frailin - Posted - 07/03/2015:  11:56:28

Finishing up Arnie Naiman's Old-time Performer show today.  He's one of the fabulous crew in Volume 2 of this series.  Also had a moment to review the Banjo Builder survey I put out there last month (see:  frailin.com/frailin/Banjo_Buil...rvey.html.

Here are some highlights.  (NOTE:  Percentages are rounded up from fractions - may not total exactly 100%).  There are 33 responses included. 

How many of the 4 Volumes of the Banjo Builder Series do you own? 

1 Volume - 3%

2 Volumes - 15%  

3 Volumes - 6%  

4 Volumes (the series) - 76%

Have you watched them all? 

Yes - 94% 

No - 6%

On average, how many times do you watch each Volume? 

1 Time - 21% 

2 Times - 44%  

3 Times - 15% 

4 Times - 0% 

5 or more Times - 21%

 

When you watch the DVDs, how many Builder's Shows do you typically watch (in a row or during a single setting)? 

1 Show - 9% 

2 Shows - 29%  

3 Shows - 41% 

4 Shows - 3% 

5 or more Shows - 18%

There's WAY more interesting reading (and graphs) than what I'm listing here.  For instance, after watching the Banjo Builders, 61% have made a banjo-buying decision AND purchase!  What people liked most and least about the series was also helpful (and confirming!).  

And I very much appreciate the suggestions for future programs!  Thanks!  Maybe I will follow the write-in suggestion and quit my day job to do this full time.   

Here's the survey results if you want to read the write-ins:  frailin.com/frailin/Banjo_Buil...rvey.html

Thanks folks!  

 

Edited by - frailin on 07/03/2015 12:10:44

frailin - Posted - 07/16/2015:  13:32:52

!!!!! SHIPPING !!!!!

The first 100 will go in the mail today.  Enjoy!!  

If you haven't yet ordered, it's VOLUME 1 at:  oldtimeperformers.com  

Edited by - frailin on 07/16/2015 13:36:16

Paul DeBlois - Posted - 07/16/2015:  16:09:05

Great news, Craig!  Will they be available at Clifftop?

frailin - Posted - 07/16/2015:  16:12:00

Hi Paul.

Yes. I'll be bringing some to Clifftop... but I won't be there for the whole week, just the first part of it.  

Not sure who I'll be staying near yet.  Since Glenn's not going, I'm without a sherpa (first time attendee).  

Paul DeBlois - Posted - 07/16/2015:  16:23:25

I'll be arriving Friday July 24th and will keep an eye out for you.  It's a shame about Glenn but with all the friends you've made over the years,I'm sure you'll get along just fine.

dbrooks - Posted - 07/16/2015:  17:41:21

Great news, Craig.  I am extremely impressed. Not only do you have great interviews and fascinating videos, you also manage to keep to a schedule and meet deadlines!Unheard of!Especially for a musician.

David

Will1717 - Posted - 07/17/2015:  14:55:18

Craig:

We'll have a booth at Clifftop so if you need a place to park you backside just come on by. Lots of cold drinks etc. Plus shelter from the rain, if we get the standard Clifftop downpour/.

See you at Clifftop!

Bill Rickard 

cmox - Posted - 07/18/2015:  16:56:57

Just got mine today and watched disc 1. Love these interviews.

Connie

Pine Cone - Posted - 07/18/2015:  22:26:36

Mine arrived today.  Had to leave it unplayed at first, then got to play the Rayna Gellert and part of the Chris Coole interviews tonight.

Outstanding!

I kept rewinding the Rayna Gellert interview to re-listen to part of the interview.  Lots of interesting stuff in both inteviews, and the tunes Rayna played were great.  I will have more time tomorrow to listen to some of the remaining performers.

Craig - you knocked it out of the park this time!  Can't wait until you finish the rest...

wpmills - Posted - 07/19/2015:  21:16:19

Got mine yesterday. Watched the first DVD. Enjoyed all the interviews on it, but especially the Rayna Gellert interview. May have to watch this one a few more times, after I see the remaining 2 DVD's. Keep up the good work!

