Pun Picks: Emma Davis

When I first met Emma Davis, she came to my studio with her friend who was studying guitar with me. My student said that I should hear her sing, so she grabbed his guitar and sang “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show. Not too much easily impresses me, but her version of that song […]

Pun Picks: Keller Williams

When I was 17, I bought an effects pedal for my guitar called “The Boomerang,” which allowed me to record my guitar and then instantaneously play it back at the press of a button.  Prior to this, there had been long delay pedals that did a similar function but this was one of the first pedals that was […]

Pun Picks: Chris Eldridge of The Punch Brothers

With the Lockn’ Festival happening this weekend, I decided to post a session I did with The Punch Brothers’ guitarist, Chris Eldridge from back in April. Jay’s “Pun Picks” – Chris Eldridge – “The Mean Mother Blues” (Ep. 8) from Pun Picks on Vimeo. I first heard about Chris (aka Critter) when I first moved back to Charlottesville […]

Pun Picks: NO BS! Brass

As a musician, I have been aware of vibrant music scenes across the country including Seattle, Asheville, Knoxville, Burlington, Boston, Atlanta, and of course our very own Charlottesville, VA. In recent years I have become more and more intrigued with Richmond’s scene. “RVA All Day“ is what the serious musicians in Richmond, VA, say when […]

Pun Picks: Dan Bechdolt of Mingo Fishtrap

In the summer of 2010, Morwenna Lasko and I flew to Salina, Kansas to play the Smoky Hill River Festival. We played a total of five sets throughout the weekend with our full band (Pete Spaar, upright bass; Devonne Harris, drums; and our friend Lester Jackson, vocals). Kansas was HOT, dripping hot, but we had […]