Janet Deering - Posted - 08/21/2025:  11:13:10

How about this set-up - a banjo with the Kavanjo Pickup installed amplified on stage - how's the sound?

click here to view on Youtube:

Steve Ray Ladson Receives The GOLDEN BUZZER From Sofia Vergara For "Boots Like Mine" | AGT 2025

KCJones - Posted - 08/21/2025:  12:58:02

Nice cosplay and excellent use of the banjo as a stage prop. Hard to comment on the sound when the song itself doesn't feature any banjo. Can he actually play that thing or does he just dance around with it?

Edited by - KCJones on 08/21/2025 13:00:03

Bill Rogers - Posted - 08/21/2025:  13:33:21

Good question. Whatever it is, it’s not “banjo talent.” He could as well have used a broom with a pickup attached.  Not my idea of "talent."

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 08/21/2025 13:35:40

tdennis - Posted - 08/21/2025:  13:53:11

I've seen several videos of this artist, & I think he has a decent act, & presentation, but I can hardly ever hear any banjo playing other than some simple vamping.  Some of his solo performances on YouTube  showcase his better moments on the banjo.

Edited by - tdennis on 08/21/2025 14:02:08

Joel Hooks - Posted - 08/21/2025:  13:53:42

A video of Ladson was posted here previously and the same "does he actually play" came up.

And the answer was yes, he has posted personal youtube videos of his playing.

cottontop - Posted - 08/21/2025:  15:24:28

Check out some of his you.tube videos before you pass judgement. This guy can play.
BTW Janet, the set up sounds pretty good.
Joe

reubenstump - Posted - 08/21/2025:  15:44:36

Janet's question was about sound, not talent.

Having said that, I couldn't hear enough of the banjo to judge.

Flyguy - Posted - 08/21/2025:  17:12:57

“That ain’t no part of nothing”
Sorry, my humble opinion

KCJones - Posted - 08/21/2025:  17:21:11

Here's a couple better videos of him actually playing.

youtu.be/Tcb-JEvisjI?si=nDEJYBvncJ1AhryA

youtu.be/MD6Qkq8xmaQ?si=rXwxnL6o0QmJUKHZ

rvrose - Posted - 08/21/2025:  23:09:24

Janet, what model Deering was he playing? I paused it a couple times and could tell it was a Deering. I really couldn't hear much banjo on either time he played. But I told my wife if he makes it to the finals, Deering is going to sell some banjos! It was nice to see a banjo, wish he had played it more. Btw,I have a Hartford and a Calico.

Rick

NNYJoe - Posted - 08/22/2025:  02:41:00

It sounds fine, just like me when I’m doing pinches on my Sierra. I’m not sure Country Rap features many solo breaks, as it it driven by rhythms rather than melodies.

tdennis - Posted - 08/22/2025:  05:06:58

According to some online sources Ladson plays a Deering Custom Gold Eagle II.

Dean T - Posted - 08/22/2025:  05:37:13

I like it. I’m noticing the trend in country music, more and more banjo is getting sprinkled into the mixes. Sounds good, and going in the right direction.

RB3 - Posted - 08/22/2025:  11:55:29

Flyguy took Bill Monroe's words right out of my mouth. That fellow could have at least used a better banjo.

Dean T - Posted - 08/22/2025:  14:31:10

This thread reminds me of the BHO’s reaction to a young girl who played a Deering Boston at the CMAs in 2010. I believe the name of the song was “Mean”. Very fitting. Interestingly, that girl is a BILLIONAIRE now.



Steve Ray Ladson effortlessly vamps on a very nice $3k banjo, in front of millions on one of the most popular shows in the country, makes it through, gets a golden buzzer, with a great song… and I dare to bet you that no one ever told him he was supposed to play it like Earl, to make some old Forum die hards happy. These might even be some of folks who might complain about people playing too loud and not vamping tastefully at a jam. I love this place. Steve Ray is a breath of fresh air, and just what the banjo needs, to interest the next generation of pickers.

Edited by - Dean T on 08/22/2025 14:35:35

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/09/2025:  07:36:12

Well said, Dean! The interest Steve Ray is creating will being the joy of playing the banjo to new generations. Music is always a new creation and moves on, captures the hearts of people and many will find traditional styles to come back to after they discover the banjo. Everything is better with a banjo!

Texasbanjo - Posted - 09/09/2025:  08:13:59

Not my kind of music and as far as the banjo, in my opinion, there was nothing worth hearing.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/09/2025:  08:44:01

You are certainly entitled to your opinion.

chuckv97 - Posted - 09/09/2025:  11:06:45

I’m all for seeing the banjo get more publicity and exposure, even if I sometimes (not often) “go snobbery” about the lack of skillful playing by whoever is out there playing for millions. My granddaughter is a big Taylor Swift fan & knows the album name, and all her album titles for that matter, where she has a (Deering) banjo on the cover, albeit a 6 string. People that are excellent players like Herb Pedersen and Bernie Leadon have done a lot to put the banjo “out there”, playing genres other than bluegrass.

btw, I don't own a Deering , so I have no dog in this hunt

Edited by - chuckv97 on 09/09/2025 11:09:23

Nopix - Posted - 09/09/2025:  14:04:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by KCJones

Here's a couple better videos of him actually playing.



youtu.be/Tcb-JEvisjI?si=nDEJYBvncJ1AhryA



youtu.be/MD6Qkq8xmaQ?si=rXwxnL6o0QmJUKHZ

---

Thanks for posting these! 

These tell the story of his talents. 

Dean T - Posted - 09/09/2025:  15:32:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by chuckv97

I’m all for seeing the banjo get more publicity and exposure, even if I sometimes (not often) “go snobbery” about the lack of skillful playing by whoever is out there playing for millions. My granddaughter is a big Taylor Swift fan & knows the album name, and all her album titles for that matter, where she has a (Deering) banjo on the cover, albeit a 6 string. People that are excellent players like Herb Pedersen and Bernie Leadon have done a lot to put the banjo “out there”, playing genres other than bluegrass.

btw, I don't own a Deering , so I have no dog in this hunt

---

Taylor swift has promoted the banjo from the very start. Don't forget that our very own Banjo Ben was in her first band, from 2006 - 2009 while she was a rising country star. 

itsnotyou - Posted - 09/09/2025:  17:09:07

Well the performance wasn't my cup of tea, BUT it was for a TV show and not a bunch of traditional bluegrass players.

I personally think it was great to see the banjo used as a center piece of the performance. This may spark interest in young people wanting to learn banjo. My lifelong interest in the banjo started with the first episode of the Beverly Hillbillies when I heard Earl Scruggs. Then in Deliverance when I heard Dueling Banjos.

I remember all the old people gripping about the no talent 60 and 70's Rock and Roll artist I was listening to in the 60s and 70's.

I guess we have lived long enough to become them. lol

I thought it was great, even if it wasn't to my taste.

Mad Hornet - Posted - 09/09/2025:  20:41:52

I never watch that show. But I'm glad I watched the video and those posted by KCJones. It was not the kind of stuff I normally plug into but I had fun checking it out. I might check out some more...

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/10/2025:  11:37:30

If artistry that reaches people and makes them happy is the purpose of performing I think this speaks well for this new artist...maybe not for traditionalists but certainly ...for today's mass audience. 

We will be seeing more of him.

In the Back of My Truck