Mark Kemp

Former AG editor Mark Kemp is the author of Dixie Lullaby: A Story of Music, Race, and New Beginnings in a New South (Simon & Schuster, 2004; University of Georgia Press, 2006).

Guitarmakers and Guitarmaking

illustration of a tree growing out of a guitar

The Legend of ‘The Tree,’ a Mythic Source of 500-Year-Old Mahogany Coveted by Slash, Andy McKee, and More

Saul Hudson was eager to see his new guitar, but he wasn’t expecting manna from heaven. After all, Hudson, better known as Slash, is the celebrated former Guns N’ Roses guitarist who’s owned some of the finest instruments in his…

January 20, 2016
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Songwriters

Robert Earl Keen: Confessions of a Front-Porch Picker

“The thing about bluegrass is that it’s this really happy-sounding music, but the stories are tragic. If you pick it apart, there’s a lot of dead bodies throughout the history of bluegrass. And I love that kind of thing.”

January 15, 2016
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Fingerstyle

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Richard Osborn’s Steel-String Ragas

Break out the champagne, confetti and noisemakers—this marks the 100th entry in the Acoustic Guitar Sessions series! From the outset, it has been the mission of Sessions to capture a broad range of artists working in many different styles, from…

November 21, 2015
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Country & Americana

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Nathan Bell

When Bell arrived at the Acoustic Guitar studios to do an AG Sessions recently, he played a pair of guitars and sang a pair of songs that will move you to your core. Watch and weep.

October 29, 2015

Album Reviews

Album Review: James McMurtry Strips Down to Acoustic Guitars on ‘Complicated Game’

There’s not a better living American songwriter than James McMurtry, whose literary bloodline—son of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Larry McMurtry (The Last Picture Show, Lonesome Dove)—makes a damn good case for a genetic predisposition for telling great stories.

April 22, 2015

Alternative Acoustic

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Joseph Arthur

Joseph Arthur delivers stirring covers of a pair of tunes from the album, "Coney Island Baby" and "Sword of Damocles," in addition to a couple of top-notch originals.

March 5, 2015

Imaginative Instrumentalists

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Julian Lage

Julian Lage talks thoughtfully about developing his own guitar voice, his impressive genre-hopping, and how he's able to maintain a "delicate touch" on his instrument.

January 30, 2015
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Dynamic Duos

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents First Aid Kit

Johanna and Klara Söderberg, the Swedish sisters known as First Aid Kit, have gone from Internet sensation to international acclaim in just a few short years. By mixing elements of country and folk with an indie-rock sensibility, First Aid Kit has…

January 23, 2015

Powerful Voices

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents José James

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents José James

When singer José James released his fourth album, No Beginning, No End, in 2013, there was something different in his signature eclectic mix of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and rock—a new influence. Acoustic guitars. “I had started working with Emily King, who’s a singer-songwriter…

November 13, 2014

Alternative Acoustic

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Buzz Osborne

Buzz Osborne, the wild-haired front man of the Melvins, has gone acoustic on his latest album, This Machine Kills Artists. Buzz stopped by the AG studios recently for our latest installment of Acoustic Guitar Sessions to discuss his self-described “ham-fisted” playing technique, and showcase a couple of songs from the new album.

October 30, 2014

Powerful Voices

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Seth Avett

In this session, Avett plays his Martin D-35 Seth Avett Signature Edition for a stirring version of his song “Souls Like the Wheels,” the only live track on the Avetts' new album, and chats with Kemp about performing on the streets of Charlotte, writing songs, using open tunings, and growing up on stage.

October 16, 2014
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Acoustic Icons

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco talks about her distinctive guitar style, the burden of being a political icon, and the lessons she learned from Pete Seeger.

August 28, 2014
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Vintage and Collectible Guitars

Player’s Choice Guitar of the Year: C.F. Martin D-28

Two elements that may have nudged the D-28 ahead of the pack in terms of popularity were the herringbone trim and scalloped top braces.

July 29, 2014
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Interviews and Profiles

Marlene Hutchinson with Mark Kemp in the AG studio

Want to Learn Guitar? It’s All in a Day’s Work, Says Marlene Hutchinson…

Marlene Hutchinson leads one-day workshops where participants walk in as hapless guitar novices—and walk out with a solid footing on the road toward becoming genuine guitar players.

June 17, 2014

Album Reviews

Rodrigo y Gabriela Roar Back to Life On ‘9 Dead Alive’

These nine songs represent Rodrigo y Gabriela’s attempt to eulogize the dead by reviving their spirits in fiery instrumentals

June 17, 2014

Powerful Voices

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Valerie June

We caught up with June in the upstairs poster room at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. She talked about her Carter Family and Mississippi John Hurt influences; being nurtured early on by the great Norman and Nancy Blake; and falling in love with her little Triple-O Martin.

April 10, 2014
3 Comments

Dreadnought

Gear Review: New Hummingbird Flutters to Life

In late 2013, Keith Richards told the Wall Street Journal how he came up with the right textures for one of the Rolling Stones’ most famous riffs: the intro to “Street Fighting Man.” He’d been experimenting with open tunings, recording…

March 18, 2014