JanetB - Posted - 07/21/2015:  09:30:17

Mine came yesterday.  We watched the John Herrmann interview and are still glowing over it.  "Play in the here and now."  "My job is to free the fiddler."  John is a Zen master and his calmly rippling effect is felt through your interview, Craig. 

I like the idea of watching one performer a day.  We can really savor each one that way.  

JanetB - Posted - 07/22/2015:  09:37:53

And so last night we watched Rayna Gellert's interview.  Talk about someone immersed since childhood in old-time music.  I've never seen anyone so expressively enthusiastic about the music, and she called you the cheerleader, Craig!  

Rayna told of her beginnings as a 5th grader learning classical violin, but so in awe of her father's music she felt too intimidated to play old-time.  We see what happened later in her life with the music now just flowing through her fiddle.  She played four tunes and the one I haven't learned yet, Folding Down the Sheets, I'm learning today. 

JanetB - Posted - 07/31/2015:  09:29:32

Three posts in a row -- my excitement isn't hidden.  Last night we finished watching Disc 2 of Vol. 1.  Every single interview is a gem.  Mac Benford is a spirited, happy gentleman who I've listened to and learned from. (My current Adam Hurt "homework" is to listen to Mac's Black Jack Grove -- the inspiration for Adam's own arrangement -- and others and then create my own version.) 

Walt Koken and Claire Milliner are icons and as you put it, Craig, sure make a cute couple!  Claire writes down tunes after learning them and says she'd forget them otherwise.  With the 1,400+ tunes they have in their book, the Milliner-Koken Collection of American Fiddle Tunes, it's no wonder, but still I know she'd understand my own need to tab much of what I learn. 

Lukas Poole is a talented, calm, blessed young man and his description of the Berklee School of Music was revealing and interesting.  Portland will an ideal future location, if that's where he and his equally talented girlfriend move. 

Your interviews are valuable as well as entertaining.  My husband, Kit, will sometimes be smiling as we watch.  He fondly remembered the Koken barber chair he sat on as a boy which Walt described.  When does Vol. II come out, Craig?  (If you're at Clifftop, keep having fun and answer later...)

wpmills - Posted - 07/31/2015:  09:57:33

I agree with Janet, the second disc was great! The three Mac, Walt, & Clare go well together. The entire disc was amazing!

Then on the third disc, it was great to hear Stephen Wade, such an enthusiastic person!

Not a dull moment in the entire volume.

pjxndvm - Posted - 07/31/2015:  14:15:11

Interviews...all great.... solid hits.... Chris Coole....grand slam.... its outtah here!

frailin - Posted - 08/04/2015:  16:23:07

I'm back from WVA.  Don't ever think twice about going to Clifftop. Just do it.  It's amazing.  Here's some footage I'm going to use in making a "Clifftop Cameos Extra" Program on an upcoming Volume of this series.  Yee-ha!!

Click on the pic or go here:  vimeo.com/135411272

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 08/04/2015:  16:35:13

That was marvelous, especially for those of us who missed it this year.  Thanks for sharing.

frailin - Posted - 08/05/2015:  18:43:16

Two things...

First, Clifftop was a marvelous experience!  I'm sure I'll be going back.  However, I have to admit to being a bit surprised at the strong showing of the Clifftop video (above).  Where a solid 24 hour Banjo Builder and OT Performer video preview/showing is 300+ views, in a bit over 12 hours, the Clifftop Cameo's film has had over 1,700 views and topped 100 shares on Facebook.  

Given that level of interest, would anyone enjoy seeing a full length (40 minute) video on the Clifftop Festival?  In my research survey a few months back, several of you had suggested I film programs on certain festivals... and to me, they don't come more interesting (and romantic) than Clifftop.  Comments welcome!  

--------------------------------

More good news!  Conversations with Old-time Perfomers VOLUME 2 went to the duplicators today.  Which means 10 or so business days from now, I'll be shipping!    

Here's who is on Volume 2.  More interesting conversations with these precious folks!  

Since we're closing in on delivery, I activated the Buy It Now button here (oldtimeperformers.com) if you'd like to get a copy from the first shipment of 100.  I'll be holding orders until they come in, then ship the same day.  Really excited for this Volume.  Hope you are too!

