Thanks for visiting. This site is currently getting redesigned and things are a little messy. If you are looking for something and can’t find it, please email Jason at jason@knowingtrees.com . He’ll do his best to be helpful!
It was a thrill to be in a packed house at The Guild a couple weekends ago, for a screening of You’ve Got Gold. I thought it was fantastic. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings were a favorite. I also liked Jason Isbell. (I must admit that I’ve never sug into his catalog.)
The film is on a pretty big tour. You can find out more about that, and watch the trailer here. https://www.yougotgoldmovie.com/
Recently, I was passing along some approaches toward, and conventions within, a sing-along-style jam. I was reminded of this article from Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
I was interviewed for the article, and I’m proud to say that a lot of my thoughts were included!
❞ Yet, it’s not a performance. Those people are your allies, not your audience. “It’s more like basketball than theater,” says Jason McInnes, a guitar teacher who leads several regular jams at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. “Everybody wants the game to keep going, so they’re going to do everything they can to keep it going.”
Journey back to the era of flannel, grunge, and iconic acoustic performances in this unique music class for adults! “MTV Unplugged: The Acoustic ’90s” offers a deep dive into the legendary live sessions that epitomized the decade.
Whether you’re an experienced musician or just picking up an instrument, this class provides a fun and engaging environment to learn and play some of the most beloved songs from the 1990s.
The Music Crew Unplugged classes run on Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:00 for eight weeks, beginning July 9.
We’ll meet at the Saavedra Filing Station, 225 Saavedra RD SW.
There is more information at the Music Crew: The 90s Unplugged FAQ.
And, please write to Jason at jason@knowingtrees.com with any questions and/or concerns. He’s very happy to help!
Get on the bus this summer as you, your intrepid teacher Jason McInnes, and your fellow Deadheads gather for this eight-week adult education music class dedicated to exploring and performing the music of the Grateful Dead.
Designed by considering the needs of beginning, intermediate and advanced musicians, this course offers a deep dive into the band’s rich catalog, from beloved classics like “Truckin’” and “Friend of the Devil” to deeper cuts and extended jams.
The class includes hands-on instruction, group rehearsals, and opportunities to jam in a relaxed, collaborative setting. Whether you’re a guitarist, bassist, vocalist, keyboardist, drummer, or other instrumentalist, you’ll gain new insight into the Dead’s music through playing it among a generous, encouraging community.
The class will culminate with a gig during The Days Between; the week of celebration and commemoration between the anniversaries of Jerry Garcia’s birth (Aug.1) and death (Aug. 9). Gig details TBA.
Grateful Dead Head Ensemble FAQ
We got to hear Robyn Hitchcock at the South Broadway Cultural Center last week. He’s such a fantastic performer.
He played two sets of music, all requests, with his wife Emma adding some harmony for the last few songs. Then, he played the “encore” in the lobby. It was incredibly beautiful when he started A Day in the Life by the Beatles and everyone gently joined in for a sing along.
I remember hearing Andrew Bird perform a concert using live looping in, maybe, 2003? I’ve been wanting to learn more about looping ever since.
I recently purchased Loopy Pro for ipad and a M-Wave Chocolate Plus MIDI pedal with th intention of finally giving it a try.
This is my first loop, other than the sound of a bunch of random buttons being pressed when I first hooked everything up.
The title refers to a young friend of mine who is learning so much about our world. This song goes out to her.
I think this song came out so fun! I’m looking forward to making some more.
Enjoy!
Audio Version
Download Here↓
What an honor to be asked to share our love for Ella Jenkins for the Children’s Hour podcast.
I think the host, Katie Stone, did a fantastic job capturing the many ways that Ella touched so many lives.
When you listen, you’ll also hear the Young Stracke All-Stars perform Ella’ This Train. What a delight to hear this song on the radio so many years after we recorded it.
Enjoy!
Listen here.
Screenshot of our online discussion with Children’s Hour host, Katie Stone.
The Young Stracke All-Stars playing at Ella’s 90th Birthday Party.
Jason and Maria Visiting Ella and family in 2018.
Last night wrapped up the Late Winter 2025 session of Guitar Crew. The Crew was made up of five guitar players with experiences ranging from less than a year to many years.
We finished by recording our own arrangement of Bob Wills’ Faded Love. This is a recording of the five members of this sessions’ Crew. I’m accompanying on percussion.
We covered many skills and concepts this session. Some of those topics, which you can hear in this arrangement, were:
I think it sounds so good! Congratulations, Guitar Crew!
The Early Spring session of Guitar Crew begins in mid-March. We’d love to have you be part of the Crew! Send me a note if you have anyquestions.
Six classes on Wednesday evenings, 6:00 to 8:00, per session…
I was quite honored when, last summer, Jonas Friddle of Banjo After Dark, asked me to make a guest video.
The topic I choose was one we regularly work on in Guitar Crew; knowing which songs are appropriate to bring to the jam.
In this video I share my thoughts on, why it’s fun to bring a song to lead at an open jam, the types of songs to lead, and a few pointers to smooth the bumpy road that that beginning song leaders alway encounter.
Do you have any advice to share, or an interesting story from a time when you lead a song, or when you heard someone else lead a song? We’d love to hear it!
p.s. I highly recommend joining Jonas’ Banjo After Dark Patreon page. It’s free to join (although tossing a few bucks his way is always helpful) and I think you’ll find some fantastic resources.
I was so honored that maria and Puja invited me to record this song with them for their album, an area of the celestial sphere under the pecan tree.
This video is our first take of the song. It isn’t the one that made the album, but I love this version just the same. This is the album version. If you follow the link you can hear and purchase the whole album which is a truly beautiful collection of music.
A couple of our friends, Jess Baldissero (Joybird) and Jonas Friddle, have recordings of the song, too. You can add these recordings, and the accompanying albums, to your collection at their respective bandcamp pages.
