deso - Posted - 02/10/2007:  11:26:51

---

Cathy, I was just discussing the topic of iTunes vs CD's with my wife the other night, wondering if my iTunes purchases are really benefiting the artist. I really like being able to download music because it is immediate and because the local music store in my town is small and not likely to have what I want (they'll get it though). I am usually disappointed when something is not available through iTunes. But the real question is, "What's best for the artist?" And, if CD's are best, what distribution route? Is it better to purchase direct from the musician when possible or does it make any difference? As far as cost goes, I like the lower prices of downloads but honestly it's not a factor. What I'd like if paying more on iTunes are liner notes and the option to download full quality sound files, etc.

I know this probably sounds naive, but why can't a record lable or independent setup their own download site? Especially independents. It could be something like an artist cooperative to help with operational costs.

Deke

arnie - Posted - 02/10/2007:  11:40:23

---

Alan Jabbour and Ken Perlman did a good job on Southern Summits. Lots of good Henry Reed tunes there too -some of my favorites including "Blilly In The Lowland" - beautiful! Ken is also the only banjo clawhammerer I know of to tackle Canadian P.E.I. fiddle tunes (on another cd of his)
My highlight of last year's Midwest banjo camp was playing "Ducks On The Pond" with Alan Jabbour in concert (we had never played together before)

Arnie Naiman
http://www.merriweather.ca/Records.aspx?ID=2

Clawhammer Clint - Posted - 02/10/2007:  13:09:12

---

The discussion on copying CDs aside, this is an absolutely great thread for a newbie like myself. It will likely cost me alot of money. Thanks to those who contributed.

C.C.

stanger - Posted - 02/11/2007:  00:59:28

---

A personal favorite of mine is 'The Twisted Laurel' by the Red Clay Ramblers. I don't know if it has been released as a CD, though.
regards,
Stanger

Emiel - Posted - 02/11/2007:  06:08:42

---

I don't think this has been mentioned:

Clarence Ashley And Doc Watson: The Original Folkways Recordings, 1960-1962 [2-CD Set]

And don't forget the McGee Brothers. The old Folkways LP's can be ordered as custom CD from Smithsonian Folkways.

Has anybody mentioned Uncle Dave Macon? Art Rosenbaum?

And of course Mike Seeger: Southern Banjo Sounds (most important).

Emiel


http://www.nowhereradio.com/emiel
http://www.bluerounders.com

Copo - Posted - 02/11/2007:  07:25:05

---

Bill Whelan is a top player in Ireland and his recordings with the rough deal stringband are well worth a listen

BanjoBillyBoy - Posted - 02/12/2007:  10:15:43

---

Paul Brown (he did an album with Mike Seeger, and he jsut put out a new one ..Red Clay County)
Ron Mullenex (Gandydancer and Cross Ties)
Tim BIng (The Bing Brothers)
The Rockenhams (CD same title)
Kyle Creed ( The Camp Creek Boys, June Apple, there is a cassete I used to have, if I can find it I will pass on the title, super banjo playing on it.)

These all have some great banjo playing.





Bill Boyer,
Curmudgeon, O.F., D.O.M.

Jim Treganza - Posted - 02/12/2007:  14:17:23

---

I'm brand new at this and want to take a few lessons. I've been unable to find anybody who gives clawhammer lessons less than 45 miles away from Stockton, CA. I work for a local theatre and we were even unable to find a picker to play with the orchestra in a recent show! For money! Does anybody know somebody who plays old-time banjo in this neck of the woods? I really don't want to drive to Berkeley or Sacramento. Thanks.

Clawdan - Posted - 01/08/2007:  14:06:12

---

Hi Folks,
Bob Carlin and I are planning a workshop weekend in Austin in late March this year. Wanted to start by giving you a heads up and see who is interested. I'll be glad to keep you up to date of details as they develop.

Play nice,
Dan "Ain't no bum-diddy" Levenson
Old Time Music and Dance
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Author of Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch, A guide for the claw-less - a MelBay Publication
and Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo (MelBay 20313) - 117 tunes tabbed for clawhammer banjo with standard notation and suggested chords.
Tune list at http://www.folknet.org/dan/FestTunesBJBook.htm

ukjonathan - Posted - 02/13/2007:  13:42:16

---

hi I thought the striking of the strings with the claw hand would be the hardest bit, but no I'm wrong! I can hit the strings in various configurations but can I hell get the bum ditty bit. It just sounds like ting, ting ting. I strike my 1st bottom string then strum down following on by thumb off the drone string. But still no bum ditty. Anyone help? I guess this is the hard bit?

Frode B - Posted - 02/13/2007:  18:09:53

---

What would you call this fingering technique? http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ct0PbWwY5g8
It's me, and I have been fooling around with the banjo for a couple of years without any guiding. I'm a guitar/pedal steel player so I guess I am mixing it all up on the banjo.

The banjo is a Bart Reiter special ( thanks mr.Balch!)


Frode
Oslo, Norway

Rimstick - Posted - 02/11/2007:  23:52:42

---

Gang -
Looking for some advice here. I got the "bum tiddy" going pretty good but it still doesn't consistantly sound like music. One of the problems I've identified is that my strum is making music, whereas when I listen closely to recordings, I think the strings should sound more "dead", as if I was muting them by "chiming" at the 7th fret. More of a wash board rasp than musical notes. Hope you can follow that.

I've moved my elbow closer to the rim, which raised my hand position. This in turn put a very flat attack angle on the strings for the lower fingers and helped some.

