trapdoor2 - Posted - 01/27/2012:  20:55:41

Anyone here going? I'll be on staff for the Friday "Banjo History" lecture/demo. For the rest of the weekend I'll be teaching Stroke Style, Clawhammer & Classic 1890's fingerstyle for those who want it. Heck, I might bring a BG banjo along and see if I can still pick one.

Looks like the current lineup includes: Leroy Troy, James McKinney, Tom Nechville, Ian Perry, Dave Ball, Wayne Erbsen, Sonny Smith, Jack Hatfield and myself. Jack probably has a couple more up his sleeve.

If you haven't ever attended one of these, they're a hoot...worth every penny. The venue is up in the beautiful Smoky Mts (Gatlinburg, TN) and the view of the Blueridge is awesome. Class sizes are small and there is ample room and time for one-on-one teaching, discussions, jams, etc. It is a resort motel so you sleep in the same building where the Camp is held...and everyone in the joint is all about the banjo for the whole weekend. Atmosphere is relaxed, food is good and you won't find a friendlier group of folks.

For more info, go to Jack Hatfield's website: jackhatfieldworkshops.com/work...smba2012/

I hope I see some of y'all there!

jackhatfield - Posted - 02/22/2012:  19:48:07

"Up my sleeve"? Greg Cahill and Ross Nickerson were recently added, will both be there all three days. National Banjo Finalist and RenoFest winner Jason Bales is a "probable" depending on his schedule at Dollywood, and National Champ Gary Davis usually comes on Sunday. Still working on a couple of other well known players/teachers.

cmtpres - Posted - 02/29/2012:  10:15:23

I'll be there along with my neighbor and friend Andy.  This will be my first and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm a beginner leaning toward Old-Time.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 03/01/2012:  07:21:35

quote:

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Originally posted by cmtpres

I'll be there along with my neighbor and friend Andy.  This will be my first and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm a beginner leaning toward Old-Time.

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 Excellent! Wayne Erbsen will be there (author of several OT books) and Dave Ball (a great OT player) and myself (also an OT player). You should be awash in OT banjo stuff.

cmtpres - Posted - 03/01/2012:  14:51:30

quote:

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Originally posted by trapdoor2

 Excellent! Wayne Erbsen will be there (author of several OT books) and Dave Ball (a great OT player) and myself (also an OT player). You should be awash in OT banjo stuff.

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 I'm looking forward to meeting you guys and listning to some really good playing too.

jackhatfield - Posted - 03/08/2012:  20:33:00

Marc: Don't forget Leroy Troy! (HOW COULD ANYBODY EVER FORGET LEROY?) 

trapdoor2 - Posted - 03/09/2012:  08:31:41

Oops! You're right, Jack.

I tend to think of Leroy as being in a category all by himself...sort of like: well, we have several great OT players on hand...and then there's LEROY TROY.

Kind of like trying to categorize James McKinney. You have a roomful of banjo pickers...and then there's James. 

jackhatfield - Posted - 03/12/2012:  21:54:09

or, you have a room full of banjo pickers, then you have a room full of James...


Just added Kristin Scott Benson, she will be there Friday and Sunday.

jackhatfield - Posted - 03/14/2012:  07:21:31

Ron Stewart was just added to the faculty, Sunday only. The faculty is now complete. Here is a little more info:

The Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy features three full days of classes from Beginner to Advanced plus jamming, ongoing mini-concerts, a banjo contest with a Gold Tone TB-100 first prize, a guaranteed private lesson with a pro. The instructors: Kristin Scott-Benson, Dave Ball, Jason Bales, Gary Davis, Wayne Erbsen, Jack Hatfield, James McKinney, Tom Nechville, Ross Nickerson, Leroy Troy, Sonny Smith, Don Wayne Reno, Marc Smith, Sonny Smith, Ron Stewart.  The dates are May 4th-6th 2012, at Wa-Floy Mountain Retreat near Gatlinburg, TN. This camp is in a beautiful mountain setting, adjacent to the most-visited national park in the USA. The facility is ten miles away from the tourist attractions but close enough for friends and family to access easily. There are hundreds of attractions and outdoor activities for the family: Dollywood, Splash Country, the Titanic museum, Wonderworld, outlet malls, golfing, trout and lake fishing, horseback riding, hiking, rafting, go-carts, and over 30 theaters and shows. Single day/no-lodging rates are available if you want to camp or stay offsite. Camping available adjacent to the facility. Although there are many top recording artists on staff, SMBA is "beginner friendly". Half of the instructors are professional banjo teachers and authors. Faculty includes THREE National Banjo Champs and two finalists, plus a winner of the prestigious RenoFest banjo contest! In any given class period we try to have at least one beginner intermediate and advanced class in progress, and we alternate mini-concerts with teaching periods. Styles presented: Three-finger Bluegrass, Melodic, and Single String, classical, jazz /swing, brush (Minstrel) Old Time: clawhammer, drop-thumb, two finger, Civil war era. There is an organized Gospel Jam and student onstage jams as well as ongoing spontaneous student/faculty jamming. The camp runs Friday morning through Sunday, but many choose to arrive Thursday night for the cookout and informal jamming and socializing. Usually about half the faculty is there hanging out Thursday night. Everybody stays under one roof in a lodge facility which d features double occupancy motel-like rooms, each with a private bathroom and balcony. However, there are also cabins onsite for groups or families. Ask about group discounts: Teacher or group organizer gets free admission with four full-time students. All meals provided. Spring in the Smokies and banjers a-ringing. Doesn't get much better than this!

cmtpres - Posted - 04/29/2012:  09:20:19

Jack, The PDF file here jackhatfieldworkshops.com/work..._2012.pdf
leaves out everything from 10:45 Saturday through 12:45 Sunday. Is there a corrected version available?

jackhatfield - Posted - 04/29/2012:  19:00:58

sorry! I am tweaking it anyway after sending it tot all the faculty... there are changes to be made. i will figure out why it won't display fully and post a revised one hopefully by tomorrow, or you can email me directly and I will send you the attachment.

jack@hatfieldmusic.com

jackhatfield - Posted - 04/29/2012:  19:04:52

Still trying to give away a full three day scholarship to some young person (under 18 yrs old) who could not otherwise afford to attend...have the person or a parent contact my by Wednesday. This scholarship is generously funded by R.B and Bridget Powell, long time SMBA supporters from Lewiston, PA.

phone: 865-428-8744
email: jack@hatfieldmusic.com