Tip Jar Jam: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Socks

Okay, I'm guessing not too many of you are familiar with the movie the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Cute Chick Flick. Nevertheless, the young women in the movie--all dear friends--take turns wearing and then sharing this one pair of pants which seems to bring them luck. Don't worry, no pants were shared at the…

Baby Boomers Skyping!

Short version (in case you don't want to read all this!): I am giving Skype lessons now. Email me at nmhenry@visuallink.com if you are interested. Put "Skype lesson" in the subject line, please. Long version: Well, folks, I have finally entered the 21st century by giving my first two Skype lessons! I am pleased to…

Women’s Banjo Camp

Our camp is open to women banjo players at any level (except total newbie). You should be able to play a tune or two, and know how to make the vamp chords (G,C,D) in the "F" shape. We welcome women from age 12 on up, and we have scholarship money available for young women. If…

Tip Jar Jam: Improve Your Improv

Our ever-expanding circle of pickers grew last night as we welcomed new jammers Janice, who takes banjo from Casey, and Tim, one of my guitar students, who recently learned the "boom, chunk, boom, chunk" bluegrass strum--off the Internet!  Janice plays solid and clean and after she got comfortable by playing a couple of tunes in…

Tip Jar Jam: Nurse Betty Battles On!

Betty may kill me for this title, but she's the one who brought up the movie Nurse Betty--which popped into my head when I started writing this blog. I have to brag on Betty even if it does jinx her for future jams. She played great last night--even though I can hear her denying it…

Tip Jar Jam: Crossing The Rubicon

Last night as I popped another cough drop and surveyed the students tuning up for the jam, I realized we had a solid intermediate bunch. Except for Tammi, on rhythm guitar, everyone had considerable jamming experience: Ben, Kasey, Kathy H, Bobby, Bob A, Dan, and Bob Mc. As we warmed up with Lonesome Road Blues…

Tip Jar Jam: More About Inflection

We were back in the saddle last night after a week's layoff due to my cold and also to my trip to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to talk about my book. (That's another whole blog!) We were seven strong counting me. For the second time we welcomed David, one of Casey's…

Sorry Illinois Folks, Murphy’s Not Coming to Speak This Saturday

Due to circumstances beyond our control, Murphy will NOT be speaking in Decatur, IL on Saturday, April 12th. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Murphy To Speak in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday April 3

Hey all y'all! Just a reminder that I'll be giving a lecture about my book, Pretty Good For A Girl: Women in Bluegrass, on Thursday, April 3, from 4:30-5:30 on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The location is the Pleasants Family Assembly Room in the Wilson Library. The talk…