Thanks, all. 

Edited by - frailin on 08/05/2015 18:57:03

chip arnold - Posted - 08/06/2015:  06:41:35

Would love more C'top stuff. Sad to miss it this year.

ScottK - Posted - 08/06/2015:  07:03:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by frailin

 

Given that level of interest, would anyone enjoy seeing a full length (40 minute) video on the Clifftop Festival?  In my research survey a few months back, several of you had suggested I film programs on certain festivals... and to me, they don't come more interesting (and romantic) than Clifftop.  Comments welcome!   

---

Shoot Craig, you've got a whole new DVD project on your hands here... the festival edition!  Lots of great festivals out there each with its own quirky flavor, great local pickers, and interesting people to interview about why they love the old time music and community so much.

:-)

Scott

GrizClaw - Posted - 08/06/2015:  07:20:24

Just ordered volumes 1 and 2. Would love to see more on Clifftop. I have never been but even your short, but as expected, amazing video, captured the spirit I would imagine at this event. Thanks Craig!!

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 08/06/2015:  07:39:43

I vote for a Clifftop video.  The 7 or 8 minutes Craig offered yesterday were really fine.  I could do with another 33 minutes (or more!).

I think a festival DVD series would be a great idea, but I get the feeling we are working Craig into the ground with all these great ideas (insert smiley face here).

V/R,

Lew

Paul DeBlois - Posted - 08/06/2015:  08:26:47

More Clifftop, please.  I watched quite a bit of the Roger Netherton jam you used as a framing device, but that meant I was missing the Bigfoot reunion taking place across the path and who knows what else.  I would love to see what else you captured.

Paul

frailin - Posted - 08/06/2015:  08:34:15

 Hi Paul. As you know, there were some excellent jams taking place. I captured 2 others but I'm saving them for the Clifftop extra to be included on either volume 3 or volume 4 of the OT series.   I also got some excellent OT performer interview clips.   

I can't believe how much fun I had at Clifftop! 

Paul DeBlois - Posted - 08/06/2015:  09:19:39

Craig,  I just ordered Vol. 2, so I can certainly wait for 3 & 4.  You sure looked like you were having fun.  It seemed that everywhere I looked I saw your smiling face.  

frailin - Posted - 08/06/2015:  09:28:33

I really can't help myself.

Good people + good music = good times.

Yee-ha!  :)

GrizClaw - Posted - 08/06/2015:  10:07:40

quote:Okay..I've got to figure out how to go next year......quite a jaunt for a Montana Boy!!!!!

---

Originally posted by frailin

 

I really can't help myself.

 

Good people + good music = good times.

 

Yee-ha!  :)

 

 

 

---

Porchgirl - Posted - 08/06/2015:  11:51:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by frailin

 

I'm back from WVA.  Don't ever think twice about going to Clifftop. Just do it.  It's amazing.  Here's some footage I'm going to use in making a "Clifftop Cameos Extra" Program on an upcoming Volume of this series.  Yee-ha!!

Click on the pic or go here:  vimeo.com/135411272

I would LOVE to see that, and done with your hand on it!  Yes!

 

---

hweinberg - Posted - 08/07/2015:  06:23:27

Great to  see my Brooklyn bass-playing friend and jam and busking collaborator Charlie Shaw captured on really great video.  Thanks, Craig! -- Howard 

cmox - Posted - 08/10/2015:  12:48:34

Watched all of Volume 1 and loved "meeting" each artist. I am continually amazed at how unique and interesting each person is.

YES! DO A CLIFFTOP VIDEO.

Just ordered Volume 2.

Thanks.
cm

frailin - Posted - 08/20/2015:  16:39:18

!!!!! SHIPPING !!!!!

Volume 2 arrived today!  All standing orders are now in the mail!  :)

That being said, I'm down to just 12 copies (out of 100).  So if you're not expecting one in the mail by this weekend (haven't yet ordered) - and you move quickly - you won't have to wait another 2 weeks for the Volume 2 re-order to arrive.  Look for the Volume 2 Buy It Now button at oldtimeperformers.com.  

