30th Annual Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival

Note As you read along, feel free to click on any of the images to see a larger version of the same.

The Bluegrass Widow (Helen) and I, along with our friend Kenny Innis, just returned from the 30th Annual Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival in Brunswick, Maine. We saw many of our Bluegrass Friends from Saint John, New Brunswick while we were there; I can think of 23 right off the top of my head.

As you enter the park and look to the left you'll see five animal carvings. All of the carvings were done by Tim Pickett from Eliot, Maine. The first, Tommy P. Banjo Bear was done in 1998. In 1999, Trudy P. Bass Bunny was carved. Then in 2000, 2001 and 2002, Toby P. Coyote was carved playing guitar, Trixie P. Fox was carved playing fiddle, and Tallulah P. Moose was carved playing mandolin. All of the carvings were made completely using a chain saw and all were done within the 4 day period of each festival in the years mentioned. That's impressive!

The photo above right is one of the Bluegrass Widow standing beside Trudy P., the bass bunny.

As usual, the festival was one of the very best I’ve ever attended, although I’ll admit I wasn’t too thrilled on Friday due to what I thought was a lack of Bluegrass content. Saturday and Sunday proved to be spectacular days, however.

Of course, the highlight of the entire event for me was Jim Mills and Kentucky Thunder on Saturday night. Go Jimmy! Pardon me, I meant to say Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.

Above left is a picture of Ricky Skaggs and some of the Thomas Point staff right after the show ended.

On the right is a picture of the Bluegrass Widow with Jim Mills (from Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder). I know what you're thinking... but you're wrong; the Widow is not all dreamy-eyed for Jimmy, she's just tired, okay? Actually, the real story here is that the Widow's eyes are faster than the speed of light itself... and there is no way you will ever get a picture of this girl with her eyes open if a camera flash is nearby. I once took 60 photos of the Bluegrass Widow and of those sixty pictures, there were only three in the whole lot in which she had her eyes open - and those three pictures were the only ones that didn't involve flash.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, the Grascals and the Del McCoury Band also performed outstanding shows. In addition to the big boys, there were several other lesser known groups that performed very well; 24 bands in all, I believe.

We arrived on Friday around 1:00 PM, so we missed the Rhonda Vincent shows on Thursday. However, we did see Rhonda Vincent & The Rage in Rogersville, NB the weekend before. If her shows were anything at all like the Rogersville shows, then I’d have to say you probably got your money’s worth there as well.

It’s hard to know where to begin describing this festival. They advertise it as "The Spirit of beautiful Thomas Point Beach and Bluegrass Music!... Experience the MAGIC." Certainly, there definitely is a feeling of magic in the air at this festival. Unlike many other festival grounds that only have a stage and a big open field, Thomas Point Beach has everything you could ever want for a pefect holiday weekend.

First and foremost of course is the music, which is pretty much non-stop for three solid days. The camping areas of the park at Thomas Point Beach are just beautiful - full of tall pine and oak trees that provide you with just the right amount of shade while providing you with scenic beauty at the same time. The park was absolutely loaded with RV’s, trailers and tents this year - the most I’ve seen in the very few years I have attended the festival.

All through the day and into the wee hours of the morning you can take part in (or just listen to) one of several jams going on. At any given time, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if there are at least 50 jams taking place, with the number probably doubling after the main shows have ended at night. As you walk around from camp site to camp site, you can hear the camp fires crackling and smell the smoke in the air.

While the stage shows were going on, there were also several workshops taking place. I managed to take in a mandolin workshop that was put on by Danny Roberts of the Grascals and also a banjo workshop put on by Aaron McDaris, also a member of the Grascals.

Helen and I spent a fair bit of time walking through the park, stopping to talk to total strangers and listening to several jam sessions. For the most part, we tried to stay out of the way of our Saint John friends so they could enjoy their weekend away. We made a new friend in Sharon from South Portland on Sunday evening and we exchanged addresses. I’m looking forward to visiting with her in the near future.

