74rider - Posted - 01/19/2015:  12:50:34

Thanks for the post.

J-Walk - Posted - 01/19/2015:  17:49:39

Excellent work, as always, Craig.

I'd sure like to know more about that ? & MacLemoy's Reel? tune. It's in Steve's video, starting around 17:00.

frailin - Posted - 01/19/2015:  18:06:07

Good eye J-Walk. It's a "reminder to self."  It will be amended in the final version of the show.

Steve didn't remember the name of the first number in this French-Canadian medley.  Since I've learned the hard way that Smithsonian folkways doesn't really cotton to unnamed (uncredited) tunes, I've been after him (nicely, of course) to provide me the names and spellings.  I'm afraid my persistent email has unfortunately resulted in him now calling me Mr. Bossy Pants. It is, of course, a term of endearment. :).

But I still don't have the name of the tunes… nor the correct spelling. Thus, the reminder to self to fix. 

LyleK - Posted - 01/19/2015:  18:22:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by J-Walk

Excellent work, as always, Craig.

I'd sure like to know more about that ? & MacLemoy's Reel? tune. It's in Steve's video, starting around 17:00.

---

Don't know what the "?" tune is, but the second is Mackilmoyle's Reel - see tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:M...oyle_Reel.  I've got tab for it at: lylewk.home.comcast.net/~lylewk/, but for ear learning try slippery-hill.com/M-K/GDAE/D/M...moyle.mp3 or youtube.com/watch?v=iabOfal6SjU

​I was in a one-hour freebie workshop Steve led in Urbana, IL last November.  He started the session with "I'm going to teach you the hardest tune I know" and then spent the next hour teaching Mackilmoyle's Reel.

Excellent work Craig!

westsideryan - Posted - 01/19/2015:  19:21:46

My fiddlin' friend Heather Lewin (Celtic Fiddler) said the tune is called "St. Joseph's Real".

Edited by - westsideryan on 01/19/2015 19:27:23

westsideryan - Posted - 01/19/2015:  19:48:56

frailin - Posted - 01/19/2015:  20:06:01

Thanks Ryan. 

flatfootjohnny - Posted - 01/20/2015:  01:18:02

Heres a great clip of Steve Rosen and the Volo Bogtrotters playing the banjosticks youtube.com/watch?v=N-NxfoP6GcU

Yanni - Posted - 01/20/2015:  02:54:39

Totally enjoyed those Craig and thanks for sharing.  Second video credits the Volo Bogtotters, you might want to check that ;)

Ian

frailin - Posted - 01/20/2015:  05:51:59

Hi Yanni. Yes I put that picture in there intentionally. It appears just prior to the credits (it's not intended as one). However, it does bring the story full-circle...that these two people are an important part of the Volo Bogtrotters. :)

Yanni - Posted - 01/20/2015:  06:06:59

Fully understood Craig, it's just that it says Volo Bogtotters, not Volo Bogtrotters ;)

Ian

frailin - Posted - 01/20/2015:  06:22:44

Ah!  Oops. :). Thanks for that catch, Yanni!  

frailin - Posted - 01/20/2015:  10:58:57

Jeez Louise!  Over 600 views for both programs (300+ each)!  Thanks for sharing your comments, folks.  Time to turn them off.  

I'll post more freebies down the road.  :)

clawhammermike - Posted - 01/20/2015:  20:02:11

Check out my new band- the Volvo Bogtotters!

RebekahWeiler - Posted - 01/27/2015:  17:53:57

Looking forward to seeing you in April in Georgia :-) Rebekah Weiler

frailin - Posted - 02/01/2015:  08:24:20

Wow.  I have a wonderful dilemma.  I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to emotionally handle this project.  :) The highs are amazing... and incredibly addictive.  Chirps and Steve were a delightful slice of life.  And my most recent interview with Stephen Wade is another fine example.  Where Chirps and Steve are shining souls of love for history and playful mischief, Stephen is about the joy and life found in music.  How can one NOT love this man, his enthusiasm, his brilliance, his contagious happiness?!  Oh my (deep breath).  

Ok.  I'm taking my time editing the precious conversation.  I will make it a free view (for a limited time) when finished, but it's important for you to recognize the importance of seeing Stephen's live performance based on his book "The Beautiful Music All Around Us."  Seriously, if you love both life and music (everyone?), you owe it to yourself.  Stephen and his show are so worthwhile.  

Love this man.  

