Nashville singer-songwriter Will Overman talks about being inspired to break guitar strings, working as a camp counselor, and the mysterious meaning behind an early composition.
East Nash Grass on Broken Strings and the Art of Songwriting
The members of award-winning bluegrass band East Nash Grass recall early gigs and day jobs and reflect on how the music industry has turned musicians into traveling apparel companies that play music to generate revenue.
Nicki Bluhm on Tour Bus Life and Caring for Horses
Singer-songwriter Nicki Bluhm talks about renovating her home studio and learning to to live on the constant ebb and flow of a musician’s income.
John Stirratt of The Autumn Defense on Borrowed Tour Vans and Avoiding the “New String” Sound
John Stirratt of The Autumn Defense and Wilco talks about why music has thrived when the music industry has collapsed and compares working in a restaurant kitchen to being in a band.
DUG on Rental Cars, Chipotle, and Living Room Rehearsals
Irish-American folk duo Dug talk about the band’s first gig outside a Burger King, powered by a car battery, and the benefit of flat wound guitar strings.
Rhett Miller on Old 97s First Tour Van, Working as a Maître D’, and Teaching Songwriting
Rhett Miller talks about the benefits that come with his role teaching undergraduates songwriting, the first song that he wrote, and Old 97s approach to rehearsals.
Joshua Radin on Being a Person of Ritual and His View on Rehearsals
Singer-songwriter Joshua Radin talks about working as a children’s art teacher for inner city kids in Chicago and why he took himself so seriously early in his career.
Colin Gilmore of West Texas Exiles on Freeze-Dried Skittles and His High School Punk Band
Colin Gilmore of West Texas Exiles talks about who in the band breaks the most strings and a teenage day job getting to jump out of a grain silo dressed as Freddy Kruger.
Ryan Lee Crosby on His Practice Regime and Working a Musician’s Hours
Blues artist Ryan Lee Crosby talks about why not rehearsing can be a good thing and why he tries to stay connected to an overall sense of wellness and abundance.
Shawn Camp on Staying in the Moment and Touring in His Customized Mercedes Sprinter
Country and bluegrass virtuoso Shawn Camp talks about leading tours at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the type of guitar strings that he currently uses, and his approach to rehearsals (hint: he doesn’t).