No. 353 July/ August 2025

On the Cover: Billy Strings

James Volpe Rotondi talks with Billy Strings about the thinking behind his playing, the realities of the road, and how, despite his remarkable musical journey from bluegrass prodigy to leading light on the jam band scene, he remains grounded in the music that shaped him.

 In other features, Isa Burke sits down with Emily Frantz and Andrew Martin of Watchhouse to discuss the crafting of the duo’s new album, Rituals; Natalia Zukerman chats with Valerie June, whose blend of fingerstyle folk, Southern spiritual traditions, and personal philosophycreates a truly individual sound; Mark Small profiles seven-string classical virtuoso Douglas Lora’s exploration of his South American musical roots; and Adam Perlmutter introduces the 2025 roster of Acoustic Guitar Teaching Artists, five educators committed to helping students become the best guitarists they can be.

In the Lessons department, Greg Ruby shares some simple steps to help you master the musical alphabet and improve your knowledge of the fretboard; Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers shows how to build a legitimate blues solo with just five notes; and Alan Barnosky reveals the nuts and bolts behind two standout Billy Strings solos.

 Songs to play include Simon & Garfunkel’s bossa-nova-inspired “So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright”; a simple but haunting version of the centuries-old murder ballad “Oh, the Dreadful Wind and Rain”; and Janet Noguera’s mesmerizing, harmonic-laden interpretation of the Mexican anthem “Cielito Lindo.”

 Plus, Mac Randall chats with Buzzy Levine, owner of Lark Street Music in New Jersey, who supplied the lion’s share of instruments for the recent Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown; James Volpe Rotondi puts two new signature Martin guitars—the Billy Strings D-28 and D-X2E—through their paces; Emile Menasché tests the new Earthwood Bell Bronze acoustic strings from Ernie Ball; AG’s gear expert, Martin Keith, weighs in on which guitar polishing products to use—and which to avoid; a review of Exploding Star, the deeply personal new record from singer-songwriter Heather Maloney; and more!