I fully realize there are some times you need the strum to "chord" as part of the song, but I'm talking about the ability to generally produce a "beat" that gets your toes tapping and sets the beat of the song.

Any ideas?



Regards,
Rimstick


Uncle Dave Macon makes me laugh !!

Ron Ortegel - Posted - 02/01/2007:  11:52:07

---

How well does the brass plate to the fifth fret position work on a fretless? Anyone have experience with this?

MarkJohnson - Posted - 02/12/2007:  07:29:17

---

I have always felt that the tune, Cold Frosty Morning" was a moody piece of music to say the least and best played in a minor key. We recorded it in the key of "A Model" or "Mountain Minor/Sawmill Tuning".

I just figured out how to post this tune to my Hangout Homepage for anyone who is in the process of learning this piece. It is another perspective on a great old tune. MJ

Madgenius - Posted - 02/14/2007:  12:17:59

---

Hi

Can anybody recomend a good place to find a whole bunch of easy to play 2 and 3 chords songs suitable for clawhammer and mandolin (both beginner)

Thanks in Advance

Danny

"Music is a joy to me, sometimes living in it is the only safe place to be" Brian May

Stev187 - Posted - 02/07/2007:  08:06:22

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZEPP
For those who are unfamiliar with Arnie's and Chris's work, they are required listening for all my students! Absolutely great stuff!

---

On another thread, Zepp mentioned "required listening" for his CH banjo studnets. What recordings do folks think should be on that list?

I'll start by adding just one: Cathy Fink's Banjo Haiku. There are many others, but I am stark raving mad about this record.

Let's build a "required listening" list on this thread... What would you add to the list?

Steve
Flint, MI
-----------------------------------
Current Old-Time Ohrwurm: "New Money,"Doc Roberts

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  14:17:08

---

with thanks to Tobias for the link
what is the name of the tune played in this clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utgc...ated&search=

and where can I buy a good recording of it?...a tab?...standard notation

I think this is going to become my next obsession

Banjonically yours

Joe

banjo_brad - Posted - 02/08/2007:  14:33:00

---

Looks and sounds like "Cherokee Shuffle" to me.

Dan Levenson's OT Fesitval Tunes book has it.



Banjo Brad
"Banjos and Fiddles and Guitars, Oh My!" (me)
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/5
www.PricklyPearMusic.net

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  15:59:32

---

Brad,

Thanks for the response, but it doesn't sound anything like the Cherokee Shuffle I know

so I'm still a-looking and a-seeking!

Banjonically yours

Joe

bassman - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:11:20

---

Hey Joe, I think that's "Cherokee Trail," an original by John Herrmann. The only recording I have seen of it is on the cd Down From the Mountain, by Tim O'Brien, Dirk Powell and John Herrmann and it says in the notes that John wrote it.

Chris
http://www.nowhereradio.com/ptasnik/discography

banjo_brad - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:15:57

---

Sorry - I kinda jumped to the conclusion because of the name of the video, and it does sound vaguely like CS from what I know of the tune.
I should know better than to jump first!


Banjo Brad
"Banjos and Fiddles and Guitars, Oh My!" (me)
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/5
www.PricklyPearMusic.net

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  16:59:07

---

thanks Bassman!

I assume this tune is in the movie, right?

I'll get it from Netflix and not send it back till I learn that thang!

Banjonically yours

Joe

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:11:09

---

you meant

Songs from the Mountain

from the movie

Cold Mountain

but it was enough for me to find it...much thanks!

all them mountains make a feller cornfused!

Banjonically yours

Joe

bassman - Posted - 02/08/2007:  17:19:23

---

Oops, my bad, Joe. You're right, Songs from the Mountain. It's not really from the movie Cold Mountain, though. It was a sort of concept album that was put out well before the movie was made, playing tunes and songs that were mentioned in or inspired by the book, Cold Mountain. Fantastic album, though, if you ask me.

Chris
http://www.nowhereradio.com/ptasnik/discography

bagunhe - Posted - 02/14/2007:  20:31:02

---

John Herrmann said that Joe Thrift ( who is the fiddler of the clip) recorded the tune but I don't konw which one. Is it Tim O'brein playing the gutitar on the clip?
Bosco

konnichiwa, arigato, sayonara

Jim Treganza - Posted - 02/12/2007:  14:17:23

---

I'm brand new at this and want to take a few lessons. I've been unable to find anybody who gives clawhammer lessons less than 45 miles away from Stockton, CA. I work for a local theatre and we were even unable to find a picker to play with the orchestra in a recent show! For money! Does anybody know somebody who plays old-time banjo in this neck of the woods? I really don't want to drive to Berkeley or Sacramento. Thanks.

Clawdan - Posted - 01/08/2007:  14:06:12

---

Hi Folks,
Bob Carlin and I are planning a workshop weekend in Austin in late March this year. Wanted to start by giving you a heads up and see who is interested. I'll be glad to keep you up to date of details as they develop.

Play nice,
Dan "Ain't no bum-diddy" Levenson
Old Time Music and Dance
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Author of Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch, A guide for the claw-less - a MelBay Publication
and Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo (MelBay 20313) - 117 tunes tabbed for clawhammer banjo with standard notation and suggested chords.
Tune list at http://www.folknet.org/dan/FestTunesBJBook.htm

ukjonathan - Posted - 02/13/2007:  13:42:16

---

hi I thought the striking of the strings with the claw hand would be the hardest bit, but no I'm wrong! I can hit the strings in various configurations but can I hell get the bum ditty bit. It just sounds like ting, ting ting. I strike my 1st bottom string then strum down following on by thumb off the drone string. But still no bum ditty. Anyone help? I guess this is the hard bit?