We had full intentions of going to the Sunday morning church service on the beach front, but alas, we stayed up just a bit too late with the jammers on Saturday evening. We almost made it, but not quite. We did take part in a Sunday morning gospel jam at 10:00 however. We saw fellow Saint Johners Tom Mason, Larry and Carlotta Walsh, David Maguire and Loretta and Clay Johnson and Irene at the gospel jam as well.

We spoke very briefly with Ricky Skaggs and Jim Mills before they headed out; Jim Mills said he remembered us from last May in Moncton, NB. Ricky and Kentucky Thunder had to make a very quick exit as they had to catch a flight from New York City at 4:00 AM. Just the same, they took time to sign autographs and had their picture taken with several fans. They didn’t leave the festival grounds until shortly after midnight, eastern standard time. I wonder how their flight worked out?

Now for the sad news if you don’t already know. The 30th Annual Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival was the final one, as Patti Crooker, camp ground owner and festival organizer is retiring. I don’t know what will happen, but it sure would be good if someone took the festival over. There are rumors of the County Bluegrass Festival in Fort Fairfiled, Maine picking up the Labor Day weekend dates, but it certainly won’t be the same as the Thomas Point festival. I just can’t imagine what could possibly generate the same magical feeling that you get at Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick, Maine.

The people that own the bus in the photo to the right have attended every Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival for the past 30 years and what's more? They have parked their bus in the same spot for all of those years! The sign on the bus reads "On The Same Spot For 30 Years!!" There is another sign on the outside of the picket fence that reads "Eviction Notice," but you can't see the sign on the fence as it is blocked by the gentleman on the roadway side of the fence.

At the conclusion on Sunday evening there was a spectacular display of fireworks as we all celebrated 30 years of Bluegrass music at Thomas Point Beach - a happy and sad occasion at the same time.

The Importance of Transcribing and Learning Solos Note-for-Note

If it was important to Ron Block, Jim Mills and Ron Stewart, then I don't see why it wouldn't be important to me as well. I'm talking about the study methods these great players used while learning how to play 5-string banjo, that cornerstone instrument of Bluegrass music.

I have been criticized a great many times for wanting to play something exactly the way it was recorded on a CD. I've run out of fingers and toes trying to keep track. I am open to constructive criticism, but this particular criticism is something I have never understood. I have always asked "what is so wrong with it?" One frequent response I get is "you're setting yourself up for failure" and another common response I hear from people is "I like to put a little of myself in there."

Ron Stewart studied every lick that Earl Scruggs and J. D. Crowe ever played on a banjo and yet, I have very little trouble being able to tell when Ron Stewart is playing. After learning all he could from these two masters of the 5-string banjo, Ron went on to add his own variations and techniques. Studying the masters did not hurt Ron one little bit.

Jim Mills studied Earl Scruggs' music and techniques in great detail. Despite the amount of time Jim put in learning as much as he could about Earl's playing, Jim Mills has one of the most distinct sounds I've ever had the pleasure of hearing as it relates to traditional style banjo playing. I can tell Jim's playing a hundred miles away.

On his web site, Ron Block just posted (Oct 21, 2007) an article titled The Importance of Transcribing and Learning Solos Note-for-Note and says "there is incredible value in transcribing and learning things note for note - especially from people like Scruggs or Crowe." Ron also discusses the importance of experimenting with one's own sounds.

The point here is simply that Ron Stewart, Jim Mills and Ron Block all studied what the masters before them had done and for the very same reasons, I study the techniques of my musical heroes as well. Is there anything wrong with that? I say if it helped these three great banjo players get to the level they are at today, then I sure don't see how it could hurt me. I really can't understand why people get on my case about this particular issue!

I didn't even have to read any articles or hear from these people in order to know this would be a logical step toward learning how to play a banjo. The logic is simple. I don't know how to play a banjo and these guys do. Furthermore, these guys are producing sounds that I just can't get enough of; therefore the logical choice would be to learn as much about these folks and their playing as I can. I want to make the same kinds of sounds with my banjo that these guys are making with theirs.

