DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Debbielee |
I woke up this morning before the sun came up. Light is now just peeking over the mountains and casting an amazing color throughout the valley. I am watching five deer grazing in the pasture. I am having a "wow" moment. Life is truly a blessing. The music that I play is a part of this blessing. I can thank my grandfather for planting the seed a long time ago. He was a hard working farmer in rural Michigan. After a day of hard work he would settle down in his old chair and start to fiddle. He would play tunes like Ragtime Annie, Golden Slippers and Soldiers Joy. Did I appreciate his music and sit at his feet taking in the melodies that he would spin? No. I was a kid and Grandpa playing the fiddle was just the way life was. In my teen years while I was listening to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton, Grandpa was still in that old chair fiddling away. When I was in my twenties while listening to the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, Grandpa was still there.
I grew up, got married, had children, listened to "Country Music". I lived in Florida at that time and my grandmother and grandfather bought a winter place near us, a modest mobile home. My grandmother died, and I know his fiddle comforted him. Later, I remember taking my children up to visit him and while walking to his door, I could hear his fiddle. A rush of memories would flood my mind. My kids nicknamed him "Grandpa Jingle Bells", because he would play the tune for them.
My grandfather died. My father went to his house and found him sitting in that old chair, and laying beside him was his fiddle. It was a sad day. That was about twenty years ago. Life goes on, but it's not until now that I understand what my grandfather gave to me. I can attribute so many blessings to him because of who he was and his music. My only regret is that I didn't have a chance to tell him that. I would give anything to be able to sit with him next to that old chair and play a few tunes. Maybe one day.
debbielee
44 commentsDebbielee has 192 friends. View entire friends list.
![]() chip arnold |
![]() frailin ![]() |
![]() jtalbert |
![]() tryan |
![]() fiddlefest |
![]() WErbsen |
![]() Cathy Fink |
![]() R.D. Lunceford |
mike gregory replied to topic 'Good Wednesday Morning' 15 hrs
mike gregory replied to topic 'Conserve water...' 23 hrs
mike gregory replied to topic 'FILM TITLE GAME Part 24' 1 day
mike gregory replied to topic 'Fit a tone ring by hand?' 1 day
mike gregory replied to topic 'Good Tuesday Morning' 1 day
mike gregory replied to topic 'Punched a Cop!' 2 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'FILM TITLE GAME Part 24' 2 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'Super long scale strings for bass banjo ' 2 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'Fit a tone ring by hand?' 2 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'The dead south, you are my sunshine ' 2 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'Hook spacing for 16 hook rim' 2 days
jbalch replied to topic 'Reiter Stain Type/ Brand' 3 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'Where are banjos “made”?' 3 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'Good Sunday Morning' 3 days
mike gregory replied to topic 'Where are banjos “made”?' 3 days
Genre: Unknown/None Chosen
Playing Style: Unknown/None Chosen
Genre: Old Time
Playing Style: Clawhammer and Old-Time
Genre: Unknown/None Chosen
Playing Style: Clawhammer and Old-Time
Genre: Unknown/None Chosen
Playing Style: Clawhammer and Old-Time
Playing Since: 1997
Experience Level: Purty Good
Interests:
[Jamming] [Socializing] [Helping]
Occupation: Interpreter for the Deaf
Gender: Female
Age: 69
My Instruments:
2-Tyran Banjos, 1-Chuck Lee Orvilla, 1-1924 Vega Tubaphone, 1-Keven Enoch Fretless, Goldtone Plunky
Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Reeltime Travelers, Skillet Lickers, Polecat Creek, Mark Johnson, Tom Ryan, my dear friend Walter Daves, the Incredible...Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Crooked Jades.
Classified Rating: (+1)
Rate this Member
Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 10/17/2007
Last Visit 4/20/2022
I started playing bluegrass banjo back in 1997 and played for a few years. I met my wonderful husband in 2004. He had been playing bluegrass and oldtime. He slowly converted me to oldtime. I sold my Earl Scruggs Mastertone and purchased my first open-back banjo from the North Georgia banjo maker, Tom Ryan. I have been playing clawhammer banjo now for almost 3 years.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2023 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.