A Conversation with Lawrence Long

In this episode of Knox Guitar Box, host Andy LeGrand sits down with East Tennessee guitarist, composer, arranger, and educator Pat Corn for a wide-ranging conversation about a lifetime with the guitar.Pat’s musical story begins in childhood, from a homemade cigar-box guitar and an early encounter with Carl Sandburg, who showed him his first guitar chord, to discovering Chet Atkins and developing a lifelong love of fingerstyle guitar. Pat shares stories from growing up around the music of Western North Carolina, performing as a young clogger, studying music, working in Nashville, playing sessions and shows, and discovering how music literacy and the ability to read a chart opened unexpected doors throughout his career.Along the way, Pat talks about the musicians and teachers who influenced him, his experiences with Chet Atkins, Vassar Clements, Nashville recording sessions, custom guitars, alternate tunings, arranging, composing, and the instruments that have accompanied him throughout his career.You’ll also hear Pat perform and discuss original compositions and arrangements, including By George, Last Rose of Summer, Wildwood Flower, and Autumn Leaves.The conversation eventually comes back to what Pat continues to value most: teaching. He still works with students each week and shares his involvement with the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home Worship & Arts Academy, where music provides young people with an opportunity to create, grow, and discover something meaningful they can carry forward.Also in this episode, Andy previews the opening concert of the 2026–2027 Knoxville Classical Guitar season, featuring Gladius on Friday, September 25, and introduces Resonance Sessions by LeGrand Music, a growing collection of online courses, live learning experiences, recorded sessions, and resources for musicians. Access to Resonance Sessions is included as a benefit of Knoxville Classical Guitar membership.Knox Guitar Box is produced by FMX, with support from LeGrand Music and FlintMeryl Music. Proceeds from the podcast support Knoxville Classical Guitar and its work in performance, education, and community.ASHOKAN FAREWELL by Jay Ungar©1983 by Swinging Door Music. All rights reserved.Autumn Leaves” — Music by Joseph Kosma; French lyrics by Jacques Prévert; English lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Solo guitar arrangement and performance by Pat Corn. Used by permission.Learn More & ConnectKnoxville Classical Guitarhttps://www.knoxvilleclassicalguitar.com/Become a Knoxville Classical Guitar Memberhttps://www.knoxvilleclassicalguitar.com/support-kcg-become-a-memberGladius – September 25, 2026https://www.knoxvilleclassicalguitar.com/Resonance Sessions by LeGrand Musichttps://resonancesessions.legrandmusic.org/LeGrand Musichttps://www.legrandmusic.org/FlintMeryl Musichttps://flintmerylmusic.com/FMXhttps://FMXHQ.com/Fountain City Art Centerhttps://www.fountaincityartcenter.com/If you enjoy Knox Guitar Box, subscribe, share the episode, and consider becoming a member of Knoxville Classical Guitar.Until next time… play on.

In this episode of Knox Guitar Box, host Andy LeGrand sits down with Bryan Parris, owner and luthier at Parris Guitars, to discuss the craft, technology, and personal attention behind a great-playing instrument.Bryan shares how his home-based repair business grew into one of East Tennessee’s most trusted guitar shops. The conversation explores professional setups, fretwork, refrets, structural repairs, restoration, PLEK technology, and what musicians should know about caring for their instruments.Andy also demonstrates “the spider,” a left-hand exercise he learned from his college instructor. The exercise helps guitarists develop finger independence, dexterity, and a stronger mental connection between finger movement and fretboard placement. A downloadable diagram is available on the Knox Guitar Box website.Whether you’re a guitarist, music student, teacher, instrument enthusiast, or simply curious about the work that keeps guitars playing their best, this episode offers practical knowledge and a closer look at one of Knoxville’s respected musical craftspeople.Knox Guitar Box is an FMX production with support from FlintMeryl Music and LeGrand Music.Donate Herehttps://parrisguitars.comhttps://flintmerylmusic.com/pages/podcasthttps://www.knoxvilleclassicalguitar.com/https://www.legrandmusic.org/