Edited by - frailin on 02/01/2015 08:26:03

pjxndvm - Posted - 02/01/2015:  12:25:47

Craig, I could not agree more with your comments. I am looking forward to going to the show, as I very much enjoyed the presentation I saw at The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. I think I almost floated out of that auditorium. 

pjxndvm - Posted - 02/01/2015:  12:41:29

Let us know when we can pre order the DVDs.... I can hardly wait.... 

westsideryan - Posted - 02/01/2015:  14:37:05

I am going to be going to his show at the end of the month.  I can't wait!  I can't wait for the sneak peak and for Craig's DVD's to come out too!

Edited by - westsideryan on 02/01/2015 14:37:57

Kole - Posted - 02/01/2015:  18:07:36

Craig, thank you for your dedication to the Banjo and the culture that surrounds it. It is much appreciated.
Your buddy
Tom

Bob Sayers - Posted - 02/01/2015:  20:56:03

Craig, I'm very happy to hear that you're adding Stephen Wade to you're lineup of video interview subjects. He's a highly worthy candidate. How about Kinney Rorrer and the New North Carolina Ramblers? They're a direct link to the great Charlie Poole and it would be fascinating to hear Kinney Rorrer describing Poole-style banjo picking, which he has mastered. He also plays, I believe, one of Poole's banjos--or at least one just like the original. Just a suggestion.

frailin - Posted - 02/02/2015:  06:18:39

Performer/historian David Holt (also included in this Series) did a fine interview with Kinney.  More of his story, here.  

frailin - Posted - 02/05/2015:  07:37:51

Folklorist, historian, scholar, musician and performer Stephen Wade is an absolute delight.  

Earlier this month, I drove to Milwaukee to take in his one-man performance of "The Beautiful Music All Around Us" (based on Stephen's remarkable book) the night before our conversation.  

The show - presented at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre - contains lots of fine banjo entertainment. But it's so much more than that.  

The show is the story of Stephen's in-depth field-study (an 18 year effort) researching the stories of these select songs/tunes from 1940's Library of Congress recordings. Stephen's contagious energy and fascination with the people that recorded these slices of daily life in kitchens, fields, jails, churches and more are brought to life through song, picture and story.  It's riveting!  I couldn't offer a higher recommendation for anyone considering attending.  Spoiler alert:  Stephen does get a standing ovation.  Note:  His book contains a CD of these numbers. They'll quickly become your favorites, too.  

Throughout his performance, Stephen talks warmly of those that most influenced and encouraged him to pursue his musical talent as well as his life-long desire to find the real music of life.  His banjo teacher Fleming Brown plays a significant role in his development. The next morning, we explored this further, as well as some of his in-the-field experiences and inspirations in our "Conversation" for this series.    

I'm posting Stephen's interview for free viewing for a limited time in hopes some of you, after watching, may be inspired to take in his one-man show while you can.  It's truly not to be missed.  

Click on this picture to see Stephen Wade's "Conversation" with me at Vimeo.  Again, limited time viewing!  

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 02/05/2015:  09:35:51

The problem with this thread is that I want to watch everything now - but on the other hand, I really want to buy the DVDs and binge watch the whole series at once. I really enjoyed watching the banjo builder series that way - watching them one after another.

Okay, I've convinced myself to wait. But I happen to be really busy right now, otherwise i doubt that I would have the self-control.

frailin - Posted - 02/05/2015:  10:21:35

Now that 3 of these interviews are in the can (only 33 to go), I wanted to reflect a bit on just how blessed I feel to be able to sit with these remarkable people to listen to and record their stories.  

As a technical college marketing instructor, I dedicate one entire class to understanding the "lost art of listening."  When you see the research, you'd be amazed how little most people "tune in" to normal conversation.  It's tough!!  We live in a very noisy society.  Unfortunately listening - really HEARING and UNDERSTANDING another person - has become a rarity.

Here's a quick (easy) test:  Look at this photo.  In your imagination, what do you "hear"?  Is it the drum of industrialization coming from the factory in the background or the birds of the field?  They're both present.  In my 50's, I began to learn it was MY choice.  Wow.  What a difference THAT makes.  :)

Research shows, we respond 25% to what we hear but 75% to what we see and hear.  

As pack-animal mammals, thanks to the internet (specifically Youtube), we're adapting to video to help us MORE quickly understand, learn or "get to the point."  Makes sense!  That's a large part of why I found myself as a later-in-life film-maker... first to help people better understand the good news that can be found in autism and now, to offer others a chance to better understand our music community and the rich, inspirational texture of the extraordinary people within.   

Film-making, specifically editing, is an amazing art form for many reasons.  My favorite reason is it allows me to INDULGE in listening... REALLY hearing what a person has to say!  It's a luxury by today's busy standards.  