I'm not worried about sounding too much like any of the people I'm studying. And even if I could, that day is a long, long way off. There will always only be one Earl Scruggs, one J. D. Crowe and one each of Ron Stewart, Ron Block and Jim Mills. My style, if there is one, will come automatically as I try to integrate a combination of all I've heard. Actually, I'm already developing my own style; on occasion I add something that I never hear from any of the pros I've mentioned. And no, I'm not talking about the mistakes I make.

If you are an aspiring Bluegrass musician and you find yourself not producing the "grassy" sounds you are after, I highly recommend you start paying more attention to the sounds of your chosen instrument (or vocalist) when listening to your favourite CD's. You might want to get a little more curious too, and ask yourself "how are they getting that sound?" You might just as well learn from someone that already knows what they're doing.

In addition to becoming a bit more curious while listening to your favourite CD's, take advantage of the unprecedented amount of fantastic instructional material available by way of the internet, books and DVD's; much of it is taught by the very pros we listen to every day. Other tools are available as well, such as software capable of slowing down, speeding up or changing the key of a song in real time. One such piece of software is called Transcribe! which is available from Seventh String Software. I find this tool to be invaluable and certainly worth the $50.00 I paid for it.

I've tried to point out that when it comes to learning how to play an instrument, I'm not all that different from some of our favourite Bluegrass musicians. Now that you know the viewpoint from some of the pros, maybe my method for learning will seem more relevant to you. At the very least, you are now more aware of the reason I find it so important to get as close to the original recording as I possibly can. It is not necessarily because I want to sound exactly like Jim Mills or whoever, it's what I'm learning along the way that counts most.

You'll have to come up with a very compelling reason to get me to change my approach on this topic. By the way, for the record, I wouldn't mind sounding like Jim Mills on the banjo. Now, get off my case and go practice!

I Met Jim Mills

Did I mention in my post about the Ricky Skaggs concert that I met Jim Mills in person? Oh, well I did.

I've been waiting a long time to meet Jim Mills in person. Without a doubt, I think I would have to say of all the professional banjo players, Jim has been, and continues to be my number one influence with regard to learning how to play the 5 string banjo, followed closely by Ron Block; I love both of their styles.

The plan to meet "Jimmy" started over a year ago when I found out Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder were coming to Moncton, New Brunswick. About two and a half months before the concert, I sent an e-mail message to Jim and told him of my desire to meet him in person. I also mentioned that I was expecting a new Huber Jim Mills banjo to arrive before the concert and asked him if he would play a tune on it.

That dream was fulfilled last night after the Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder concert ended. I was standing near Mr. Mills in the lobby and he offered his hand for a shake and howdy. I told him I was the person that e-mailed him and he asked if I had the banjo with me. I said "I sure do," and told him I'd be right back.

I made a beeline to the auditorium where the banjo was, being closely guarded by a group of Bluegrass Friends (Ed & Becky Betts, Reg Gallant, Tom Mason, Angela Curran, Ed and Eleanor Blackier, and my wife). I heard later that when Ed saw me coming toward them he said "Mike looks like he's on a mission." I guess Ed knows best, 'cause he was right.

I told them "Jim is waiting for the banjo" and out to the lobby we went. Jim suggested we find a place where we could talk and he could play the banjo so we headed down the hallway of the school looking for a room. We wound up sitting on a park-style bench in the hallway.

I opened up the banjo case and Jim inspected it for workmanship - it passed the grade. He opened up his own banjo case and said "let me get some picks on and we'll try this thing out." As Jim proceeded to play a few licks, the small group that was watching and listening were all grinning ear to ear as Jim played the banjo.

As I said, I had been looking forward to this moment for a long time, but it was made even more special by having a few friends around to witness the event.

I've heard many people speak so highly of Jim Mills in the past. Everyone I've ever spoken to has mentioned how personable and likeable Jim is. They've all said it's not a show, that's just the way he is. He certainly showed that side last night.

I asked if I could take some photos of him with my friends and he intantly said "yeah, I'd be happy to" in that southern accent of his. You can add me to the list of people saying "yes, Jim Mills is a truly genuine person and most likeable."

