Mark Kemp

Oct 25, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | E.E. Bradman |Kate Koenig |Mark Kemp |David McPherson

Few would have ever guessed that a songwriter, playwright, and tenured English professor would gain renown for guitar picks made of casein and other high-performance plastics—least of all the professor himself. But as fate would have it, Scott Memmer’s cutting-edge products have indeed brought him lots of fans in the world of acoustic instruments.

Oct 6, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | E.E. Bradman |Greg Olwell |Mark Kemp

Country entertainer Conway Twitty was renowned for his voice, his hair, and songs like “It’s Only Make Believe,” but he also had excellent taste in acoustic guitars. One instrument that found its way to auction after his 1993 death was this 1931 Martin OM-18, recently spotted at RetroFret Vintage Guitars in Brooklyn, New York. In its day, this instrument was cutting edge.

Aug 11, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | Mark Kemp |Greg Cahill |Joey Lusterman

“I had a hard time getting started on this batch of tunes,” says singer-songwriter Chris Smither about his latest record, All About the Bones. “I didn’t have any trouble coming up with the guitar figures but the lyrics are always the hard part, and this time it just took a long time.” That admission may come as a bit of a surprise to anyone who has heard the record; it’s a collection of songs so masterful it could only be written by an icon like Smither.

Aug 2, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | Mark Kemp |Greg Cahill |Joey Lusterman

Nearly a half century into his guitar career, Pierre Bensusan continues to create stunning, beautiful, and fearless music. For this AG Session we get to experience Bensusan perform three pieces: “La Nuit des Météores,” “Without You,” and “Chant de Nuit.”“Music drives me, it’s like an unlimited well,” says Bensusan.

Jul 17, 2024 | acousticguitar.com | Mac Randall |Greg Cahill |Pat Moran |Mark Kemp

Alynda Segarra, the Bronx-bred, New Orleans–based singer-songwriter who leads Hurray for the Riff Raff, sounds invigorated as the band prepares to get back in the van for yet another lengthy West Coast trek. Today it’ll be about eight hours, from Sacramento to San Diego. Segarra and crew have been rolling across the U.S. (with a quick stop in Canada) for more than a month, playing shows in support of their eighth studio album, The Past Is Still Alive (Nonesuch).