---
title: "Picky Fingers Podcast: Ryan Cavanaugh - Part 1"
description: In Part 1 of 2, Ryan Cavanaugh talks about his early days learning banjo, banjo contests, his influences, and pursuit to play jazz on 3-finger banjo.
---

[Hooks & Nuts - Deering Banjos Blog](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com)

# [Picky Fingers Podcast: Ryan Cavanaugh - Part 1](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/picky-fingers-podcast-ryan-cavanaugh-1)

 Written by [Keith Billik](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/author/keith-billik) | Dec 4, 2019 6:53:09 PM

Ryan Cavanaugh is best known for his innovative approach to playing jazz on the 5-string banjo, his tenure with legendary saxophonist Bill Evans's band Soulgrass, his more bluegrassy group The Songs From the Road Band, and other solo work.

In Part 1 of 2, Keith talks to Ryan Cavanaugh about his early days learning banjo, playing (and winning!) banjo contests, his influences (especially John McLaughlin), and pursuit of ways to play jazz on 3-finger banjo.

 

Check out Ryan's new solo banjo recording The Realist. Available on [**Apple Music**](https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-realist/1488755239) and [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Realist-Ryan-Cavanaugh/dp/B081VZB794/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Ryan+Cavanaugh&qid=1575398853&s=dmusic&search-type=ss&sr=1-3)!

 

[View full post](https://blog.deeringbanjos.com/picky-fingers-podcast-ryan-cavanaugh-1)

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