It's an honor to welcome flatpicking wizard David Grier into the LWM extended universe. The video looks great because Ian Weir did a great job with cameras/sound. Additionally, Danny Goddard and Debra Amesqua graciously allowed us to invade their lakeside shop to do the workshop/interview. Marcel and I had a great time editing the footage and I'm eager to share this interview with all of you. My favorite part is his reactions to the old solos!

There’s an inverse relationship with speed of speaking and speed of playing. I listen to Grier talk at 2x and pick at 0.5x

Quick story:
I was so taken with his Bill Cheatham that I ordered the CD online.  A few minutes later David called me (!!!) And asked if he could deliver it to me rather than ship- here in Nashville. So 30 minutes later he was in my driveway telling me that same story. He was a super nice down to earth guy.  

If you have not heard the album "I've got the house to myself" order it!

this is great.  not enough grier content out there. dude is the absolute best of the best

In 1980-81 I used to see a young David Grier sit in with a local DC-area Bluegrass band (Foggy Bottom) at DiGenarro's Restaurant in Laurel, MD.  They passed the hat around to raise funds to send David to the National Flatpicking Championshis at Winfield. David "warmed up" for his set by paying the pinball machine before blowing the room away.

Great stuff I really appreciate this channel Mickey!!

That Blackberry Blossom quote hit hard, real hard

Great job Mickey! David is without a doubt the most original guitarist of this genre. So many ways to shift the melody, and still sound like the melody.

I love this guy. I love to listen to his playing, and I love to listen to him talking.  Always entertaining, always inventive.

The highlight of my musical journey was passing through Nashville and stopped in Gruhns.
For starters, I was holding an authentic 28.....lol. Well he walks in....sits down...starts pickin. Im hiding around the corner. Im like fk it....I just walked over and sat across from him, on those sweet ass couches... and listened for like 5 min.,...Just he and I. Im trying not to be a weirdo. I didn't say anything. They brought him out something. And I went back to where I was. But I had to walk BACK over to the teles.....
So....unplanned.....I was heading back to the teles, by the front door....he and I passed.
I said "hey"; like I saw my homeboy.

He said "hey" and didn't act annoyed.

No one can take this from me. Lmfao.

Side note....When he said "hey", my guitars skills increased by .05 percent. This normally takes 6 to 7 months.
Thank you, Mr. Grier.

Any David Grier content is must watch tv.

By far the greatest improv I’ve ever heard took place between Grier and Chris Thile. Very fitting title on this video, I agree 100%

Wow. Mickey is such a great interviewer.

I’ve always loved David Grier’s playing and hearing him talk about trying to avoid sounding like a typewriter put it in context for me.  I’m inspired and in awe at the same time.

Great interview! Thanks Mickey!

"You might as well be playing a typewriter...." lol. So true, but his mockery is still better than my best "typing."

So many great flatpickers, yet few that are uniquely interesting.  David is certainly one of them.  What a legend.  Great interview!

A few observations--syncopation is a key element of his getting away from the "typewriter" sound. Even in syncopation he values filling in the space somehow with a drone or crosspicking. Also he has one of the most insane left hands in the business--all of those slides, the sustain he he gets out of every finger. Unbelievable!!!

Nobody sounds like Grier but Grier. I never get tired of hearing him "get from A to B". Brilliant musical mind and simply a really smart dude. And he does not suffer fools lightly!  😄

David griers angeline the baker is one of my favorites.such a legend

crazy how humble he is for a literal living legend

Nice work, Mickey.  Your preparation shows.