I had Jim sign my banjo head of fame which has the signatures of many fine banjo players including our very own Harvey Arbo. I also asked him to sign the head on the new banjo, which he did. It says "Keep Pickin' - Jim Mills."

It was a real thrill to meet Mr. Mills and have him play my Huber banjo. He said he thought it sounded better than his own did when it was "right out of the box" and that it was going to get even better as it was played. It sure did sound good with his hands playing it - now I know what it is capable of.

Thanks to Jim Mills and thanks to the friends who witnessed the event.

A series of pictures with Jim Mills can be viewed at http://bluegrassfriends.com/images/mills/index.html.

Road Trip Realized, Banjo Home Sweet Home

Photo: Ed Betts, Kenny Innis, Harvey Arbo

This is my account of how the big road trip to pick up my new Huber banjo went down. The characters in this story are real.

The Lead-Up
Ed Betts receives a telephone call from his friend in the USA at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday, May 16. His friend informs him "a banjo has arrived from Tennessee" and he sounds quite excited about it. Ed calls me and we make plans to leave at 8:00 the next morning. I called Harvey Arbo and Kenny Innis, who are coming along for the road trip, and tell them of the planned departure time. All is good - the trip is planned and I can't believe it's actually time to take posession of that new Huber Jim Mills banjo after a wait of over ten months.

At 9:00 PM that same day, my wife, Helen and I were driving back from the Fredericton hospital after having a visit with her mother when my cell phone rang. It was Ed. "Things aren't looking up," he said. His friend, who now has the banjo in his posession, has been admitted to the hospital with heart troubles. "Well, there's not much we can do, we'll have to wait and see what happens," I said. "Maybe we'll have to get it Friday, or maybe we won't be getting it until after the Ricky Skaggs concert." At this point, I'm truly hoping Ed's friend is okay, but I'm also wondering how we're going to get that banjo. As it turned out, Ed made an arrangement with his friend's sister the next day and she agreed to meet us at noon on Thursday.

Our original plan was only pushed back two hours and we headed out at 10:00 on Thursday morning. The big road trip to pick up my new banjo is actually going to happen! It's a little exciting to think about - four guys that share a common interest in Bluegrass music - and three friends that want to help make my day special!

It was Ed's idea to do the road trip thing and I'm sure he was every bit as excited as I was, maybe more. Both Harvey and Kenny said they wouldn't miss it for the world and I'm real happy all three of them wanted to be a part of this time in my life. Thank you Ed, Harvey and Kenny, I really appreciate you as friends.

The Road Trip
After driving a little over two hours we arrived at the Houlton, Maine, USA border crossing. The guard on duty was very friendly but asked us several questions - you know, all the normal stuff. He decided to have a look in Kenny's suspicious looking fur-covered mandolin case and left the rest of our instruments alone. I think he felt sorry for us when we told him we were going to a friend's house to pick up a new banjo. Off we went.

We arrived at the home of Ed's friend some 30 minutes later and knocked on the door. We were welcomed into the kitchen and there it was - a cardboard box from Huber Banjos. Wanting to record the history of the entire trip, I took a picture of the unopened cardboard box. I opened the box to find quite a bit of bubble wrap and newsprint acting as shock absorbers to protect the banjo. The bubble wrap was removed and we pulled the banjo out, which was protected in a TKL brand instrument case - made in Canada no less. Inside the banjo case was more protective material holding the banjo securely in place. Another picture was taken with the banjo still in its case.

I took the banjo out of its case and we all inspected it for damage and admired its beauty. The workmanship of this banjo is flawless and the fit of the neck to the rim is superb. On the peghead is the Huber logo and at the 20th fret there it is, the inlay with Jim Mills name on it.

