Resident Waybacks guitarist extraordinaire James Nash has just released an instructional guitar video, aptly titled "Making the Acoustic Guitar Rock!" The two-hour DVD covers a wide range of topics, from basics like alternate picking and how to make bar chords and string bends easier, to more advanced strategies for moving around the fingerboard and playing over chord changes. James shows how he works influences like Keith Richards and Neil Young into his flatpicking, and shares ideas for improvising over bluegrass standards like "Cherokee Shuffle" and "Blackberry Blossom," as well as songs like "Hide Your Love Away," "Cocaine," and his own "Bright Place."

There's a lot here for players of all levels, as well as some exciting off-the-cuff studio jams. So, if you want to get a glimpse at how James does what he does on the acoustic and bring some new ideas and techniques to your own playing, head on over to our Mercantile & Boutique at the link below for more info.

Making The Acoustic Guitar Rock!

This past April we celebrated our fourth consecutive Hillside Album Hour by playing the Allman Brothers' classic recording, Eat A Peach, in its entirety, along with a version of Whipping Post for good measure. Joining us were good pals Joan Osborne on lead vocals, John R. Burr on keyboards and Hammond B-3, Larry Atamanuik on drums, and the Wailin' Jennys on backing vocals.

We're happy to announce that we captured every note and are now able to share them with you via the modern miracle of CD or Digital Download, as you choose. To check out what took place on that sun-drenched afternoon under a fine Carolina blue sky, click the yellow peach colored link below, head on over to our Mercantile & Boutique, and get a healthy dose of those timeless tunes.

Eat A Peach

Thanks to everyone involved in making the 2011 Hillside Album Hour such a success this year. Great crowd, gorgeous day, and an album that's aged like fine wine. We want to express special thanks to our musical pals, Joan Osborne, The Wailin' Jennys, John R. Burr, and Larry Atamanuik for bringing their ample skills and spirits to our take on Eat A Peach.

We hope to release the proceedings on CD and via download in the not too distant future, so stay tuned to this space for updates. We'll also be posting some videos here and at Facebook for those who couldn't make it to Merlefest.

We're already looking forward to next year's Album Hour. Feel free to visit our Facebook page and make suggestions!

CLUE #4: MADE IN AMERICA

Hillside Album Hour Guess-A-Thon

CLUE #3: THIS YEAR'S MYSTERY ALBUM WAS, IN TERMS OF INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL SUCCESS, A ZODIAC KILLER!

Head over to our Facebook Event page at the link below to weigh in for a chance at winning cool stuff.

Hillside Album Hour Guess-A-Thon