Archive for September, 2010

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Sidemen Reunion Show

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Casey Henry

Last night I went to the Station Inn to watch and take part in the special Sidemen Reunion show that was being held in conjunction with the IBMA convention this week. The Sidemen were, as the name suggests, players who worked as side musicians in other bluegrass bands. They played at the Station Inn every Tuesday night for sixteen years (starting around 1989) and when I moved to town in 2001 I almost never missed a show, at least for the first two or three years I was here. When I started going to see them the band usually consisted of Terry Eldredge (guitar), Mike Bub (bass), Rob McCoury (banjo), Jimmy Campbell (fiddle), Gene Wooten (King of the Carolina Dobro Pickers), and Mike Compton (mandolin). Earlier incarnations of the band, and the version that appeared on their CD, included Larry Perkins on the banjo, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, and the great Ed Dye on bones and showmanship.

They were my musical idols—much closer to my age than the bluegrass founders we had all learned from, yet their knowledge and experience was (and still is) much more vast than my own. When I was learning to play banjo it was a HUGE accomplishment for me when I went to the Station Inn (one of the first few times I’d gone there, I think I was eighteen or nineteen) and they asked me on stage to play some. As I remember, Rob was playing and he motioned for me to get my banjo and come up. Then he left the stage and there I was, the banjo player, to finish out what remained of the set. I kept pictures of that night on my dorm room wall throughout college. It was a rite of passage. I remember that I made a complete mess of the break to “Footprints in the Snow,” in E (I was supposed to play a chorus but started out on a verse and get tangled up). But they were so nice and told me to just try it again.

Many a night when I moved to town I’d take over the banjo duties from Rob sometime in the second set and it meant a huge amount to me to be included in such illustrious company.

At last night’s reunion show it was great to see old friends (Mike and Lester Armistead, Richard Bailey, Tony Williamson, Casey Campbell (Jimmy’s son), Shad Cobb, Steve Thomas, Roland White, Jamie Johnson) but it was a sad reminder of who we have lost over the years—Gene Wooten, Jimmy Campbell, and Ed Dye—all unique individuals, gone too early. There were a good 12-15 people on stage at a time last night and it was banjo heavy, with Larry Perkins, Richard Bailey, Rob McCoury, and myself on one end of the stage (Richard was actually standing OFF the stage!). There was a fun and funny moment that occurred on a song in E, I wish I could remember which one. It was a medium-tempo standard where that two-finger, up-the-neck, first-and-second-string backup lick fit perfectly. Richard started doing it and through one of those great-minds-think-alike moments he conveyed to us that we should all do it. So there we were, like the banjo section in an orchestra, playing the same part and it sounded awesome. It was also extremely amusing, to ourselves if not to anyone else.

The set was seemed short, but I guess it was around ninety minutes. Folks were in and out, up and down from the stage, and many of us (myself included) had to head over to IBMA afterwards to play showcases. It was a wonderful night, but it also showed that you can’t recapture the magic of the past once the world and the people in it have moved on.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Picking in the Gazebo

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Red Henry

Last Saturday I had a good time playing music with family and friends in the gazebo. And, you may ask, just where is that particular gazebo? Well, it’s some distance from here. It’s on the town square in Clarkesville, Georgia. And, in spite of some rain, we all had a good time.

The band for this occasion included, along with myself on mandolin, my old friend and now brother-in-law Mike Johnson, on banjo; Murphy’s #3 sister (and Mike’s wife) Argen Hicks, on bass; Murphy’s #4 sister, excellent singer/songwriter Nancy Pate on guitar; and our friend, multi-instrumentalist Barry Palmer on fiddle. What did we do? We just played music. Well, we did run over some numbers at Argen and Mike’s house beforehand. That was fun, too. Then we went over to the middle of town and set up at the gazebo and played our first set.

Now, I’ve talked before about how good it is when people are really playing together. This can happen immediately, as is did at that party I talked about a few days ago, or it can happen because everybody listens and adapts. On this particular day we had a group that hadn’t ever played together before, and I think we all played with slightly different natural rhythms. When we started practicing back at the house we sounded a bit loose, but by the time we started up at the gazebo, we sounded pretty tight. So how did this happen? It happened because everybody there was a very experienced performer and knew what to do. Everyone was listening and adapting to everyone else, one song after another, and in a short time we were really playing together well.

