo

    We dive deep into capturing the iconic Jimi Hendrix sound with RJ Ronquillo. From selecting the perfect Stratocaster to understanding Hendrix's pedal setup, we cover everything you need to recreate Hendrix's legendary tone. Discover the significance of reverse angled bridge pickups, specific pedal usage, and tuning techniques that form the essence of Hendrix's sound. RJ also demonstrates essential Hendrix playing styles, from rhythmic patterns to iconic licks, and shares his personal journey through Hendrix's musical legacy. A must-watch for any Hendrix enthusiast! 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction at Carter Vintage Guitars 00:08 Essential Hendrix Gear 00:41 Choosing the Right Guitar 01:15 Dialing in the Hendrix Tone 04:20 Hendrix's Unique Playing Techniques 13:37 Rhythmic Mastery of Hendrix 19:20 Hendrix's Flashy Performance Style 21:32 Favorite Hendrix Licks and Riffs 23:31 Getting into Hendrix: Recommended Albums 25:05 Conclusion and Additional Resources 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: RJ Ronquillo Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producers: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #RJRonquillo #JimiHendrix #GuitarTone #Stratocaster #FuzzFace #GuitarLesson #BluesGuitar #GuitarPedals #HendrixChord #LittleRichard #GuitarTechnique

    Jimi Hendrix TONE Secrets Revealed by RJ Ronquillo

  8. Sep 21

    How to Build a Music Career on Your Own Terms | Lindsay Ell

    Lindsay Ell joins Playback Sessions for an honest conversation about leaving her record deal, rebuilding her team, writing her most vulnerable music yet, and navigating fame and identity in the modern music industry. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:00 – Writing the Scariest Thing First 04:47 – “Fence Sitter” & Not Knowing 10:00 – This Record Feels Different 13:00 – When Art vs Success Collided 14:30 – Leaving Her Record Deal 16:00 – Rebuilding Her Entire Team 20:40 – Randy Bachman Mentorship 24:50 – First Stadium Show Disaster 27:20 – Playing Lead for Shania Twain 31:00 – Vision Boards & Manifesting 34:30 – You’re Not Entitled to Outcomes 37:00 – Why Commercial Music Repeats 39:30 – AI, Copyright & The Future 45:05 – Brad Paisley, Guitar Painting & What’s Next 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Lindsay Ell Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #LindsayEll #CountryMusic #IndiePop #Songwriting #ShaniaTwain #RandyBachman #MusicIndustry #GuitarLesson #WomenInMusic #FenderGuitars #NashvilleMusic

    How to Build a Music Career on Your Own Terms | Lindsay Ell
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Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

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