The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast19 Marras 2022

Podcast 389: Kristina R. Gaddy, Author of 'Well of Souls'

Author Kristina R. Gaddy joins us this week to talk about her new book, 'Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo's Hidden History.'

This is unlike any instrument history book you've ever read... and we can't recommend it enough.

Though it's widely known that the banjo was brought to the Americas via enslaved Black people, there's so much we still don't know about this instrument's earliest period. Through journal entries, books, art, surviving instruments, and some amazing detective work, Gaddy reveals that the banjo wasn't just a musical instrument for slaves... it was also a deeply important spiritual tool.

During our chat, we ask Gaddy about the making of the book, the unlikely places she found her evidence, and the construction of those earliest instruments. We also talk about the banjo's growing popularity with a new generation of Black musicians.

More on the book: https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393866803

More on Kristina R. Gaddy (plus some cool bonus photos of early banjos): www.kristinagaddy.com/wellofsouls

Pete Ross (Gaddy's partner / old-time banjo maker): https://www.banjopete.com

The Fretboard Journal is launching a Substack where we'll be sharing even more content, including photo outtakes, essays, and special podcasts. Be an early supporter here: https://fretboardjournal.substack.com

And don't forget to get a gift subscription to the Fretboard Journal this holiday season: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/collections/all/products/fretboard-journal-gift-subscription

Our podcast is sponsored by Retrofret Vintage Guitars, Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription); Izotope (use the coupon code FRET10 to save 10% off their plug-ins); and Calton Cases.

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Episode 557: Summer School Electronics' Mark Turley Returns

Today on the podcast, Summer School Electronics founder Mark Turley joins us once again. We talk about Summer School's current pedal offerings, the 2026 Fretboard Summit, and the two pedal-making clas...

16 Heinä 38min

Podcast 556: Louis Campbell

Today on the podcast, we are joined by guitarist Louis Campbell, who talks to us about growing up playing traditional music, studying with Martin Simpson, his affinity for using the electric guitar li...

3 Heinä 39min

Podcast 555: Micah Preite

LA-based singer-songwriter/composer/guitarist Micah Preite joins us this week! https://micahpreite.bandcamp.com Though millions have streamed his lo-fi/indie songs on Spotify, Preite's background inc...

19 Kesä 34min

Podcast 554: Alex Amen

Today's podcast episode is with songwriter and guitarist @alex.amen, who has a new album out today on ATO Records. https://alexamen.com In this conversation, we talk about Alex's Texan roots, mountain...

12 Kesä 51min

Podcast 553: Ryan Salm and the Home Team String Band

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we're joined by photojournalist and musician Ryan Salm. When the 2026 World Cup descends on North America, Salm and his group of friends, The Home Team Strin...

4 Kesä 48min

Podcast 552: Darryl Rahn

On this week's episode of the Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to singer-songwriter Darryl Rahn about his new album (out today on Capitol Records). Darryl shares a look into his recording process, h...

29 Touko 33min

Podcast 551: Brad Barr (The Barr Brothers)

Musician Brad Barr joins us this week to share the story of the Barr Brothers' 2025 album, Let It Hiss, and talk guitar. Brad's guitar playing is uniquely shaped by world music sounds. For years now, ...

22 Touko 42min

Inside Fretboard Journal 59

On this week's podcast, we're mixing things up. Take a peek inside our brand new, 59th issue and hear an excerpt from our cover story with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Also, Fretboard Summit news, some of Ja...

15 Touko 21min