Well... being a late-comer to the banjo and having never "performed" solo... i was somewhat reluctant to accept an invitation to play at a fundraiser "Gala" at one of the city libraries.  There were to be visual/graphic artists as well as ... ahem... "performing artists" to educate and entertain.  But i thought... hey... i got banjers... can more or less play 'em...so... why not?

I thought it would be a great opportunity to test my confidence and educate some in the community on traditional, old-time roots music... Appalachian... Celtic, etc.  In preparation i watched the PBS special "Give Me The Banjo", produced by TOny Trishka and narrated by Steve Martin (most excellent) to get the history down.  I thought i would tune my 3 banjos as" open G; G-modal and double C, capoed to D, and practiced 2-3 tunes for each one.

Overall, i thought it was a success... lot's of dressed up folks.  I was pleased that i played with confidence and without hardly a glitch.  I only forgot to play one of the tunes i had practiced:-).  Several folks got to hold the banjers and ask questions, etc.... and many admired the remarkable workmanship and the inlay work of Jason (Romero) and Colin (Vance).  Sadly, very few knew anything about the music we like here... some knew a few bluegrass tunes... but NONE knew any traditional old-time stuff... or anything really about banjos.  Some had seen Steve Martin perform live... and only one had heard of Doc Watson!!!

Oh well... we do what we can.  I was invited back for next year's affair... so... "Have Banjers... Will Travel"!