At the Christie show today, I bought a junker 4-string banjo with a project in mind. When I get around to it (I’m going to finish the mountain banjo I’m working on and make a couple gourd banjos first), I’m going to fix it up… Read More
I had a request for a sound sample of the new Heavy Duty Brake Fluid Banjo so I recorded a short video. Notwithstanding the limitations of my playing, I think it gives you a good idea what this machine sounds like. The tune is Greasy… Read More
I just finished the “Heavy Duty” Brake Fluid banjo. This is another A-scale oil can banjo using an “ebay neck”. I replaced the plastic nut on the neck with bone, and I made a cedar bridge. The tail-piece is once again a kitchen fork. I… Read More
http://youtu.be/ipoa3wmVovI We saw Jerron Paxton, or “Blind Boy” Paxton as he is sometimes billed, at Merlefest. He sure knows his way around a song!
There are lots of approaches to playing the banjo and plenty of banjo styles too. Here’s a photo of some of the participants at the banjo demonstration at Merlefest 2013. You’re looking at Ivy Sheppard, Randy Sheets, Riley Baugus, David Holt and Laura Boosinger. For… Read More
This is the “Industrial” with the new bridge and nut. The banjo is tuned to A Modal tuning.
Hee’s Riley Baugus – looking forward to seeing him perform at Merlefest!
Regular readers know the truth. I’m an unrepentant folk music freak enthusiast. That’s just the way it is. I think it was squeezebox king Flaco Jimenez who said something about folk music being very simple music dressed up to seem really complicated. Still, there are… Read More
West Fork Gals is a great old time tune. I was listening to it today and wondered about the West Fork. I have no doubt that some fine gals live along its banks. The name must refer to the West Fork River in North Central… Read More
Here’s Aubrey Atwater, clogging and playing banjo at the same time. Speaking of folk dancing, if you ever get a chance to see April Verch, the Ottawa Valley fiddler, don’t miss it. Not only is she a great fiddler but she dances up a storm… Read More
27th Street 