The Huber Jim Mills model banjo is an exact replica of one of Jim Mills' banjos; a one-of-kind Gibson RB-75 made in 1939. Steve Huber is an extemist when it comes to detail. As Jim Mills says, it's all there from the satin finish, engraving pattern, gold plating, fit and feel. The banjo features a V-neck profile, something that wasn't common on an RB-75 back in the day. Steve even used hide glue just like they did in 1939, and had special screws made to hold the resonator L-brackets in place, just like the ones used in 1939. You couldn't get a more exact replica if you tried!

Okay, it's time for a tune. I had stated in an earlier post that I was going to let Harvey Arbo play the first notes on this banjo, and he did just that, but you know what? I don't remember what tune he played first. The banjo was pretty much in tune right out of the box. Harvey fooled around a bit, getting used to the feel of the V-neck and checking out how true and clear the sounds were up the neck. We were all impressed with the tone coming out of this monster banjo!

There's always a little bit of apprehension when you order an expensive instrument sight unseen. Questions arise. What if I don't like it? Will I be able to get used to the V-neck? What if it doesn't sound the way I'm expecting it to? Is the quality that Steve Huber has buit his reputaion on really there or is it just hype? Am I going to get that one lemon in the lot?

Harvey played a few more tunes on the banjo while Ed, Kenny and I took pictures. We thanked Ed's friend and said good-bye.

Flatt & Scuggs Experience

Our plans for the day included stopping at Ed and Becky's cottage "for a tune" before heading home. We came back into New Brunswick at a Canada Customs border crossing out in the middle of the sticks. I wouldn't describe it as the busiest border crossing I've ever seen. There was only one guard on duty and for the duration of our stay at the crossing, which was about 30 minutes, not a single other vehicle pulled up.

You know how in the Beverly Hillbillies television show, Lester and Earl dropped in on a couple episodes, and they just happened to have their instruments with them? Well, we had one of those experiences. Ed knew the lady at the Canada Customs crossing and I think he suggested I play a tune for her, knowing that she liked music and would get a kick out of it.

I paid the HST on the new banjo and got a registration card for it. While I was at it, I registered my Deering banjo as well. I didn't play a tune, but Harvey did. It really felt like one of those Beverly Hillbillies episodes. Ed brought his camera out for a picture and I took off running. The customs officer thanked us and we were off to Ed's second home to "have a tune."

I'm not sure of the exact times, but I think we got to Ed's place at 2:00 PM or so and left at about 6:00 PM. While we were there, we played a good number of tunes. Harvey even let me play the banjo! I'm just kidding. Harvey did play the banjo for a bit and then handed it over to me. He's always encouraging. It doesn't matter if you're tripping all the way through a tune or picking it like a pro, Harvey is always there for you. Kenny and Ed are the same way as are some other folks I know.

Earlier in the week I had sent Kenny a version of a tune called Train 45. It has this little bendy note played by the mandolin at the beginning of the tune to intro it. He must have wanted my attention and he got it, because as I was walking away from him he played this bendy note I speak of. My ears perked up and I stopped dead in my tracks. I just love strings being choked - that's what those bendy things are called. We played Train 45 two or three times and I had a ball with it! That has got to be one of the most fun tunes to play and its got amazing Bluegrass drive. As of late, I'm especially drawn to the sounds produced by choking the strings and I try to throw them in on the banjo when I can. Ron Block, the banjo player for Alison Krauss & Union Station is the person who coined the phrase "those bendy things I do."

The day wasn't over yet. We decided since nobody had to be home by a particular time that we would stop at the Irving Big Stop in Lincoln. We had a good chat with each other and learned that our waitress was a rednceck (she said it first) who has a brother that plays 5-string Bluegrass banjo, and is currently serving in Afghanistan.

We left the restaurant somewhere in the vicinity of 9:15 PM and were home within an hour. It was a good day indeed.

About the Banjo

The new Huber Jim Mills signature series banjo has met all of my expectations and more. It has absolute "killer" tone and the playability is excellent. It's also a very pretty banjo to boot. It's got beautiful clear tones all the way up the neck, something Huber banjos are noted for, and a nice growl in the lower positions. I'm tickled to death with it and think it's worth every penny paid. I called Steve Huber on the telephone yesterday to let him know how pleased I was.

