Alright…don’t laugh at me, but I really think this song is absolutely foundational for learning guitar. And, even though everyone treats it like a punching bag, it’s one of the best vehicles for learning chords, improvising, and phrasing.
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Yep, we’re talking about Darius Rucker and his hit classic “Wagon Wheel.” Whether you’re a beginner guitar player or experienced, you need to learn this song. There’s so much to unpack in this simple, 4-chord song. The sky’s the limit on this one, and it provides a solid framework for so many other songs.
Additionally, you’ll get a chance to see what’s going on inside the TAC community and hear from one of our members.
Last but not least, I’m dishing the latest acoustic guitar news you can use. There’s plenty to cover this week, and I hope you enjoy!
My favorite campfire song is Amie by Pure Prairie League.
Wagon Wheel is good thanks
I like Wabash Cannon Ball. Only three chords, in the key of G it’s just G, C, and D (D7 if you prefer). Anyone can learn and play, play it at many speeds, great for leads, easily teachable.
I would love to see an episode on Tacoma guitars and their history.I have a 1998 Tacoma DM8C (first full year of production) that is an amazing guitar.I have long thought that Tacoma’s will hold their on next to Taylor,Gibson and Martin’s offerings.I would love to get the deep dive information that you would bring to the subject!
Thanks!
Enjoyed the song portion. Interesting to hear the various styles. Campfire song, Bobby McGee, always fun. Fallon’s attempt at humour appalling. What a waste. If you don’t want or need that guitar any more, GIVE IT TO A KID! Open up a whole world out there for a young person. Music is for life.
“It breaks my heart to see those stars smashing a perfectly good guitar” John Hiatt
Hey Tony. Another great show…since Wagon Wheel was the first song I learned about ten years ago, I was really looking forward to this weeks show. However somewhat perplexed to hear you refer to it as a song that guitar players like to use as a punching bag, and kind of look down on as an overplayed cliche. This was a bit discouraging as its one of my main go to,s, but I was glad to see you don’t share this point of view and really appreciated your five points why its a must know song, all points that I completely agree with. Plus I really liked your lesson on the different styles of playing which will help me to grow even further into my old favorite. So thanks again for this weeks topic. Lastly you asked for ideas on artist and songs we enjoy playing. My submission is Clay Pigeons by Blaze Foley, who as im sure you know is a contemporary of Townes van Zandt, another hero. Thanks again Tony. Always look forward to Tuesdays:)
Awesome! I would never have thought of this one. Perfect for my beginner level. Thanks.
Hey, Tony! This was a great episode and I thank you. In three days, illy be 78. I know your answer to the “Am I too old?” Question. My wife hadn’t heard wagon wheel until Darius Rucker released it but we got total exposure due to Ken Burns Country Music on PBS.
I’m having fun with an IRS audit but that behind me I’m signing up! Thanks for as you do for us fans.
thanks for a great show Tony, my favorite campfire song is “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” by Dylan and the Byrds.
I always enjoy listening your presentations, but today’s was really enjoyable – especially the segment on “Wagon Wheel.” I remember when I first picked up the guitar those were the chords to seemingly almost every 50s and early 60s song. I think my personal campfire song would be Neil Diamond’s “Song Sung Blue.” It has a very basic, yet also transferable, chord exchange: C – G – G (7th optional) – C – C7 – F – G – C – (Dm) – G (7th optional) – C – and repeat Being able to make most of the 7th chords option means you can simplify it as much as you want to. So I think it would fit at least 4 of your test of 5 for optimal campfire songs.
My favorite campfire song is “Goodbye, California” b-Poor Man’s Whiskey. There is also an instructional video that’s quite nice…
https://youtu.be/MkpknXXUThU
I have been a member for 6months. Need to get out of my comfort zone. How do I access the tac family, and get into the zoom party. [email protected]
Hi Tony – I’m 74 and in my first TAC year. I really enjoyed the Wagon Wheel demonstration and comments. I’ve played Classical for several years but I was blown away by the alternative arrangements you demonstrated of Wagon Wheel. It would be tres cool to have you teach each of the methods such that I could absorb them into my humble list of songs I know (but are still trying to play). Incidentally for Canada Day, I took on the challenge of trying to learn Gordon Lightfoot’s Canadian Railroad Trilogy. My wife said she could actually recognize the melody. Yeah!
Donovan COLORS is my campfire song.
Wagon Wheel was huge for me as a new player to help my strumming. It was a strumming break through song for me. I love playing this with my grand children….they sing the chorus.
I think this BUILDERS MAKING BETTER guitars than Martin is total BS, a Total Hit job against Martin Guitar !! I
ASKED MYSELF everyday since it 1st appeared on your show, WHY !!!You could have said builders that would make Martin proud or influenced by Martin, NO , YOU SAID WHY go out and BUY a MARTIN when you can have a copy of a Martin that is better!!! WHY and then try to say your not trying to start any confrontation or ill will, something to that effect (I’m sorry but don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining) I know there are great artist that paint copies of the Mona Lisa and that their are the Tony Polecastro’s of the Art world saying their are copies better than the original. THAT’s YOUR OPINION , Some of us old guys are into basic’s not fads. I remember reading in the 30’s40’s50’s60’s that Gibson was better than Martin! In the 70’s it was Ovation was better than Martin, in the 80’s it was Takamine better than Martin, now it’s Taylor. You even did a vote on Taylor vs Martin lol, (by the way I have owned Brazilian rosewood Taylor)Taylor’s V bracing against Martins Golden Era. Now that’s a joke. (by the way I have owned everyone of those guitars named.
