The date was August 17, 2019 and a new podcast we'd been hearing about had launched. Mandolins and Beer, previously Daniel Patrick's ambitious "Lick of the Day" postings, took a break and shifted gears when David Benedict of Mandolin Mondays and Mile Twelve Bluegrass band appeared as Daniel's first audio interview guest. We were hooked.
A year later with 54 episodes under his belt it's Daniel's turn in the spotlight. With luminaries like Andrew Marlin of Mandolin Orange, Caterina Lichtenberg, Doyle Lawson, Adam Steffey, Sierra Hull and so many more, the queue to be a guest on Daniel's podcast has grown, and for good reason. Whether your musical interests are bluegrass, jazz, classical, Irish and all things progressive, or traditional, it's hard to beat the enthusiasm, inspiration and plain joy of each episode. Our tip of the hat to Daniel's other primary supporters, Peghead Nation, Northfield Mandolins and Artistworks, the latter who has just started sponsoring the new Track by Track episodes.
From Mandolin Cafe headquarters and all of Daniel's podcast listeners we raise a glass in virtual toast during the pandemic and congratulate him on a great first year. Here's to looking forward to year two, and in Daniel's words, "cheers, everybody!"
Congratulations on your first year. What's the journey been like?
I can't believe it's been a year already! It's been surreal, to say the least! To be able to speak with some of the best players out there — and some of my heroes! — and to pick their minds about their experiences and process, it's been amazing. It definitely is work though, a lot more than expected.
The editing process is really the most work, a few hours per episode. The sweet spot for listening time is 60-70 minutes and the conversations are usually at least 90 minutes! I try to be very aware of what I edit.
I want listeners to learn everything they can about all of the players and I want the players to feel like it was worth their time to do the podcast. It's can be pretty tedious trying to determine what to edit, 30 minutes of conversation is ALOT of conversation!
Every episode we get to hear how someone was bitten by the bug. We've yet to hear your story.
Some friends talked me into trying out for a singing television show on USA network called Nashville Star. I ended up making it pretty far into the competition. I was featured on all the commercials and a few times the first episode, but I was definitely not a modern country fan, at all! So I figured I needed to check out some "new" country music.
I was in a Target store and they had a "New Country" CD section and the coolest looking cover was Nickel Creek's This Side. Needless to say, it was not country, but from the intro to "Smoothie Song" I was hooked. I was also not aware Thile plays a bouzouki on that tune... and Bouzoukis and Beer just doesn't sound the same. Then, when I called my local music store to see if they had any mandolins (they didn't) the hold music was New Grass Revival's "Can't Stop Now." A week later I had a mandolin!
Listen
From Daniel's 2016 release of the same name on Bandcamp, "End of the Road."
Some truly legendary performers of late. Any hints for year two?
I don't want to spoil any surprises as far as guests go! Also, schedules can change pretty quick and sometimes it's months before I can make an interview happen with some players. However, I have gotten John Reischman, Matt Flinner and Tristan Scroggins confirmed for the bonus content "Track by Track" episodes which is exciting! I'm also going to be interviewing some luthiers as well. If anyone has a guest they'd like to hear on the show, feel free to drop me a message through my website contact page!
You mentioned doing an eBook, a compilation of your "If You Had 10 Minutes a Day" question you ask all guests.
I wanted to wait to get a years worth of episodes under my belt. I've started laying out how it will look. Much harder than I thought!
One of the big things in there is focusing on hearing the chord tones (1, 3 and 5) that are used a lot in soloing. I've also been adding exercises from different instruments that relate to right hand picking. There will also have a small section of common fiddle tunes played half step different than what you would normally play them in. Lots of really good stuff that you will notice a difference in your playing if your really apply 10 minutes a day on it.
What are some ways listeners can support your efforts?
There are a few ways people can support the podcast: listeners can engage my Patreon page and support me there. I've got it broken down to two tiers. For the price of one domestic beer ($4) a month, you can support the podcast. The second tier is like buying me a craft beer ($8) and you get access to quite a few "10 Minute A Day" videos and tabs!
It may not seem like much but thosemonthly payments really have helped me out both mentally and fiscally during the pandemic.
You can also grab some Mandolins and Beer merch from my website. Stickers start at $2.
Any other projects you'd like your listeners to know about?
My bluegrass band New Ghost Town is in the studio right now finishing up an album being recorded by Alan Bibey. We'll have 12 original tunes featuring Gina Furtado as a guest on banjo. The other members are Brad Edwardson on guitar and vocals, and Whitt Algar on upright bass and vocals.
We're new enough that we're still working on a web site and social media but keep an eye out for our announcement in the near future!
We'd be remiss if we didn't ask: favorite beers?
Oh man, favorite beers. I'll keep it short(ish).
- IPA - Chryonic By D9 Brewing and Bell's Two Hearted
- Red - Carnie Fire by COAST brewing here in Charleston
- Brown - Love the Brooklyn Brown Ale
- Seasonal - Bell's Oberon
- Don't get Drunk you are on a gig beer - Coors Light (The silver bullet!)
- Stout - Guinness (Bonus points if it has a Smithwicks topper!)
Shout out to Chris at Beaver Island Brewery for his sampler package... every one was great!
The Episodes
Daniel's Year 1 guests starting David Benedict, Episode #1.
- David Benedict
- Tristan Scroggins
- Jenni Lyn
- Caleb Edwards
- Joe K. Walsh
- Aaron Weinstein
- Scott Tichenor
- Jarrod Walker
- Tommy Norris
- Matt Flinner
- Jacob Jolliff
- Mike Marshall
- John Reischman
- Alan Bibey
- Mike Guggino
- Mike Compton
- Don Stiernberg
- Frank Solivan
- Sharon Gilchrist
- Dominick Leslie
- The Music Episode (Gilchrist, Solivan, Stiernberg, Campbell, Warner, Edwards)
- Jarrod Walker and Tristan Scroggins
- Kym Warner
- Casey Campbell
- C.J. Lewandowski
- Doyle Lawson
- Andrew Marlin
- Andrew Collins
- Marla Fibish
- Caleb Klauder
- Paul Glasse
- Lauren Price
- Andy Leftwich
- Andy Statman
- Tim Connell
- Don Julin
- Baron Collins-Hill
- Tim O'Brien
- Andy Wood
- Isaac Eicher
- Jack Dunlap
- Emory Lester
- Jared Pool
- Adrian Bagale
- Track by Track with Don Stiernberg
- Nate Lee
- Matt Mundy
- Nick Dumas
- Caterina Lichtenberg
- Thomas Cassell
- Adam Steffey - Part 1
- Adam Steffey - Part 2
- Sierra Hull - Part 1
- Track by Track with Mike Marshall
- Sierra Hull - Part 2
Additional Information
- Mandolins and Beer podcast
- Mandolins and Beer on Patreon
- Mandolins and Beer on Instagram
- Mandolins and Beer on Facebook
- Mandolins and Beer merch
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