Frode B - Posted - 02/13/2007:  18:09:53

---

What would you call this fingering technique? http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ct0PbWwY5g8
It's me, and I have been fooling around with the banjo for a couple of years without any guiding. I'm a guitar/pedal steel player so I guess I am mixing it all up on the banjo.

The banjo is a Bart Reiter special ( thanks mr.Balch!)


Frode
Oslo, Norway

Rimstick - Posted - 02/11/2007:  23:52:42

---

Gang -
Looking for some advice here. I got the "bum tiddy" going pretty good but it still doesn't consistantly sound like music. One of the problems I've identified is that my strum is making music, whereas when I listen closely to recordings, I think the strings should sound more "dead", as if I was muting them by "chiming" at the 7th fret. More of a wash board rasp than musical notes. Hope you can follow that.

I've moved my elbow closer to the rim, which raised my hand position. This in turn put a very flat attack angle on the strings for the lower fingers and helped some.

I fully realize there are some times you need the strum to "chord" as part of the song, but I'm talking about the ability to generally produce a "beat" that gets your toes tapping and sets the beat of the song.

Any ideas?



Regards,
Rimstick


Uncle Dave Macon makes me laugh !!

Ron Ortegel - Posted - 02/01/2007:  11:52:07

---

How well does the brass plate to the fifth fret position work on a fretless? Anyone have experience with this?

MarkJohnson - Posted - 02/12/2007:  07:29:17

---

I have always felt that the tune, Cold Frosty Morning" was a moody piece of music to say the least and best played in a minor key. We recorded it in the key of "A Model" or "Mountain Minor/Sawmill Tuning".

I just figured out how to post this tune to my Hangout Homepage for anyone who is in the process of learning this piece. It is another perspective on a great old tune. MJ

Madgenius - Posted - 02/14/2007:  12:17:59

---

Hi

Can anybody recomend a good place to find a whole bunch of easy to play 2 and 3 chords songs suitable for clawhammer and mandolin (both beginner)

Thanks in Advance

Danny

"Music is a joy to me, sometimes living in it is the only safe place to be" Brian May

Stev187 - Posted - 02/07/2007:  08:06:22

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZEPP
For those who are unfamiliar with Arnie's and Chris's work, they are required listening for all my students! Absolutely great stuff!

---

On another thread, Zepp mentioned "required listening" for his CH banjo studnets. What recordings do folks think should be on that list?

I'll start by adding just one: Cathy Fink's Banjo Haiku. There are many others, but I am stark raving mad about this record.

Let's build a "required listening" list on this thread... What would you add to the list?

Steve
Flint, MI
-----------------------------------
Current Old-Time Ohrwurm: "New Money,"Doc Roberts

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  14:17:08

---

with thanks to Tobias for the link
what is the name of the tune played in this clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utgc...ated&search=

and where can I buy a good recording of it?...a tab?...standard notation

I think this is going to become my next obsession

Banjonically yours

Joe

Faelan - Posted - 02/14/2007:  16:07:30

---

I hurt my claw finger! I am also a firearms enthusiast, so I've also hurt my trigger finger, it's very dear to me, thankfully it's nothing major- just throbbing right now and can't play!

What to do in the mean time?

banjomikey - Posted - 02/14/2007:  16:09:51

---

I here YA! I sliced my index finger tip open with a brand new razor blade last week! Had to take it easy for awhile. Just hang in there bud. Don't push it though, you don't wanna make it worse and put yourself out even longer!

Mike

You can pick your nose and you can pick your banjo, but you can't roll banjos into little balls and flick 'em! (_)==='~

haiku - Posted - 02/14/2007:  16:12:25

---

Well, maybe you can give your ring finger a try? No reason it won't work!

Hope you first and middle fingers will be ok soon!

-----

What will ya have?!
I'll have a pint!
I'll have a pint with you, Sir!

Faelan - Posted - 02/14/2007:  16:24:16

---

Luckily it's just a blood blister from being pinched really hard near the middle knuckle so it wont come in contact with the string, my entire finger just hurts right now.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 02/14/2007:  18:31:31

---

Learn to use the middle finger too - it comes in handy to have both or even to use the ring finger. Right after an injury the hand might hurt too much to enjoy at all but once you are over the initial throbbing start working on the other finger.

The Whiskey Before Breakfast variations and a few tunes in "F" tuning are now available on the web at:
http://home.thegrid.net/~fjbrad/id20.html

J-Walk - Posted - 02/14/2007:  19:17:20

---

You've only been playing a week, man! I'd call that a minor setback rather than a disaster.

My humble recommendation is to use the down time to do some serious listening to the types of music you want to play. Listening is a key factor in learning to play. Just play your favorite tunes over and over and over. That will really help when you recover from the disaster minor setback and try to play them.

BRASMAN - Posted - 02/15/2007:  03:50:39

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Faelan

I hurt my claw finger! I am also a firearms enthusiast, so I've also hurt my trigger finger, it's very dear to me, thankfully it's nothing major- just throbbing right now and can't play!

What to do in the mean time?

---

Bummer. As a felllow beginner and firearms enthusiast (the evil black rifle kind) I feel your pain LOL. Like every body said try to use the other finger. I actualy have found it to be my prefered finger to use.

Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

ukjonathan - Posted - 02/15/2007:  07:50:13

---

Hi Faelan sorry to hear about your finger don't know if you remember giving me encourament a week or so ago but it really helped me. Anyway hope your back playing again soon after all I may need some more encouragement

Jim Treganza - Posted - 02/12/2007:  14:17:23

---

I'm brand new at this and want to take a few lessons. I've been unable to find anybody who gives clawhammer lessons less than 45 miles away from Stockton, CA. I work for a local theatre and we were even unable to find a picker to play with the orchestra in a recent show! For money! Does anybody know somebody who plays old-time banjo in this neck of the woods? I really don't want to drive to Berkeley or Sacramento. Thanks.

Clawdan - Posted - 01/08/2007:  14:06:12

---

Hi Folks,
Bob Carlin and I are planning a workshop weekend in Austin in late March this year. Wanted to start by giving you a heads up and see who is interested. I'll be glad to keep you up to date of details as they develop.

Play nice,
Dan "Ain't no bum-diddy" Levenson
Old Time Music and Dance
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Author of Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch, A guide for the claw-less - a MelBay Publication
and Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo (MelBay 20313) - 117 tunes tabbed for clawhammer banjo with standard notation and suggested chords.
Tune list at http://www.folknet.org/dan/FestTunesBJBook.htm

ukjonathan - Posted - 02/13/2007:  13:42:16

---

hi I thought the striking of the strings with the claw hand would be the hardest bit, but no I'm wrong! I can hit the strings in various configurations but can I hell get the bum ditty bit. It just sounds like ting, ting ting. I strike my 1st bottom string then strum down following on by thumb off the drone string. But still no bum ditty. Anyone help? I guess this is the hard bit?

Frode B - Posted - 02/13/2007:  18:09:53

---

What would you call this fingering technique? http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ct0PbWwY5g8
It's me, and I have been fooling around with the banjo for a couple of years without any guiding. I'm a guitar/pedal steel player so I guess I am mixing it all up on the banjo.

The banjo is a Bart Reiter special ( thanks mr.Balch!)


Frode
Oslo, Norway

Rimstick - Posted - 02/11/2007:  23:52:42

---

Gang -
Looking for some advice here. I got the "bum tiddy" going pretty good but it still doesn't consistantly sound like music. One of the problems I've identified is that my strum is making music, whereas when I listen closely to recordings, I think the strings should sound more "dead", as if I was muting them by "chiming" at the 7th fret. More of a wash board rasp than musical notes. Hope you can follow that.

I've moved my elbow closer to the rim, which raised my hand position. This in turn put a very flat attack angle on the strings for the lower fingers and helped some.

I fully realize there are some times you need the strum to "chord" as part of the song, but I'm talking about the ability to generally produce a "beat" that gets your toes tapping and sets the beat of the song.

Any ideas?



Regards,
Rimstick


Uncle Dave Macon makes me laugh !!

Ron Ortegel - Posted - 02/01/2007:  11:52:07

---

How well does the brass plate to the fifth fret position work on a fretless? Anyone have experience with this?

MarkJohnson - Posted - 02/12/2007:  07:29:17

---

I have always felt that the tune, Cold Frosty Morning" was a moody piece of music to say the least and best played in a minor key. We recorded it in the key of "A Model" or "Mountain Minor/Sawmill Tuning".

I just figured out how to post this tune to my Hangout Homepage for anyone who is in the process of learning this piece. It is another perspective on a great old tune. MJ

Madgenius - Posted - 02/14/2007:  12:17:59

---

Hi

Can anybody recomend a good place to find a whole bunch of easy to play 2 and 3 chords songs suitable for clawhammer and mandolin (both beginner)

Thanks in Advance

Danny

"Music is a joy to me, sometimes living in it is the only safe place to be" Brian May

Stev187 - Posted - 02/07/2007:  08:06:22

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZEPP
For those who are unfamiliar with Arnie's and Chris's work, they are required listening for all my students! Absolutely great stuff!

---

On another thread, Zepp mentioned "required listening" for his CH banjo studnets. What recordings do folks think should be on that list?

I'll start by adding just one: Cathy Fink's Banjo Haiku. There are many others, but I am stark raving mad about this record.

Let's build a "required listening" list on this thread... What would you add to the list?

Steve
Flint, MI
-----------------------------------
Current Old-Time Ohrwurm: "New Money,"Doc Roberts

jojo25 - Posted - 02/08/2007:  14:17:08

---

with thanks to Tobias for the link
what is the name of the tune played in this clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utgc...ated&search=

and where can I buy a good recording of it?...a tab?...standard notation

I think this is going to become my next obsession

Banjonically yours

Joe

Faelan - Posted - 02/14/2007:  16:07:30

---

I hurt my claw finger! I am also a firearms enthusiast, so I've also hurt my trigger finger, it's very dear to me, thankfully it's nothing major- just throbbing right now and can't play!

What to do in the mean time?

chip arnold - Posted - 12/26/2006:  23:06:10

---

Do you go to festivals?

Which ones?

Do you go to teaching camps?

Which ones?

Play with a plan
Chip

trapdoor2 - Posted - 12/26/2006:  23:52:09

---

I get over to the Nashville OT group's "Breakin' Up Christmas" every year. Gonna be the first of March in 2007.

The only festival I regularly attend is the Athens Fiddler's Convention (Athens, AL) in October.

