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

In this incredible episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, the Chapmans are sitting down with absolute songwriting royalty: the one and only Larry Cordle! From penning monumental hits like "Highway 40 Blues" for Ricky Skaggs to "Murder on Music Row" for George Strait and Alan Jackson, Larry has left an undeniable mark on the acoustic and country music landscapes.

Thank you so much to Larry for sitting down with us! This episode was filmed live at the Starvy Creek July Festival 2026.

🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

We're honored to be joined this episode by Chris Alvarado and Rhett Shull! Both creating some of the best content for guitarist on the internet, Chris and Rhett go into their histories and why they started their channels. We're sure you have checked them out but if not, you can find Chris and Rhett on YouTube!

Thanks for sitting down with us guys! This episode was filmed live at the Fretboard Summit 2026. 🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

In this episode of the podcast, The Chapmans (and Hinkster) sit down to organize their thoughts and compare their recent trips to the Martin Guitars factory and the Taylor Guitars factory. These two legendary brands take very different approaches to building world-class acoustic instruments. We are breaking down the differences in their manufacturing processes, their company cultures, how they approach tonewood selection, and how those varying philosophies translate into the final tone of the guitars.If you have ever wondered exactly what separates a Martin from a Taylor behind the scenes, pull up a chair and join the conversation! 🔗Shop Taylor Guitars Here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/taylor-guitars 🔗Shop Martin Guitars Here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/all-martin 🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

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.

Two absolute legends, one incredible conversation! You do not want to miss this rare look into acoustic history.In this very special episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, the Chapmans are joined by two titans of the acoustic instrument world: Bob Taylor (founder of Taylor Guitars) and Greg Deering (founder of Deering Banjos)!Beyond building two of the most iconic, industry-leading brands in acoustic music, Bob and Greg share a deep, decades-long friendship that goes all the way back to their early days starting out in San Diego. In this interview, we dive into their shared history, how their early bond shaped their respective approaches to instrument manufacturing, and the mutual respect that has kept them close over a lifetime of innovation.Thank you so much to Bob and Greg for taking the time to sit down with us at the Fretboard Summit this year. It was a joy to hear their history. 🔗Shoppe Taylor Guitars - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/taylor-guitars 🔗Shoppe Deering Banjos - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/deering 🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

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

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes at one of the premier acoustic guitar stores in the country? We dive into how Austin joined the team, what a day in the life of a guitar store GM looks like, and some of the wild, unscripted moments that happen behind the scenes that you never get to see on camera. If you've ever wanted to get to know the team behind the videos or wondered how a high-end acoustic shop operates from the inside, you won't want to miss this one!

🔗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, the Chapmans are thrilled to sit down with Jason Verlinde, the author, creator, and driving force behind The Fretboard Journal. Jason has spent years documenting the incredible art of lutherie, shedding light on both legendary builders and up-and-coming guitar makers through world-class storytelling and photography. With The Acoustic Shoppe crew packing our bags to attend the highly anticipated Fretboard Summit in just a couple of weeks, there was no better time to bring Jason on the show! We discuss the origins of the magazine, the evolution of the boutique acoustic guitar market, and give you a sneak peek into what we are most excited to see (and play!) at this year's Summit.

In this rerun episode of "The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People," the Chapmans are incredibly honored to sit down with the legendary Rhonda Vincent! Known as the undisputed Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda brings a lifetime of incredible stories, acoustic music history, and industry insights to the table.

We dive into her amazing career, what it takes to run one of the tightest bands in bluegrass, her favorite acoustic gear, and somehow... we even uncover "The Secret To Smelling Carrot Top!" Whether you are a lifelong fan of traditional bluegrass or just love hearing wild stories from the road, you are going to love this conversation.

In this exciting episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, we are thrilled to welcome our friend, TAS Community Pro, and recent American Idol winner, Hannah Harper!.

