Acclaimed acoustic guitarist and harmonica player Tom Ball joins us on this week’s Fretboard Journal Podcast. Tom reflects on the passing of Ash Grove founder Ed Pearl and the legacy of that incredible, highly influential venue. Tom attended innumerable shows at the Ash Grove and he regales us with some of his favorite memories of the venue, including one wild John Lee Hooker performance.

We also hear about Tom’s new novel, Backstraw (order here); how he’s coping with the lockdown (Tom and Kenny Sultan famously played at Santa Barbara’s Cold Spring Tavern every weekend for over four decades); his vintage guitar of choice and more.

This episode is sponsored by Izotope, Mono Cases, Folkway Music and Retrofret Vintage Guitars. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your next Izotope order.

Above photo: Ben Elder