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

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.

Jaksot(531)

Podcast 537: The 2025 Fretboard Summit Guitar Repair Panel

Podcast 537: The 2025 Fretboard Summit Guitar Repair Panel

In what has become an annual tradition, Evan Gluck (NY Guitar Repair) hosted a guitar repair roundtable at the 2025 Fretboard Summit. This year, he brought Ceil Thompson (StewMac); TJ Thompson (Pro Lu...

14 Helmi 59min

Podcast 536: Sam Skinner

Podcast 536: Sam Skinner

Sam Skinner (Pinegrove) joins us this week to talk about his work as a guitarist, producer and engineer.  https://www.samskinner.com We also get Fretboard Journal and Fretboard Summit updates!  Our 58...

8 Helmi 37min

Podcast 535: John Stropes

Podcast 535: John Stropes

Fingerstyle guitar authority John Stropes joins us this week to talk all about his new two-volume book featuring transcriptions of every track on Leo Kottke's monumental '6 & 12 String Guitar' album! ...

29 Tammi 1h 1min

Podcast 534: Philip Weinrobe

Podcast 534: Philip Weinrobe

The Fretboard Journal's Sofia Wolfson interviews musician, producer, and recording and mixing engineer Philip Weinrobe. Over the years, Weinrobe has worked with a wide array of artists, including Big ...

23 Tammi 49min

Podcast 533: Shane Parish

Podcast 533: Shane Parish

Guitarist/composer/improviser Shane Parish is about to release a truly astounding project, Autechre Guitar. The Athens, Georgia-based guitarist has transcribed and recorded an entire album of acoustic...

16 Tammi 1h 23min

Podcast 532: Author John Stubbings Returns

Podcast 532: Author John Stubbings Returns

On this week's podcast, UK-based author and guitar fanatic John Stubbings returns to tell us all about his new book, 'The Guitar Detective.' The follow-up to his monumental 'The Devil Is In It' publis...

10 Tammi 59min

Podcast 531: The Fretboard Journal's Year-End Wrap Up

Podcast 531: The Fretboard Journal's Year-End Wrap Up

To wrap up this year, Fretboard Journal editors Jason Verlinde and Sofia Wolfson talk about some of their favorite moments from 2025. We discuss the inner workings of the magazine, our favorite articl...

31 Joulu 20251h 7min

Podcast 530: Breedlove Guitars' Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard

Podcast 530: Breedlove Guitars' Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard

Nearly every guitar player has daydreamed about running their favorite gear company. On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we hear from two individuals who are currently living that dream: Nashvil...

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