rudy - Posted - 06/22/2012:  10:08:04

I started to respond to the hide heads topic, but realized that there are a few  folks that don’t check the other forums here, so may not know of the Craig Evans “Contemporary North American Banjo builder Interviews” series of DVDs.  The series are composed of 3 DVDs each and are divided into builders east of the Mississippi and builders west of the Mississippi (along with a few extras...) and there are a few more surprises in the works at this time.

Craig very seldomly posts information over here in the building and repair section, but there's a long running thread about his DVD series in the "Clawhammer and Other" forum here:

banjohangout.org/topic/202324

Do be warned it’s 36 pages and counting…

First and foremost, If you're building banjos you owe it to yourself to invest in Craig Evan's in-depth interviews with contemporary builders.  The interviews are fun, fascinating, and in depth.  You'll pick up enough tips when the builders do the "shop tour" portion of the interview to pay for the modest cost of these DVDs many times over.

Craig started the project as a birthday present to himself and it blossomed into the current iteration.  He's now working on a third DVD that consists of interviews of banjo historians and archivists.

Anyone that knows our friend Craig  ("Frailin" here on the Hangout) can appreciate what a great asset he is to banjo players and makers alike, and that's not even touching on his service work within the Autism community.

I'm humbled by his presence here! 

Edited by - rudy on 06/22/2012 10:08:47

hockeydudde - Posted - 06/22/2012:  10:34:36

Here is the link to the website where they can be ordered.

northamericanbanjobuilders.com/

Thought I'd save a bit of searching for others.

RBuddy - Posted - 06/22/2012:  10:50:31

I'll add even though I have not completed watching the first set yet that the quality of cinematography is professional and I'd hazard even National Geography level stuff IMO!

These DVD's are a real pleasure to watch and a banjo treasure to own. Fun also to visually meet many hangout contributors via the DVD's.

Great work Craig!

Brian

frailin - Posted - 06/22/2012:  11:48:34

Hey, thanks you guys... for helping get the word out (and your kind words!).  It's pretty hard NOT to like our banjo builders.  And yes, the Shows are put together so everyone can see how they do that voodoo that they dooo so well.  

Here's a trailer of the 25 Builders so those of you not familiar with the Series can see who is in it:  vimeo.com/39630789

And with any luck, I'll have Volume 3: "Conversations with Banjo Historians" finished later on this winter.  

Oh, and you can also buy Volumes 1 and 2 HERE at the Hangout.  The good news here is, there's a contribution to our favorite banjo forum with each purchase.    banjohangout.org/lessons/banjo...fault.asp

Thanks, again.