Martin Stories

About Martin Stories

Martin Stories is the official podcast of Martin Guitar—a place where the artists, the instruments, and the moments behind that iconic Martin tone share their story. Martin Guitar has been handcrafting acoustic guitars in Nazareth, Pennsylvania for nearly 200 years—and the tone, and the stories behind them, only get richer. Hosted by Jimmy Leslie, Frets Acoustic Editor at Guitar Player, each episode goes inside the story with players, collectors, and creators who have a Martin guitar at the center of their musical life. They share the careers they've built, the moments that changed them, and the hard-won insights that only come from a lifetime of playing. From bluegrass flatpickers to fingerstyle explorers, from first-time acoustic players to lifelong Martin devotees — if that unmistakable Martin tone is what you're chasing, welcome to the community. New episodes every two weeks. For more on Martin Guitars, head to: https://www.martinguitar.com/ Hosted by: Jimmy Leslie Produced by: Elizabeth Evans Media

Publisher

Martin Guitar

Category

arts · music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Aug 2026

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   06. Hunter Hayes: From His First Publishing Check at 17 to 5 Grammy Nominations and the Martin OM He Reaches for Most

   Ever picked up a guitar and felt like every note had something to say? Hunter Hayes, the five-time GRAMMY-nominated, Louisiana-raised songwriter, producer, and Martin artist behind the new album Evergreen, joins Jimmy Leslie from his home studio in Nashville, Tennessee. He brings the Martin OM he bought at 17 with his first publishing check, the guitar that became the signature sound of his debut album. Hunter takes us inside his home studio, where one stereo ribbon mic sits ready for every acoustic idea. He shares how a walk into Guitar Center led to his OM, and how he came to paint his iconic sentiment, "For the Love of Music," on his gear. He talks about the tiny 1958 Martin he found in Japan and the small-bodied Terz guitars that now start most of his songs, and about his koa custom. He also explains how the riff from the title track, "Evergreen," came together, built from ukuleles, an oud, a mandolin-banjo, and a bouzouki, and co-written with Gordie Sampson. Along the way he covers the Martins he takes on tour, the Evergreen guitar with artwork by Robert Goetzl, and his favorite Martin memory. If this one made you want to pick up a guitar and see what comes out, send it to the songwriter in your life who needs the nudge. Follow Martin Guitar on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@martinguitar (https://www.youtube.com/@martinguitar) Follow Martin Guitar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinguitar/ Follow Hunter Hayes: https://www.instagram.com/hunterhayes/

2. 

   9 Oct 2026

   05. Brandy Clark: The NYT Top-30 Songwriter Behind "Who You Thought I Was" and "Follow Your Arrow"

   Ever picked up a guitar and just not wanted to put it down? Brandy Clark, named one of the 30 greatest living songwriters by The New York Times and a Martin artist for about a decade, joins Jimmy Leslie from Nashville. She's written songs recorded by Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert, and her new album, The Bird, is produced by Shooter Jennings. Brandy shares how a shoulder injury from writing and teaching guitar all day pushed her toward a smaller Martin, the OMJM, and why she's rarely bought another brand since. She breaks down her rolling fingerpicking style and why she loves a capo. She also tells the story of how a John Prine line at the 2018 Americana Awards became "Who You Thought I Was," and what happened when she finally told him. Along the way she plays that one live, plus "Follow Your Arrow," "Get High," "American Roots," and "Hold My Hand," and talks about recording with her road band, and why the "magic comes in the mistakes." If you've ever fallen for a guitar because of how it feels in your hands, send this one to the songwriter in your life. Follow Martin Guitar on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@martinguitar Follow Martin Guitar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinguitar/?hl=en Follow Brandy Clark: https://www.instagram.com/thebrandyclark

3. 

   25 Sept 2026

   04. Laurence Juber: From Studio Session Player to One Life-Changing Call at Abbey Road

   Some decisions take years to unfold. This one took a nanosecond. Laurence Juber—named one of the 50 greatest acoustic guitar players of all time by Guitar Player Magazine, and best known for his tenure with Paul McCartney and Wings in the late '70s and early '80s—joins Jimmy Leslie from his home studio in Studio City, Los Angeles. LJ is a fingerstyle specialist and longtime champion of the Martin OM (Orchestra Model), the guitar body style built around melody and bassline played at once. LJ walks through the phone call at Abbey Road that led to Wings, the moment Paul McCartney asked what he was doing for the next few years, and the choice he made in an instant. He digs deep into the history of the Martin OM—why it disappeared for decades before being rediscovered as the ultimate fingerstyle guitar—and the years-long process that led to his own signature model, the OMC-21 LJ, built in Cuban mahogany. He also traces his path from session player on The Spy Who Loved Me and Roseanne to his acclaimed LJ Plays the Beatles series, now five albums deep. If this one made you want to go down a guitar-wood rabbit hole, send it to the gear nerd in your life who'll thank you for it. Follow Martin Guitar on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@martinguitar Follow Martin Guitar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinguitar/ Follow Laurence Juber: https://www.instagram.com/laurencejuber/?hl=en

4. 

   9 Sept 2026

   03. Don Felder: How One 1965 D-35 Unlocked the Iconic Key for Hotel California

   Eagles guitarist Don Felder shares with Jimmy Leslie the story of how his 1965 Martin D-35 guitar inspired the iconic "Hotel California" key.

5. 

   26 Aug 2026

   02. Joe Bonamassa: From His Father's Martin D-35 to His Own Signature Models

   Jimmy Leslie interviews blues guitar legend Joe Bonamassa, tracing his lifelong connection with Martin guitars from childhood to his signature models.

6. 

   7 Aug 2026

   01. Kenneth Pattengale: From Kitty Wells' 0-15 to His Milk Carton Kids Sound

   Host Jimmy Leslie interviews musician Kenneth Pattengale about his lifelong connection to a 1954 Martin 0-15 guitar and the philosophy behind his unique musical approach.

Who has been a guest on Martin Stories

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Don Felder
• Joe Bonamassa
• Kenneth Pattengale

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Martin Stories

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Martin Stories