The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

Every year during the holiday season, we chat with Guru Singh, a third-generation yogi and spiritual teacher who also happens to live and breathe guitars.On this installment (Guru Singh's third visit), we go deep. This former Reprise artist and friend of Janis Joplin talks to us about the spirit of giving, the benefits of A.I. (even for musicians), how he stays optimistic during difficult times, and so much more.We'll be sharing the video from this interview on our YouTube channel soon.https://gurusingh.com/https://www.fretboardjournal.com/https://fretboardsummit.org/Check out Rhett Shull's video from our 2025 Fretboard Summit here. Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. https://fretboardsummit.orgOur 58th issue of the Fretboard Journal will mail later this month. Subscribehere to get it.We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.comWe are also brought to you by Seattle's own Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar. https://mmguitarbar.com

Today's podcast episode is with Liam Kazar, a Chicago-born singer-songwriter and guitarist currently touring in Jeff Tweedy's band.Liam just put out a new record, Pilot Light, which he made at Flying Cloud Studios in upstate New York. Check it out and catch him on the road.https://www.instagram.com/liamkazarhttps://liamkazar.comOur 57th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing. Subscribehere to get it.Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. https://fretboardsummit.orgWe are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.comWe are also brought to you by Seattle's own Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar. https://mmguitarbar.com

On today's episode of the podcast, Sofia Wolfson talks to TJ Hiemel, owner of Troy, New York's Love of Fuzz store.TJ shares with us some of his favorite gear that has come through the shop, his role in the upstate music community, the magic behind his ever-evolving inventory, and much more. Be sure to follow the shop's Instagram to stay up to date with their inventory.https://www.instagram.com/love_of_fuzz/https://www.loveoffuzz.com/Our new, 57th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing. Subscribehere to get it.Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. https://fretboardsummit.orgWe are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.comWe are also brought to you by Seattle's own Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar. https://mmguitarbar.com

Vermont-based guitar hero Paul Asbell joins us this week to talk about his new book, 'Stages: Ruminations, Rants, and Reminiscences on a Life in Music.'In 'Stages,' Paul recounts stories from early in his career when he worked as a sideman for legendary blues artists on the South Side of Chicago. We also hear about Paul's unique upbringing, his love for luthier-made instruments, why he left Chicago for Vermont, and so much more.Order 'Stages' here: https://paulasbell.com/product/stages-ruminations-rants-and-reminiscences-on-a-life-in-music-book/Our new, 57th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing. Subscribehere to get it.Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. https://fretboardsummit.orgWe are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).We are also brought to you by Seattle's own Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar. https://mmguitarbar.com

Musician and Fretboard Journal contributor Paul Burch joins us this week to talk about his just-published debut novel, Meridian Rising. The book, an imagined memoir by Jimmie Rodgers, is filled with insights on the Father of Country Music and some of the unbelievable collaborators he worked with. We talk about the making of the book, why Rodgers is so fascinating to Paul, Paul's new album ('Cry Love'), and so much more.https://paulburch.com/Our new, 57th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing. Subscribehere to get it.Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. https://fretboardsummit.orgWe are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).