Category Archives: Banjo

Items of interest for the banjo enthusiast

The Minstrel Show & the Banjo

This morning, I watched a segment called “Blackface” on the Sunday CBS Morning Show.  The show accurately portrayed this time in history as “Unmasking the racist history of blackface”.  It reveals the sad and disturbing portrayal of racist stereotype in … Continue reading

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Es Mi Suerte – Alan Munde & Billy Bright

Since I started playing the banjo, I followed the career of Alan Munde.  I fist purchased his tabs and learned his arrangements some 45 years ago.  I also had the honor of hosting Alan at one of my fretmentor workshops … Continue reading

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A Musical Journey In Phoenix

A trip to Arizona for spring training baseball offered my buddy Jim and I the opportunity to visit the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix last week. It was our first visit there, but certainly not our last. Located just north … Continue reading

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Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame A Visit Down Memory Lane My wife and I spent the weekend in Nashville for our anniversary. We live an hour and a half south and believe it or not, had never been to … Continue reading

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Tuning Your Banjo Head Using A Drum Dial

What is a drum dial and how can you use it to set up your banjo head correctly? Fretmentor student, Justin Lambert, explains the process of tuning your banjo head with a Drum Dial, in today’s guest blog. Drum Dial … Continue reading

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Jingle Jammin’

It’s Not Too Early … To Learn Holiday Tunes That time of year is right around the corner.  The Christmas holidays are fast approaching and while you may be asking why I am writing about it so early, it is … Continue reading

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Road To Nechville

Have you ever been to Nechville? I bet you didn’t know it’s located in Minnesota.  Nechville, however, is not a Town but a wonderful toy store for the banjo enthusiast like me.  Since 1989, Nechville has been manufacturing professional banjos … Continue reading

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Earl & Doug – Gone But Not Forgotten

Within a couple of months, we said goodbye to two of the great banjo players in the world.  Earl Scruggs, the father of three finger picking, and Doug Dillard, one of the great melodic banjo players and an artist who … Continue reading

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Day 1 – Fretmentor’s Workshop 2012

The first day of Fretmentor’s 3rd Annual Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin Workshop, featuring Alan Munde, Jim Hurst and Byron Berline, was a memorable one.  Approximately 50 attendees arrived from as far as England, New York, Georgia and various communities … Continue reading

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Pickin With Alan Munde

You know life is good when you get the chance to play music with one of the all-time great banjo players in the world.  That is what we did today not far from the Atlantic Ocean. Alan Munde, the legendary … Continue reading

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Fretmentor’s 3rd Annual Workshop – A Bucket List Item

Alan Munde, Byron Berline & Jim Hurst Fretmentor’s Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, & Mandolin Workshop Lake Worth,  Florida Almost everyone has a bucket list and I guess you can add my first meeting with Alan Munde, Byron Berline and Jim Hurst … Continue reading

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A Moment With Bela

Bela Fleck .. An Innovator on the Banjo I had the pleasure of seeing Bela Fleck and the Flecktones perform on October 13, 2011 at the Lyric Theatre in Stuart, Florida.  Joining Bela on stage were Victor Wooten on bass, … Continue reading

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Music Festivals – While On The Road

Are You a Fan of Music Festivals? If so, I have something for you.  Keep reading to learn more. In Southeast Florida, each summer there is a popular waterfront music festival that attracts people from all over the country and … Continue reading

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Alison Krauss & Union Station

August 20, 2011 in Ft Lauderdale, Florida If your talking about getting your money’s worth, the show I saw last night speaks volumes.  Alison Krauss and Union Station performed on August 20, 2011 at the Broward Center for the Performing … Continue reading

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Recitals, Video & Nerves

Does A Videotaped Music Recital Assist A Student? I remember when I was in high school and had to give a demonstration speech.  It was videotaped. Right from the beginning, I hated the thought of having to demonstrate something in … Continue reading

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