DAVID GRIER INTERVIEW #2
(Originally aired on July 9, 2009)
One of the finest flatpickers making music today, David Grier is known for pushing the boundaries of bluegrass without losing its core musicality and tone. Inspired by the sounds of Clarence White and Tony Rice — both of whom Grier heard and knew as a kid — Grier mixes jazz, rock and blues sounds into his powerful flatpicking style. Grier has been voted "Best Guitar Player of the Year" three times by the Bluegrass International Music Association (IBMA), and Acoustic Guitar included Grier's 1995 album, Lone Soldier, in the magazine's list of "100 Essential Acoustic Guitar Recordings of All Time."
In our exclusive interview, Grier tells us about his 2009 album, Evocative, which features him on electric guitar, as well as ringing flattop. He explains the differences in his electric and acoustic techniques, and reveals how making this album has been on his mind for decades. Grier also details how Clarence White's playing has affected his own approach to the guitar.