The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People (A Podcast About Acoustic Instruments, Music, & Artists)

We are live from the 2026 Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival sitting down with one of the most iconic high tenor voices in the history of bluegrass!In this special on-location episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, the Chapmans set up shop backstage to chat with bluegrass legend and multi-time IBMA Vocalist of the Year, Larry Stephenson!With over 30 years leading The Larry Stephenson Band and decades of performing at the highest level, Larry shares incredible stories from his career, his deep roots in traditional bluegrass, and his take on how the genre has evolved over the years. We also talk mandolins, life on the festival circuit, and what makes performing at a historic venue like Starvy Creek so special to touring artists.

We packed up the podcast gear and took the show on the road to sit down with the undeniable Queen of Bluegrass! Welcome to a very special, live on-location episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, recorded right in the heart of the 2026 Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival! The Chapmans had the absolute honor of sitting down backstage with bluegrass royalty, Rhonda Vincent. We talk about everything from the incredible energy of the Starvy Creek crowd to the dedication it takes to maintain a lifelong touring career in bluegrass music. Rhonda shares fantastic stories from the road, insights into her vocal and mandolin style, and what keeps her inspired after years of performing at the highest level. 🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

In one of our funniest episodes yet, the Chapmans sit down with Paul Harris, the mastermind and frontman behind the legendary faux-family bluegrass band, The Cleverlys! We swap some wild stories from the road, share a ton of laughs, and dive deep into the actual origin story of the group. Paul breaks down exactly how he came up with the concept of "Digger Cleverly," the genius behind their iconic pop-turned-bluegrass covers, and the process of bringing together the right musicians to pull off such a unique blend of high-level picking and deadpan comedy. 🔗Be sure to follow the Cleverlys for upcoming shows! - https://thecleverlys.com/ 🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

On this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People podcast, the Chapmans sit down with CJ Lewandowski, the Grammy-nominated mandolin player and founder of The Po' Ramblin' Boys. CJ is a true torchbearer for authentic, 1960s-style bluegrass, and he brings a wealth of stories to the table. We talk about the origins of The Po' Ramblin' Boys, his incredible Gibson Loar mandolin (and his own signature Lewandowski mandolins!), the influence of legends like Bobby Osborne, and what it’s like keeping the flame of traditional bluegrass burning bright in 2026. We are so happy to say TAS Knows CJ Lewandowski!

If you could pick any musicians in the world to form the ultimate bluegrass supergroup, who would make your starting lineup? On this episode of the Acoustic Shoppe Knows People podcast, the Chapmans are taking a break from interviews to have a little fun with a Bluegrass Fantasy Draft! We go position by position—guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, and vocals—to build our absolute dream bands. There were some stolen picks, a few controversial choices, and a whole lot of acoustic music nerd talk. Watch to see our final lineups, and be sure to hit the comments to let us know who you think drafted the best band (and who you would have picked instead)! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 👕Get Your TAS Merch!: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/shoppe-branded-merchandise 🪕Instruments At TAS -- ⌁Guitars: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/guitars ⌁New Arrivals: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/new-arrivals ⌁Mandolins: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/mandolins ⌁Banjos: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/banjo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - The Draft Rules Explained 4:44 - Round 1 Picks 8:23 - Round 2 Picks 11:40 - Round 3 Picks 15:04 - Round 4 Picks 18:00 - Round 5 Picks 20:56 - Round 6 Picks 24:32 - Honorable Mentions 26:31 - Naming the Bands 28:07 - Outro -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🌎Follow The Acoustic Shoppe Everywhere! -- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAcousticShoppe/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theacousticshoppe/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theacousticshoppe TAS Knows People Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1yM0Y64DROnRmg9FfWnmNY?si=b76e9b34d9ab4694 Our Website: https://www.theacousticshoppe.com/ Reverb: https://reverb.com/shop/the-acoustic-shoppe 🎙️We use Ear Trumpet Labs Microphones for instrument demos - Thank you Ear Trumpet Labs! https://www.eartrumpetlabs.com/ 👍Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell icon to stay updated with all things Acoustic Shoppe. Follow us on our journey through the music world, and share your thoughts in the comments below! #BluegrassMusic #AcousticGuitar #GuitarInstrumental #MusicLovers #TheAcousticShoppeReviews

In this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, the guys sit down for an in-depth conversation with acclaimed actor and musician Jeff Daniels. Jeff shares fascinating stories from his 50-year career, the parallels between acting and songwriting, and his deep connection to acoustic music. He also gives us a look at his impressive guitar collection, including his custom Martin signature model and a very special Gibson J-45 signed by George Harrison.Join us for a legendary sit-down with Jeff Daniels! Known for his iconic roles on screen and stage, Jeff is also an accomplished songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist. We dive into his musical journey, from learning Travis picking as a young actor in New York to opening his own music and theater venue, JD’s, in Chelsea, Michigan. Jeff explains why playing live solo is "terrifying" compared to acting and why he believes live, acoustic performance is something AI can never truly replace. Plus, don't miss the story behind his 1934 Martin C-2 archtop that Martin eventually turned into a signature model!

