Been going to the Smokies multiple times a year for decades. I've had properties there and can "drive them thare hills" blindfolded. The people who live there are the type to give you the shirt off their back, even if it's the only one they own. They are truly the kindest most loving people and I've lived my fair share of places. That being said, some of the visitors aren't quite as kind, and it's sad. I've seen it a lot. But the local folks would still tell them to have a blessed day and those locals would both love and welcome your banjo pickin'! Sorry I missed you down there. My ❤️ truly lies in those mountains.
It would have been a great Twilight Zone episode to dart the banjo-hating snobs with Connecticut plates, fit them with earphones, freeze them in carbonite, and deposit them at the Opry. For eternity. Just a happy thought.
A favorite childhood memory. During Summer break from school, a neighbor would get his string instruments out, sit on his open carport, and play songs for us kids to sing. We would be accompanied by the night insects. We stayed until our Mommas called us in. Music is the soundtrack for our lives... Keep playing!
Another one of the "bash the banjo" jokes is: "A gentleman is a man who can play the banjo . . . and doesn't." Sean, a good friend of mine in Knoxville, who I turned on to your column, will be at your show tonight. He's also a banjo player, and looking forward to seeing you. I hope he gets a chance to meet you after the show. Had he seen you playing at the motel, he would probably have said, "Hi! Would you mind if I pick a bit with you?" He was raised in Oneida, TN. Coal country. You'd like him. Oneida is a long, long way from Connecticut.
I’m a banjo player too. Clawhammer, of course. Not that loud frantic bluegrass. Ask me what I got on my high school equivalency exam. …Drool. The fools don’t get it. The instrument just nestles in your arms like a warm puppy. You can lose hours repeating one lick and you’re not bored at all. Anyone near you wants to
hit you upside the head with a 2 by 4. But as far as I’m concerned it’s banjo zen. Almost heaven.
Go ahead and pick the hell out of those strings, Seaner! The people that count will love it! And the ones that don't..... Well, let 'em go suck some eggs!
I keep thinking about getting my mandolin out to try to learn how to play it again. Seems like every time the thought even crosses my mind my wife gets up and leaves the room. And I haven't even gotten it out of the case.
“The kind of guy who, when he first discovered that his toaster wasn’t waterproof, was completely shocked.” 😂 You kill me, Sean 🤣 Love me some good banjo pickin’. It’s just feel good music. One of my favorite people was a damn good banjo picker. He was always smiling and laughing, and I miss how he brightened up the world. He went to be with the Lord a few months ago.
Been going to the Smokies multiple times a year for decades. I've had properties there and can "drive them thare hills" blindfolded. The people who live there are the type to give you the shirt off their back, even if it's the only one they own. They are truly the kindest most loving people and I've lived my fair share of places. That being said, some of the visitors aren't quite as kind, and it's sad. I've seen it a lot. But the local folks would still tell them to have a blessed day and those locals would both love and welcome your banjo pickin'! Sorry I missed you down there. My ❤️ truly lies in those mountains.
It would have been a great Twilight Zone episode to dart the banjo-hating snobs with Connecticut plates, fit them with earphones, freeze them in carbonite, and deposit them at the Opry. For eternity. Just a happy thought.
A favorite childhood memory. During Summer break from school, a neighbor would get his string instruments out, sit on his open carport, and play songs for us kids to sing. We would be accompanied by the night insects. We stayed until our Mommas called us in. Music is the soundtrack for our lives... Keep playing!
Another one of the "bash the banjo" jokes is: "A gentleman is a man who can play the banjo . . . and doesn't." Sean, a good friend of mine in Knoxville, who I turned on to your column, will be at your show tonight. He's also a banjo player, and looking forward to seeing you. I hope he gets a chance to meet you after the show. Had he seen you playing at the motel, he would probably have said, "Hi! Would you mind if I pick a bit with you?" He was raised in Oneida, TN. Coal country. You'd like him. Oneida is a long, long way from Connecticut.
Yup, that's me! I commented above... Bill in Tennessee.
You have mighty good company, Stringbean, Grandpa Jones, Roy Clark and many more!! Play on!!
Free banjo concert? They should have sat down and listened.
I’m a banjo player too. Clawhammer, of course. Not that loud frantic bluegrass. Ask me what I got on my high school equivalency exam. …Drool. The fools don’t get it. The instrument just nestles in your arms like a warm puppy. You can lose hours repeating one lick and you’re not bored at all. Anyone near you wants to
hit you upside the head with a 2 by 4. But as far as I’m concerned it’s banjo zen. Almost heaven.
Yes, almost heaven …. “County Roads!”
How ridiculous ! I would have been so excited to have heard live music in my hotel!
Go ahead and pick the hell out of those strings, Seaner! The people that count will love it! And the ones that don't..... Well, let 'em go suck some eggs!
I keep thinking about getting my mandolin out to try to learn how to play it again. Seems like every time the thought even crosses my mind my wife gets up and leaves the room. And I haven't even gotten it out of the case.
Well, get it outa the damn case, Lander.
🤣❤️
lol, might tike a clue?
You need to come to the Fiddler’s Convention in Athens Alabama in October! There is a lot of “picking and grinning” going on!!
Cool. I'll bet ole Seaner will show up, too! 👍
Sounds like Seaner's kinda game!
What were they doing down South anyway if they don't like banjo playing! Poor souls.
Right? We never know what someone else is going through. Sean shows grace despite the uncalled for unkind remarks.
Keep pickin’ & grinin’ Sean.
People that criticize talent are often are just jealous because they don’t have any. 🤟🏼
As another banjo player with a frightening overbite, I agree that it is very hard to pay an old 5 string without feeling better afterwards ❤️
“The kind of guy who, when he first discovered that his toaster wasn’t waterproof, was completely shocked.” 😂 You kill me, Sean 🤣 Love me some good banjo pickin’. It’s just feel good music. One of my favorite people was a damn good banjo picker. He was always smiling and laughing, and I miss how he brightened up the world. He went to be with the Lord a few months ago.
People from Connecticut hant got no culture!
Generalizing much?
😂