The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast

On this week's podcast, we're joined by Adam Dardeck and Andy Cambria of The Music Emporium. Founded in 1968 by Stu Cohen, The Music Emporium is one of the most successful retailers of boutique and vintage guitars in the world. The Lexington, Mass.-based store is sponsoring our 2026 Fretboard Summit and, thanks to their generous support, we're granting our first-ever scholarships to the guitar festival! 
To apply for the scholarship, go here. 

Follow The Music Emporium here.

We talk to Adam and Andy about the new program, the Summit, how The Music Emporium has evolved over the years, 2026 retail sales, the brands that they are loving right now, and more. Plus: Even more Summit updates.
Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and podcast tapings with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org
This year's Summit has over 80 luthiers and brands showcasing their new and prototype gear! 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Guitarist, composer and Berklee professor Lyle Brewer joins us this week.
We talk about his journey as a professional guitarist and educator, how he ended up teaching at Berklee (and what the students are listening to), his influences (from Pat Metheny to Andy Shauf), his love for nylon-string guitars, workshopping new music on the internet, and so much more.

Brewer has a ton of insights on composing, songwriting, the future of AI and music, and more. 
https://lylebrewermusic.net
Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and podcast tapings with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org
This year's Summit has over 80 luthiers and brands showcasing their new and prototype gear! 

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

On today's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we mix things up. 

Our very own Ryan Richter (https://www.instagram.com/misterrichter/) just wrapped up playing two of the most talked-about sets at Coachella backing Dijon and we wanted to hear all about it. We discuss the prep that went into Dijon's Coachella performances, the gear that Ryan used, and more.

Watch the whole interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zKatMHRKUgU

Ryan's solo albums can be found here: https://ryanrichter.bandcamp.com

Follow Ryan here: https://www.instagram.com/misterrichter/

Join us at our 2026 Fretboard Summit in Chicago for three days of guitar demos, concerts, workshops and podcast tapings with some of our favorite artists: https://fretboardsummit.org

Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal's quarterly print magazine: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription

We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
 (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com

Guitarist Michael Daves and mandolinist Jacob Jolliff join us this week to talk about their latest project, 'We Like Jim & Jesse!' The album, a tribute to Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys, features 10 of the famed bluegrass duo's tracks.

During our conversation, we talk about the magic of Jim & Jesse McReynolds, some of the unique quirks of their performance style (including Jesse's wild fingernail routine), how Michael and Jacob recorded this tribute and more. 

https://michaeldavesjacobjolliff.bandcamp.com/album/we-like-jim-jesse
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine here. 
Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Mike & Mike's Substack: https://mmguitarbar.substack.com

The incredibly talented Wendy Eisenberg joins us this week to talk about their new, self-titled album, which just earned a Best New Music nod from Pitchfork.
Wendy talks about their start playing music in Western Massachusetts, the perils of awful guitar instructors, discovering prog rock (and eventually jazz…and singer-songwriters), and so much more. Hosted by Sofia Wolfson
https://www.wendyeisenberg.com
Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal print magazine  here. 
Our next Fretboard Summit takes place August 20-22, 2026, at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Register today: https://fretboardsummit.org
We are brought to you by Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com (Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Mike & Mike's Substack: https://mmguitarbar.substack.com