Category: Artists

Guitar Talk: Profiles & Interviews

GFA Hall of Fame Inductee Sharon Isbin Has Expanded the Reach, Reputation, and Repertoire of the Classical Guitar

Isbin’s widespread career is full of collaborations both inside and outside of the classical guitar world.

Mark Small October 20, 2023

John Lennon, A Songwriter’s Legacy

What gives this music such vitality and allure, even for those who didn’t grow up with Beatlemania in the 1960s?

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers October 9, 2023

Remembering Al Petteway, Prolific Guitarist and Teacher, 1952-2023

On September 25th, the acoustic music community lost a great luminary with the passing of guitarist and composer Al Petteway.

Sean McGowan October 9, 2023

Album Reviews

Review: ‘Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 3’ Takes a Deep Dive Into Her Creative Breakthroughs of the Early ’70s

New Rhino set spans a time when Mitchell made multiple musical breakthroughs—as a songwriter, guitarist, and bandleader.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers November 12, 2023

Mark Leggett seated playing an acoustic guitar

Review: Mark Leggett Creates a Timeless World of His Own on ‘Folktown’

Leggett has become a master of tones and textures, of perfectly matching instruments and moods, of using tunings to create distinct, sonically rich backgrounds.

Kenny Berkowitz November 6, 2023

Pablo Sainz-Villegas on the river banks beneath a bridge with classical guitar

Review: ‘The Blue Album’ by Spanish Virtuoso Pablo Sáinz-Villegas Is an Intriguing, Often Meditative Sonic Journey

These 14 pieces share a serene, mysterious, contemplative quality that’s both compelling and pleasantly mind-opening.

Blair Jackson November 6, 2023

Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Contributors, Imaginative Instrumentalists, Instrumentals

Adam Levy Performs and Teaches “Sidewalk Chalk” | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

“Sidewalk Chalk” is a lovely waltz with a beautiful set of chord changes. It’s also quite approachable and, like so much of Levy’s work, is a joy to play.

Adam Perlmutter
October 11, 2023

Blues

Nat Myers Country Blues | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Watch Nat Myers perform a couple rollicking tunes and reflect on his road to the country blues.

Joey Lusterman
September 29, 2023

Powerful Voices

Devon Gilfillian’s Soulful Searching | Acoustic Guitar Sessions in Place

Devon Gilfillian performs unplugged versions of two songs from the new record: “All I Really Wanna Do” and the title track, “Love You Anyway”.

Joey Lusterman
April 7, 2023

Sessions: Creative Director's Picks

Over the last 10+ years, Joey Lusterman has worked in every department at Acoustic Guitar magazine: front desk, ad sales, editorial, sound guy, camera man, booth babe, email coder, podcast editor, photographer, book designer… And he’s been behind the camera for nearly every Sessions video! Here are just a few of his favorites (see them all.)

All Artist Interviews and Stories

Hiroya Tsukamoto playing acoustic guitar and singing onstage

How Guitar Virtuoso Hiroya Tsukamoto Arrived at His Unique Acoustic Style

Each step of his musical journey has shaped his approach as a composer and performer.

Emile Menasché
December 1, 2023

William Lee Ellis playing a resonator guitar. Photo by Jerry Swope

Review: William Lee Ellis Keeps Things Raw and Real on the Guitar–Driven ‘Ghost Hymns’

The guitar work throughout shows Ellis’ impressive range, and the large selection of instruments gives each song a distinctive feel.

Blair Jackson
November 15, 2023

Review: ‘Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 3’ Takes a Deep Dive Into Her Creative Breakthroughs of the Early ’70s

New Rhino set spans a time when Mitchell made multiple musical breakthroughs—as a songwriter, guitarist, and bandleader.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
November 12, 2023

Review: Mark Leggett Creates a Timeless World of His Own on ‘Folktown’

Leggett has become a master of tones and textures, of perfectly matching instruments and moods, of using tunings to create distinct, sonically rich backgrounds.

Kenny Berkowitz
November 6, 2023

Review: ‘The Blue Album’ by Spanish Virtuoso Pablo Sáinz-Villegas Is an Intriguing, Often Meditative Sonic Journey

These 14 pieces share a serene, mysterious, contemplative quality that's both compelling and pleasantly mind-opening.

Blair Jackson
November 6, 2023

GFA Hall of Fame Inductee Sharon Isbin Has Expanded the Reach, Reputation, and Repertoire of the Classical Guitar

Isbin’s widespread career is full of collaborations both inside and outside of the classical guitar world.

Mark Small
October 20, 2023

Hayden Pedigo, in cowboy hat, standing beside a vintage pickup truck

Review: Hayden Pedigo Embraces Melody and Simplicity on ‘The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored’

Inventive sonic and instrumental touches throughout elevate what feels like a solo acoustic guitar album to something more expansive.

