On this episode of The Pluck, Jonathan sits down with Mississippi banjo man Anthony Howell, a national champion known for his hard‑driving Scruggs‑based style, modern twists, and viral social media videos.​

They talk about growing up homeschooled with Mel Bay mandolin DVDs, finding the banjo through Alan Sibley, and putting in eight-hour practice days to win the Winfield National Banjo Championship. Anthony breaks down rolls, right‑hand tone, Keith tuners and that 1929 Gibson TB‑3, and where he draws the line between straight-ahead bluegrass, “newgrass,” and going too far out. He also previews his upcoming album Banjo Aficionado, plays his new single “End of the Line,” and shares how he’s building a DIY career with session work, house-band gigs, Patreon, and a new ToneSlabs thumbpick model.​

If you pick, sing, or just love hard-driving bluegrass banjo, you’ll feel right at home in this one.

The Pluck

Learn more at thepluck.studio.

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Credits

This podcast contains recordings of “End of the Line” and “Highway 19,” used with permission from Anthony Howell.

Chapters

0:00 Intro & Anthony’s Background
1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm
3:05 Keith Tuners Demo
6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)
12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-3
14:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo
17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System
20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind
22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)
26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls
29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)
34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days
37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line
40:55 “End of the Line” Live
48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick
52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live
58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer
1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown
1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle
1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning
1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice
1:23:45 Highway 19 Live
1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story
1:36:00 Band Listening Dynamics
1:39:00 Outro & Album Preview

In this inaugural episode, Grammy‑winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux shares how curiosity and structure have shaped his career: managing rapid repertoire shifts, collaborating with top composers, and balancing performance with innovative recording projects. You’ll hear his approach to intentional practice and scheduling, working with non‑guitarist composers on challenging pieces, and the often‑overlooked skill of sight‑reading that accelerates learning.

Perfect for classical guitarists, composers, educators, and serious students, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights to build a sustainable guitar career that’s both creatively adventurous and structurally sound.

Chapters

00:00:06 Opening — The Philosophy of The Pluck
00:01:50 Touring Life & Maintaining Major Series
00:02:42 Calendar Discipline & Practicing Early
00:04:34 Preparing for First Rehearsals
00:08:40 Recording vs. Performing
00:17:44 Working with Non-Guitarist Composers
00:38:12 Early Training & Chamber Music Foundations
00:46:05 “Your Technique Sucks” — Mechanics vs. Facility
00:58:46 Sight Reading as a Career Multiplier
01:13:21 The Pat Metheny Record & Arranging by Ear
01:30:53 Pandemic, Family, & Career Shock
01:44:32 Upcoming Concerts in Sarasota and Naples
01:46:40 Closing Remarks

Learn More

Explore more about The Pluck and Jason Vieaux:

• The Pluck – thepluck.studio
• Jason Vieaux – jasonvieaux.com

Subscribe to stay updated on new episodes and exclusive pluck content.

Credits

This podcast contains an excerpt of ‘Letter from Home,’ composed by Pat Metheny and performed by Jason Vieaux, used with written permission from Azica Records.

The Pluck is the place for all things plucked strings. In this short intro, I share what the show is about, who it’s for, and why we’re digging into how the pros write, record, and play music for plucked‑string instruments—guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, harp, and more. If you work with plucked strings and want clearer, more idiomatic parts that feel good under the hands and hold up on stage and in the studio, you’re in the right place.