You don’t have to be a professional picker to do this. You don’t have to have played for 20 (or 30, or 40) years to listen to everyone else and adapt to their rhythm and play what sounds good.

As soon as you are able to play in a group, you can start listening to the other pickers (in fact, those two things go together). You can start listening to the other instruments and to the vocals, and follow your ears in trying to play (or not play) things that help the whole group sound good. If there’s a banjo or guitar player drowning everybody out you usually can’t help that, but if that player is YOU, then you can. Whatever instrument you’re playing, try to play steadily and supportively to the others. (Sometimes this means scarcely playing at all, during other leads or vocals.) When it comes time for you to take a lead, think about it ahead of time– stop playing for a few beats if you need to, to set up your hands and brain to start playing the break at the right time– and then keep listening to the rhythm while you’re playing your lead. That way, whether you’re playing lead or backup, you’ll be playing together with the others. And that can help them do the same thing (more on that later).

Happy picking!

Red

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Posted in By Red, Improvising, jamming, Practice | 1 Comment »

Catch the Bee-Liners Live Online Today

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Casey Henry

Today kicks off the week-long International Bluegrass Music Association Trade Show and Fan Fest in Nashville, Tenn. In conjunction with this WAMU’s Bluegrass Country is broadcasting live from Nashville. The Dixie Bee-Liners (with Casey Henry on banjo) will be playing some tunes from 5:00-5:30 Eastern Time this afternoon. You can listen online at bluegrasscountry.org.

If you’re going to be in town for the convention, the band is also playing some late-night showcases during the week. They schedule can be found here.

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Posted in By Casey, shows | No Comments »

Intersection of Square Dancing and Banjo Playing

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Murphy Henry

I thought I’d ease back into the blogging groove by trying to find some connection between my latest passion—square dancing (been at it a year now!)—and banjo playing.

We started a new square dancing class in Winchester last week (first two classes FREE! Y’all come!) and four of my students earned stars in their crowns by coming out for the event. Fiddle sister Sandy declined to get on the floor but gamely stayed for the whole two hours, watching us whirling and twirling. Thanks, Sandy. I felt supported.

Fiddle sister Robyn honored her promise of months ago (given under some duress while we were hiking) and came, thinking she too would sit out and talk to Sandy but I said, “No, no. That’s not what you promised. Saying you would come implied that you would come dance. If I tell you I’m going hiking with you that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit at the trailhead and watch you hike.” So, she danced. And had a good time. But she’s already told me she just can’t add one more activity to her already busy schedule. Maybe another time. Logan, beast that he is, did not come. But he was working his part-time job at Chick-Fil-A so he is somewhat forgiven. (Exciting news about Logan: he was nominated for Homecoming King at Winchester’s Handley High School! Go, Logan!)

Susan and Bill Morrison, banjo and bass students, also showed up and danced all night long. I was Bill’s “angel” [partner who already knows how to dance] and danced with him most of the night. Both he and Susan caught on quickly and they said they’d be back. They were surprised at how vigorous the dancing was and both thought it was good exercise.

And then there were Liesel (rhymes with “diesel” and “weasel” she says) and Lars (rhymes with “bars”), a twenty-something couple who showed up. I was in Chicos shopping one day and one of the sales clerks ask me how my square dancing was going. I said “Fine” and then Liesel, who was working the register, chimed in and said, “Square dancing? I’d love to learn to square dance!” (She had just gotten back from the big Clifftop Old-Time Music Festival and was smitten.) I immediately said, “There’s a class starting here in Winchester next month.” I gave her all the info and then said, “Give me your number and I’ll call and remind you.” Which I did. But she and her fiancé, Lars, had remembered all by themselves and were already planning to come. And they were SO enthusiastic. And adorable. And did I say young?

Then I found out that Lars is—can you believe it?—an old-time fiddle player. So, this Thursday he is going to bring his fiddle and I am going to bring my—guess what?—banjo and we are going to pick some in between dances. He told me he has a great love for “crooked” tunes (which usually means extra beats per measure when you’re not expecting them!). I told him I’d do my best to follow him. So we will see……

I realize this is a stretch, writing about square dancing and working banjo playing into the corners. But, hey, it’s a start!

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Posted in By Murphy, General | 5 Comments »

See Casey on Music City Roots Tonight!

