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-173 Mike Bub Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:52
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 173 The Mike Bub Interview Mike Bub, familiar to bluegrass fans for his long stint with The Del McCoury Band, sat down for a marathon chat about how he got started, gigging in the Nashville s…
GTR-172 - Andy Leftwich Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:00
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 172 The Andy Leftwich Interview I had the honor and pleasure of a nice long conversation with Andy Leftwich and I know you will enjoy hearing it. Andy earned his "creds" by playing for over 1…
GTR-171 - Ranger Brad's Crystal Ball [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:53
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 171 Ranger Brad's Crystal Ball The advantage of doing a lot of teaching is that the teacher gets to observe many, many students. I have learned a lot from my students. In this episode I share…
GTR-170 - Rob Ickes Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:47
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 170 The Rob Ickes Interview In this episode I share a recorded chat that I had with the masterful dobro player and musician Rob Ickes. We go from how a kid in California got into the dobro al…
GTR-169 - The Life Blood of Bluegrass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:18
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 169 The Life Blood of Bluegrass This episode is a discussion of a topic near and dear to my heart. I am talking about jam sessions! Not taking anything away from the pros and the heroes; I ju…
GTR-168 - Mandolin Super Heroes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:09
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 168 Mandolin Super Heroes This episode is an introduction to the great mandolin players. This episode took a while to formulate since, quite frankly, there are so many very good mandolinists.…
GTR-167 - Report From The Barn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:35
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 167 Report From The Barn In this episode I talk about a recent jam session, two new mandolin video lessons in my store (Stealing Jazz Licks 1 and Stealing Jazz Licks 2), my son Jackson's new…
GTR-166 - Rattles, Buzzes & Twangs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:37
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 166 Rattles, Buzzes & Twangs It happens to everybody! You are blissfully playing along and suddenly (or slowly) your instrument begins to sound like crap! Buzzing, rattles, twangs, tinny soun…
GTR-165 - "Jason" Meets The Inquisitor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:49
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 165 "Jason" Meets The Inquisitor In this episode you will meet "Jason" (boo hiss!) who has been accused of multiple infractions against civil society and, in particular, reckless destruction…
GTR-164 - Western Red Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:09
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 164 Western Red Interview Think you don't like country music? Well, considering what I hear on "country" radio today, I tend to agree. But, if you dig back just a bit you will find that blueg…