We dive deep into her musical roots, growing up in Southeast Missouri and traveling with The Harper Family band, singing bluegrass gospel. Hannah shares the story behind her viral, original audition song "String Cheese," a heartfelt tribute to the joys and struggles of motherhood that brought Carrie Underwood to tears. We also talk about her experience on American Idol, performing at the Grand Ole Opry, and how she balances her flourishing solo career with raising three little boys in her quiet house in the woods.

🔗Check out Hannah's Gear here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/hannah-harpers-gear-list

🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

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👕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

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!

Is it strange to write a description about my own episode? - Yes!Today on The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, we talk to our very own content producer - Hinkley! Hinks has been the content producer for the Acoustic Shoppe for 5 years and seen the entire growth of the channel. We go converse on the channel, it's challenges, her background, and how we grew this incredible community, mostly thanks to all of y'all. 🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

In this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, we are pulling back the curtain on the music retail industry. We're getting candid about the brands we can't carry due to dealership restrictions, competitor pushback, and industry politics. But when one door closes, another opens! We explain how these roadblocks forced us to look elsewhere, leading us to discover the incredible brands that bloomed very special bonds. Ultimately, our core mission is—and always will be—finding the absolute best value for our customers at every single price point, rather than just chasing the biggest name on the headstock. 🔗Join the Dread-Not Underground! A global acoustic community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreadnotunderground

In this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, we are keeping it in the family and sitting down with our very own Sales Manager, Corey Kirkland! Corey shares his journey from being a local gigging musician and customer to officially running our sales floor. We pull back the curtain for some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories of the shop, nerd out over the acoustic gear we love, and talk about what it really takes to perfectly match a player with their ultimate instrument. 🔗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 are incredibly honored to sit down with the one and only Alan Munde! Alan is a local legend and a national treasure. We dive deep into his unique approach to the banjo, what it was like teaching the next generation of pickers at South Plains College, and swap some of our favorite stories from the road. Whether you are a dedicated banjo player or just a huge fan of bluegrass history, you are going to love this conversation!

In this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People, the Chapmans are back from an exhausting but incredible trip to MerleFest. We share some crazy stories from the road—including Jeremy's midnight encounter with a deer and John's foot getting crushed by a booth cart.Then, we dive deep into the recent shakeups in the acoustic world. We discuss the current gap in the mid-tier mandolin market, the rumors surrounding former Northfield employees starting a new company called CooStar, and why The Acoustic Shoppe was told we could never be a Northfield dealer.Most importantly, we reveal our exciting new partnership with Gold Tone to carry their brand new, elite "Grandmaster" mandolin series! We also share some insider news on the highly-anticipated return of Recording King and The Loar mandolins. 🔗Check out Gold Tone Mandolins Here! - https://theacousticshoppe.com/collections/gold-tone-mandolins

We are joined by absolute acoustic royalty today! The one and only Tim O'Brien sits down with the Chapmans on this episode of The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People podcast. From his groundbreaking days with Hot Rize to his incredible Grammy-winning solo career, Tim has been a massive influence on the bluegrass and acoustic music world for decades. We dive deep into his musical journey, his songwriting process, what he looks for in an instrument, and share some amazing stories from his time on the road. Whether you're a long-time fan of his music or just love hearing legendary pickers talk shop, you are not going to want to miss this conversation!

🎶Welcome the incredible Molly Tuttle to The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People podcast! As one of the most exciting voices and premier flatpickers in modern bluegrass, Molly sits down with us to discuss her entire musical journey. Later, we take some time to discuss her new Martin Guitar signature modes! We go into the design process, why two models were made, & how surreal it is to be honored by a legendary brand. The Acoustic Shoppe is thrilled to say we know Molly Tuttle! 🔗Follow Molly Tuttle: See a Show! - https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mollytuttlemusic/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mollytuttle/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4LX0KCPnH7gvxEbVXqXmAE?si=THo6SlDTRx2Hz-CbbmKfbA