This is a worth a look...
libraryguides.berea.edu/sounda...ves/smoak
Includes discussion of Snuffy Jenkins, Earl Scruggs, Don Reno, and others...
To start, if you like, here's a recording with Mr. Smoak playing banjo I heard just recently:
youtube.com/watch?v=FXQVV1Jwx80
Here's one specific link, "Hearing Snuffy Jenkins":
libraryguides.berea.edu/c.php?...&p=403334
Thanks for the links. Jim and the Cumberlands were very popular in the Louisville area. I have occasionally run across people in the Louisville area who have taken lessons from Jim. It's good to see his name and contributions recognized.
David
I picked up a Jim Smoak Banjo Book in the early 70's and I learned several of his tunes with it. in fact, I still have it. I learned his version of Little Rock Getaway and Ladies Fancy just to name a couple.
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Edited by - 5stringpicker2 on 01/18/2021 06:09:48
being a local here in his area I always suggested him when someone asked about lessons. His students proved ,that he was a good teacher as well. A shame I was too stubborn myself. I did take one lesson to learn what chord he was playing on a song . A song .that was above our bands collective knowledge.
Didn't know he was hidden. He was much higher profile than a lot of great banjo players, but certainly not as well known some. I know lots of other pickers deserving much recognition. I guess they pay off is in a life well lived.
Jim Smoak owned a prewar Gibson, RB-4 #9474-3, that used to belong to Oren Jenkins.
Greg Earnest’s site says that the original neck was damaged and a new one was built.
Note that the audio and video links were not working when I first accessed the page, but the folks at Berea College kindly got them working again!
The John Henry version is the first I listened to, pretty nice version.
libraryguides.berea.edu/c.php?...&p=403342
quote:
Originally posted by okbluegrassbanjopickerJim Smoak owned a prewar Gibson, RB-4 #9474-3, that used to belong to Oren Jenkins.
Greg Earnest’s site says that the original neck was damaged and a new one was built.
That is correct, Luke.
Chris Warner bought 9474-3 from Jim Smoak about 1968. The original neck was in rough shape – cracked headstock, worn frets, pearl falling out, etc. Chris made a deal with Randy Wood to make a new neck, the old one in trade. Years later both Chris and subsequent owner Larry R Smith tried to track down the original neck but it had disappeared and the trail went cold.
I also remember that the flange broke while Smoak was on the road with Bill Monroe. He was able to acquire a new flange, but it would not go on over the fat boy rim, so, while riding down the road, he shaved the rim skirt down (with a piece of glass I think) until the flange went on and he could reassemble the banjo for the next gig.
I agree with the statement he was not widely known, but I also saw his name appear in publications. And as time goes by, the more I think popularity does not always result from playing ability. I am aware of banjoists who are in a banjo "hall of fame" that could not play as well as unknown local banjoists I have heard. For various reasons, a banjo player may not want to play professionally and receive wide public exposure.
The 2 albums he made with the Louisiana Honeydrippers are among my favorites. I admire how inventive his playing was with unconventional material while staying true to pure Scruggs style. Great stuff!
quote:
Originally posted by Richard HauserI agree with the statement he was not widely known, but I also saw his name appear in publications. And as time goes by, the more I think popularity does not always result from playing ability. I am aware of banjoists who are in a banjo "hall of fame" that could not play as well as unknown local banjoists I have heard. For various reasons, a banjo player may not want to play professionally and receive wide public exposure
The less famous you are, the less banjo jokes that come your way...
I hear jokes about banjos, but not banjo players. The only people aware of many band members other than the featured performer are folks who also play an instrument. How many non-instrumentals know who Don Rich was ? But many of us listened and enjoyed how well he sang, played fiddle, and played lead guitar.
