dylant - Posted - 07/21/2024:  17:08:02

Hi all! I have one of those maddeningly vague requests to locate an album. I'm hoping this erudite crew might have a clue.

In the early 2000s, I had a tape of a CD from an old-time music group from New York State. This was a recorded-live album from some festival upstate, maybe around Ithaca or in the broader Finger Lakes region. They did nothing but well-known fiddle tunes—Sally Ann, Sally Gooding, Soldier's Joy, maybe. The main thing I remember was the driving banjo accompaniment—just a rock-solid, rapid, steady clawhammer. I listened to it a lot.

I realize this may describe a lot of bands from the time. Any ideas of what this album / group might have been? The tape, and the CD it came from, are long lost, and my memory of the group's name has crumbled. But I can still hear that banjo in my mind.

deestexas - Posted - 07/21/2024:  18:13:00

Highwoods Stringband?

Nic Pennsylvania - Posted - 07/21/2024:  18:20:08

The Renegades with Richie Stern on banjo?

dylant - Posted - 07/21/2024:  20:02:23

quote:

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Originally posted by deestexas

Highwoods Stringband?

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Don't think that was it. My impression was that these were younger guys. They did have "string band" in their name though iirc.

dylant - Posted - 07/21/2024:  20:29:43

quote:

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Originally posted by Nic Pennsylvania

The Renegades with Richie Stern on banjo?

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Ya know, this wasn't it - but it sent me on a search and I stumbled across Bubba George Stringband, which I think is the band! It has Richie Stearns on banjo!

As far as I can tell they have only ever played at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots festival. I am pretty sure the album I listened to was their 1999 "Live at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival" one. Maybe it's their only album!

I am listening to some of their other performances at that festival and Stearns' playing is exactly what I remember.

Where can I find out more about him and his style of playing?

Nic Pennsylvania - Posted - 07/22/2024:  03:16:00

@dylant - Stearns is an institute. His highest profile group is The Horse Flies. They started in the late 1970s and were initially more traditional before becoming something totally different.

I'm real glad you found the recording you were looking for, and doubly-so that my recommendation helped in some small way

Bob Buckingham - Posted - 07/22/2024:  08:23:44

I first met Richie when I playing in another band at a festival. He was playing with Judy Hyman and Jeff Claus in the original iteration of the Horse Flies, then called the Tompkins County Horse Flies. He was playing a Harmony Bakelite banjo with a pickup/mic in it. He was very young back then and this was in the early 80's. He was and is quite good and unique in his approach.

dylant - Posted - 07/22/2024:  09:22:12

quote:

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Originally posted by Nic Pennsylvania

@dylant - Stearns is an institute. His highest profile group is The Horse Flies. They started in the late 1970s and were initially more traditional before becoming something totally different.



I'm real glad you found the recording you were looking for, and doubly-so that my recommendation helped in some small way

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I am loving his style. It's very percussive and rhythmic and yet melodic at the same time.

I was listening to an early Bubba George performance (here) and I think he's playing a banjo with the first 5 frets removed? I can't tell for sure. There's a lot of slidey action. And some cool chromatic chording that he does later in the performance - sounds almost guitar-like. It's so cool.

banjoak - Posted - 07/22/2024:  13:46:13

quote:

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Originally posted by dylant

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nic Pennsylvania

The Renegades with Richie Stern on banjo?

---

Ya know, this wasn't it - but it sent me on a search and I stumbled across Bubba George Stringband, which I think is the band! It has Richie Stearns on banjo!

As far as I can tell they have only ever played at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots festival. I am pretty sure the album I listened to was their 1999 "Live at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival" one. Maybe it's their only album!

I am listening to some of their other performances at that festival and Stearns' playing is exactly what I remember.

Where can I find out more about him and his style of playing?

---

Ritchie's Funkyside Records site, had a pretty extensive archive of the Grassroots Festival performances you could download; which where I found those Bubba George performances (in various configurations over years). I can't seem to find that site anymore, but I think those archives are still available somewhere.

I think Jeb Puryear runs the Finger Lakes Grassroots festival, so might try contact him.

Edited by - banjoak on 07/22/2024 13:48:22

Claude-Hammer - Posted - 07/30/2024:  05:53:53

You might check out

thehorseflies.bandcamp.com/alb...ance-tent