Crafting one of these interviews is a lot like sculpting.  Consider:  I'm presented with a 30GB, 2-camera, high-def solid block of words.  Similar to marble, there are veins and color themes that run through out.  That's a clue to what's there...maybe.  But what is the final product?  What does it look and sound like?  And where the heck is it in there?!  My task is to chip away at the external stories and words to find the most appealing "theme" with accompanying, supportive stories within.  It's very repetitive... and requires hours of intense listening to really understand.  My wife likes it when I wear headphones or, better yet, shut the door.  :)  But the good news is, eventually, something comes to the surface.  

Unlike marble, in the case of video, if too much is chipped away, I can easily reattach it.  :)  Sometimes I find certain pieces actually better complement a related theme elsewhere.  It IS a laborious process.  Lots of trial and error... reviewing again and again until it feels right.  You might be interested in knowing, very final minute of these program generally takes me MORE than an hour's worth of discovering, selecting, placing/positioning and polishing.  But oh, it's SO worth it when finished. I've really listened to someone I admire. I "get" this human being and what they're about.  That's so incredibly cool.  :)

Chirp's is awesome.  His show follows his musical journey, his influences and ultimate (life-enhancing) discovery of the value of the "roots" of tunes, songs and styles.  It drew him to new adventures... meeting people he'd never otherwise meet and sharing in the joy of their experiences through stories and music.  Chirps' musical path is partially akin to that of a hunter gatherer (him) and the excitement found in landing the prized quarry... an otherwise unknown (unappreciated) tune.  A slice of life, so to speak. And, ever smiling, he shares that find with us.  Joy.  

Steve Rosen's playful story is of the joy he finds in bringing the music to life (performing) so others can feel what he experiences in playing (watching them "get it!").  

And Stephen Wade's story portrays an intense young man, deeply drawn to the people and music of common, everyday life... complete with the noises and distractions that accompany.  Along his journey, he seeks out people and acquires new skills.  Using his innate abilities, he develops writing and performance techniques that ultimately "frame" the slice-of-life joy found in the beautiful music and places all around us.  And then, as a musician, performer and writer, he gives that joy to us!  Remember that photo of the factories and fields?  Stephen helps us hear the birds with the drum beat of industrialization adding to its song.  It's become his life's purpose.  Lucky us!  :)

This irony of being surrounded by everyday noise yet finding rare beauty within - if we only listen - is not lost on me.  If we work at it, we can all get there.  

-----

How blessed I am with this project.  In listening to these stories and music, I hope you too experience the beauty and joy within these precious people and their life's work.  :)

dbrooks - Posted - 02/05/2015:  10:35:16

Your comments are insightful and touching, Craig. They also help explain the extremely high quality of the finished products. I read and enjoyed Stephen Wade's book. I too recommend it highly. Keep these updates coming. I hope to watch the Stephen Wade trailer in the next day or so. 

David

pjxndvm - Posted - 02/05/2015:  10:39:17

Wonderful... wonderful.... wonderful interview...

jamesd - Posted - 02/05/2015:  10:47:29

Great interview.  I am reading Mr. Wade's book now and this viewing of Stephen Wades interview adds a new life to his book as  I read.  The man is a wonderful player and I really liked listening to him speak about his history and music.  Thanks for posting this  and hopefully  I can see his show live someday.  Thanks, Craig!

Yanni - Posted - 02/05/2015:  11:59:22

I feel myself touched.  Not just by the wonderful music and honesty of the musicians, but also by the humble and loving way you bring these people to us Craig.  For many on here, these are well known names, but to me, they are new.  It is wonderful to hear these lives brought into focus in this way.  Thankyou so much for the creation of these interviews and also for sharing them!  

Now is possibly the time to ask about something.  It has been on my mind for some time but I never got around to asking.  A name I hear all the time in blues and American country/old time etc.  Just who is John Henry and what is his story?  Please forgive this curious Englishman :)

Ian

frailin - Posted - 02/05/2015:  12:08:02

Yanni and others, thank you for the kind words. :)

Regarding John Henry, lots of story variations (after all, it IS traditional music), but this summary is reasonable:  

ibiblio.org/john_henry/analysis.html

pjxndvm - Posted - 02/05/2015:  12:44:12

Here's a segment Stephen Wade did on John Henry for NPR...

npr.org/templates/story/story....d=1149349

richla - Posted - 02/05/2015:  13:20:20

Craig, that was fantastic. You really nailed the editing, lighting, etc. Can't wait to watch it again, later tonight. Looking forward to placing my order for the finished volume.

