Michael Nichols shares personal experiences and technical know-how from over 30 years as a live performer. In a straightforward conversational voice, he lays out a dynamic vision for how to make a living and have fun being a solo musician.

The third volume of the Solo Acoustic Musician series does a deep dive into the business side of booking a gig by interviewing managers, owners, and agents who are in charge of hiring Solo Acoustic Musicians.

In Solo Acoustic Musician (SAM) 2, Michael Nichols expands on the information and perspectives shared in his first book, delving deeper into the world of the SAM by interviewing a half dozen of his peers, as well as a man who repairs and restores guitars: the essential tool of the SAM's trade. In SAM2, the reader will learn:· More practical tips about singing and guitar playing· What it takes to network and establish oneself as a performer· How to overcome the unexpected on a gig· And much more. This is an insightful, informative, and occasionally humorous guide to making a career out of live musical performance, whether as an interpreter of others' work or a singer-songwriter.

The fourth volume of the Solo Acoustic Musician series expands on the "open mic" event, at which performers sign up to play.

Bill Bay asked me to write a follow up book to my last book, "The Bluegrass Pickers Tune Book (20233). If you like Bluegrass music (232 songs) I'd recommend getting that book to add to your collection. the focus of this book, the Acoustic Source Book is on roots and old-time music. the book is focused on the time period from late 1800's until 1940's. There are a few songs from the Bluegrass Book that were too important to be left out. I decided not to use any patriotic and Christmas songs and came up with a list of about 400 songs which eventually was cut down to over 200. During the late 1800's and early 1900's there was an important evolution in American music; the birth of jazz, ragtime, and blues. This was also the period of the phonograph and early commercial recordings. Music from the Minstrel period as well as traditional songs were used as staple for the roots musicians. In the early 1900's there were rags, blues, gospel, Tin-Pan Alley, jug band, spiritual, old-time country and popular songs. I've tried to include some of the well-known songs from every genre to give you a big slice of Americana. There are some great songs that are popular roots, bluegrass and old-time songs today that have never been published. There are also great songs that are not well known that should be played and enjoyed.Richard Matteson with Kara Pleasants Wildwood Flower http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO9Xde2bdwA Paul & Silas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv5Tmaff9HQ Meet Me By the Moonlight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gwzCZfnG64 Scarborough Fair http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grbxMlz_DlI Water is Wide http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-hZkxWs8gs Richard Matteson with Jessica KasterBarbara Allen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX6PE80W4Pw In the Pines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtOL9Id5TW4 Hop Along Peter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5kAzSQ__rU Ain't Gonna Lay my Armor Down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsBYRuT2_FU

Each book in the Acoustic Solo Series contains complete transcriptions from the artists themselves in full standard notation and tablature. Performance notes are also included. The full original recording of each song is featured on the included CD. Twelve spectacular solo guitar arrangements, all in standard tuning (with a few simple variations), from David Cullen, Mike Dowling, Laurence Juber, Al Petteway, Doug Smith, and Kenny Sultan. The 12 songs provide an amazing overview of styles and techniques for solo guitar. From swing and blues to contemporary instrumental guitar styles, each piece will make a terrific addition to any solo guitarist's concert repertoire. Titles: The 5:55 * Bahama Beach * Blue Counterpoint * Crest of the Revolution * Go Ahead and Play * Groove Etude * Indigo Blue * Midari * Nitpickin' * Slippin' and Drippin' * Sunday Sonata * The Tempest.

Greg Horne, the best-selling author of the Complete Acoustic Guitar Method, and Stacy Phillips, one of the world's foremost DOBRO(R) performers and educators, have teamed up to create the ultimate resource for acoustic guitarists ready to step up to a new level of musicianship. Become an in-demand acoustic musician by learning to play mandolin, ukulele, lap dulcimer, Dobro, and several kinds of banjo. This book covers the tunings, techniques and styles you need to know to become a true multi-instrumentalist. Written in an easy-to-understand and friendly style, The Multi-Instrumental Guitarist is your guide to a new world of music making.