Category: Artists

Guitar Talk: Profiles & Interviews

Jesse Welles with acoustic guitar, Photo: Hannah Gray Hall

Meet Jesse Welles, Fiery Folksinger on the Rise

Welles, 32, is a genuine phenomenon—an internet-era troubadour clearly in the tradition of Guthrie, Dylan, Prine, and Ochs (and Cobain, too), yet also very much of this moment.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers August 20, 2025

Margo Price on porch swing with signature model Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar, Courtesy of Gibson Brands, Inc.

Americana Champion Margo Price Takes Flight with Her New Signature Gibson J-45

The Nashville singer-songwriter talks about her bond with her instruments, her songwriting philosophy, and more.

James Rotondi July 30, 2025

Christian Lee Hutson Is Writing Songs Like a Bird on Rollercoaster

The singer-songwriter talks about melody, his “magical” Martin guitar, and the stripped-down tracks on his latest release, ‘Paradise Pop. 10 (Deluxe)’

Joey Lusterman July 9, 2025

Album Reviews

Recent and Remarkable: Records from Fall 2025

New Releases from September and October 2025 feature acoustic guitars at every end of the spectrum

Joey Lusterman November 5, 2025

Review: Buck Curran’s ‘Far Driven Sun’ Reunites a Beloved Sobell Guitar with a Master of Acoustic Atmosphere

After nearly two decades apart, Curran and his Stefan Sobell “Butterfly” Model 1 create shimmering, meditative soundscapes rooted in British folk tradition and colored by psychedelic textures.

Kenny Berkowitz September 25, 2025

Review: Adrian Holovaty’s ‘Layer Cake’ Is an Irresistibly Joyful Acoustic Confection

Five-song EP blends manouche rhythms and fingerstyle flourishes into intricate, buoyant instrumentals.

Kenny Berkowitz August 29, 2025

Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Sierra Hull Breaks Down “Spitfire” | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

In this backstage Session, bluegrass singer-songwriter Sierra Hull shares music and insights

Joey Lusterman October 3, 2025

The Young People’s Music of Little Folkies | Acoustic Guitar Sessions

Little Folkies, a music program that aims to get young kids engaged with folk music, is the passion project of singer-songwriter Irena Eide.

Joey Lusterman September 17, 2025

Lisa Liu Performs Her Original Composition “Rendezvous,” a Superb Piece of Solo Jazz Guitar

“The melody came to me while I was walking along the Seine in Paris. It’s a classic 32-bar form,” Liu explains, but like all good jazz, “every time I play

Joey Lusterman May 4, 2025

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

The Roches, 1980 (L to R): Suzzy, Maggie, and Terre

Great Picking, Singing, and Songs on ‘Kin Ya See That Sun,’ a Fitting Tribute to the Late Maggie Roche

The album brings together 15 previously unreleased live and studio tracks by two of the three singing Roche sisters, Terre and Maggie, who were a performing folk duo dating back to their teen years.

Blair Jackson
March 7, 2023

David Lindley on the cover of the June 2000 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine

Remembering David Lindley

Renowned maxi-instrumentalist David Lindley passed away March 3, 2023 at the age of 78. Republished here is a profile and in-depth interview, which originally ran as cover story for our June 2000 issue.

Paul Kotapish
March 4, 2023

The Rich Musical Legacy of Doc Watson: A Rare Interview with the Legendary Guitarist

A rare interview with Arthel "Doc" Watson, an extraordinary entertainer who never failed to capture the admiration and affection of his audience.

Stephanie P. Ledgin
March 3, 2023

The Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble Weaves a Rich Sonic Tapestry on its Second Album

A testimonial to the power of first takes, in-studio improvisation, and the post-pandemic persistence of nature and art.

Kenny Berkowitz
February 28, 2023

Kate Koenig’s ‘Immortal Rhythm’ is a Compelling Slice of Alternative Folk Autobiography

Kate Koenig describes Immortal Rhythm as “alternative folk," and there is a folk purity to the mostly crystalline vocals and much of the fingerpicked and strummed acoustic guitar parts.

Blair Jackson
February 28, 2023

South Korean Classical Guitarist Bokyung Byun Has Seen Tremendous Success Since Moving to the U.S.

South Korea–born classical guitar virtuoso Bokyung Byun (aka “Bo”) is riding a wave of musical achievements.

Mark Small
February 15, 2023

Remembering Guitarist and Teacher Dix Bruce 1952–2023

The versatile, knowledgeable, and always cheerful musician and educator Dix Bruce passed away suddenly and peacefully in his sleep at age 70.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
February 10, 2023

‘Travelers Rest’ Showcases the Foreign Landers’ Transatlantic Acoustic Spirit and Soul

The husband-and-wife duo the Foreign Landers' album Travelers Rest instantly puts a smile on your face and lift your spirits.

