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Banjo V-I
The musical journey of Dave Richardson has gone from Mingo Junction, Ohio to the Front Range of Colorado with a detour through Hawaii and California. Listening to this new album it’s obvious that he’s gathered inspirations all along the way and with the availability of virtual instruments and recording software his musical explorations and imaginations…
I Am A Pilgrim
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Doc Watson’s birth, FLi Records/Budde Music have released an impressive tribute CD that both honors the indelible legacy of the guitarist and singer from Deep Gap, North Carolina, while involving musicians and styles far from Doc’s country roots. I Am A Pilgrim features tracks from bluegrass stars…
Classics Never Go Out of Style
March 3rd, 2023 would have been Doc Watson’s 100th birthday. His influence on bluegrass and old-time music is undeniable. For guitar players, learning to flatpick Doc’s version of “Blackberry Blossom” and fingerpick “Deep River Blues” was almost considered a rite of passage. Countless players spent countless hours slowing Doc’s records down so they could steal…
Notes & Queries – June 2023
Queries I just borrowed a copy of a release on John’s Gospel Records, RI-1635, 12” vinyl 33 1/3 RPM. Side A appears to be the Stanley Brothers with the same song list as Wango 103, while Side B is Clyde Moody, the Tate Brothers & the Gospel Trio, along with recitations by Ray Davis. There…
Greensboro’s Bass Violin Shop
If you take an ailing bass fiddle into Bob Beerman’s shop for repairs, you feel as if you are entering an operating room. The instrument is gently laid upon a table in the back room then one employee examines the patient while another hovers with a clipboard jotting down its diagnosis. Beerman is the veteran…
Annie Savage
And the Free-Strings Curriculum Several weeks ago I received a press release from Turnberry Records announcing their launch of a new “Education Division.” The release explained that the first launch of the new division was called “Free Strings—Join The Jam.” They stated that in initiating this curriculum they were partnering with fiddler Annie Savage, veteran performer…