Pictures

There are 40 pictures of the road trip on the Bluegrass Friends web site at http://bluegrassfriends.com/images/road_trip/index.html.

Road Trip!

Today at approximately 1:00 PM I finally got the call I've been waiting over ten months for. Steve Huber from Huber Banjos called to tell me my new Jim Mills signature series banjo was ready to ship. That's exciting news!

When Ed Betts first heard about my plan to have the banjo shipped to an undisclosed location in the USA, he suggested a location and also suggested we make a little road trip/jam session out of it. When he read (right here on this blog) I was giving Harvey Arbo first chance to play the new banjo, he immediately said "We'll bring Harvey along with us. We can pick the banjo up, stop by the cottage for a couple of hours, have a tune, then come home." I think Ed is more excited than I am. Now that's a friend!

The banjo won't be shipped until Monday, May 14. Why a couple more days of delay? Well, it's just another example of the detail that Steve Huber thinks about when it comes to all things banjo. He doesn't want the banjo to sit in a UPS warehouse over the weekend in a location where the weather forecast is calling for high temperatures; he wants to protect the banjo from the extreme temperature.

If the banjo doesn't get damaged or lost in shipping it should reach its final USA destination by Wednesday, May 16. Ed, Harvey and I should be on the road the next day to pick it up. This will be just in time for the Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder concert in Moncton, NB just two days later on Saturday, May 19 where I'm hoping Jim Mills will autograph it and play a tune or two with it. Here's hoping all goes well!

Huber Banjo Update

Jim Mills and his Huber on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

I was speaking to Sam Calveard of Huber Banjos once again; this time just two days ago. Sam told me my new banjo was 13 days away from coming out of the 28-day finish factory cycle. After the finishing process is complete it will probably take a week to assemble and tweak the banjo, then it will be shipped to me.

I'm getting real excited to play (make noise with) this banjo. For those of you that don't know, it's a Huber - Jim Mills signature series model. I've ordered it stock so as to keep it as authentic as possible. What's special (to me) about this banjo is that it's an exact replica of Jim Mills' one-of-a-kind 1939 Gibson RB-75. It's detailed right down to the type of glue that was used in 1939 and Steve Huber even had special screws made to attach the resonator L-brackets just like the ones used in 1939.

It turns out there is something else that will be special about this banjo. It's one of the last Huber banjos to feature the double cut peghead shape - all new Huber banjos will have the Huber peghead shape. As I understand it, approximately 40 Jim Mills signature series banjos have been produced. I'm not sure if my banjo will be "the last one" or just "one of the last ones" to feature the double cut peghead, but in any event, it may very well make these banjos worth more money to collectors in the future, as the new models won't be an exact replica any longer.

The reason for the change is because of threats from Gibson Guitar Corporation to sue companies that use what Gibson is claiming as theirs; in this case it's the peghead shape. Huber's lawyers claim no infringements are being made by Huber Banjos, but Steve Huber says as a small company, his pockets simply aren't deep enough to warrant a fight, even if the law is on his side. Isn't the legal system great!? If you are interested, you can read A Personal Message From Steve Huber on the Huber Banjos web site where Steve explains his position on the matter.

I've already made arrangements to meet "Jimmy" (Jim Mills) and have him autograph the banjo for me at the Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder concert on May 19, 2007 at the Moncton High School.

Harvey Arbo, if you're reading this post, I want you to know you'll be the first one to play this banjo - even before me. Now, if I just pluck a string or two would that be considered playing? It's been a long wait - 9 months and 12 days so far, not that I'm keeping track or anything. It's going to be hard to resist not playing it, so you'd better be in the country! Once Harvey performs the official christening of the banjo, it's fair game!

Bluegrass Happenings

New Banjo
I had another conversation with Sam Calveard at Huber banjos about a week ago. He tells me a neck, resonator and rim have been matched up for my Huber Jim Mills signature series banjo. It is supposed to go to the finish shop within a week (that sounds familiar, doesn’t it? - it's basically what I was told a month ago) and will be there for 28 days. I’m expecting delivery of my new banjo approximately six weeks from now.

