I have been writing professionally since 1986, when as an undergraduate at Brown University I published a book review in the San Francisco Chronicle. After moving west, I became a regular critic for the Chronicle while reporting for various publications on everything from new-age clothing to small-town California agriculture to Type A behavior counseling. My interests in writing and music merged with the founding of Acoustic Guitar magazine in the late '80s, and I have since published hundreds of articles and three books on the contemporary music scene, along with reports for NPR’s All Things Considered. 

Below is a sampling of print, audio, and video features available online. For a gallery of Acoustic Guitar magazine cover stories (31 and counting), click here.

NPR FEATURES

Issa (formerly Jane Siberry) reinvents more than music sales >>

The new world of online recording >>

Day in the life of an Indian rock band >>

A music haven in Indiana Amish country >>

INTERVIEWS/PROFILES

Jeff Tweedy >>

Richard Thompson >>

Elvis Costello >>

Jason Mraz >>

Keller Williams (with video) >>

John Lennon 25th anniversary >>

HOW-TO

Songwriting and the guitar (with video) >>

Ani DiFranco’s guitar style (with video) >>

Start writing songs (Making Music) >>

Intro to dropped-D tuning (with audio) >>

TRAVEL

Exploring sculpture parks with kids (FamilyFun, photos by JPR) >>

Expat family life in India (India Currents, photos by JPR) >>

Multigenerational travel (FamilyFun) >>
Music festivals for families (Travel + Leisure Family) >>

FIRST PERSON

The founding of Acoustic Guitar magazine >>

Rant about music journalism >>

Down-home music making >>

Gigging with a day job >>

MORE

Editing Projects

Writing/Editing Toolbox

Songwriting Toolbox

Songwriter Showcase

JPR on NPR