Posted by Banjo Mountain on Sunday, December 6, 2009
Well, last night I enjoyed another performance by Ralph and all the Clinch Mountain Boys here in Athens. They put on a great show, as always but I really enjoyed spending some time talking banjo to Steve Sparkman. I showed up early at the venue and not much was going on. I saw Steve sitting on the edge of the stage tuning his banjo. I started talking to him and thanking him for making the excellent DVD he made. He was so kind enough to show a slowed-down version of the song 'Midnight Ramble' which I've been working on lately. Steve is such a great guy for having the patience to show an interested banjo player how to pick a certain song. Some pickers that I've asked similar questions to have run me off or responded in a gruff way with something like "buy my cd or dvd and then you'll know" but not Steve. He even let me play his banjo! That was really awesome. Definitely the best sounding banjo I've ever picked. Well I guess I've said enough, but if any of you ever meet Steve, he's a wonderful musician, patient teacher, and friendly person. I wish him the best for many more years as the banjo player for the Clinch Mountain Boys. He keeps the Stanley Sound alive and I hope to as well.
PS-Steve told me about Jack Cooke. RIP Jack Cooke(1936-2009). I knew Jack and always enjoyed talking to him too.
2 comments on “Midnight Ramble”
banjotef Says:
Monday, December 7, 2009 @5:10:27 AM
There's NO people like BLUEGRASS people!
Banjo Mountain Says:
Monday, December 7, 2009 @6:53:39 AM
Agreed!
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