Here's who is on Volume 2.  Wonderfully fun, interesting folks with great stories (and music)!  

If you're interested in ordering BOTH Volume 1 and 2, you WILL need to purchase both separately (using the Buy It Now buttons for each).  But I'll ship them in one envelop and throw in some $$ to cover the over-charge for postage.  Again, oldtimeperformers.com

Coming up Next:  Volume 3 with some additional footage of music and interviews from Clifftop!

Don Huber - Posted - 08/21/2015:  00:55:16

Craig- Many people have no idea how doggone proud every OT music fan in Missouri is of young Roger Netherton. I truly believe he's the greatest fiddler to come out of Missouri since Cyril Stinnett. Such a fine person as well as a tremendous musician. We all wish him the best, and thank you for catching him so perfectly in his element. I've humbly sat across the circle from Roger at a few sessions, and EVERY note he plays  has you thanking your lucky stars just to be within earshot.

Edited by - Don Huber on 08/21/2015 00:58:57

GrizClaw - Posted - 08/21/2015:  10:16:43

Craig, I'm half way through vol. 1......absolutely priceless stuff....like all your work. Can't wait for volume 2 to arrive. Thanks, Rick

frailin - Posted - 08/28/2015:  15:55:30

Ok.  Folks have been asking me which volume contains their favorite Old-time Performer... aren't they all favorites?     Anyway, it's time for a directory of who is to be found where.  

VOLUME 1

And here's a brief intro for each individual program:

Rayna Gellert - A early introduction to traditional music has led to a lifetime of amazing old-time music.  Rayna's story is as beautiful and as eloquent as her music.

Joe Newberry - Whether you first knew Joe Newberry through his terrific old-time band Big Medicine, or just discovered him on a Prairie Home Companion, Joe is the real deal. He's an amazing musician... and he's a genuinely nice person. What you may not know is the caliber of the songs he writes.  Not to worry, there are some really good examples in his show.

Mark Johnson has a quick smile and carries a kind word for everyone. On top of that, he's an amazing musician. Did I mention he's also a terrific story teller? I guess you'll discover that on your own.  Pretty decent music track, too! 

 

Dan Gellert likes music his own way - "like crunchy black bread... a little rough." Thank goodness for that.  Meet Mr. Funk on the banjo.

 

Adam Hurt - St. Paul, MN native Adam Hurt was a child prodigy. As a young adult he astonished traditional music purists as well as composers with his elegantly innovative, pure style. The good news is, he continues to grow and contribute to the music canon.  In this candid interview, Adam talks about his musical roots and inspirations. There are inspirational stories of life-enhancing teachers along the way.  This program - originally a part of the Banjo Historian DVD, Volume 3 of the Banjo Builder Series - is appearing courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways.

 

---

VOLUME 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Holt's curiosity is compelling. It would seem he's programmed to learn. His unbridled energy is contagious. And his humor is ever present. Within a few moments of sitting down with him, you find yourself sharing his enthusiasm. Next, you're completely onboard for a grand adventure.   Given all these gifts and skills, David makes a marvelous entertainer. But he's so much more. When David has an idea, it's not idle chatter. Within a short while, what started out as an inspiration is suddenly a full-blown multimedia project guaranteed to bring joy to the world for many, many years to come.  This guy is nothing short of amazing.

 

Brad Leftwich - In addition to his accomplished performance skills, Brad is the consummate teacher. His story illustrates how he comes by his skills naturally. Growing up, Brad was exposed to the wondrous combination of music, family, love and community. Significant elders contributed to his personal values and his deep understanding of this music. To him, the music is still very intimate.  And he's highly motivated to share this life-long, joy-filled discovery with others.

 

Art Rosenbaum joked that, at 70 he was doing the same things he was at 20. Fortunately for all of us, he stayed true to his course(s)! His curiosity and industrious nature has resulted in albums of music, hallways of art, documents of folklore, books of historic writing and much more. There's hardly a medium Art hasn't explored... all the while documenting his thoughts, findings and interests. Thank you, Art!