Welcome to another episode! This time, John, Jason, and Jeremy are joined by Coen and Milo from The Fellowship of the Acoustics, streaming all the way from the Netherlands.In this episode, the guys bridge the gap between Springfield, Missouri, and the European acoustic scene to talk shop, swap wild retail stories, and do a little bit of John's famous "market research". They discuss how independent stores can stand out against online goliaths by building a trusting community and prioritizing proper instrument setups. Plus, they prove that the guitar industry is always better when stores collaborate instead of compete.What's Inside this Episode:A Historic Guitar Haven: Coen and Milo share how they transformed an old town hall into a massive guitar store, complete with a lunchroom and eight dedicated brand rooms.Retail Nightmares & Funny Tales: The guys swap stories about the hazards of the job, from stolen empty guitar cases and a bathroom-hogging homeless man , to Coen accidentally stabbing his first good acoustic with a pizza knife.US vs. European Guitar Markets: A deep dive into what acoustic brands reign supreme overseas, including the massive popularity of Loudon and Atkin guitars.The Cheap Guitar Trap: Why the guys refuse to sell sub-$100 acoustics, explaining how terrible playability on cheap instruments causes most beginners to quit.Exclusive Gear Reveal: John shares a sneak peek at an upcoming collaboration: the gorgeous Cordovan Red Bourgeois M5F mandolin.Grab your coffee (or iced Dubai mocha) and tune in!Takeaways:The Fellowship of Acoustics originated from Coen Bults' great-grandfather's decision to learn music in the 1930s, highlighting a rich musical heritage.Rudi Bults' transition from landscaping to founding TFOA in 2001 marked a pivotal moment in the family's commitment to music, starting with vintage guitars.Coen Bults' role as Managing Director has been instrumental in modernizing TFOA, emphasizing their evolution into a multifaceted music platform.The unique design of The Guitar Villa, with themed rooms and a dedicated vault for exclusive instruments, showcases TFOA's dedication to creating a memorable shopping experience.TFOA's use of PLEK technology for precise guitar setups sets them apart, ensuring every instrument meets the highest standards before reaching customers.The community aspect of TFOA, exemplified by their café and concert space, fosters a welcoming environment for music lovers and enhances customer loyalty.

Darren spent over 15 years as a founding member of the award-winning bluegrass supergroup Balsam Range before stepping out on his own. In this episode, we dive deep into his musical journey, his deep love for traditional Appalachian music, what inspired his transition to a solo career, and, of course, we talk gear and mandolins! Whether you've been a fan of his for years or are just discovering his incredible picking, you won't want to miss this conversation. 🎵 Check out Darren’s latest music and tour dates: https://www.darrennicholson.net/ 🎸 Shop Acoustic Instruments at The Acoustic Shoppe: https://theacousticshoppe.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 👕Get Your TAS Merch!: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/shoppe-branded-merchandise 🪕Instruments At TAS -- ⌁Guitars: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/guitars ⌁New Arrivals: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/new-arrivals ⌁Mandolins: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/mandolins ⌁Banjos: https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/banjo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🌎Follow The Acoustic Shoppe Everywhere! -- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAcousticShoppe/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theacousticshoppe/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theacousticshoppe TAS Knows People Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1yM0Y64DROnRmg9FfWnmNY?si=b76e9b34d9ab4694 Our Website: https://www.theacousticshoppe.com/ Reverb: https://reverb.com/shop/the-acoustic-shoppe 🎙️We use Ear Trumpet Labs Microphones for instrument demos - Thank you, Ear Trumpet Labs! https://www.eartrumpetlabs.com/ 👍Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell icon to stay updated with all things Acoustic Shoppe. Follow us on our journey through the music world, and share your thoughts in the comments below! #BluegrassMusic #AcousticGuitar #GuitarInstrumental #MusicLovers #TheAcousticShoppeReviews