I bought a banjo.

[Wilmywood]

Wilmywood,
Not to worry.
It will be made abundantly clear what the correct pronounciation is on our first album, as well as at the Country Music awards ceremony.
RBSinTo

That's what the Onederes thought, too.

 

[Wilmywood]

But then you lose the potential “medi” double entendre.

It is lost with improper pronunciation as well. And Mee-Dee-oakers says exactly what you're trying to convey.

 

[chazmo]

I have two banjolins as well. They are kinda fun, and you can still pick them up for fairly slim coin.

Oooh, we need some pix, Steve. I don't even know what those are.

 

[Default]

Cat for scale.

 

[RBSinTo]

Cat for scale.

Default,
Your cat plays scales on the Banjo?
Bet none of the Dog owners here can say that about their pets.
RBSinTo

 

[Roland]

His name is Rob McCoury of Del McCoury Band and also The Travelin' McCourys. Rob and his brother are both Del's sons. Rob plays the banjo and Ronnie plays the mandolin.

I suggested "Tom's Nephew's Band" as a band name when they formed the Travelin' McCourys, but they didn't go for it. Damn!!

Rob married niece Lisa, so I guess technically he's a nephew-in-law, but in my book family is family. Also, his primary and most beloved fancy banjo was built by Don's brother Dave. So he's steeped in the Kennedy family.

That's really cool. I listen to Del McCoury on Bluegrass Junction all the time and the Traveling' McCourys pop up regularly. I will take special notice of the banjo as my inspiration from now on.

 

[tonepoet]

As I've mentioned in other threads, I bought a Banjo kit last fall, and am waiting for the warmer weather to begin work on it.
The purchase was made just because I like working with my hands, and not particularly because I wanted to learn a new musical skill.
And after about 60 years of reeeeealy mediocre Guitar playing, I suspect that when I finish the Banjo, I won't learn to play it any better.
But first I'll see, and then I'll know.
RBSinTo

RBSinTo.

Being in the Toronto area, have you ever heard of the Ruby Banjo Company? They were made in the mid to late 1970s, I believe. In the 1980s I walked into a music store on Haight Street in San Francisco and saw a banjo hanging on the wall behind the counter. I asked to see it and as I held it in my hands I could see and feel the quality of the craftsmanship put into it. I bought it without even playing it in the store. It's their open-back 5-string model that I still have.

Here's an ad from 1975

 

[tonepoet]

His name is Rob McCoury of Del McCoury Band

Legendary !!

 

[RBSinTo]

RBSinTo.

Being in the Toronto area, have you ever heard of the Ruby Banjo Company? They were made in the mid to late 1970s, I believe. In the 1980s I walked into a music store on Haight Street in San Francisco and saw a banjo hanging on the wall behind the counter. I asked to see it and as I held it in my hands I could see and feel the quality of the craftsmanship put into it. I bought it without even playing it in the store. It's their open-back 5-string model that I still have.

Here's an ad from 1975

tonepoet,
My interest was always in guitars and guitar music, and I didn't pay any attention to banjos, so no, I've never heard of Ruby.
Their Harbord Street address was downtown in an area I didn't frequent, so they, their banjos and I never crossed paths.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
RBSinTo

 

[bobouz]

His name is Rob McCoury of Del McCoury Band and also The Travelin' McCourys. Rob and his brother are both Del's sons. Rob plays the banjo and Ronnie plays the mandolin.

I suggested "Tom's Nephew's Band" as a band name when they formed the Travelin' McCourys, but they didn't go for it. Damn!!

Rob married niece Lisa, so I guess technically he's a nephew-in-law, but in my book family is family. Also, his primary and most beloved fancy banjo was built by Don's brother Dave. So he's steeped in the Kennedy family.

Very cool, Tom, and certainly a top tier musical family in the genre. I got caught up in the bluegrass revival of the early & mid ‘70s, took banjo lessons for a couple of years, and still enjoy many pieces that literally struck a chord with me back then. When starting the lessons, I’d already been fingerpicking guitar for a few years, and eventually realized that I could incorporate banjo fingerpicking techniques to guitar & enjoy a broader tonal pallet than could ever be pulled out of a banjo. So the banjo eventually went by the wayside, with no regrets. As for bluegrass groups, Reno & Smiley would be on top for me, along with Bill Monroe’s earliest groups, and Don Reno would be my favorite bluegrass banjo player - although a fellow named Tony Trishka is the most inventive I ever heard. He’s still active, and can actually make a banjo sound seriously beautiful.

 

[wileypickett]

Trischka is terrific, I agree. His approach is wide open, not confined to any one particular lane.

I saw Del McCoury a few times way back in the '70s and '80s, mainly at summer music festivals. What a voice!

I like Monroe, Reno & Smiley and early Flatt & Scruggs, but top of the heap for me is the Stanley Brothers. (I have most, if not all, of their records.) Carter was dead by time I discovered their music, but I've seen Ralph and his band a few times.

My favorite banjo players are not the bluegrass guys though -- Appalachian style clawhammer playing is what finally got me to get a banjo of my own.

Speaking of Canada, my favorite banjo maker is in Aurora, Ontario -- namley Rickard Banjos.

Bill's story is not for the fainthearted, but I find it quite inspiring.