 

Reed Martin's banjo playing style is best characterized as joyful, punctuated by bursts of energy and brilliance. A one-to-one conversation is no different.  Meet the amazingly fun, brilliant and happy Reed Martin. He WILL make your day.

 

Meet Brad Kolodner, another of the talented players promising a bright future for traditional music. Brad comes by his talent though family. His mother played cello and his father is fiddler/hammer dulcimer player, Ken Kolodner. Most would probably be satisfied with those incredible gifts. But Brad's heart builds on those strengths. His desire to form and nurture community comes through again and again. His ambition is formidable. Good things are happening here.

 

Richie Stearns IS music. He's a veritable force of nature! Whether he's playing a traditional tune or a reggae romp, he's in the groove. His musical compositions are interesting, genuine and heartfelt. And his cheerful banjo-playing style closely matches his personable conversation.  Oh to live life so fully in the moment!

 

Paul Brown - Driven by a deep-seated, passionate curiosity for traditional music - introduced to him by his mother - Paul Brown has dedicated his very being to life-long learning. An almost random intersection with radio sparked latent talents for both teaching and broadcast culminating in 14 years at NPR. All the while, Paul researched, played and promoted the music. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

Terri McMurray - As a youngster, Terri was captivated by old-time music and the banjo. After college, she packed up and headed off for North Carolina to visit with the old musicians... who immediately took her in as family. The mutual love grew... family, community, music.  Through the music, Terri and husband Paul Brown have continued to live charmed lives.

 

Meet Steve Rosen.  The Man.  The Legend… and the banjo player for the Volo Bogtrotters.

 

Chirps Smith -  Nimble-fingered purveyor of Midwestern fiddle tunes and fine old-timey fiddler for Chicago-based Volo Bogtrotters.

 

Mark Olitsky - From Clifftop to Galax and back, it's safe to say Mark Olitsky's knee-to-knee, collaborative banjo style has influenced hundreds if not thousands of old-time musicians. Add-in the additional youtube coverage of his festival appearances and he's probably influenced tens of thousands more.  Here's the story of the man behind the legend.

 

Extra - Clifftop Cameos 1 - To some, Clifftop is a yearly highlight... a not-to-be-topped, exuberant event. To others, it’s a spiritual retreat among like minds and hearts. To all that attend, it’s a major lifetime event… self included.  Here’s just a small sample of my first Clifftop.

 

Extra - Clifftop Cameos  2 - More Clifftop music and fun. Featuring a cast of... hundreds!

 

---

 

If you're interested in ordering a combination (or all) of  Volumes 1, 2 and 3, you WILL need to purchase them separately (using the Buy It Now buttons for each).  But I'll ship them in one envelop and throw in some $$ to cover the over-charge for postage. 

 

It's all here:  oldtimeperformers.com

 

Oh.  I'll need to create a Buy It Now button for Volume 3, now that editing is complete and it's ready to be programmed into a DVD.  Will get to that this weekend.  

Edited by - frailin on 08/28/2015 16:09:20

frailin - Posted - 08/29/2015:  10:53:59

The Reed Martin Care Package Arrived Today!!

Reed told me he had some treasures I'd enjoy seeing... and he was right!  We didn't get around to digging them out during his Old-time Performer interview, so he packaged them up and shipped 'em for me to have a look-see. Wow!! 

Here you can see some of the treasures.  On the far left there are a half-dozen pictures of Frank Proffitt building his banjos with some folks.  Next you can see Reed's face on the CD he sent me (recorded one evening on the couch in his living room, as the story goes).  

Next are two pictures of Reed's friend Pete Steele.  One shows all of Pete's fingers.  Reed said, if you listen to how Pete plays the Coal Creek March, you'd swear he had more fingers on each hand than just 10.  Reed wanted to prove Pete was human (thus the pic). :)  

Then there's a Kyle Creed finger pick!  More on that later.  Following around, there's a Kronor with Jenny Lind's picture on it.  Reed's hand-written note says Jenny is "the Swedish Nightingale" (I'd asked Reed to play the tune as a part of his interview).  What fun!!

