Tim Stafford (Guitar Melodies) interview

Tim Stafford (Guitar Melodies) interview

Author: Matt Hutchinson July 4, 2023 Duration: 45:19

My guest this week is Tim Stafford of Blue Highway.

Tim joins me to chat about his new record Guitar Melodies, a wonderful album of guitar instrumentals. We talk about the tunes, the guitars he used, who else plays on the record and why Tim dedicated the album to the memory and legacy of Tony Rice.

It's a great record and it's always a pleasure to chat to Tim.

Head to Tim's website for more info. You can buy Guitar Melodies from Tim's store.

If you don't know the tony_units Instagram account Tim mentions, go and check it out (you don't need to be on Instagram to see the posts).

If you missed the Tony Rice Church Street Blues 40th anniversary celebration, you can listen here (Tim features in part 1):

Tony Rice – Church Street Blues 40th anniversary part 1 (Tim Stafford, Wyatt Rice, Mike Marshall, Alison Krauss, Bryan Sutton, Chris Eldridge & Caroline Wright)

Tony Rice – Church Street Blues 40th anniversary part 2 (Bob Minner, Jake Eddy, Justin Moses, Marcel Ardans, Scott Nygaard, Jason Keiser & tony_units)

Happy picking!
Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)


Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

- Review us on Apple Podcasts


Hosted by Matt Hutchinson, Bluegrass Jam Along is an IBMA Award-winning conversation that feels like pulling up a chair in the middle of a lively, expert picking session. It’s built for anyone with an ear for the intricate stories and sounds of bluegrass and old-time music, going far beyond just the recordings. Each episode brings thoughtful interviews with the people who shape the scene, from legendary performers like Alison Krauss and David Grisman to the skilled instrument makers and writers whose work forms the foundation. You’ll hear from voices such as Sierra Hull, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, and Sarah Jarosz, discussing craft, history, and the personal journeys behind the music. Alongside these deep conversations, the podcast weaves in updates on new releases and notable news, keeping you connected to the evolving string band world. The result is a rich, weekly listen that offers both education and genuine camaraderie, mirroring the collaborative heart of a jam itself. Tune in to this podcast for an authentic and engaging exploration of the music, hosted by someone deeply embedded in its community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 516

Bluegrass Jam Along
Podcast Episodes
Bluegrass Briefing - November 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:02
Welcome to this month’s Bluegrass Briefing, a monthly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.News and announcements - church st…
Bitesize - Chris Eldridge on Tony Rice's Church Street Blues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:21
This week's Bitesize episode features a conversation I had with Chris Eldridge from Punch Brothers and Mighty Poplar celebrating Tony Rice's classic album Church Street Blues. Chris talks about Tony's ability to combine…
A Celebration of Connection - Darol Anger's 'Diary of a Fiddler 2' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:01
My guest this week is Darol Anger, who joins me to discuss his new album 'Diary of a Fiddler 2 - The Empty Nest'.We chat about the original 'Diary of a Fiddler', released in 1999, and how the second volume celebrates and…
Bluegrass Briefing - October 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:43
Welcome to this month’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.Pod NewsSara Watkins interviewNews…
Maddie Denton (East Nash Grass) on Collaboration and Community [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:37
My guest this week is Maddie Denton, fiddle player with East Nash Grass.I caught up with Maddie at IBMA World of Bluegrass in Chattanooga, the day after she was named IBMA's Fiddle Player of the Year!We chat about East N…
Alison Brown - Celebrating 30 Years of Compass Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
My guest this week is Alison Brown.Alison was the first woman to win an IBMA award in an instrumental category, winning Banjo Player of the Year in 1991. She's also a sought after producer, with credits including Dale An…
Ethan Setiawan's Encyclopedia Mandolinnica [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
My guest this week is Ethan Setiawan.Ethan's new album Enyclopedia Mandolinnica is a collection of duets and trios featuring some of Ethan's mandolin heroes and contemporaries, including Mike Marshall, Caternia Lichtenbe…
A quick update on the podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:23
Hi everyone. This is a very short episode just to update you on a couple of bits and let you know about some changes coming to the Bluegrass Jam Along podcast over the coming weeks.There's some really exciting content co…