A festival that books both Mr Sun and Mighty Poplar in one weekend is guaranteed a lot of great mandolin moments, as displayed during last month’s Wintergrass Festival in Bellevue, Washington. In addition to multiple performances with their talent-packed bands, Joe K. Walsh and Andrew Marlin teamed up for a “Twin Mandolins” workshop, where they played several tunes and talked about the joys of seamlessly blending the sound of two mandolins.

In this clip from the workshop, they play Andrew’s tune “Cody Road,” which Andrew recorded on his 2018 release, Buried In a Cape. It was one of several tunes the two masters played together during that session, taking time to answer audience questions and talk about the nuances of playing harmony parts, leaving room for the other player, reacting to musical cues, and much more.

It is also of note to mandolinists that Joe is playing his 2000 Gilchrist F-5, an instrument he bought from Andrew several years ago. During the workshop, Andrew quipped “I regret that” when the subject of letting go of the Gilchrist came up. Andrew is playing his Gibson Lloyd Loar F-5 here, though, so it seems like it all worked out!

Wintergrass was a great weekend of music as it is every year. Make plans to attend in 2025!

To learn mandolin from Joe, enroll in his Advancing Mandolinist, Bluegrass Mandolin Jam Favorites, Octave Mandolin, Improvising for Mandolin and Fiddle, or Swing and Jazz Mandolin courses, and use promo code JoeLand at checkout and get your first month free!

John Reischman: “The Waves on the Sea” Peghead Nation instructor plays an old-time tune on the shore of Lake Michigan. Read More

Sam Bush: “In Tall Buildings” Peghead Nation's Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo instructor Wes Corbett joins Sam Bush on a classic John Hartford song. Read More

Joe K. Walsh and Bruce Molsky: “Walk Along John to Kansas” Exclusive Peghead Nation video of our mandolin and fiddle instructors playing a great old-time tune at Wintergrass 2022. Read More

Mr Sun: “Blackbird” | Peghead Nation Exclusive The virtuosic four-piece showcases their playful arrangement of a Beatles classic, which they also recorded on their new album “Extrovert.” Read More

Joe K. Walsh and Bruce Molsky: “Solly’s Little Favorite” Watch an exclusive Peghead Nation video of our mandolin and fiddle instructors playing a great old-time tune at Wintergrass 2022. Read More

Mr Sun: ”Farewell Trion” The virtuosic string band plays an old-time favorite during the Wintergrass Festival. Read More

Matt Munisteri and Joe K. Walsh: “Kentucky Waltz” Peghead Nation instructors play a jazz-infused duo version of a classic Bill Monroe waltz. Read More

Sierra Ferrell: “I’d Do It Again” | Thompson Guitars The talented singer-songwriter plays an original song live in the Thompson Guitars shop. Read More

John Reischman: ”Horses of Dorrigo” Peghead Nation Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor plays a new tune off of his latest album, “New Time and Old Acoustic.” Read More

John Reischman and the Slocan Ramblers: “Stoney Creek” Our Melodic Mandolin Tunes instructor plays a bluegrass classic with the 2020 IBMA Momentum Band Award winners. Read More