Here’s a tune called Salt River. I don’t think I had heard this one until I watched Hilarie Burhans teaching it on one of her excellent YouTube videos, and I picked it up from there. I enjoy playing this one. I recorded this video with… Read More
I made a little video performing Angeline the Baker for the Tune of the Month on a Facebook group I contribute to, called Clawhammer Rules. Angeline the Baker is an old time tune derived from a Stephen Foster song called Angelina Baker. I learned this… Read More
This is me trying to play two ‘A’ tunes strung together: Lady (or is it Ladies) on the Green and Devilish Mary. I learned them both recently at Midwest Banjo Camp from Cathy Barton Para. One of the things that happens after banjo camp is… Read More
Wish I was a June apple hanging on a tree. Every time my true love pass, take a bite of me. Take a bite of me, my love, take a bite of me, Every time my true love pass, take a little bite of me.… Read More
Here’s a tune that is called Buckin’ Dun in some places and Bob-tailed Mule in others. Take your pick. I learned it at the last Midwest Banjo Camp from Cathy Barton Para. Cathy knows an amazing variety of tunes and she’s a wonderful teacher. This… Read More
It’s been drizzling all morning here in the southwest corner of Toronto. Further north, periods of freezing rain have been causing grief for motorists. It seems like the kind of day for a weird, melancholy minor key banjo tune, doesn’t it? This tune is called… Read More
I’ve seen various spellings for Big John’s name, but it’s all the same tune. This tune has been in the repertoire of a lot of a lot of Canadian fiddlers, and has been recorded by the likes of Graham Townsend and the fantastic Calvin Vollrath,… Read More
My friend Chris, the sax player (etc. etc.) across the street, gave me a John Deere cap, an accoutrement which I figure ought to instantly make me a better banjo player. I say this because any old fool knows that old time banjo players need… Read More
Here’s my attempt at playing the Buddy Durham fiddle tune, Durham’s Bull. I learned this one at the last Midwest Banjo Camp from Cathy Barton Para. This one would be more fun to play with a fiddle player I think, but I enjoy it none-the-less.
I’m playing this on my Dogwood banjo.
27th Street 