Interviews

Exclusive Interview with Joe Walsh

After the Gibson Brothers’ show in Poughkeepsie last May, more than a few audience members - impressed as they were with the show in general - were inspired to ask specifically about the (relatively) new recruit playing the mandolin. “Who is this guy?” seemed to be the question of the night. Well, now we know. ‘This Guy’ is Joe Walsh and, though known among mandolin devotees for some time now, his inclusion in the current Gibson Brothers line-up has brought his tasteful, melodic and dynamic playing style to a much broader group of music lovers. Always impressive yet never flashy, his thoughtful approach to both rhythm and lead playing makes him a valued member of this - and any - band. 

An Interview with Josh Williams

It was Thursday, July 15th 2010 at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in Oak Hill, N.Y. when, during their set, the sound system died on the Josh Williams Band. Not feedback: not volume issues: it just quit. Silence.


What happened next says a great deal about both bluegrass music and the professionalism of this band. They approached the audience - who gathered around in anticipation - and kept right on playing.

Needless to say, the crowd loved it and, after sound was restored, the band returned to the stage to complete a great set.

Interview with Junior Sisk

 

Junior Sisk is determined to be the anchor of tradition in bluegrass music. Spurning over production in his recordings, to sparse down to the instrument simplicity, his recordings are fresh as if the band were playing in your living room.  His clean mountain voice rolls easily through a choice of songs you won’t get tired of.  Junior is appearing at Sugar & Spice, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., sponsored by the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association for the first time on September 4th.
 
D:  What will the audience expect when Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice perform on Sept 4th?

Banjo Spotlight - Bob Altschuler

Note:  Bob Altschuler is a member of the HVBA and also the banjo player for our Member Band, Dyer Switch.  This article originally appeared on Banjo Dan's Blog and we thank Dan Campbell for giving us permission to reprint the interview here.

From the author:  Bob Altschuler recently responded to several questions that I emailed to him and his responses are below.  Bob’s articles in Banjo Sessions and Silver Strings have helped me to learn and improve as a banjo player so I hope this feature will help in some small way to promote his music – Banjoman Dan

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Bob’s distinctive bluegrass banjo style merges traditional bluegrass with blues, swing, and newgrass. Bob has taught banjo for over 30 years and is head of the beginner track at Banjo Camp North in Massachusetts (www.mugwumps.com) . Mel Bay’s “Banjo Sessions” online magazine at www.banjosessions.com and “Silver Strings” at www.angiesbanjo.com feature his many instructional articles, and his innovative picking has been heard on radio and television commercials. Bob has a workshop chapter in Gene Senyak’s 2008 book “Banjo Camp!” which also features Pete Seeger, Tony Trischka, Alan Munde, Bill Keith, Janet Davis and others. He performs and records with the Dyer Switch Band, www.dyerswitch.com and on Facebook.

Interview with Mike Barber of the Gibson Brothers

NOTE: Be sure to also read the interviews with Leigh Gibson and Eric Gibson

Lynn Lipton recently asked me if I would be willing to interview Mike Barber.  I am not a journalist and I have never attempted something like this, however, as a bluegrass bass player I greatly admire Mike’s playing and I jumped at the opportunity.  Mike caught my attention when I first heard the Gibson Brothers’ album Bona Fide about seven years ago. He plays with tremendous drive and energy.  He is a master of what I refer to as the three T’s: Taste, Tone, and Timing.  Mike is a great bass player and I thoroughly enjoyed having this conversation with this extremely gracious musician.
 

RB:  I understand you have been with the Gibsons for almost 20 years.
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