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Casey Henry

Tonight at 7:00 central/8:00 eastern you’ll have the chance to watch and/or listen to me play live with the Dixie Bee-Liners on the Music City Roots radio show, which is held at the Loveless Cafe Barn in Nashville, Tenn., and broadcast on WSM (wsmonline.com). They also stream live video at musiccityroots.com, so you can see us as well as hear us. Eddie Stubbs is the announcer, Jim Lauderdale is the host, and there are four other bands in addition to ourselves. We play first, so don’t tune in late! We’ll probably do about four or five songs.

If you live in town (or are coming into town for the jam camp) you can come see the show live for only $10. Details on the website.

I hope you can tune in!

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Posted in By Casey, shows | 6 Comments »

Are You Playing the Song Together? — Or Just “at the Same Time”?

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Red Henry

The title for this blog may seem strange, but it’s pretty important. As I mentioned before, Christopher and I played a party Saturday night before last, and we had two fine musicians with us– Mike Munford and Ira Gitlin. All four of us fit together perfectly, and our band dynamics– making the instrument leads stand out, putting the vocals out front, adapting the backup every moment to make the lead sound its best– were excellent.

During our first set break, Ira commented on this. He knew how rare it is for everybody in a band to be paying attention and always playing so as to make the lead instrument or vocal sound its best. He knew how very often, even with good musicians, the guitar player will be showing off his fancy bass runs, or the harmony singers will pay little attention to the lead singer, or the lead singer will be drowned out by a banjo player who’s playing lead all the time, all over everybody else’s vocals and instruments. But the four of us were playing TOGETHER– not just playing the same song at the same time, but listening to each other and playing together. And it was good.

You can pay attention to this too, whenever you’re playing music with other people. Is someone else singing a song? Make sure you’re not the one drowning him (or her) out. Is somebody else playing a lead break? Listen to that person, and play some gentle backup as appropriate to make the lead sound good. LISTEN all the time, and do whatever your ears tell you to, to make the music always sound as good as it can. That way, you won’t be just playing the song at the same time– you’ll be playing it together.

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Posted in By Red, Improvising, jamming | 7 Comments »

“When Should I Change My Strings?”

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Red Henry

“When should I change my strings?” That’s a question we often hear. New strings usually sound better, but there are as many answers to this question as there are musicians. Some things that you can consider are:

1. There’s no ‘official’ time to change strings. I used to change the strings on two guitars and two mandolins every day when we played bluegrass festivals, but Bill Monroe changed his strings once a year– at New Year’s– and from then on, he just changed them when they broke (which was pretty often, by summertime).

2. Some people like the sound of old strings. Our Cousin David loves the sound (or lack of it) that old strings have, and would probably prefer never to play on new-sounding strings. I think that brand-new strings can sound a bit tinny, myself, but sometimes– such as when I have a big stage show to play, or a noisy party gig or bar gig where there’s going to be plenty of musical stress and challenge– I’ll make sure at least that my strings aren’t too old.

3. Generally speaking, newer strings make your instrument get in tune (and stay in tune) better. This is because (a) a new string isn’t worn from playing and is still about the same diameter from one end to the other, so it “frets” more in tune; (b) the string is not very corroded yet, so it slides through the nut-slots and bridge-slots more smoothly as you twist the tuners; and (c) the lack of rougher, corroded surfaces on the string make its vibrations more coherent so you (or your electronic tuner) can hear the string’s note better. Also, new strings (or preferably a day or two old. so they’re “stretched” and stable) are usually better for recording, because getting exact tuning, and having the strings stay there, is really critical if you’re in a recording session.

. . . . .

So those are some things you can think about.

Editor’s Note: For even more detailed info on this topic, you can see Red’s previous post on this same topic.

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Posted in banjo, By Red, General, Instruments | 1 Comment »

I Will Still Remember You

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Murphy Henry

I think if I post just one more blog about Mama I can then move on to more banjo related subjects. Thanks for your understanding.

This is a poem my niece Natalie wrote about Mama, her grandmother. (Natalie is the younger sister of Caroline whose essay about Mama I posted earlier.) Nat wrote this last year when she was a junior in high school. I thought it was so poignant and so well written. I have taken the liberty of adding a title.

