Abbie Gardner is an amazing resonator guitarist and singer, formerly of the excellent Americana trio Red Molly. She’ll be appearing at the Parlor Room Sat 2/10 for a solo show as well as a songwriting workshop prior. We began our segment with “Down the Mountain” from her latest release, “Dobrosinger”.

We began by discussing her early musical journey with classical flute while her Dad played jazz piano at home. Early musical direction came there at home with her continuing through high school band on flute. She also attended an early bluegrass festival which opened her ears to new possibilities. After recording an album of jazz standards with her Dad on piano, she sought out classes with mentors such as Sally VanMeter and Rob Ickes on this new instrument, the resonator guitar (sometimes referred to by a brand name, dobro). Songwriting and collaboration followed eventually leading to teaming up with talented singers and pickers Laurie MacAllister and Carolann Solebello (eventually Molly Venter)forming Red Molly.

Our conversation covers Abbie’s Patreon community, her songwriting workshops and classes (both online and in summer camps). We talk about collaborating with Tom Rush on his latest album and some of her favorite resonator guitarists she’s worked with. We finish the segment with a batch of songs from Abbie’s “Dobrosinger” and her work with Red Molly. “Only All the Time” from Abbie and “Do I ever Cross Your Mind” from Red Molly. We finish with “Three Quarter Time” from Abbie and Red Molly’s “She’s Got You”.

Check out the segment above for audio but consider joining me at Northampton, Massachusetts’ Parlor Room on 2/10 for Abbie’s amazing solo show.