GTR-199 Uncle Rico‘s Time Machine

GTR-199 Uncle Rico‘s Time Machine

Author: Bradley Laird November 24, 2021 Duration: 1:19:34
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 199   Uncle Rico's Time Machine   Put the handle between your legs. Set the date on the dial. Don't forget to put the crystal in the clamp. Tell Kip to throw the switch. You will be instantly transported to another time and place. In this case, Motorhead's Bar and Grill on a Thursday night in McDonough, Georgia. Take notes. This has everything: How to cope with 15 free shots for the band, the buzzing of countless neon lights, screaming adoring fans, smashing beer bottle sounds, the snapping of a "smoke eater" machine, a late fiddle player, a fill in bass player thereby causing us to "wing" all of the harmonies since we are missing our tenor singer.  Pay attention to Buddy's guitar playing. Those little mid-range licks put right into the gaps! It is a perfect representation of good bluegrass guitar. David's banjo playing is top notch and different from what you are used to. Mike's fiddle, despite no time to warm up, is truly amazing. Tony's bass playing, even though he is winging it on every tune, proves what a great musician (with "great ears") he truly was. And the tone from my 1985 Carlson Flatiron is better than I have ever heard it. Golden times before everyone lost their minds. Back then, only WE had lost out minds. This episode is dedicated to the memory of my good friend and mentor Tony Terrell who taught me so much about piano tuning, rebuilding and introduced me to so much great music.  It has a drunk bar owner (the guy with the $300 at the end of the night) hassling us to play Free Bird, our answer, including an "alright, wise guy, I'll show you", cynically wicked slide mandolin solo using a Craftsman deep well socket, multiple "guest slots" from folks in the audience, a tear-jerking version of Dixie, Sally Goodin the old time way... It has it all. And despite all of the very obvious flaws, it is a great gig! And they kept us on for 3 more years!  By the way, when I told Harry that we'd play Free Bird in the fourth set, that was a joke. We were only booked for three sets.   Happy Thanksgiving, folks!   And don't forget: Christmas Times a Coming! All you mandolin players need Jackson's eBook Christmas Songs For Mandolin. You still have plenty of time to learn them before the mistletoe is hanging. Granny don't wanna hear no Salt Creek! She wants Jingle Bells! Enjoy the show. ------------------------------------- If you like my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons!   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.  I love you all!   My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy.

If you've ever picked up a mandolin, banjo, or guitar with a curiosity about bluegrass, you know the journey is equal parts joy and frustration. Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio-Bluegrass is a companion for that path, hosted by musician and teacher Bradley Laird. This isn't a lecture series; it's a practical, encouraging conversation from someone who understands the hurdles. You'll hear discussions on technique, from fundamental rolls and chops to more nuanced phrasing, alongside commentary on the history and spirit that defines the genre. The focus is on tangible progress, whether you're figuring out your first G-run or refining your backup playing for a jam session. Episodes often feel like a one-on-one lesson, breaking down songs and concepts into manageable steps while addressing the common mental blocks that can slow a player down. The goal is to build not just competence, but confidence and a deeper appreciation for the music. Tune into this podcast for a mix of straightforward instruction, thoughtful analysis, and the steady motivation needed to keep your practice meaningful and enjoyable. Bradley Laird's approach demystifies the process, helping you move from simply playing notes to genuinely making music within the bluegrass tradition.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass
Podcast Episodes
GTR-193 - They Said It Couldn't Be Done [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:18
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 193 They Said It Couldn't Be Done Bill Monroe only made one minor mistake in the creation of Blue Grass music. That is the trying, and later elimination, of the accordion in his ensemble. Wel…
GTR-192 - Harmony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:19
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 192 Harmony Harmony is the interaction between two or more different tones or pitches. Bluegrass music is nothing without harmony. (So is humanity by the way.) In this episode I walk you thro…
GTR-191 - Host a Jam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:54
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 191 Host a Jam Over the years I have been to lots of jam sessions and have organized and hosted quite few too. If you are starved for bluegrass pickin' I will explain how you "take the bull b…
GTR-190 - Matt Hutchinson Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:06
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 190 Matt Hutchinson Interview Here's a guy who loves bluegrass. So much that he is willing to create a podcast so you have someone to pick with! What's not to love? In this episode I strike u…
GTR-189 - Life Is Good [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:36
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 189 Life Is Good In this episode I talk about how you can dive in to your solo, play like dog squeeze, feel totally humiliated and still get a round of applause. It's one of the hidden benefi…
GTR-188 - A Man's Entitled To His Opinion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:38
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 188 A Man's Entitled To His Opinion 200 episodes and over 100,000 downloads. Not bad! This short episode is just to let you know I am still kicking. I have taken a little, well deserved break…
GTR-187 Beach Balls & Train Wrecks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 187 Beach Balls & Train Wrecks In this episode I talk a bit about the "Beach Ball Effect", I get interrupted by a friendly sales call, give you a short garden update, and then dig in to the t…
GTR-186 - Edumacation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:14
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 186 Edumacation Are Fun! In this show I respond to a couple of emails I received and discuss education and how we learn. Have fun and I trust you take this "in the spirit in which it is inten…
GTR-185 - Cancel This! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:33
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 185 Cancel This! All I am saying is listen and make up your own minds. Cancel me if you must. Or, stick with me and the bluegrass way. Enough already! I have heard so much sub-par bluegrass s…
GTR-184 - The Art of Quitting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:14
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 184 The Art of Quitting I have spent much airtime here discussing the starting of things. Jams, bands, lessons, etc. But there comes a time in the natural curve of things that we must give it…