[Note from Murphy: Once again Ben Smelser steps in to help me out with a blog. Between getting my wisdom teeth pulled and shooting a DVD with Ned Luberecki this week, my blog time is non-existent. Thanks, Ben!] Okay, the title of this blog comes from an old gentleman who used to spend countless hours… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam: New Territory! New Territory!
Month: February 2014
Playing The Banjo For My Own Sake, By Kasey Smelser
Note from Murphy: Kasey's dad, Ben, wrote a blog on February 9 about what led him to start taking banjo lessons with his daughter. Recently, Kasey had to write an essay for school that focused on something she'd had to learn. Naturally, she wrote about the banjo. Naturally, her dad emailed it to me. Naturally,… Continue reading Playing The Banjo For My Own Sake, By Kasey Smelser
February 25: Happy Birthday, Ralph Stanley!
I just ran across this old picture of Ralph Stanley with all five of the Hicks Sisters, so I thought it would be appropriate to post it on Ralph's birthday, which also happens to be the birthday of my sister, Argen. She's the first sister on the left, followed by Claire, Laurie, Nancy, and Murphy.… Continue reading February 25: Happy Birthday, Ralph Stanley!
Tip Jar Jam: Fast, Fast, Fast!
I don't know what got into us last night but from the git-go, we were playing fast, fast, fast! I finally had to suggest we slow things down! Dan, the prodigal son (for whom we killed the fatted calf, metaphorically speaking), started things off with Cumberland Gap. That's not a tune we play a lot… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam: Fast, Fast, Fast!
Tip Jar Jam: The More It Goes (Tiddly-Pom) On Snowing!
(With apologies to Winnie The Pooh for the title!) Well, last week's Wednesday jam got snowed out BIG TIME! Still and yet, four hardy souls took a chance that the weather people had gotten it wrong. So kudos to Bob V, Bob A, Dan, and Mark W for braving the elements and coming out to… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam: The More It Goes (Tiddly-Pom) On Snowing!
Bluegrass Unlimited Reviews Banjo Backup For Fiddle Tunes
In the January 2014 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited a fantastic review of our DVD Banjo Backup For Fiddle Tunes appears. You can read the whole thing right here.
Chris Henry Heading to Australia with Peter Rowan, but VA and NC first!
Chris Henry will be playing with Peter Rowan on the following dates in VA and NC and then heading to Australia for a month! Friday, Feb 21st - Court Square Theater - Harrisonburg, VA Saturday, Feb 22nd - Aycock Auditorium (at UNCG)- Greensboro, NC If you need more details about any of the Australian dates Peter's… Continue reading Chris Henry Heading to Australia with Peter Rowan, but VA and NC first!
Tip Jar Jam: Boot Scootin’ Boogie!
[I was stuck for a title until I remembered that I had taken pictures at the jam. The pics have nothing to do with the blog but they are way cool!] I am obviously way too distracted to write coherently. (Or maybe it's just that Ben has set the bar too high!) Today we were… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam: Boot Scootin’ Boogie!
A Dad And His Little Girl
Note from Murphy: Ben Smelser is no stranger to you faithful readers. From his asking for a "Binky" and getting one, to his "shutterbugging," to his joke about the wild animal in the box, to his shoveling of our walkways when it snows, Ben is quite the presence in our lives. He is also a… Continue reading A Dad And His Little Girl
Tip Jar Jam: Turn Your Radio Off!
Rain and snow prevented our having a Tuesday jam (I was at Casey's house watching Dr. Who!) but when it warmed up on Wednesday nine students braved the elements to come jam. Can you say "cabin fever?" Or maybe "jamming fever?" Now, about that title. As you know Ben and his daughter Kasey have been… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam: Turn Your Radio Off!
Murphy Method Blog 