The Greatest Show On Earth...

Ive been playing music for what seems like all my life and the only regret I have is that I have just started learning the banjo.  I guess when your grandfather plays the banjo as well as mine does you dont need another banjo player, especially since I sing and play the guitar and oddly enough, im the only one in my family that does.  So best part is that i always had great acompanyment, worst part is that I put off the banjo til now.  But considering I still have a teacher who learned on his own I still consider myself "Mr. Lucky".  I grew up going to bluegrass festivals with my father and my grandfather.  We used to have one right down the road from me which was great growing up because I could ride my 4 wheeler through the woods and be there as late as i wanted and listen to the night jams. 

     I began to play guitar when I was 14,  I also learned how to play drums at age 14.  I mainly played bluegrass with my grandpa when I was learning guitar as I still do, and of course I am still learning.  Bluegrass has always been my first love when it comes to music, but there are many other genres I listen to and perform as well.  I went electric when i was 17, played in a few electric bands, even made a little money.  Mainly played Jam band/Southern rock,   picked up the Mandolin when I was 20, my wife finally let me buy a banjo a year ago and ive been off and on learning it ever since.  My dad actually had a banjo when i was very young and he could not play it, but when i picked up guitar i tried to play that as well.  It was one of those nice sears models from the 70's and every time i got it close to tuned the strings would start poppin off like crazy.  So since i wasnt too concerned with anything but the guitar at the time, i let it sit.  My current banjo, however does not sit much.  It is a Kay from probably late 60's to early 70's.  Not the greatest banjo, but it holds tune really well and is definately playable.  Someday im certain i will upgrade, but til then, I have a Kay, and my grandpa has an epiphone from the 70's with a gibson mastertone tone ring in it.  Im sure that one will be mine someday, but I hope that day never comes...

     Anyhow, I was hoping that someone would read this and let me know if there were any bluegrass festivals, workshops, etc. that they are aware of coming up this spring and summer (if spring and summer ever gets here).  That's all!