CBS News - Article on Abigail Washburn

An International Language - A Unique Blend Of Music Brings People From Around The World Together

If you listen closely, over the noise of the big city, you might hear something rather lovely - especially for an American. It's a taste of down home from back home.

Her name is Abigail Washburn. Washburn is a musician; she's even performed at the Beijing jazz festival.

Complete Article

Banjo tablature for Big Rock Candy Mountain

One of my favorite songs is Big Rock Candy Mountain. Banjo tablatures for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels are on the Ezfolk website.

Great article on building chords

Gerald Jones wrote a very helpful article on chords in the August 2007 issue of "Banjo Sessions."

Banjo-led fusion group reinvents jazz improvisation

Bela Fleck does it again - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones conquered the sold-out crowd Friday night in Atwood Concert Hall. Pouncing like tigers into a bebop bliss, The Flecktones -- Fleck on banjo; Jeff Coffin, winds; Victor Wooten, bass; and Victor's brother Roy Wooten, drums and electronic percussion -- took introductory solos at breakneck tempo in the grand jazz tradition. Read more.

Banjos and banjo bridges made by Warren Yates

Warren Yates in Hickory NC is well known for the quality of his banjos and banjo bridges. He is also very helpful in answering banjo related questions and has a website with useful lessons and instructions.

A poem using banjo song titles

Below is a fun poem I wrote using banjo song titles. The title words are in captial letters.

A POEM OF BANJO SONG TITLES

Killer Bees on Caffeine
buzz above barnyard Speckled Hens
doing the Cosmic Hop while
Dixie, the Kicking Mule, brays
Black Mountain Rag beneath
the Blue Moon of Kentucky and
farmer John Hardy asks me, "Hey
Old Man, Can You Play that Banjo?"
"Sure he can, don't you see his
Smokin'Banjo? " answers Amazing
Grace, the Sinister Minister, who
sips an Acoustic Brew before
Going Down To the River To Pray
for the dearly departed souls of
those foolish Duelin' Banjos.

The importance of patience

I thought I was patient until I started learning the banjo. Learning to play the banjo is every bit as difficult as learning a foreign language. It takes hours and hours of practice for each baby step of progress.