I went to Nashcamp in 2005 and Smokey Mountain Banjo Academy as well. I think I have more fun at the teaching camps than at the festivals.

"If banjos needed tone rings, S.S. Stewart would have built 'em that way."

===Marc

Richard - Posted - 12/27/2006:  05:32:46

---

Any that i can get to !

mainly folk festivals over here with bluegrass / old-time ( to a lesser extent) components.

Richard

"There is nothing whatsoever that does not become easier with acquaintance" - Santideva

see my band UPDATED and IMPROVED SITE ! http://www.geocities.com/bottleneck...atitude.html

bvh - Posted - 12/27/2006:  07:42:47

---

Speaking of the Breaking Up Christmas Festival(I believe it's Winter instead of Christmas), does anybody know, why Dave Cannon(sp) is no longer assosiated, with this festival?

BVH

trapdoor2 - Posted - 12/27/2006:  09:43:13

---

Sorry..."Breaking Up Winter", I must have had too much Xmas spirit(s).

I'm not a member of NOTSBA and although I've seen Dave at many events, I don't really know him. I'll ask around.

"If banjos needed tone rings, S.S. Stewart would have built 'em that way."

===Marc

Craig - Posted - 12/27/2006:  09:51:50

---

Where are you from and how far might you travel?

I'm a snow bird. I go to the Florida Old Time Music Championships. Up north I go to the Mayville (NY) Bluegrass festival (and play clawhammer in the jams) because I live there. I plan to go to Clifftops in WV next year. The WV folk festival is also reportedly very good.

Craig

Craig

www.thepleasantfamily.com
"We're not family and we're not always pleasant"

jojo2525 - Posted - 12/27/2006:  10:03:16

---

The Willow Creek Folk Festival near Stockton, Illinois...started in late 60s and I've been to almost all of them...wonderful small fest

Clifftop...been the last 3 years...a long haul for me from Wisconsin...but lots of folks go even farther...last year I camped near a fellow who flew his own plane from the west coast

Banjonically yours

Joe McNally

GSCarson - Posted - 12/27/2006:  10:45:37

---

My son plays bluegrass banjo so I try to plan something we can do as a father/son thing each years that works for both of us. We used to go to the Maryland Banjo Academy, we've gone to Steve Kaufman's camp, and we've gone to Banjo Camp North for the past couple years which has worked out really well for our clawhammer/bluegrass interests.

Also hit the Gettysburg festival for a day once in a while cause it's close, and we have gone to Clifftop for the past couple years which I really enjoy and he is learning to tolerate..

G. Carson.

ScottK - Posted - 12/27/2006:  12:51:11

---

Since I live in Portland, Oregon, I go to the Portland Old-Time Music Gathering (http://www.bubbaguitar.com/festival/index.html). It's always a lot of fun with a couple square dances and lots of jamming. The 2007 edition is coming up in a couple of weeks, January 10-14.

Last year I went to the Golden Old Time Music Festival (http://www.goldenoldtimemusic.com/) in Yreka, California, and enjoyed it a lot. It's kind of small and very friendly. Lots of jamming in the campground at night. They've already got Dirk Powell, Riley Baugus, and Foghorn Stringband lined up for this year so I plan to go again.

Last year I went to Weiser (http://www.fiddlecontest.com/) for the first time, but I didn't go to the fiddle contest. I just camped and jammed in Stickerville (http://www.stickerville.org/). There was plenty of good music in the campground. I had hoped to go to the Centralia Campout (http://www.centraliacampout.com/), but had conflicts and couldn't make it. I hope to hit both Weiser and Centralia this year.

For the last three years I've attended American Banjo Camp (http://www.langston.com/ABC/) up near Port Townsend, Washington. I enjoyed it a lot all three years. I got a lot of inspiration and motivation learning directly from Ken Perlman, Mike Seeger, Mac Benford, Michael Miles, Brad Leftwich, Paul Brown, Howie Bursen, and Laura Boosinger. I can't absorb that much in a weekend, but the inspiration fuels my practice for months after the camp. The faculty concerts and hosted jams are also a lot of fun. I'll probably try to go again this year.

The last couple of years I also attended the spring Banjo Workshop hosted by Bob Carlin at Dusty Strings in Seattle. Last year's workshop featured Bob with Dan Levenson and Molly Tannenbaum. This year's featured Bob with Laura Boosinger and Candy Goldman. Both were very good. Not so much jamming at this workshop, though, since folk aren't staying on-site.

Scott

Muddy Roads - Posted - 12/28/2006:  17:40:06

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I feel like there are almost none on the east coast. i live in NYC. there was a festival in brooklyn over the summer with jams and instructional sessions too. Big old time jam in the middle with lots of circles out and around the lawn. I think it's annual and usually around august.
That Portland, OR jam is a blast, made it last year.

MR

www.musicaccord.net/muddyroads

mom of 10 - Posted - 12/29/2006:  11:11:43

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I go to the best (of course) Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, KS.
Believe me, it's not just bluegrass!
The shows are wonderful, the street jams are awesome, the camps are great. Just too much to mention.
I have a son who plays bodhran, so we often hang out with the celtic players (yea Carp Camp!) but there's lots of old time, too.
Come if you can. Sep. 12-16, 2007. Of course, I'll be there for the full 10 days of prefestival/festival. www.wvfest.com

Melanie

If y'got time to breathe, y'got time for music.
Briscoe Darling, 1963

Kole - Posted - 12/31/2006:  10:51:01

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Always the Florida Old-Time Music Championships. My guitar player lives on Clay Hill Rd. We could walk there in 3 minutes. April 2007 Brooksville, Fla. Please try to attend.

