This week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast episode is a bluegrass music double-header. First, we talk to up-and-coming bluegrass star Billy Strings. He’s about to release his first solo album, Turmoil & Tinfoil and we talk about the making of the record, his guitars of choice (he recently switched from his Noble dreadnought to guitars made by Preston Thompson) and a lot more. You can hear a stream of “Pyramid Country” from the new album right now here.

Next up, we talk to the IBMA’s Paul Schiminger about the organization’s mission, its annual World of Bluegrass festival (happening later this month) and the future of bluegrass.

This episode is sponsored by Retrofret and Dying Breed Music. Check out their offerings and tell them the Fretboard Journal sent you.

Next week, we talk to fingerstyle guitar legend Michael Gulezian!