Songwriter, singer, bandleader, guitarist, Grammy-winner . . . there are many titles Peter Rowan rightly holds, as evidenced by a career that includes a stint with Bill Monroe, collaborations with Tony Rice and Jerry Garcia, more than 25 albums under his name, and current projects with the Free Mexican Airforce, the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, and others. 

Peter recently stopped by the Peghead Nation studio to tell the story of buying one of the first two guitars that luthier Preston Thompson made, a 1980s 000-42 style 12-fret, which was a copy of a Martin guitar that Hot Rize guitarist Charles Sawtelle owned. Preston Thompson passed away in April, and as Peter says in this video, he is still having a conversation with Preston through this guitar, which Peter has toured and recorded with since 1982. 

Peter talks about playing the guitar for the first time at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, and how Charles Sawtelle was the middleman in the negotiation between Peter and Preston regarding the price of the guitar. He also plays and sings “Jimmie Brown, the Newsboy,” “Old Santa Fe,” and “My Blue Heaven” in this video. 

Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Sweet Georgia Brown” Peghead Naiton mandolin instructor and his longtime collaborator play a classic standard in the studio. Read More

Teja Gerken: “Vicki’s Red Boots” Peghead Nation co-founder performs the opening cut of his new album “Test of Time.” Read More

Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Little White Lies” Peghead Nation mandolin instructor plays a great standard with his long-time musical collaborator in the Peghead Nation studio. Read More

Flynn Cohen and Liz Simmons: The Hag’s Purse, Bryan O’Lynn, Miss McDevitt’s Peghead Nation Irish Guitar instructor plays a set of jigs live in the studio with guitarist Liz Simmons. Read More

Stash Wyslouch: “Gotta Travel On” Peghead Nation's Bluegrass Guitar Fingerboard Mastery instructor plays a classic American folksong that Bill Monroe recorded in 1959. Read More

John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “The Blackest Crow” Mandolin master plays a Civil War-era tune that he also teaches in his Old-Time Mandolin course. Read More

Flynn Cohen, Marla Fibish, and Liz Simmons: Fred Finn’s and Sailing Into Walpole’s Marsh Peghead Nation Irish Guitar and Irish Mandolin instructors play a great set of reels live in the studio. Read More

Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Dawg’s Waltz” Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a David Grisman and Jerry Garcia tune. Read More

Stash Wyslouch: “Jonah” The bluegrass guitarist, singer, songwriter, and new Peghead Nation instructor plays a traditional gospel song. Read More

Matt Munisteri: “April Kisses” Peghead Nation’s Roots of Jazz Guitar instructor plays a solo version of the great Eddie Lang showpiece. Read More