Ronnie Schreiber joins me on episode 134.

Ronnie runs The Electric Harmonica Company, producing the Harmonicaster, which is an alternative to the traditional harmonica microphone, using guitar style pick-ups to create “the first practical true electric harmonica”. Ronnie first came up with the concept some thirty years ago and has been developing it in earnest over the last ten years.

Ronnie tells us the story of how he developed the idea, from the need to use steel reeds, the custom harps needed and the availability of pick-ups to use with the harmonica, and some of the harmonica players who have supported him through his journey.

We discuss the advantages of using a pick-up with the harmonica, such as having a different sound to the traditional harmonica microphone, and the feedback resistance it brings, as well as some of the challenges of using the Harmonicaster.

Links:

Harmonicaster website: https://rokemneedlearts.com/harmonicaster/wp/

The Frank Harmonica mic developed by Ronnie: https://rokemneedlearts.com/frankmic/

Harp-l post introducing the Harmonicaster: https://groups.google.com/g/harp-l/c/_ETwuJvbRRA

Brendan Power playing some Irish music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rx8kVBjAL4

The Turbo Harp: https://turboharp.com/

Dyna-mic: https://www.dyna-mic.com/

Videos:

Harmonicaster YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@harmonicaster8106

Ronnie overview of the Harmonicaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzbYxwKLPR4

Jonah Fox YouTube review of the Harmonicaster: https://rokemneedlearts.com/harmonicaster/wp/

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Kim Field joins me on episode 133.

Kim’s 1994 book ‘Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers: The History of the People’s Instrument’ was the first book released on the history of the harmonica. And Kim has recently written the book: The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold, telling the story of Billy Boy in his own words.

Ever on the lookout to meet and learn from the great players, Kim shares the time he spent with Deford Bailey and also when he played on stage with Walter Horton.

Kim has been in several blues bands, and a country band, and has just released a new album with his latest band, The Perfect Gentleman, featuring Kim’s harmonica, vocals and songwriting talents.

Links:

Kim’s website: https://www.kimfield.com/

Harmonica Northwest weekend, Oct 23-26, 2025: https://menucha.org/programs/harmonica-northwest

Kim’s life in music: https://www.kimfield.com/my-life-in-music

Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers: The History of the People’s Instrument book: https://www.kimfield.com/harmonicas-harps-and-heavy-breathers

PT Gazell review of Don’t Need But One album: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ModernBluesHarmonica/permalink/10162253953062225/

The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold book: https://www.kimfield.com/the-blues-dream-of-billy-boy-arnold

Videos:

James Cotton playing Blues In My Sleep live in 1967: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgS6FG2rtas

David Waldman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8EArw7peM

The Slamhound Hunters band - Lawnmower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjr6YLKKmqY

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show

Tom Ellis joins me on episode 132 for another look into the life and career of the legendary Paul Butterfield.

Butter gained access to the Chicago blues scene at a young age when his lawyer father carried out pro bono work for some of the musicians there. The black blues musicians took a paternal interest in Paul’s musical development, none more so than Muddy Waters who knew Butter from around the age of sixteen. Butter later returned the favour after having made his own name. He gave something back to Muddy by recording the Fathers and Sons album with him in 1969, followed by a second album with Muddy, The Woodstock album in 1975.

Tom then goes on to tell us about how Butter changed his sound during the middle part of his career with the release of the two Better Days albums in 1973, producing possibly the first Americana albums, and seeing Butter having developed into a more nuanced harmonica player.

Links:

Tom article on Substack platform: https://ellist.substack.com/p/down-by-the-river

Article on the Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree concert (Father and Sons): https://bobsblog73.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/super-cosmic-joy-scout-jamboree-april-1969/

Fathers and Sons album blog by David Hawkins: https://paulbutterfield.blogspot.com/2014/03/37-fathers-and-sons.html

Butter on the Woodstock album blog by David Hawkins: https://paulbutterfield.blogspot.com/2016/10/61-muddy-waters-woodstock-album.html

Videos:

Mannish Boy in Last Waltz concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGG-oBrmzbQ

Butter on Midnight Special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZhfIOuiPe4

Bonnie Raitt live with Butter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZOdeROUz2U

Playing Why Are People Like That on David Letterman show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDvdTabtRN0

Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
--------------------------------
Blue Moon Harmonicas: https://bluemoonharmonicas.com

Support the show