Blair Jackson
October 13, 2023

Martin Simpson and Thomm Jutz seated and smiling

Review: Guitarists Martin Simpson and Thomm Jutz Transcend Time and Place on ‘Nothing But Green Willow’

Featuring handpicked songs and notable guests, this collection features 13 Appalachian folk ballads sourced from the works of singers Mary Sands and Jane Gentry.

Michael England
October 12, 2023

Adam Levy Performs and Teaches “Sidewalk Chalk” | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

“Sidewalk Chalk” is a lovely waltz with a beautiful set of chord changes. It’s also quite approachable and, like so much of Levy’s work, is a joy to play.

Adam Perlmutter
October 11, 2023

John Lennon, A Songwriter’s Legacy

What gives this music such vitality and allure, even for those who didn't grow up with Beatlemania in the 1960s?

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
October 9, 2023

Remembering Al Petteway, Prolific Guitarist and Teacher, 1952-2023

On September 25th, the acoustic music community lost a great luminary with the passing of guitarist and composer Al Petteway.

Sean McGowan
October 9, 2023

Ralph Towner seated, holding a an acoustic guitar.

The Perennially Eclectic Guitarist Ralph Towner Is Still Defying Categorization

At 83, the prolific guitarist/composer continues to write and record vital, involving pieces.

Blair Jackson
October 8, 2023

Twanguero playing acoustic guitar in costa rica jungle.

Stylistically Diverse Guitarist Twanguero Records a Beautiful Nylon-String Album in the Costa Rican Rainforest

The Latin Grammy-winning guitarist discusses the recording and guitar techniques behind his new album, ‘Carreteras Secundarias, Vol. II.’

Emile Menasché
October 4, 2023

Nat Myers Country Blues | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Watch Nat Myers perform a couple rollicking tunes and reflect on his road to the country blues.

Joey Lusterman
September 29, 2023

Black-and-white of guitarist Rick Deitrick

Review: ‘Rick Deitrick: The Unguitarist’ Documents a Lifetime of Musical Wanderings

Dig into 50 years of other-worldly guitar explorations from this unorthodox instrumentalist

Kenny Berkowitz
September 27, 2023

Review: Molly Tuttle Leans into Her Flatpicking Roots on the Brilliant ‘City of Gold’

The group's sophomore album may very well eclipse the unexpected success of its predecessor.

Blair Jackson
September 24, 2023

Dom Flemons Brings a Deep Knowledge of Roots Music to His Work as the American Songster

The multi-instrumentalist scholar talks about how he found his own voice through the study of old and new songs, and what makes the ideal acoustic guitar.

Adam Perlmutter
September 3, 2023

Guitar Talk: Jimmy Buffett on His Evolving Collection of Golden-Era Instruments

Jimmy Buffett passed away September 1, 2023 at 76. Today, we're revisiting this conversation with the "Margaritaville" singer-songwriter about his collection of rarified golden-era guitars.

James Rotondi
September 2, 2023

Milk Carton Kids: Kenneth Pattengale (left) and Joey Ryan

The Milk Carton Kids Deepen Their Sound and Songwriting on ‘I Only See the Moon’

Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, aka the Milk Carton Kids, discuss the creative process behind what is perhaps their strongest set of songs to date.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
August 27, 2023

Christopher Mallett Shines a Light on Pioneering Black American Guitarist and Composer Justin Holland

Mallett breathes new life into music that has languished since Holland’s passing more than a century ago.

Mark Small
August 20, 2023

Review: Paul Simon Meditates on Faith and Spotlights His Guitar on ‘Seven Psalms’

It’s remarkable to say that even after all these decades of exploring all sorts of sonic and stylistic terrain, ‘Seven Psalms’ is unlike any other Paul Simon creation.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
August 16, 2023

Acoustic Guitar Magazine cover for the September 2011 issue featuring Robbie Robertson

Remembering Robbie Robertson

Robertson passed away August 9, 2023. Republished here is the cover story for our September 2011 issue, in which the legendary guitarist opened up about the Band, collaborating with Eric Clapton, and his collection of vintage Martins.

Derk Richardson
August 15, 2023

Julian Lage with guitar. Photo by Shervin Lainez

Julian Lage Champions the Steel-String Acoustic on His Latest Blue Note Release

Lage talks about his uncommon use of the steel-string guitar in the evolution of his ensemble, as well as collaborating with his wife, singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy

Adam Perlmutter
August 4, 2023

A Guide to Playing Guitar Throughout Your Lifetime

Five high-achieving guitarists share how they maintain and continually improve their skills, while offering advice applicable to players of all styles.