Playing Since: 1984
Experience Level: Purty Good
Interests:
[Jamming] [Helping]
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
Gender: Male
Age: 63
My Instruments:
1930s Gibson TB-11 Conversion with an Earl Scruggs Deluxe Neck and a Jerry Sloan Tone Ring.
Favorite Bands/Musicians:
My two cents of opinions: George Frederick Handel is the greatest Musician/Composer who ever lived. The greatest virtuoso of our day is Tommy Emmanuel, and he is both a genius and warm hearted person. Joe Walsh has always inspired me (the guitar player/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist) because of the feeling, skill and genius he puts into everything he touches. As far as banjo players my greatest inspiration lately has been Danny Barnes playing with Jeff Austin. he is just way outside the box. I am also deeply impressed with Dave Humm, who mastered so many styles of banjo playing and nailed celtic style. Dave Evans has always impressed me with the power and force of his vocals and playing. Earl will always be "the man". J.D. set a new benchmark for back-up and taste in style. Mike Munford must be mentioned, not only for his great knowledge and skill, but for his undying dedication to helping others. John Fogerty (pure genius and originality), left a musical impression on me while growing up that just can't be measured. Larry Richardson inspired me to take up banjo. The addiction just never went away. Oh, and by the way, did you hear that classical musicians never die.... they just de-compose. ha ha
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Visible to: Public
Created 11/18/2010
Last Visit 2/9/2021
Grew up playing Rock and Roll, then switched to Gospel. In my late 20s, after Larry Richardson came to my church and picked his banjo and gave his Christian testimony, I had an "epiphany" and the scales fell off my eyes, and I saw that bluegrass music was, after all, the purest and most supreme form of musical and artistic expression. So I have been playing banjo pretty much all of the time since. I played in a local band in the Staunton VA area and then two subsequent bands in the DC area. I have been "out of it" of late because of too many responsabilities, including 4 year old twins and a 2 year old boy! But am known to still steal off into my private chambers and endulge and binge on various picking delights of my deepest longings. Then I emerge, once again a better person... For many years I just picked and never tried to sing (except for some occasional tenor harmony), because singing while playing a banjo seemed impossible. My latest accomplishmnent has been learning to do both (sing and play at the same time) and I'm always improving. Some of you appreciate how challenging this can be! (For a sample look up my vid of Uncle Pen on here) But then, I don't get out much, so have learned to "do ot all"! I don't like to have to depend on others to sing before I can jump into a song. The music is there and just has to come out somehow...