Now, how 'bout that Kyle Creed finger pick!?  Seriously!  

Reed and Kyle were good friends as well as Clifftop competitors (each bested the other a time or two).  

Kyle liked making these out of 1912 Model T headlights (a story confirmed by Kevin Fore in his Banjo Builder Interview on Volume 3).  Kevin bought a bunch of the old headlights off ebay so he can keep making them.  :)

Next there's a monkey carved out of a peach pit by Virginia fiddler, John Hilt.  

Guess he bragged he could do it in 5 minutes or less.  Reed said "he did!"  

I love seeing treasures and momentoes like this!  

JanetB - Posted - 08/29/2015:  11:37:39

Craig, I can't keep up with you!  But today I've just finished watching the first interview of your Vol. 2 conversations.  Joe Newberry was my banjo teacher last June in Grass Valley and it's true--he has the black belt for kindness.  He's so kind he actually shed tears after I played my mandatory solo on the second day of class (I'd chosen Sheebeg Shemore). He also has musical brilliance that's also simple and he ably shares it as a teacher.  I learned several good tunes from him in just three days.

Your interview opened up with one of his compositions I'd not heard, Singing As We Rise.  The chorus line "Pay no mind to dark and stormy skies" he sings with the conviction of a minister who can lead his flock to higher ground.  I learned a lot about his life here, including his Carter Family Fold and  Prairie Home Companion experiences, and heard some cute anecdotes, especially enjoying the one about his Enoch banjo.

Go, Craig!  

 , Janet

Joe Newberry at Grass Valley, CA

 

 

 

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 08/29/2015:  11:52:15

Craig:

Great artifacts from Reed.

Reed once dropped by my house with a satchel full of skins, all artfully decorated.

Some I recall were inked and colored by his sister I believe.

Many came off old banjos and just struck Reed as so very ornate and intricate, and worthy of preserving.

I very carefully took photos of these, prepared a slide show, and intended to run it during one of the Banjo Collectors' Gatherings.

That plan never came together. 

And somehow, over the years since then (probably the early 2000s), as we switched computer systems, and eventually moved to a new home, the jpegs disappeared.

Not sure whether Reed still has that pile of skins.

It would be worth finding out and taking a new round of photographs of that artwork.

V/R,

Lew

frailin - Posted - 08/29/2015:  12:44:06

Thanks for the reflections, Janet.  I know Joe has touched lots of folks.  We're fortunate to have him as an emissary for our music!

Lew!  Fabulous idea!  Reed talked quite a bit about his collection of banjo heads but I didn't get to see them.  If you've the time and inclination, I know he'd welcome you to reassemble a slide show!  Go for it!  

wpmills - Posted - 08/29/2015:  23:16:41

Volume 2 is just amazing! So many good interviews, Joe Newberry, Ken Perlman, Laura Boosinger, and all the others. But Mark Johnson interview was tops. So much about how he developed his style. Going to watch several of these over again! Keep up the good work!

GrizClaw - Posted - 08/30/2015:  07:53:26

Watched Joe N and Adam Hurt yesterday. What a gift to be able to hear these interviews. Craig, you bring things out of these folks that we never see even when we are lucky enough to meet them. Priceless material!!!!! Thanks, Rick

GrizClaw - Posted - 08/30/2015:  08:06:56

Craig, I was wondering if you felt any extra pressure interviewing David Holt......given all the wonderful interviews he has been involved with over the years? My question is in no way directed at your skill as an interviewer because you do an absolutely amazing job and I'd like to see you keep doing it for a long time. Also, there are obviously some great players not included....are there plans to do more interviews down the road as they agree to interviews or become available? Thanks, Rick

frailin - Posted - 08/30/2015:  09:17:49

 Hi Rick.  Great question.  No, I really didn't feel any pressure interviewing David Holt or Paul Brown (both very tenured media pros).  In meeting them, I instantly felt, "we're friends!"  I'm pretty sure they felt that, too.  So my questions are seen as genuine.  I delight in that!  