RWJonesy - Posted - 02/05/2015:  20:19:23

Wow, just wow. What a remarkable human being. Stephen still has such zeal for life experiences through people and old time music. He has such a sharp memory for details....as if he remembers everything he has ever lived. His playing is fantastic as well. Craig, you also are so very remarkable. The whole interview and production is so very well thought out. I feel so blessed by your work. I look forward to each interview with great enthusiasm. It must be so amazing to you getting to personally interview all these wonderful people. What a joyful time! Thank you for it all.....and this is only the beginning!!!

Yanni - Posted - 02/06/2015:  01:49:07

Thanks for the heads up on John Henry folks, great stuff :)

Ian

JanetB - Posted - 02/06/2015:  18:01:03

Stephen Wade's stories are indeed a joy to hear and his Cumberland Gap versions down the ages are interesting. Thanks, Craig.  You're a joy, too!   

frailin - Posted - 02/16/2015:  12:55:06

This video popped up on Facebook today.  

For anyone that loved Doc Watson, hearing his personal, reflective comments at the beginning of this song are priceless.

​This is precisely why I'm filming Conversations with Old-time Performers.  :)

frailin - Posted - 03/01/2015:  18:14:35

Florida Doubleheader:  Today I was audience to two gentle, intelligent, talented musicians:  

Mark Johnson  

Mac Benford  

Both are dynamic story-tellers.  Lots of history, music... and laughs.  

Wonderful day.  :)  

kwl - Posted - 03/02/2015:  07:01:42

Can't wait to see those conversations.

pjxndvm - Posted - 03/02/2015:  14:44:23

Been listening to Mac since the 70s... cant wait to see this...

frailin - Posted - 03/03/2015:  10:05:44

Yesterday's last interview with the delightful Mary Z. Cox.  Wonderful stories about music, family and of course, excellent banjos.  We even got to play some together. :)

Edited by - frailin on 03/03/2015 10:19:40

frailin - Posted - 03/03/2015:  10:08:43

Mark Johnson - check

Mac Benford - check

Mary Z. Cox - check

Beach time!

One of the benefits to my job, beyond meeting amazing people.  

guywolff - Posted - 03/03/2015:  10:13:03

If you were at Chuck Levy's banjo camp in FLorida you had Paul Brown and Bob Carlin in the same room .. So much on a plate at the same time .. Cool stuff Craig .. Good hunting .. yours guy

frailin - Posted - 03/05/2015:  09:17:24

It isn't very often I have enough time (between interviews) to actually jam with some of the amazing Old-time Performers, but on this morning, I did. Mary and I got to play Whiskey Before Breakfast and Angeline the Baker.

Click on pic for link to video

bohemian - Posted - 03/05/2015:  16:50:11

Fantastic  project !

Edited by - bohemian on 03/05/2015 16:51:45

Clawhammered1 - Posted - 03/09/2015:  09:31:24

Nice Project frailin, your a heck of a banjo player. I was trying to figure out why Mary was making all those facial gestures ?

Yanni - Posted - 03/11/2015:  09:43:34

Wonderful stuff Craig!  You both look to be having a great time :)

Ian

frailin - Posted - 03/12/2015:  07:14:16

On Sunday, I head East/NE for 11 days to interview 15 more, amazing Old-time Performers.  This is so much fun!  As the 4 pilot programs for this series have now shown, the life-stories of these artists are as diverse and interesting as their fellow artists, the banjo builders.  

Since I'm preparing for this journey, I've only had time to edit one of the Florida conversations this week (each 90-120 minute interview takes about 3 intense days to trim to a final, 30 minute program).  This week's program is with "Mr. Clawgrass", Mark Johnson.  

Click on pic to view show.  

What a delightful human being!  On top of his amazing right hand and ear for rich, soothing (or motivating), diverse counter-melodies, Mark immediately puts you at easy with his quick smile, attentive conversation and easy-going manner.  

Mark's story is one of facilitating, helpful people coming into his life to help him develop his musical gift.  In all cases he gratefully and completely welcomed the opportunity.   

And now, he gives back... in the form of music, teaching and kindness.

Culminating (to date!) with the $50k award from Steve Martin for his contribution to the banjo (Mark is only the 3rd recipient of this prestigious award), we've all been blessed with his contributions to our music... and our music community (by his warm presence).  

As with the other previews, I won't leave this up for long.  Meet Mark!

Enjoy!!

rubicon - Posted - 03/12/2015:  07:50:39

Craig that was amazing thank you for posting the tune at the end is phenominal!

rubicon - Posted - 03/12/2015:  07:58:10

To answer the question at the end that Clawgrass is pretty darn " sexy " lol