Playing garage bands in the 80’s became friends with the top luthier in our area. About 10 years ago he bought a nice Collins guitar. Mr C was big into Blue Grass and mahogany, he bought it from a store in SE Texas , the owner out of respect drove it to him in SW Louisiana. Well after a week Mr C called him back and said this just don’t have that blue grass punch I need and want, so the owner drove down and replaced it with another Collins, and after a week called him back and said this is just not right!!! Well they went back and forth and the STORE Owner finally drove down with a Martin D-18GE and when he strummed that MARTIN, the smile on that old man’s face was worth a million dollars. He died a little over a year ago and never let go of that guitar.
////OFF THE RECORD !!!!! I had quit playing in 2005 when I lost everything in Hurricane Rita, Started playing again when I seen you on AL (I believe,, showing guitars) and you started your show , I dusted off my guitars and started playing again. I sold off a lot of my collection, kept the ones that meant the most to me, I have(all bought new) Martins D-45 / Custom Shop D-41C /D-37K2 /HD-28 /D-18GE /GPC-16e /Custom Shop 000-42 /000-28MD /OM-28retro –
I guess what I’m saying I might have room for an HD-35 and a Maple guitar that has a beautiful chime that I have seen you play on your show. Let me know . And you can replace them with guitars from 1 of those 5 superior Guitar Makers, I forgot you introduced more superior companies today.
PS- I set across a table with Merle Haggard and listen to him talk about guitars, the way he spoke about Martin Guitars and the reference and respect he gave that company and history was breathe taking and what I expected from YOU. OR Watching Vince Gill or Eric Clapton talk about Martin Guitars on TV. I just wish TAC would show the same level of respect from the Company that has done so much and none can come close!
Take me home country road. That was one of the first songs I sang as a child.
My go to Campfire song – Stand by Me
I’m a harpist, learning to play guitar.
Thanks for your website.
Favorite campfire song … Closer to Fine!
My favorite camp fire song is “Country Roads Take Me Home” (John Denver Cover).
I started my guitar journey a month before my 50th birthday. The first song I learned to play was “Wagon Wheel.” It was the song my best friend and I would listen to every time we ran our Friday morning 5K’s. Mike passed a way from cancer last year. I wrote a song for him called “The Friday Morning 5k” and included a Wagon Wheel reference in the chorus. “Rockin’ along to Wagon Wheel, Lovin’ Life and how Blessed we feel, when we’re runnin’ … the Friday Morning 5K”. The third time we sing the chorus we change it up to “Rock me mamma like a Wagon Wheel, Loving life and how bless we feel, etc.” This Acoustic Tuesday made me very happy. Mike would’ve loved it.
Hey Tony,
I’d love to get your opinion on Ovation guitars. Other than mentioning the Celebrity you borrowed during your first, and somewhat difficult, live experience, I never heard you feature or talk about them again. Have you ever owned one? Love to get your thoughts. Thank you for the Acoustic Tuesday show. Cheers!
Campfire song: 500 Miles
Yea Tony, good show. My favorite camp fire song would have to be LIGHTNING STRIKING AGAIN, from your friend Guy B. in Champa Bay FL.
I am so excited to play this song!!!!
Jimmy Fallon is not funny and he’s a butt wipe.
Started my guitar journey at 68.
Tried at 28 but no internet, no Tony Lessons and the guitar I bought just followed me around the country as moved.
Wish your program had existed back then.
Glad I found it when I did.
Hang in there Bill
1) Favorite campfire song – or at least one that always gets requested – House of the Rising Sun.
2) Fallon – not funny.
Rick
Thank you Tony for another great informative
day- looking forward to next week.
Cheers- Billy M🎸
Jimmy Fallon may be a talented and sometimes funny asshole.. but still a major asshole, for smashing that Martin guitar. Your shown clip, proves it 100%.
I was thinking about the episode about female guitarists, and I thought immediately about Janet Martin. You should listen to some of her albums. She is a great slide player both electrically and acoustically. She hails from Richmond, Virginia, but has played throughout Europe. Give a listen Tony, I think you will be impressed. Long time watcher by the way.
Another interesting show! I continue to be amazed about how much this 69 year old does not know. It is embarrassing to admit, since I am from North Carolina and a Dylan fan, I never heard of Wagon Wheel. Maybe not enough campfire time? You are so right that the song is very easy (and fun) to play! I like the even easier campfire song Kumbaya (uses just 3 chords, C F G). Distressed to see that foolish display of disrespect by Fallon to a legendary luthier. Looking forward to attending my very first TAC Guitar Play today.
Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
Wagon Wheel was my first song I could play and sing to! Love it!
I love “And it Stoned Me” Van Morrison as a campfire song.
Tony, If you do a show on guitar makers- I would suggest Bashkin guitars in Fort Collins, Colorado. Mr. Bashkin also has a program that may interest you, it is called Luthier on Luthiers. He does one on one shows on other luthiers around the country. I’m a few months out from getting my own custom made guitar. CAN’T WAIT!!!
The Joker and Friends in low Places.
Great Show Tony!! Loved the Wagon Wheel analysis. As for me, I’m Jewish so I don’t camp (I don’t but just joking). I really enjoyed the “rut” section as well. There are days when I play so badly that I’m convinced that good guitar players around the world find themselves inexplicably weeping. I apologize profusely to my wonderful guitar. I have a drink, and get back on the horse the next day, play a little more slowly and things generally go much better. Thanks for these programs Tony
Take It Easy… Eagles