Bill’s Story

Bill’s Story I’ve been riding bikes since I was 16 years old and always figured that I’d had my one bad accident, after over 40 years of riding. I’ve toured New Zealand, ridden several times from coast to coast of Canada and the USA, and toured all of England and Europe over the years. On June...

rickardbanjos.com

 

[bobouz]

Trischka is terrific, I agree. His approach is wide open, not confined to any one particular lane.

I saw Del McCoury a few times way back in the '70s and '80s, mainy at summer music festivals. What a voice!

I like Monroe, Reno & Smiley and early Flatt & Scruggs, but top of the heap for me is the Stanley Brothers. (I have most, if not all, of their records.) Carter was dead by time I discovered their music, but I've seen Ralph and his band a few times.

My favorite banjo players are not the bluegrass guys though -- Appalachian style clawhammer playing is what finally got me to get a banjo of my own.

Speaking of Canada, my favorite banjo maker is in Aurora, Ontario -- namley Rickard Banjos.

Bill's story is not for the fainthearted, but I find it quite inspiring.

Bill’s Story

Bill’s Story I’ve been riding bikes since I was 16 years old and always figured that I’d had my one bad accident, after over 40 years of riding. I’ve toured New Zealand, ridden several times from coast to coast of Canada and the USA, and toured all of England and Europe over the years. On June...

rickardbanjos.com

Thank you for sharing Bill’s Story. I rode from 1969 to 1983, as my main transportation and with many long road trips for leisure. Got upended one time by a large rock & slid down twisty highway 101 north of SF at 55mph with my helmet grinding into the asphalt. Can remember it like it was yesterday & only had the helmet on that day because it was so cold outside. I was very fortunate & came out of that mostly unscathed - so I can relate, but only to a point. Bill clearly has incredible courage & character.

 

[Midnight Toker]

Midnight Toker,
Does this person have a name, or does the world know him as "Tom's Nephew"?
RBSinTo

Was going to let Tom do that...as he hadn't yet at the time, wasn't going to step on toes. It's his family, not mine. I have some great video I shot of them at the Neighborhood Theater in Charlotte NC about 10-12 yrs ago. Del is the last of a dying breed of true authentic bluegrass voices in America...and his band is beyond amazing. Mando player is one of the world's best! and the rest are all elite in their craft. An absolute must see if they are ever anywhere near you. Even if you aren't into bluegrass, it'll engross you, and you'll still walk away smiling like you've just captured a taste of real authentic Americana at it's finest! It's the closest to stepping into a Bill Monroe time machine you'll ever get!

 

[davismanLV]

Was going to let Tom do that...as he hadn't yet at the time, wasn't going to step on toes. It's his family, not mine. I have some great video I shot of them at the Neighborhood Theater in Charlotte NC about 10-12 yrs ago. Del is the last of a dying breed of true authentic bluegrass voices in America...and his band is beyond amazing. Mando player is one of the world's best! and the rest are all elite in their craft. An absolute must see if they are ever anywhere near you. Even if you aren't into bluegrass, it'll engross you, and you'll still walk away smiling like you've just captured a taste of real authentic Americana at it's finest! It's the closest to stepping into a Bill Monroe time machine you'll ever get!

Dan, that is the absolute truth! Seen Del several times and the Travelin' McCourys once. One of the best concerts I ever saw, was at the Smith Center here in Las Vegas. It was a combo of the Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans. The show they came up with was confoundingly amazing!! Together at first, then Del's band, then the PHJB for a bit, then they came back together in bits and pieces showcasing each bands strengths in a combined effort. I was just blown away. Probably the best concert I've ever witnessed in my life. I remember driving away, there being total silence in the car ride home, as there didn't seem to be the right words to convey anything. Phenomenal night.

DEL FEST for this year offers the best in Bluegrass & Roots music and returns to the stage at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD on May 23-26, 2024! Tons of the Kennedy family (Don's family) converge from all around to see and support the epic gathering. The link will give you any information you need. Lots of great artists including Sierra Ferrell, who's a favorite of mine. If you're nearby, it might be worth checking out.

 

[Papajerry]

The pain lasts forever

 

[tonepoet]

Just because I haven't heard his name mentioned yet, let me bring up Bela Fleck and post this tune "Frontiers"

When their debut "Bela Fleck and the Flecktones" came out in 1990 I was intrigued by this newer sound for a banjo. I went to see them live at a club called Slim's in San Francisco and they started the set with this tune with Bela Fleck off stage at first and walking on once he started playing. Between about 0:51 and 1:17 into the tune I had tears welling up in my bottom eyelids, stood there so moved by the sound of the performance and then again when it kicked in at about 2:35 into the tune. I was standing there about 10 feet from the stage. It could not have been a better introduction to seeing them live.



And the experience of "The Sinister Minister" with the masterful bass playing of Victor Wooton. His solo kicks in around 2:40. If I have any criticism of this, it would be that I think it would have sounded much better with an acoustic drum set, rather than synth drums.

 

[Ross]

have you ever heard of the Ruby Banjo Company? They were made in the mid to late 1970s, I believe.

I didn't live in Toronto at that time. That address on Harbord St. is in midtown, very near the university. It's a couple of doors away from the former home of Ring Music, a small but mighty guitar shop, sadly now closed.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I shall alert the authorities.

 

[DrumBob]

You bought a banjo? Remind me not to come to your house.

 

[Wilmywood]

Bel Fleck fans should listen to 'Strength in Numbers: The Telluride Sessions'. Good stuff.



Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Sam Bush and Mark O'Connor virtuosos all in my opinion.

Telluride Sessions - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org