DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/397140
Old Hickory - Posted - 05/03/2024: 12:44:35
Frank Wakefield, trailblazing mandolin player and composer of the bluegrass instrumental "New Camptown Races," died last Friday at the age of 89.
His passing seems not to have been mentioned here. Thought I'd call it to everyone's attention.
The New York Times took note yesterday, crediting him with being a mandolin innovator.
Frank Wakefield at the 2008 Joe Val Festival:
Edited by - Old Hickory on 05/03/2024 12:45:03
heavy5 - Posted - 05/03/2024: 17:06:05
Thanks for posting Ken . We saw him many times thru the years & remember when he painted his Loar F5 red . It was stated his Monroe style playing came the closest to matching Bill himself . I remember him as being a mild mannered friendly person & at one time in his career he became very involved w/ religion & above all he was never predictable in his musical endeavors .
Story has it he once baked his Loar in an oven to better dry out the wood !
RIP an icon of the bluegrass mandolin as well as a teacher to others .
chuckv97 - Posted - 05/03/2024: 18:56:53
At 49:00 ,, these breaks Frank took on mandolin almost made me give up the banjo and go buy a mandolin when I first listened to this in the early 1970's. Just some driving, blazing playing.
At 49:00
youtu.be/zzI8z5Zz0nY?si=5Zhth4i60u1JZ8n1
Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/03/2024 19:01:51
Paul R - Posted - 05/04/2024: 16:07:55
Thanks for posting. RIP FRank Wakefield. I saw him once, 1971 at Fiddler's Green in Toronto, right after the Mariposa Folk Festival. He was a fantastic player and a personable performer, easy to lsiten to playing or talking.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