Jim Mills
In the meantime, I’ve conversed with Jim Mills via e-mail about meeting him at the upcoming Ricky Skaggs concert in Moncton, NB on May 19, 2007. For those of you that don’t know, Jim Mills is the banjo player in Ricky Skaggs’ hot Bluegrass band, Kentucky Thunder. I’m looking forward to meeting Mr. Mills in person and he says likewise. Just from reading about Jim, e-mailing him and seeing him on some DVDs, especially his instructional DVD from Acutab Publications which is titled Jim Mills - A Winning Banjo Style, I feel like I’ve known him for a long time.

For anyone interested, the May 19 Ricky Skaggs concert is sold out but there are still some tickets available for the second show on Sunday, May 20, 2007. If you want tickets, please contact me - I've still got a few for sale.

Fund Raiser Concert
I’m playing in a fund raiser event at Harbour View High School for the HVHS Alumni tomorrow night at 7:00 PM. A few of my fellow Bluegrass Friends (Angela Curran, Tom Mason, Murray Sheils, Matthew Hayes, Larry Walsh and Clay Johnson) are performing an 8 to 10 song Bluegrass set. Actually, one of the songs is going to be Travelling Soldier by the Dixie Chicks, but other than that it's all Bluegrass.

Honestly, I don’t know why I let myself get roped into these things. You want to help people out and be cooperative, yet, at the same time you know you’re in over your head. It’s a dilemma for sure. Do you get up in front of a 400 plus crowd and make a fool of yourself again? or just say no? I feel I have no business playing in this event, yet, here I am in the middle of it. All I can hope for is that I don’t mess up all night long, which is exactly what I do whenever I play in front of people - it’s what I do. It really comes down to lack of experience and ability.

And speaking of lacking experience and ability, I need to get practicing right now! Until next time, you all take care.

Getting Anxious

I just got off the telephone with Sam Calveard from the Huber Banjos and Accessories company. We had a good chat about all things banjo; tone rings, bridges, string brands, setup and all that kind of stuff. We even talked about the weather.

You may recall from an earlier post, that I ordered a Huber Lexington model banjo on July 5, 2006. The Lexington sure has a nice "crack" to it, but I had second thoughts about an all maple banjo when I thought about the kinds of tunes I would likely be playing. After a couple months of self torment I modified my order to a Jim Mills signature series mahogany model.

I'm told my new Mills model banjo will be going into the finishing department any day now. That means at best, I'm still looking at mid to late February to take delivery on this banjo. I'm not so excited that I'm losing sleep (at least not because of the banjo), but I am getting pretty anxious to try this new banjo. I sure hope it's everything I'm expecting, and more.

I think I should consider taking the new banjo to the Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder concert (in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada - May 19, 2007) and ask Jimmy to play a tune (or two or three or four) on it. What do you think? I've heard from several people that Jim Mills is one of the friendliest, most down to earth guys you'd ever want to meet. I guess that must be why everyone calls him "smilin' Jim."

If you haven't guessed already, I'm a huge fan of Jim Mills. Although there are many great Bluegrass banjo players out there, I'd have to say Jim Mills has influenced me the most in my quest to conquer the 5-string banjo. I don't know if I'll ever reach my goal, but I'll keep trying - at least for a while longer.

The Bluegrass Blog & The GrassCast

John Lawless and Brance Gillihan author a very interesting and informative blog called The Bluegrass Blog. It's a great place to stay current with what's going on in the bluegrass world.

One of the features of the Bluegrass Blog is the GrassCast, a weekly audio podcast featuring interviews and discussions with bluegrass newsmakers from all over the world. It's a great way to learn a bit about the bluegrass artists we've all come to love.

All of the interviews are good, but one of my favourites is episode #28 with Jim Mills, one of my favourite banjo players. Why don't you head on over to the Bluegrass Blog, get up-to-date on the latest bluegrass news, and check out the GrassCast while you're there?

Note You can download the interviews as MP3 files to your own computer or listen online.