Playing Since: 2001
Experience Level: Purty Good

Occupation: Good question

Gender: Male
Age: 56

My Instruments:
Alvarez, Gibson, Gold Tone, Kay


Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Earl Scruggs, JD Crowe, Sonny Osborne, Ralph Stanley,Charlie Cushman, Jim Mills, Sammy Shelor, Kenny Ingram, Jerry Garcia, etc.....



Classified Rating: not rated
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Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 6/13/2005
Last Visit 7/25/2018

Well My Banjo Bio atleast.... My Grandpa use to play banjo to my sister and I when we were children. I always loved the sound of the banjo. My Grandpa had passed away many years prior to me finding his banjo under my mothers bed. I begged to be able to play it. I had to show that I could learn basic guitar chords and show the interest to be able to play it. I was allowed to keep and play his 70's Alvarez Banjo in Oct. 2000. I Lived in a rural area in Idaho with no instruction or computer and I taught myself how to play a banjo. ( I probably have all the bad habits your instructors warn you about.) I don't really count the first 6 months. I played guitar rolls and even played with my picks upside down. I thought that was OK and loved it. It was a joke. I remember breaking a string that was originally on the banjo and was unable to find anyone to help me for weeks. I traveled 1.5 hrs to the closest music shop for help. I bought my first banjo instruction booklet from the music shop and it was also then when someone taught me how to change a string and about a banjo bridge. I was basically forced to learn the maintenance and set up if I wanted to even play the banjo. I usually just keep going and then I learn I have been doing something wrong and re learn and keep going and going. 3 steps forward 2 steps back... Well its 2009 and I now live in Oregon where there is actually a music shop 15 minutes away that sells banjo strings. I am still playing the banjo as much as I can. I don't play with anyone or go to jams and I keep to myself. I just play my favorite songs at home and that is good enough for me. I don't get really sick of the good ones and always feel that I can play it better next time. I imagine I will be playing as long as I am able. I has really helped me through some hard times and is great medicine. My timing and sound is now getting better. However, just when I think I am starting to sound better I will tape myself and realize something.......I STINK !!!! But I sure do enjoy playing the banjo. Take it easy, Bootes...