Scott Nygaard: Acoustic Guitar, Peghead Nation and a Lifetime in Music
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
04/02/26
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You may know Scott Nygaard from his career as a guitarist in the bluegrass and acoustic scene for more than 30 years, his work as former editor and writer with Acoustic Guitar Magazine, or as one of the co-founders of Peghead Nation. You may not know his novel Evergreen, based on his transformative first year at Evergreen College in 1973. I love a coming of age story, and this is very much a tale musical growth and about the loss of innocence during a time of societal changes . We also explore Scott’s most recent album, Flown South which was recorded after a serious accident, when Scott had to relearn to play guitar.
You’ll also be hearing music from his wonderful album Rosco with the Swedish guitarist Roger Tallroth, best known as a founding member of Väsen. Another collaboration you’ll be hearing about is Crow Molly, which features mandolinist Joe K. Walsh (a previous guest of this podcast). Scott shared his experiences recording with Chris Thile, touring with Joan Baez, and his move to Chile. I really enjoyed this opportunity to hear Scott’s wise observations on what really matters in a creative and connected life well-lived.
take you to the video, Scott Nygaard, other episodes you'll love, podcast newsletter sign up (where you'll get exclusive information about upcoming guests), podcast merchandise and how you can buy me a coffee to support this podcast - as well as the video link and transcript.
(00:00) Intro
(02:20) novel Evergreen, bluegrass, old-time music, racism
(12:35) old-time fiddling
(16:36) Crow Molly band and album with clip of track 5 “Too Hungry”
(18:21) album with Roger Tollroth Rosco with clip of track 6 The Surly Seven
(24:01) more about collaborating with Roger Tollroth, clip of track 9 True North album Rosco
(26:07) challenges of touring, Crow Molly with clip of track 9 Haapavesi album Crow Molly
(29:13) editing and writing for Acoustic Guitar magazine
(31:49) role of flat-picking guitarist in bluegrass and old-time music
(34:00) other episodes you’ll love and ways to support this series!
(34:50) music education and Peghead Nation, bands and community
(41:33) learning to play again after accident, album Flown South with clip of Itutu
(49:20) learning Spanish, wife Claudia losing hearing, sign language
(58:07) Flown South clip of improv “Understanding Makes the Brain Lazy”
(59:46) Evergreen, community of musicians, Peghead Nation, Scott’s books, guitars
(01:11:45) Chris Thiele, Joan Baez
(01:22:51) musical curiosity and advice, Lena Jonsson
Previous Episode
Carolyn Kendrick is a fiddler, songwriter, and producer based in California.
I’m really looking forward to her upcoming podcast with Tristan Scroggins “Don’t Call Me Darlin’,” based on an archive of Women in Bluegrass newsletters. You’ll also be fascinated to learn about Carolyn’s project “Each Machine” and you’ll be hearing some of that music and about her research into the Satanic Panic. She also started a really cool initiative with her friend Isa Burke, the Gender Equity Audio Workshop. You’ll hear Carolyn’s tips on songwriting, how she remembers songs, and how she’s built balanced life in music.
Photo: Natalie Petersen
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:46) Don’t Call Me Darlin’ podcast, Women in Bluegrass, Murphy Hicks Henry
(06:12) trailer Don’t Call Me Darlin’ (link in show notes)
(10:45) women in bluegrass
(14:34) Each Machine album and zine, satanic panic
( 18:09) audio clip "A Perfect World" Each Machine album linked in show notes, from poem by David Keig, research into satanism, clip of “Sugar and Spice”, interviewing Stephan Jones
(28:10) clip of “Leela” from Each Machine
(28:58) murder ballads, with clip of “Wind and Rain”
(30:57) upcoming new album, Gender Equity Audio Workshop with Isa Burke
(35:05) Berklee experience
(36:20) other episodes you’ll enjoy and ways to support this podcast
(37:08) Carolyn’s musical path
(45:25)clip of Silver Dagger from Tear Things Apart linked in show notes
(46:23) singing, different styles, memorizing songs, fiddle tunes
(50:34) love of Los Angeles, importance of being rooted in community
(54:42) love of making podcasts, Don’t Call Me Darlin’
(58:02) songwriting support group, creative outlets and prompts
Next Episode
I’m delighted to welcome back Gaelynn Lea, the disability rights advocate, author, singer-songwriter, and fiddler. If you missed my first conversation with her last year it’s linked in the show notes. I really enjoyed reading her memoir It Wasn’t Meant to be Perfect, and if you haven’t ordered it yet we hope you will after listening to this episode. Gaelynn goes into some of the themes in the book and you’ll be hearing great stories that didn’t make it into the final edits. In fact, you’ll hear about the editing process and about her new book project as well! We start with the documentary Crip Camp which focuses on Judy Heumann and disability rights. You’ll also hear about Denis Huna and inclusive music making, the importance of ASL and other sign languages. We got into the importance of improving communication with medical professionals with people living with disabilities and also why Gaelynn chose to write about love, sexuality and marriage in her memoir. We also did a deep dive into motivating and encouraging music students. We’re including clips from 3 of Gaelynn’s music videos and the full videos on her YouTube are linked in the show notes.
Complete Show Notes with ALL the links!
(00:00) Intro
(02:22) Memoir"It Wasn't Meant To Be Perfect”
(05:56) dealing with medical professionals
(08:23) stories from childhood, ASL and deaf culture
(21:09) Medicaid, about Gaelynn’s song “I Wait” with clip (video linked in show notes)
(26:09) Judy Heumann, film “Crip Camp”, disability rights
(32:06) inclusive music performances Denis Huna
(37:52) sexuality, “It Wasn’t Meant To Be Perfect”
(41:48) other linked episodes and ways to support this series
(42:41) husband Paul, with clip “The Long Way Around” (video linked in show notes), artist Lee Zimmerman
(48:13) problems with pressure and perfectionism in music education
(55:18) Gaelynn’s approach to teaching
(01:02:19) accessible book tour
(1:04:18) clip of “Lost in the Woods” (video linked in show notes)
(01:05:25)making the video, touring, accessibility, Ian Brennan
(01:11:47) love of dancing, childhood story
(01:13:27) next book, editing process for the memoir
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