{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Pluck Podcast","title":"Banjo Fire: Hard‑Driving Bluegrass with Anthony Howell","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/e0ee9fbe\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":6667,"description":"On this episode of The Pluck, Jonathan sits down with Mississippi banjo man Anthony Howell, a national champion known for his hard‑driving Scruggs‑based style, modern twists, and viral social media videos.​They talk about growing up homeschooled with Mel Bay mandolin DVDs, finding the banjo through Alan Sibley, and putting in eight-hour practice days to win the Winfield National Banjo Championship. Anthony breaks down rolls, right‑hand tone, Keith tuners and that 1929 Gibson TB‑3, and where he draws the line between straight-ahead bluegrass, “newgrass,” and going too far out. He also previews his upcoming album Banjo Aficionado, plays his new single “End of the Line,” and shares how he’s building a DIY career with session work, house-band gigs, Patreon, and a new ToneSlabs thumbpick model.​If you pick, sing, or just love hard-driving bluegrass banjo, you’ll feel right at home in this one.The PluckLearn more at thepluck.studio.Subscribe for updates and exclusive content from The Pluck.CreditsThis podcast contains recordings of “End of the Line” and “Highway 19,” used with permission from Anthony Howell.Chapters0:00 Intro & Anthony’s Background1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm3:05 Keith Tuners Demo6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-314:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line40:55 “End of the Line” Live48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice1:23:45 Highway 19 Live1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story1:36:00 Band Listening...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/lpdBazu6JyzgV8Z16sWE6dwNFUjkrAQP0r46EwgRtaI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82ZWU1/OTNjOTMwNzRjYjJj/YTE3NDdkZTJkMjcz/OWM3NS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}