What happens when a guitarist expands beyond six strings?In this episode of Knox Guitar Box, host Andy LeGrand sits down with guitarist, composer, and educator Jay Manley for an engaging conversation about music, creativity, and one of the most fascinating instruments you'll ever encounter—a 21-string guitar.Jay shares the story behind this remarkable instrument, demonstrates how it works, and discusses how the additional strings have influenced his playing, arranging, and composing. Along the way, you'll hear live performances and gain insight into the unique sound world the instrument creates.The conversation also explores Jay's musical journey, his experiences teaching music in China, his work as an instructor at LeGrand Music Studios, his performances with the Knoxville Classical Guitar Ensemble, and the many projects that continue to shape his career as a performer and educator.In addition to the interview, Andy highlights:The FlintMeryl ONE Flex—an affordable 7/8-size nylon-string guitar designed for students and developing musicians.FMX, a resource for music educators, studios, retail stores, and arts organizations seeking business consulting, retail partnerships, branding, marketing, podcast production, and music education solutions.The Fountain City Art Center, home of Knox Guitar Box, featuring the current Jerry's Artarama Staff Exhibition.The upcoming season of Knoxville Classical Guitar, including internationally acclaimed artists, concerts, and educational programs.Whether you're a classical guitarist, fingerstyle enthusiast, music educator, or simply someone who appreciates great conversations about guitars and music, this episode has something for you.About Knox Guitar BoxKnox Guitar Box is an FMX production, created with the support of FlintMeryl Music and LeGrand Music Studios, and produced to benefit Knoxville Classical Guitar.Our mission is to celebrate the people, instruments, organizations, and stories that enrich the worlds of classical, fingerstyle, acoustic, and contemporary guitar while encouraging listeners to support their local guitar communities.If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave a review, and consider supporting your local guitar society or arts organization.Until next time... play on.

Welcome back to Knox Guitar Box!In this special relaunch episode, host Andy LeGrand reintroduces Knox Guitar Box and shares what's in store for an exciting new season.Originally launched during the COVID pandemic to keep the guitar community connected, the podcast returns with a fresh audio and video format featuring conversations with local, regional, and internationally acclaimed guitarists. This season includes interviews with artists from Knoxville Classical Guitar's Main Concert Seriesand Artist Circle Series, along with educators, composers, fingerstyle artists, guitar builders, and other inspiring voices from the guitar world.Produced by FMX and recorded at the Fountain City Art Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, Knox Guitar Box is proudly sponsored by FlintMeryl Music and LeGrand Music Studios. Any proceeds generated by the podcast help support the mission of Knoxville Classical Guitar, bringing world-class performances, education, and outreach to East Tennessee.Whether you're a guitarist, student, educator, or simply a lover of great music, this is your invitation to join the conversation.If you enjoy what we're doing, we'd certainly appreciate your support. You can learn more about how just $10 a month helps strengthen the guitar community, expand music education, and bring world-class performances to East Tennessee by visiting KnoxvilleClassicalGuitar.com.To learn more about concerts, memberships, and upcoming events, visit KnoxvilleClassicalGuitar.com.Welcome back to Knox Guitar Box!

Season 1 episodes were recorded in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Live music had come to a halt. Knoxville Classical Guitar created a podcast, Knox Guitar Box, to move through the challenging times. These interviews were conducted for educational and entertainment purposes.

Season 1 episodes were recorded in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Live music had come to a halt. Knoxville Classical Guitar created a podcast, Knox Guitar Box, to move through the challenging times. These interviews were conducted for educational and entertainment purposes.

Season 1 episodes were recorded in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Live music had come to a halt. Knoxville Classical Guitar created a podcast, Knox Guitar Box, to move through the challenging times. These interviews were conducted for educational and entertainment purposes.

Season 1 episodes were recorded in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Live music had come to a halt. Knoxville Classical Guitar created a podcast, Knox Guitar Box, to move through the challenging times. These interviews were conducted for educational and entertainment purposes.

Season 1 episodes were recorded in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Live music had come to a halt. Knoxville Classical Guitar created a podcast, Knox Guitar Box, to move through the challenging times. These interviews were conducted for educational and entertainment purposes.

Season 1 episodes were recorded in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Live music had come to a halt. Knoxville Classical Guitar created a podcast, Knox Guitar Box, to move through the challenging times. These interviews were conducted for educational and entertainment purposes.