Banjo Fire: Hard‑Driving Bluegrass with Anthony Howell
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.
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Credits
This podcast contains recordings of “End of the Line” and “Highway 19,” used with permission from Anthony Howell.
Chapters
0:00 Intro & Anthony’s Background
1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm
3:05 Keith Tuners Demo
6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)
12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-3
14:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo
17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System
20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind
22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)
26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls
29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)
34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days
37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line
40:55 “End of the Line” Live
48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick
52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live
58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer
1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown
1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle
1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning
1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice
1:23:45 Highway 19 Live
1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story
1:36:00 Band Listening Dynamics
1:39:00 Outro & Album Preview
Chapters
0:00 Intro & Anthony’s Background
1:20 Social Media Consistency & Algorithm
3:05 Keith Tuners Demo
6:10 Banjo Anatomy (Flathead vs Archtop)
12:20 How Anthony Got His 1929 Gibson TB-3
14:35 Early Music: Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo
17:00 Alan Sibley Lessons & Support System
20:10 Homeschooled Practice Grind
22:35 Banjo Rolls Explained (Forward, Backward, Thumb)
26:40 Weaving Melody & Rolls
29:20 Special Effects (Palm Mute, Whammy Bar)
34:00 8‑Hour Practice Days
37:30 Bluegrass Tradition vs Newgrass Line
40:55 “End of the Line” Live
48:35 DIY Career: Sessions, Patreon, ToneSlabs Pick
52:40 “Ground Speed” Contest Arrangement Live
58:20 Self‑Criticism as a Performer
1:01:30 Ground Speed Breakdown
1:10:05 Right‑Hand Technique & Fingerpick Angle
1:15:20 Tabs vs Ear Learning
1:18:40 Banjo Practice Advice
1:23:45 Highway 19 Live
1:33:25 Highway 19 Writing Story
1:36:00 Band Listening Dynamics
1:39:00 Outro & Album Preview