Michael England
February 7, 2023

‘Once Upon a Harp’ is a Sparkling Collection of Turlough O’Carolan Pieces by Steve Baughman

Baughman’s guitar playing on Once Upon a Harp has the perfect combination of a light touch, rhythmic surety, and deeply melodic sensibility.

Blair Jackson
January 31, 2023

David Crosby—A Life Acoustic, His Story as Seen Through the Prism of His Guitars

Folk rock legend David Crosby recalls the Martin guitars he used at Woodstock, with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and more.

Mark Kemp
January 19, 2023

John Moreland’s ‘Birds in the Ceiling’ Packed with Darkly Powerful Songs

The spareness of Birds in the Ceiling frees John Moreland to dig deeper into the darkness of these songs, to focus on a life where death is the only certainty.

Kenny Berkowitz
January 18, 2023

Cristina Vane’s Slide Guitar Takes Center Stage On ‘Make Myself Me Again’

On Christina Vane's album Make Myself Me Again, the slide guitarist is exploring what it means to reconnect with herself in a new, unfamiliar city where she seems to fit right in.

Kate Koenig
January 10, 2023

Remembering Roots Musician Steve James 1950–2023

To his colleagues at Acoustic Guitar, Steve James was not only the knowledgeable, reliable author of 185 well-regarded articles and reviews, he was a cherished friend, close collaborator, and the source of endlessly entertaining tales from the road.

David Lusterman
January 6, 2023

Polish Classical Guitarist Andrzej Grygier Wins Lucrative Baltimore Competition Purse

It was a competition quite unlike any other, and the prizes the highest in any guitar competition in the world, with a $35,000 first prize.

Blair Jackson
January 4, 2023

Bluegrass Trio The Slocan Ramblers Breaks New Ground on ‘Up the Hill and Through the Fog’

On Up the Hill and Through the Fog, the Slocan Ramblers make a clean break from their folk-trad past and establishing three distinctive voices to make the group greater than the sum of its parts.

Kenny Berkowitz
January 3, 2023

Guitarist Scott Metzger’s Solo Debut ‘Too Close to Reason’ Is an Impressive Acoustic Tapestry

Stylistically, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead guitarist Scott Metzger's solo acoustic album, Too Close to Reason, covers a lot of territory in what he calls his “sonic landscapes.”

Blair Jackson
December 27, 2022

Joe Robinson Explores New Directions on the Eclectic ‘The Prize’

With his 7th full-length album, The Prize, Joe Robinson is reaching for the biggest prize of all: writing songs that are as good as his guitar playing.

Kenny Berkowitz
December 20, 2022

Singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham with guitars

How Madison Cunningham Uses Unusual Tunings and Beater Guitars to Discover Fresh Sounds

Madison Cunningham is a true triple-threat musician: a singer and inventive songwriter, a wickedly good guitarist, and a seeker of unconventional riffs and tones.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
December 11, 2022

There’s More Light Than Darkness on Mary Gauthier’s ‘Dark Enough to See the Stars’

Dark Enough to See the Stars is what we call a happy album for Mary Gauthier—the happiest album in her career, recorded at the happiest time in her life.

Kenny Berkowitz
December 6, 2022

Chet Atkins’ Certified Guitar Players

Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, and Steve Wariner share the distinction of being Certified Guitar Players, anointed by Chet Atkins himself. Here they sit down, for the first time, to discuss Atkins.

Bob Doerschuk
December 2, 2022

billy strings and Terry Barber with guitars

Billy Strings and Terry Barber Pick Their Way Down Memory Lane on ‘Me/And/Dad’

Billy Strings' Me/And/Dad is a happily unlikely outcome for father and son, a chance to record an album rooted so deeply in memory and gratitude, addiction and recovery.

Kenny Berkowitz
November 29, 2022

Arlo Guthrie on Why ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ Has Endured: Listen to the Thanksgiving Classic

"The idea was to play something that would allow me to tell a long tall tale without it becoming distracting—or in other words, play something familiar. The actual fingerpicking is instantly recognizable now.”

Whitney Phaneuf
November 24, 2022

Mississippi Ghosts Haunt the Deep Blues of Ryan Lee Crosby on ‘Winter Hill Blues’

Winter Hill Blues is Ryan Lee Crosby's strongest work yet, alternating between hard-droning blues on electric guitar and softer, brooding blues on acoustic guitars.

Kenny Berkowitz
November 22, 2022

10 Rising Stars of Classical Guitar

Here is a list of 10 top classical guitar virtuosos—all in their ‘20s or early ‘30s—originally from 10 different countries.

Blair Jackson
November 16, 2022

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Offers Surprisingly Fresh and Original Takes on Classic Dylan Tunes on ‘Dirt Does Dylan’

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founders Jeff Hanna and Jimmie Fadden used to play Dylan tunes together in high school, now the band has released a tribute album, Dirt Does Dylan.

Blair Jackson
November 15, 2022