Flesher Tarantella
Cedar Mountain Banjos

Wilt Rott - Posted - 01/04/2007:  11:42:59

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CLIFFTOP!!!

"A banjo can get you through times with no money, but money can't get you through times with no banjo" - John Hartford

freddfish - Posted - 01/14/2007:  20:59:19

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Anybody know of ANYTHING within a 3 hour drive of Baltimore? Besides the Getttysburg Fest, that is...going to that this year if I can.

The Fish

Fred from Baltimore
Rover openback 5-string
RIP Mississippi John Hurt, Dock Boggs, Uncle Dave Macon

"These Boys is not white! Hell, they ain't even Old-Timey!!"
-Homer Stokes, in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

black flag - Posted - 01/14/2007:  22:02:49

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I'm thinking of going to the Charlie Poole Festival in Eden , NC, June 8-9. It's a long way from California, but I have free airline tickets and need to be in DC the next weekend anyway.
Chris

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 01/15/2007:  06:24:14

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My fave is the *Bowlin Owner's Outdoor Rendezvous and Off-Road Dirt-Bike Rally* (free admission with an empty beer bottle) held in the Aleutian Islands every New Year's Eve.

R.D. Lunceford- "Missourian in Exile"
*************************
Model 1865 Bowlin Fretless Banjo

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Edited by - R.D. Lunceford on 01/15/2007 06:27:05

patches - Posted - 01/15/2007:  10:43:29

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When is the Gettysburg event?

Keep on the sunny side!

Don

freddfish - Posted - 01/16/2007:  19:09:20

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quote:

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Originally posted by patches

When is the Gettysburg event?

Keep on the sunny side!

Don

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http://gettysburgbluegrass.com/

Don't know if there is any CH going on though...

Fred from Baltimore
Rover openback 5-string
RIP Mississippi John Hurt, Dock Boggs, Uncle Dave Macon

"These Boys is not white! Hell, they ain't even Old-Timey!!"
-Homer Stokes, in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

jbalch - Posted - 01/16/2007:  22:55:16

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quote:

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Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

My fave is the *Bowlin Owner's Outdoor Rendezvous and Off-Road Dirt-Bike Rally* (free admission with an empty beer bottle) held in the Aleutian Islands every New Year's Eve.

R.D. Lunceford- "Missourian in Exile"
*************************
Model 1865 Bowlin Fretless Banjo

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Yeah...but that is a pretty elite group RD. I rode my 10-speed down there last New Years ... with a Bart Reiter banjo and a whole case of empty beer bottles...but alas...I couldn't get in. They said something about no frets (or smooth tires) allowed.

Don't forget: Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfresboro, TN. ..home of the official National Old-Time Banjo Championship. Our festival is always the weekend after the 4th of July.



http://www.johnbalchmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnbalch

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Edited by - jbalch on 01/16/2007 22:58:19

rinemb - Posted - 01/20/2007:  18:00:10

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Melanie, you are a real trooper. I will go to Walnut Valley this year-if I am not out on a job. Being its only 40 miles away, and I haven't been in years. Wish iit had more old time. And its getting soooo crowded! I do plan to go to Clifftop for the first time. Chip, I am sure I will be relying on you to give me all the pretrip and where to go suggestions-down the road. From there I hope to finally make the "pilgrimage" up to "Rine's Ridge' in the WV Panhandle, where all of my kinfolkhomesteaded and pioneered since 1780. I wonder if any of em play, or provide some good old shine...Brad

May not the incidence of success, nor the pretense of retirement-Lessen the want of enlightenment.

Stev187 - Posted - 01/21/2007:  11:30:40

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Back in the day (which is my code for 10 years ago when I was playing banjo regularly), I almost went to Clifftop several years running. Something always came up--job, school, personal life.

I'd love to go this year, but I want to ask a question or two of Clifftop regulars.

1. Would I get more playing in if I came down with my string bass? I think I learn as much about banjo playing bass with a good banjo player than I do with a banjo in my hand. My goal would be to play with some really hot banjo and fiddle players.

2. Do folks like to play with a bass fiddle at that festival? (I'd say I'm pretty darn good).

3. Anybody got a string band they enter in the contest that would need a bass player for the festival? I'd love to hook up with some folks who wanted hot bottom end up on stage.


Steve
Flint, MI
-----------------------------------
"I wish I'd bought me a half pint and stayed in the wagon yard."

oldtimer - Posted - 01/21/2007:  16:58:05

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I don't get to festivals much anymore, but some of the most enjoyable festivals have been those held by the Minnesota Old-time and Bluegrass Association. They have a moderate sized festival around August 1 that is about evenly divided between bluegrass and old-time (really GOOD old-time), with a bunch of good workshops, friendly knowledgable jams, dances and stage performers. They have a smaller gathering in June that is old-time. Both festivals are very pleasant.

All the old-time "stars" have raved about how wonderful these two festivals are. Google their website for information.

