Here is Susan’s report on her second visit to another “not-slow” jam that our friends David and Linda Lay host a few roads over from us at their vegetable stand. She says: -I played in the back and did much better this time. -The tunes were mostly in A, some in G. -I was able… Continue reading Susan’s Second Real Jam
Month: August 2009
Sale Through Monday, August 31st
Folks, as Casey mentioned a couple of days ago, we're running a big sale here at the Murphy Method: All banjo DVDs are on sale from now until Monday, Aug. 31! [NOTE: THIS SALE ENDED AUG 31st, 2009.] And the sale is already a great success. Orders are really coming in fast. Lots of folks… Continue reading Sale Through Monday, August 31st
Misfit Jam
We can hardly call this a slow jam anymore, since many of the songs are starting to pick up speed. Present tonight were Logan, Mark, Susan, and Bob Mc on banjos, Ellen on guitar, and Bobby on bass. Songs rendered: Cripple Creek John Hardy I Saw The Light Salty Dog Blue Ridge Cabin Home Lonesome… Continue reading Misfit Jam
Odds and Ends
For the first time ever here at the Murphy Method we're having a half-price sale on all our banjo DVDs and videos. Those of you who get our newsletter found out about it on Monday and boy oh boy, has the response been great. We never could have predicted how many people would want to… Continue reading Odds and Ends
Do you REALLY want to learn to play?
Over and over again for the last 40 years, I've heard people say, "I'd give ANYTHING to be able to play music like that." I try to say something appreciative in return, but I wonder if the speaker is serious. I've spent a lot of hours and life-energy learning to play. Every professional-level performer has… Continue reading Do you REALLY want to learn to play?
Nothing About Bluegrass Here….
And the only reason I’m writing about this non-bluegrass subject is that I can’t get Casey on her cell phone. Otherwise, I’d just be telling her this, and blogging about something bluegrass. You see, I’m not much of a cook but Casey did give me this great (and simple) recipe for a pasta dish. Which… Continue reading Nothing About Bluegrass Here….
Chris Jones and Claire Lynch
The last couple of days here in Music City have held some mighty fine music making that I was lucky enough to get to observe. Wednesday night Chris Jones held a CD pre-release party for his new disc "Cloud of Dust." Although it is not officially out yet, he had copies there for sale and… Continue reading Chris Jones and Claire Lynch
Misfit Jam
Well, we really missed Bobby Vee tonight. No bass. We were baseless. Nevertheless, we—Mark, Ellen, Susan, Logan, and I--tried to carry on as best we could. (Am I laying it on too thick, Bobby?) Since Bobby wasn’t here, however, Logan felt free to entertain us by sharing the disparaging thoughts he (Logan) used to have… Continue reading Misfit Jam
“Banjo Camp” Book
The book titled Banjo Camp! Learning, Picking, & Jamming with Bluegrass and Old-Time Greats has been out for about a year. It's a soft-cover, full color, 152 page publication that includes a CD. The reason I'm mentioning it now is that I just got around to buying a copy. The other reason is that I'm… Continue reading “Banjo Camp” Book
Banjo and Mandolin
How many instruments do you need to make a band? Not many. Lester Flatt once said that in the old days, "Somebody'd mention a band, and one of 'em would reach and get a fiddle, and the other a banjo, and they'd have it all ready to go." And a banjo goes not only with… Continue reading Banjo and Mandolin