Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Hi Y'all,
Last night, Tuesday 13th January 2009, I Played my first ever gig with a Banjo!!! I played at the Bulkington Bluegrass Club, near Coventry, England. I played right through the whole set with the multi-award winning Down County Boys!
I returned home from work, to hear the news from my Dad, that the Banjo Picker in his band had pulled out of a gig due to illness. I was offered the opportunity to step in and help out on Banjo the same evening. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands, even though I was ridiculously nervous, probably due to my "crash and burn" the last time I went to a jam.
The gig went incredibly well, my nerves soon disipated and I hardly played a note wrong all night. The highlights for me were "goldrush" which we kicked the night off with, "The Old Home Place", "Roll In my Sweet Baby's Arms" and "Foggy Mountain Breakdown", to be completely honest these were the only numbers in the bands repertoire, that I was familiar with, and for the rest of the night I just backed up........... after I' worked out the chord proggression! Often in key's which I am also not used to using.
I was particually pleased with my back-up, because this was the first time I have had the opportunity to make use of the new techniques I have learnt. I just tried to stay as tastefull as I could, quiet ,with a few punchy licks here and there, and just kept a good strong off-beat vamp whilst the Mandolin was taking a break.
All the members of the band were very complimentary about my playing, along with several respected musicians who were in the audience. I was especially pleased about a couple of compliments I recieved with regard to the drive I add to my playing, as this is something that I try hard to acheive. Most of all I shattered my nerves, so i'll be able to go into my next jam/gig with a much stronger level of confidence, but most of all I learnt an immence amount, Band dynamics, Timing with a band, Back-up, etc etc etc. I don't think I fully understand just how much I have learnt just yet.
Happy Pickin' Y'all.
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downcountyboys.com
Playing Since: 2007
Experience Level: Purty Good
Interests:
[Teaching] [Jamming] [Socializing] [Helping]
Occupation: PCV Driving Instructor
Gender: Male
Age: 38
My Instruments:
Prucha fall in love,
Huber Lancaster,
Goodtime "Leader" model,
1970s maple Ibanez which belonged to the late Jim Irvine.
Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Earl Scruggs, Terry Baucom, Ron Block, Jim Mills, Sammy Shelor, Scott Vestal, Steve Dilling, J.D.Crowe, Bill Forster, Kristin Scott Benson, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, AKUS, Lonesome River Band, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out, Blue Highway, Country Gentlemen, G'runs and Roses.
Classified Rating: not rated
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Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 11/25/2008
Last Visit 3/18/2022
I grew up right in the centre of the British Bluegrass scene, my father Mick Cooper has played in the Down County Boys for as long as I can remember. I started to pick bluegrass guitar at a very early age (about 3-4) which I continued to do into my early teens, when I was seduced by the dark side and began to play electric rock guitar. I have always wanted to try banjo and early last year (2007) I got the opportunity to borrow an old openback 5string that a friend had hanging on his study wall, this was an opportunity I took with both hands. within a few hours of getting the old thing home, the banjo bug had bitten and I mean HARD!!!!!!
Fortunately I had the benifit of the help and guidance of Alan Pearce, an old friend of my family who many years ago had played banjo in a band with my dad. In my opinion Alan is one of; if not the best banjo pickers in Britain and is certainly the most authentic sounding picker this side of the pond. With Alan's help I have progressed quickly and hope to emulate the authenticity of his playing.
In summer 2007 I purchaced my first banjo from a music shop in Runcorn near Liverpool, England.
I am absolutely thrilled with the tone and volume I get from my banjo.
Early in 2009 I was awarded a place in the multi-award winning British Bluegrass band The Down County Boys, which is a framework I seem to be doing very well within; learning tonnes of things and having lots of fun whilst im at it! Soon after I bought a new Huber Lancaster which is now my main Banjo.