Best regards,
Glenn Godsey

1998 Riley Baugus
1923 Whyte Laydie
Prust 13" fretless tackhead
Early Ramsey fretless
1878 Henry C. Dobson

"Time passes unhindered"

GSCarson - Posted - 01/21/2007:  18:00:20

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rinemb & Stev187,
Chip and others can shed more light on this but I'd say if you like old time fiddle and banjo tunes, you'll probably enjoy Clifftop. Although the festival starts mid week, some folks start coming the previous weekend, and the early jamming is a lot of fun, there are plenty of folks there. As far as the bass goes, if you enjoy playing it, I'd bring it along, you should find plenty of opportunities to play it, and hopefully to get into a contest band if you meet the right people. I was in a couple jam sessions last year where we did not have a bass and one showed up in mid song, and it just energized the session even more. I am working on an out of state project and drive about 8 hours each week coming and going, and I still listen to some of the jam session recordings I made during the last couple years there because they bring back some good memories.
G. Carson

chip arnold - Posted - 01/21/2007:  18:29:30

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Hi Glenn, I met your friend Micah this weekend at Buckingham's. A really nice kid and a heck of a picker. He showed off your engraving work on the banjo he made. Beautiful.

Clifftop. Y'all come. I'd bring the bass but bring whatever else you play too. One bass to a jam but many times there are more than one of everything else.

Hey Brad, Get there early if you can. It fills up pretty quick and level spots go fast. We always make a ten day fester out of it and never want to leave. We camp up on the hill by the water tower. Clifftop is a VERY crowded affair. Bring rain gear, boots and a coat. It got down to 38 the year before last but usually it's pretty hot.

Play with a plan
Chip

GSCarson - Posted - 01/21/2007:  21:55:41

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Chip,
Off topic but... Micah is a good guy, he's getting married in March to a girl we introduced him too... I ended up as best man somehow, I will look like an old geezer standing up there with those kids. Had fun with him building that banjo, there is a photo of us on my home page the day we finished assembling his. See you at Clifftop if not earlier, there is rumor of a southern picking trip coming together up here to help ward off cabin fever. Now, back to the festivals.
Glenn

mom of 10 - Posted - 01/23/2007:  21:25:52

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Where and when is clifftop? Is it really on a cliff?
Melanie

If y'got time to breathe, y'got time for music.
Briscoe Darling, 1963

chip arnold - Posted - 01/23/2007:  22:06:52

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Very near the New River Gorge which has huge cliffs! The name really comes from the little settlement of Clifftop, West Va.
http://www.wvculture.org/stringband/

Play with a plan
Chip

cashwo_wv - Posted - 01/23/2007:  22:07:24

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I go to:

Clifftop http://www.wvculture.org/stringband/
WV Vandalia Gathering http://www.wvculture.org/vandalia/

I'm going to try and venture out of state this year!!!

BrendanD - Posted - 01/24/2007:  03:39:32

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quote:

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Originally posted by mom of 10

Where and when is clifftop? Is it really on a cliff?
Melanie

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Well... it's not readily visible at the festival site, but somehow our Clifftop "Brigadoon" band seems to have found one to fall off of anyway:



I couldn't say quite where that is, really...

But I can say that Clifftop is the absolute highlight of my year, musically and socially. My wife Maxine and I fly out from California every year for it, and we usually stay for about 10 days, total. We're always completely fried at the end of it, but there is nowhere else that we can see, hear, and play with so many of our favorite musicians and friends from far and wide. Our band I mentioned above is a perfect example: our fiddler is from Massachusetts, our bass player is from Alabama, our guitar player is from Pennsylvania, and our tenor guitar player just moved from North Carolina to Pennsylvania. (You see why we only get together once a year.)

Sleep? Bah! I'll sleep when I'm dead!

Brendan

"Many thing un-understandable a chicken-hearted seems slim usually."

- from a Japanese shopping bag (printed in English)

mcallise - Posted - 01/26/2007:  23:07:26

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I go to Clifftop and Mount Airy - Mt. Airy is not as huge or as picturesque as Clifftop, and there's more of a mix of bluegrass and old time, but it's in a great location and I always have lots of fun and get no sleep.

BTW: If you've never been to a festival - plan on not sleeping. There is NO quiet time ever, and there will be drunks hollering and whooping up and down around your tent from midnight till dawn; you will unfailingly choose a tent site next to the worst offenders. I'm 3 for 3.

If you are over 40, my advice is stay offsite or bring earplugs.

Uncle Mac - Jug Music Rules!

chip arnold - Posted - 01/27/2007:  10:05:43

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"If you are over 40, my advice is stay offsite or bring earplugs."
No, no, no! Don't listen to this nonsense! The whooping and hollering almost always dies down before dawn. Why I remember nights when it was quiet enough to hear a freight train by 4:30 am. Besides, you should be out picking at that time of day (night).
Stay offsite? Never. I'm 60.

Play with a plan
Chip

ScottK - Posted - 01/27/2007:  13:52:25

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Hey Brendan,

I picked up your "On the Edge" CD at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering a couple weeks back. Great album! I'm really enjoying it a lot! I'm looking forward to learning a few of the tunes I wasn't previously familiar with as soon as I catch up a little on the learning backlog from the weekly jam session I'm currently attending.

BTW, anybody ever hear of the "White Trash Mystics"? Mike Seeger showed up at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering (as an attendee, not as a featured performer) and was wearing a White Trash Mystics T-shirt at one of the square dances. I was curious about it, but didn't get a chance to ask him about it. Didn't find much when I did a web search later. Seems to have been a band a while back. Just curious...

Scott

BrendanD - Posted - 01/30/2007:  04:51:47

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quote:

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Originally posted by ScottK

Hey Brendan,

I picked up your "On the Edge" CD at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering a couple weeks back. Great album! I'm really enjoying it a lot! I'm looking forward to learning a few of the tunes I wasn't previously familiar with as soon as I catch up a little on the learning backlog from the weekly jam session I'm currently attending.

