Mad Hornet - Posted - 04/11/2024:  18:11:47

I've enjoyed his videos on you tube and rumble and gotten some good playing tips from him. I didn't know anything of all the controversy other than the Kyle Rittenhouse song.

But I still got a half a tub of popcorn to get through. Too soon?

Jehoshaphat - Posted - 04/11/2024:  18:56:36

quote:

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Originally posted by Mad Hornet

But I still got a half a tub of popcorn to get through. Too soon?

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Be careful.  You might get what you want.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/12/2024:  04:32:07

Let's keep the conversation on music, not controversy or the topic is over.

KCJones - Posted - 04/12/2024:  05:56:09

I like how he sings the lyrics to songs that are nowadays considered to be instrumental tunes by most.



 

Joel Hooks - Posted - 04/12/2024:  07:17:58

I like what he has done to promote the correct set up on classic era banjos. He has shown that "modern playability" is a fallacy.

ceemonster - Posted - 04/12/2024:  08:31:02

I learned about Dr. John Francis, environmentalist, "Planetwalker" and openback banjo player, thanks to one of the informative posts on banjo history and lore by Mr. Hicks.   I don't always do well searching BH, but attempts through Google as well as the site Search function aren't yielding threads or mention of this one-of-a-kind philosopher, scientist, conservation activist, and member of the great banjo tribe.



After witnessing the devastation of an oil spill as a young man at the start of the 1970s, John Francis spent the next 22 years traveling only by foot or human body-powered transportation such as bicycles. He has literally traversed the globe on foot. And he did it with his banjo on his back or in hand, earning a degree, a masters, and a doctorate along the way.



He also took a vow of silence that and refrained from talking for 17 years. As he's gotten older he has resumed motorized travel as well as speaking. You can see him on Youtube giving lectures at the National Geographic Society, colleges and universities, environmental/conservation organizations, etc. Usually with banjo and a touch of banjo playing!



Here is a little writeup showing a photo of the young "Planetwalker" en route with his banjo in the 1970s, plus a second link showing Dr. Francis with his banjo today--Yet another reminder that there just seems to be something about the banjo that attracts freethinkers who take the road less traveled. Much appreciated, Mr. Hicks.



kpcw.org/show/this-green-earth...f-silence





globalearthrepairfoundation.or...-francis/

Edited by - ceemonster on 04/12/2024 08:36:21

conic - Posted - 04/12/2024:  08:58:29

I must say that I really enjoyed Clifton's videos about growing Gourds and building gourd banjos. I have learnt a lot of songs and tunes from his and Hilary Klugs videos. It would be great to see them do a few together.

Mad Hornet - Posted - 04/12/2024:  10:08:24

quote:

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Originally posted by conic

I must say that I really enjoyed Clifton's videos about growing Gourds and building gourd banjos. I have learnt a lot of songs and tunes from his and Hilary Klugs videos. It would be great to see them do a few together.

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That would be pretty cool.  I'm on her email list she's working on a new record where she will be musically incorporating her clog dancing.  Are you aware of her and Clifton ever having collaborated in the past?

conic - Posted - 04/12/2024:  12:33:26

No, never seen them together but she is putting out lots of shorts with some of the best so Clifton could be on the cards, send her a message

san jorge - Posted - 04/12/2024:  16:52:40

More of this:

Edited by - san jorge on 04/12/2024 16:53:04

Tractor1 - Posted - 04/12/2024:  19:41:15

This vid has some great stuff ---I have not seen documented concerning the 1500s and 1600s--thanks --
as far as what happened after it got across the water --there was probably hundreds of tales not told--of course fiddle tune types were morphing into various ideas -- from 1400s on-Then they ran together with the rhythm type banjo players and no way we can ever fix that accident --ha ha
the early fiddle tune types were writing little fiddle tune books back then