Playback Sessions

Sonora
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music

Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

Episodes

  1. 5h ago

    Most Guitarists Never Learn This (JD Simo Explains)

    JD Simo has recorded with legends like Beyoncé, Stevie Nicks, and Jack White. He played every guitar note in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie. In this episode of Playback, JD delivers a raw and unfiltered masterclass on slide guitar tone, phrasing, improvisation, and the inner battle of finding your sound. Whether you’re into blues guitar, standard tuning slide, gear minimalism, or just want to learn from a deeply musical player—this one’s for you. ________ 🚀 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 to JD Simo 01:19 JD's Early Musical Influences 05:48 Journey to Nashville 06:53 Mastering Slide Guitar 18:44 Developing a Unique Style 36:51 Balancing Practice and Performance 44:09 Musical Influences and Techniques 47:31 Gear and Tone Preferences 50:27 Guitar Models and Modifications 54:26 Musical Journey and Mentorship 57:25 Current Interests and Rabbit Holes 01:06:18 Desert Island Records 01:09:32 Future of Slide Guitar 01:12:58 Advice for Aspiring Slide Guitarists 01:16:25 Staying Connected and Final Thoughts ________ 🎸 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: JD Simo Executive Producers: Spencer Handley, Ben Montague Production Manager and Design: Aly Jordan Camera Operators: Richard Handley, Micah Mathewson Audio Lead: Keith Cypert Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins #JDSimo #SlideGuitar #GuitarMasterclass #PlaybackPodcast #GuitarTone #StandardTuning #Improvisation #GuitarTechnique #VintageGear #GuitarNerd #HouseOfGrease #ElectricGuitar #GuitarPodcast #ModernBlues #GuitarPractice #PedalboardRig #NashvilleGuitarist #GearMinimalist #BluesGuitar #ToneChasing #CreativeProcess #GuitarEducation #AuthenticSound

  2. 5d ago

    He Gave Up Music Then One Song Changed Everything! | Stan Cunningham

    Stan Cunningham wrote a song in his college dorm room at age 19… then quit music entirely. Five years later, that same song was picked up by Chris Brown, the night before the album dropped and went on to win a Grammy Award. In this episode of Playback, Stan sits down to tell the unbelievable true story behind his Grammy-winning track, why he gave up on music, and what he’s learned about the art of songwriting, production, and staying in the game. Whether you’re a songwriter, producer, or just love powerful stories this one’s for you. ___________ 🚀 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 - A Dorm Room Song Wins a Grammy 01:25 Welcome to Playback & Meet Stan 02:10 Church Roots & $5 CDs at Age 7 04:22 Leaving School at 12 for Music 05:27 Writing the Grammy Song at USC 06:52 Quitting Music During the Pandemic 08:00 Why Stan Moved to Nashville 09:05 Starting Over on Social Media 10:49 The Reality of Making It in Music 12:23 Writing Great Songs with Friends 20:24 Getting Serious About Guitar 25:04 What Makes a Song Truly Great? 36:34 Behind the Scenes of ‘Kryptonite’ __________ 🎸 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 Guests: Stan Cunningham Executive Producers: Spencer Handley, Ben Montague Production Manager and Design: Aly Jordan Video: Richard Handley, Micah Audio Lead: Keith Cypert Editors: Mike Moore, Clayton Hopkins #StanCunningham #GrammyWinner #ChrisBrown #DormRoomDemo #SongwritingTips #MusicProducer #SongwriterInterview #PlaybackPodcast #HowToWriteASong #MusicIndustry #BehindTheMusic #StudioSession #MusicPodcast #GrammyStory #GuitarPodcast #BedroomProducer #DAWworkflow #MusicDocumentary #CreativeProcess #MusicCareer

  3. 6d ago

    Billy Strings vs The Hardest Bluegrass Tune Ever Written

    Billy Strings sits down with his teacher Robb to break down one of the toughest bluegrass tunes ever written. In the process they break down the playing of Tony Rice -- from tone to touch, to the subtle moves that redefined acoustic guitar. If you’re a flatpicker, this is essential viewing. ____________________ 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/ ______________________ 0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Winterhawk Recording 1990 7:56 - Theory Breakdown of Fishscale 11:57 - Billy and Robb Play Fishscale 16:55 - Tony's Technique Influence on Billy 30:17 - Billy and Robb Play Bye Bye Blues ___________________ 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: Billy Strings & Rob Cappelletto Editor: Carl Reeverts Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #BillyStrings #TonyRice #Flatpicking #Playpacksessions #GuitarTone #AcousticGuitar #DocWatson #BluegrassGuitar #Grisman #GuitarNerd #VintageGear #GuitarPodcast #vintageguitar  #guitar #guitarist #guitarlesson #SpencerHandley #Rob Cappalletto

    Billy Strings vs The Hardest Bluegrass Tune Ever Written

  4. Jul 7

    How Bluegrass Guitar Rules Are Changing | Molly Tuttle

    Molly Tuttle joins Playback Sessions for a conversation about finding her voice, pushing past fear, and redefining modern bluegrass guitar. From early influences to Grammy-winning success, Molly shares the mindset and creativity that shaped her unique sound. ____________________ 🚀 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/ ______________________ 00:00 – Intro 03:10 – Early Musical Influences 06:20 – Learning Guitar Young 10:05 – Bluegrass Roots & Family 14:10 – Discovering Her Own Style 18:35 – The Challenge of Flatpicking 23:10 – Finding Confidence on Stage 27:50 – Writing Songs That Matter 32:30 – Recording Breakthrough Albums 36:45 – Winning the IBMA Awards 40:20 – Pushing Bluegrass Forward 44:10 – Touring & Building a Band 48:05 – Creative Risks in Music 52:40 – Advice to Young Musicians 57:10 – 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: Molly Tuttle Editor: Carl Reeverts Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #MollyTuttle #PlaybackSessions #Bluegrass #Flatpicking #AcousticGuitar #WomenInMusic #BluegrassGuitar #GuitarPodcast #MusicInterview #ModernBluegrass

    How Bluegrass Guitar Rules Are Changing | Molly Tuttle
  • 4 Episodes

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Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

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