Jason Skinner - Posted - 10/07/2014:  19:54:38

I want to folks to know more about my favorite living banjo picker and friend, Brennen Ernst.  I haven't seen a lot of talk about him but that needs to change!  Brennen is one of the most incredible musicians I have ever come across.  I don't often get too excited about modern day pickers but in my opinion Brennen is one of the best out there today!  Not only is he a master of Reno style banjo but also a master at Reno style guitar.  As far as I am concerned he is the best I have ever seen at both and at his young age, he will only get better!  He can also play gypsy jazz guitar, piano, mandolin,....ANYTHING WITH STRINGS!  I haven't talked to him in a while but I believe he is still playing with Karl Shifflett and The Big Country Show.  Please go see him play, support his music, and get the word out about him.  I think he will be one of the greats of this generation.  The future of Reno style is in good hands!!

Check out some of these videos of Brennen on youtube. 

More great videos here!:

youtube.com/user/zzzpht/search...=shiflett

youtube.com/channel/UC7pz1PfsJ...=shiflett

Edited by - Jason Skinner on 10/07/2014 19:56:28

Frisco Fred - Posted - 10/07/2014:  20:50:09

Get that kid a manager!

... I'm surprised that I couldn't find one decent audio of Karl... at this point, you have to know what he's doing to appreciate it.  Wait till someone comes along and puts him in a real recording environment... Right now, he's a hidden treasure.

Edited by - Frisco Fred on 10/07/2014 20:50:43

Jason Skinner - Posted - 10/07/2014:  21:21:26

quote:

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Originally posted by Frisco Fred

Get that kid a manager!

... I'm surprised that I couldn't find one decent audio of Karl... at this point, you have to know what he's doing to appreciate it.  Wait till someone comes along and puts him in a real recording environment... Right now, he's a hidden treasure.

 

 

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Yeah it is a shame there isn't too many videos with good quality audio of him yet.  I am not sure if Karl Shiflett has recorded with Brennen yet.  He has actually recorded a whole gypsy jazz guitar CD.  You can check it out here: cdbaby.com/cd/brennenernst   I have been friends with him for years through email, BHO, and Facebook but never had the chance to pick with him.  He and Jeremy Stephens are good friends and have picked together a lot.  I think Jeremy taught him a lot over the past few years.  Now he has really rocketed past us all!  He really takes Reno style to a new level incorporating his own ideas into it while still remaining true to the style and traditional Reno feel.  A lot of pickers will play some Reno stuff but also throw in chromatics or something Don wouldn't do and that kind of sounds out of place to me.  I really believe he'll be one of the greats as time goes by.   Brennen is the Don Reno of the 21st century! 

BigC - Posted - 10/08/2014:  02:10:12

Thanks for bringing Brennen to my attention...he sure is a mighty fine picker....definitely gonna eclipse a lot of folks on his way up the tree...

Not many sound bites around at the minute, but I bet that will change pretty soon.

Brilliant... thanks again for sharing

Regards

C

Edited by - BigC on 10/08/2014 02:10:29

n1wr - Posted - 10/08/2014:  05:57:47

Jason:  you are absolutely right.  Brennan has posted quite a number of TABS here - of supberb quality.  A great all around musician, as you say.

BanjoTom47 - Posted - 10/08/2014:  06:47:47

Got to echo the praises here for Brennen Ernst -- saw him and KS&BC recently at Bean Blossom, and was again vastly impressed at young Brennen's mastery of the 5-string . . .  I'm hoping a lot of folks will sit up and take notice of Brennen and how he contributes to one of the most ENTERTAINING bands out there today.