It's amazing to me how much I feel I know these people, even though I'm only meeting them for the first time.  I do believe there's an inherent "trust" in our music community that's not commonly found in society or western culture.  Mark Olitsky talks about that some too on Volume 3.  

I'm also at the point were I don't question it... just indulge in it!!   

I love these people!    

And I do have a 4th Volume in mind for next year.  Right now there are 19 candidates being considered for 12 spaces.  I want to be judicious in selecting who is to be included (I'll take some time to research and decide).

Edited by - frailin on 08/30/2015 09:25:21

GrizClaw - Posted - 08/30/2015:  09:54:20

Craig, thanks for the great response.....although I found it later in life, I am so grateful to be part of this community. I started taking guitar lessons and singing folk music in 1965 and then drifted in many directions before finding the banjo and  old time music. Once I did, I felt like I was home and in a way had always been there. I am not known as a warm an fuzzy guy.....but I love this music and the people who make up this community. I have met a number of the people you have interviewed and cannot believe how accepting each one of them has been. When I was a rank beginner and attended my first banjo camp, I was nervous that people would look down on me and think....what is this old guy doing taking up the banjo. Well, I have never felt more welcome anywhere in my life. This is why, that in a very short period of time playing the banjo and old time music it has evolved from a whimsical retirement hobby to a way of life for me.

Thanks for making it even more special with your work! Regards, Rick

frailin - Posted - 08/30/2015:  18:14:24

Ok.  I'm now out of Volume 2 and won't have any for a while.  

HOWEVER!  I know some VERY NICE PEOPLE that DO have inventory and they'd LOVE to sell a copy to you!!  They also have Volume 1.  Actually, there are TWO places.  

BANJO HANGOUT (BHO) and

ELDERLY INSTRUMENTS are both excellent outlets!  

I don't have a link to Banjo Hangout's page, but Elderly's is here.  Once the BHO page is set up, I'll post the link.  

JanetB - Posted - 09/01/2015:  16:28:27

Just finished watching Steve Arkin on Vol. 2.  I can picture him as a wonderful brother -- kind, generous, happy, capable.  When I first noticed him posting on BHO I was awed that he was a part of the old-time community, having known of him through his short tenure with Bill Monroe.  His clawhammer skill took me aback and I figured he had transferred his musical prowess from one style to another.  His tune choices are exactly the ones that I'm also pulled to. "It isn't traditional until the people who played it are dead!"  

During the interview, which you describe as entertaining, I appreciated the wisdom of his thoughts.  His metacognition of the old-time musical experience gave me insights I rarely hear as he discussed terms like drive, beat, pocket, and groove.   The duets of Steve with John Hoffman were a huge treat.  I look forward to viewing more of Vol. 2.

JanetB - Posted - 09/02/2015:  21:25:28

Today I had a chance to watch the Ken Perlman interview on the Vol. 2 DVD.  I have instructional material and CDs of his, so I'm glad to know more about his New York background and his thoughts.  I can sure relate to his predicament when he played with fiddlers and didn't have an effective style to play banjo with them on certain tunes.  He took the challenge seriously and came up with a melodic clawhammer arrangement for Devil's Dream.  The same fiddlers who said, "Wow!" when he played it with them the next week then told Ken he couldn't play other tunes in 6/8 time.  Again he proved them wrong.  

I also found it interesting hearing about Ken's introduction to Prince Edward Island and his long relationship with their talented fiddlers, including a new book that looks to be a good read called Couldn't Have a Wedding Without the Fiddler.  Another good episode, Craig!

frailin - Posted - 09/03/2015:  06:01:58

Ken is an amazing folklorist, musician and teacher!  :). 

BanjarTater - Posted - 09/04/2015:  23:18:55

website seems to be down this evening...

Craig, I'd like to place an order for all 3 performer DVD's.

Strong work, my friend. Thank you

jamesd - Posted - 09/05/2015:  07:36:58

I just finished viewing Vol. 1.  I only watched 2 or 3 performers each day so each interview could stay with me for awhile.  Craig, I really enjoyed Vol 1 and all the performers.  Each one was different from the others and all had an interesting background.  Two of them really stood out to me.   Good job.  I will be ordering the other DVDs.