---

Thanks for the compliments, Scott; I'm glad you like it so much! "On The Edge" (all traditional tunes) and its companion CD, "Clifftop Notes Vol. 1" (all original Mark Simos tunes with additional musicians, Vol. 2 coming out later this year) are the first recordings I've played on. I'd be curious to hear if you have any favorites on the CD (I do!), either the tracks themselves or as new tunes to learn.

quote:

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BTW, anybody ever hear of the "White Trash Mystics"? Mike Seeger showed up at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering (as an attendee, not as a featured performer) and was wearing a White Trash Mystics T-shirt at one of the square dances. I was curious about it, but didn't get a chance to ask him about it. Didn't find much when I did a web search later. Seems to have been a band a while back. Just curious...

---

Yeah, I saw Mike wearing that T-shirt in Portland, too. The White Trash Mystics were around (out east) in, I think, the early '90s (and probably earlier and later, too); they were featured as a swing band at a lot of dance camps and weekends in that era. The only musician in the band who comes to mind just now is Tom Mitchell, who's a terrific and versatile guitar player. I think there were several permutations of that band over the years, but I can't remember who else was in it. All great musicians, though!

Brendan

"Many thing un-understandable a chicken-hearted seems slim usually."
- from a Japanese shopping bag (printed in English)

Frosty Morn - Posted - 01/30/2007:  12:04:47

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The Appalachian String Band Festival "Clifftop" is my favorite. I'm happy to make the 17 drive from New England. If you need to sleep while there, and require silence to do so, bring earplugs. Old time tunes can be heard 24 hours a day. It's an extraordinary experience in a delightful setting.

Regarding "teaching camps", I don't travel far for something like that. Fortunate enough to have the Old Time Music Camp North and Banjo Camp North in Massachusetts. Of the two, I prefer the OTMCN. More fiddlers per banjo player.

Deering - Posted - 02/14/2007:  15:48:13

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How does Clifftop compare to Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro, TN, held in July? Is it the same atmosphere, or does Murfreesboro have more stage performances, or which is best for parking lot jamming? Murfreesboro is a shorter trip for us Georiga folks.

chip arnold - Posted - 02/14/2007:  17:03:43

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Hi Lyle,

Never been to Dave Macon Days although I'd like to.

Clifftop is not about stage performances at all. Except that starting Thursday the competitions go non stop thru Sat. night. But it's NOT like you're gonna sit there and be entertained with sets by famous bands. One tune in the preliminaries and two in the finals then off you go and here comes the next competitor. There are Master's Workshops which are always good. There are dances with good bands and callers.
There is no "parking lot". Several thousand people are camping and they're all musicians. So the jamming happens at the campsites. Also some jamming on the porch of the lodge and at some of the vendor's booths......Jake Krack keeps a jam all day and night at his dad's fiddle booth. There are dozens and dozens of jams going at all hours of the day and night. Some very open and some very closed. It is the most intense musical experience you'll ever have. Total immersion. Straight ahead Old Time with the same as no Bluegrass at all. It takes us 8 1/2 hours pulling a little (very little!) camper to get there from Blairsville, Ga. Come up by the water tower and find me and Tish and we'll pick.
See you at Bear on the Square?

Play with a plan
Chip

Deering - Posted - 02/14/2007:  19:19:55

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Thanks for the info, Chip, it sounds like the best one could hope for. Will try to figure that one in, and will certainly see you in April. I thought about mosying up to east Nashville to the Breaking Up Christmas get-together, what do you know about that one, it is around the 4th of March.?

chip arnold - Posted - 02/14/2007:  19:27:38

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Glen, Betty Vornbrock's birthday weekend is the same time so we've never been to Breaking up Winter. I do know folks who go and they love it. Lo Gordon will be going and he'll be vending there. Wife Mary will be coming to Betty's. Just hunt him down and you'll be in the middle of things. http://www.nashvilleoldtime.org/BUW...ngthere9.htm

Play with a plan
Chip

Deering - Posted - 02/14/2007:  23:19:28

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OK, thanks. I will probably go to that one, and you remember i told you a few months ago, I went over to Lo's place and had my first lesson. He is a great guy and I enjoyed meeting him.

maryzcox - Posted - 02/15/2007:  07:48:37

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Hello,
We went to Uncle Dave Macon Days last year and it was fun. It was held in a little restored village within the town. Very clean and neat and shady areas too.
We didn't camp because it wasn't really set up for camping--only a few shady sites that were already taken and no electric water hookup.
We were fortunate to stay at a bed and breakfast within walking distance.
Besides all the contests, they had a guest performer, a parade, and really nice arts and crafts booths, food vendors too.
There was alot of jamming going on under the trees in back of the contest stage and folks seemed pretty friendly.
Best wishes,
Mary Z. Cox


www.maryzcox.com

If you suspect you need a new banjo--you do. Trust your musical instincts. If a banjo calls to you to buy it, don't fight destiny. It was meant to be. :)

Limax - Posted - 02/15/2007:  10:34:13

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There aren't too many camps to speak of on the west coast (unless you count the gathering in Washington), so I don't get really any opportunities to attend, especially since I live around SF. The main opportunities open to me are when someone comes through and offers a weekend workshop, which always happens on a weekend where I have a scheduling conflict.

A salted slug gathers no moss.