I Will Still Remember You

When I was little
You sang me to sleep
Every night the same songs
Now I’m the one
Singing to you
You don’t remember
Those precious lyrics anymore

These days I read to you
Not the other way around
But when the story’s over
You don’t remember how it began

Our old favorite card games
Are painful to play
I used to cry
Because I could never beat you
Now you have no clue what to do
With those cards in your hands

You used to make
The most delicious cakes
You must have made
A million or more
Now a recipe you once
Knew by heart
You have forgotten

Every time we sat down to eat
You prayed YOUR prayer
Now you stumble and forget
Those once familiar words

You don’t remember that
You’ve lived in this house
For over 50 years
You pack your bags
And ask to go home
But you are home!
Don’t you remember?
I spent my childhood here
I remember.

You’re growing younger everyday,
While I’m growing up
Watching your memory fade.
Will you forget my name
As easily as you forgot
These things of my childhood?

But if you do
I won’t be mad.
For I will still
Remember you.

- Natalie Pate, 2009

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Posted in By Murphy | No Comments »

Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Casey Henry

Y’all may or may not have heard this, but last week the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass was awarded to Noam Pikelny. The prize, which I was not aware existed—indeed very few people knew it existed since this is the first time its been given out—consisted of an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 and a bronze sculpture created especially for the award by artist Eric Fischl.

I was so happy to hear that Noam got this fabulous honor. He’s a mind-blowingly amazing player. When he moved from Nashville to New York some of us local banjo players joked—JOKED mind you—that we were glad he was gone because we’re all now one spot higher on the list of people to call when you need a banjo player for a gig or session. I learned he had won on Twitter (where I get most of my current-events new these days) and tweeted a congratulations to him. (Incidently, Steve Martin is also now on Twitter.)

I’m also happy, and very impressed, that Steve Martin decided to start this award. It’s funded by the Steve Martin Charitable Foundation, which is, of course, just Steve’s money. But it’s so cool of him to even think of using it to directly and immediately benefit the banjo/bluegrass world. The award’s selection board includes Earl Scruggs, Alison Brown, Bela Fleck, Tony Trischka, and others, and The Bluegrass Blog has some details about how the selection was made.

Over the last couple of years I’ve watched how Steve has conducted his mid-life career expansion into bluegrass and it has raised him in my estimation. I’ve always been a fan of his movies and his writing, but he’s really done everything right, in a carefully considered manner, in releasing his CD and touring with the Steep Canyon Rangers. He’s lately been working in the studio with SCR on a new CD, and on top of that he released a kids book this month, Late for School, and has a new novel (An Object of Beauty) coming out in November. I commented to a friend that I didn’t see how he could do all that and tour, too. She pointed out, “He has a staff.”

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Posted in banjo, By Casey | 2 Comments »

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My…

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Red Henry

You know, there are some things in early bluegrass recordings that are impossible to beat. One of our favorites is on Flatt and Scruggs’s early version of Foggy Mountain Breakdown, where the whole band (except for Earl) is playing the “wrong” chord.

Let’s review the chords in FMB: you start out with eight beats of G, and then you go to an E chord for a certain number of beats. Nowadays, most folks change to an E-minor chord for four beats, to match what the banjo is playing. That’s how Murphy teaches it, because it’s what almost everybody plays now. But on that old Flatt & Scruggs record, the band plays SIX beats of E-MAJOR! It’s a wild and woolly sound. It’s incredible. It’s a hair-raising moment. It’s lions and tigers and bears…

Murphy and I have played FMB with that 6-beat E-major chord for over 30 years. The first time we played FMB that way was at Diamond Jim’s, a bar in Gainesville Florida. When we heard how the E-major sounded, we both about fell off the stage. Oh, my.

Not many other people play Foggy Mountain Breakdown that way. However, Christopher and I found a couple of people who do, when we were playing for a party in Baltimore last Saturday night. I was playing mandolin. Chris was playing guitar. Our band for the evening was a couple of outstanding area musicians, Mike Mumford on banjo and Ira Gitlin on bass. And guess what? When Mike kicked off FMB and hit that first E chord, EVERYBODY went to the E-major chord. For six beats. Automatically. It was a wild and woolly sound. It was incredible.

Listen back to that old Flatt & Scruggs record a few times, and then try it yourself. It’s great. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

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Posted in By Red, jamming, Learning By Ear | 3 Comments »

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