Flatpicker Hangout - Other Flatpicking-Related Topics Forum Feed

Sabal Palms BGF - Palmdale, FL - Review

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:43:22 CST

I've posted a review of last weekend's Sabal Palms Bluegrass Festival, held at the Sabal Palms RV Resort & Campground in Palmdale, FL. Check out my blog for a review of the music and the scene. - Ted [url]http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com[/url]

Slow Jam Workshop, in Framingham Massachusetts

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 09:57:11 CST

Bluegrass Slow Jam Workshop, in Framingham Massachusetts Pat Rooney and I will be conducting a Slow Jam Workshop. The Slow Jam Workshop will run for six weeks Monday nights April 5, 2010 — May 10, 2010 Time is from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The workshop will focus on jamming etiquette, getting people to play together, and having fun while learning. We will also cover: Capo use The Circle of fifths and how to use it The Nashville Numbering System and how to use it Common Bluegrass chord progressions Bass runs Lead-ins Turnarounds Fills and where to use them Back-up techniques Chord construction Kick-offs Key transposition Endings All Bluegrass instruments welcome — Guitar, Mandolin, Bass (acoustic), Dobro™, Fiddle, and Banjo. Other instruments with prior approval of facilitators. Who would benefit from the workshop — anyone who can make and change to and from a G, C, D, A, and E chord on their instrument and wants to have fun learning how to be a contributing member of a jam. We have run this workshop at least a half dozen times in the past few years and the participants always have fun and develop excellent jamming skills. Fee: $90.00 for six week session Held at Amazing Things, 160 Hollis Street Framingham, MA You must preregister Facilitators: Pat Rooney and Heavy Thumb Contact: slowjamworkshop@yahoo.com Heavy Thumb 508-429-5504 (home) Pat Rooney 508-634-6733 (home)

Festival Camping Poll

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 4 Mar 2010 08:28:58 CST

Many music festivals require a full festival ticket for camping and access to the camping area for jamming, etc.. As a result, attendees that can't get week days off either have to buy a full 3 or 4 day ticket for campground access when they're only there two days. Some do not attend for this reason because they don't want to come for just a day, but rather they want to jam with their friends and camp overnight. The thought is that if there were a two day attendance fee that included camping, more could attend the event. What do you think? http://poll.pollcode.com/NCX4

Rounder’s 40th Anniv. Concert hits PBS in March

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:11:15 CST

Thanks to Bluegrass Journal... http://www.bluegrassjournal.com/2010/02/22/rounders-40th-anniversary-concert-hits-pbs-in-march/ Rounder To Release Rounder Records’ 40th Anniversary Concert Album March 2nd http://rounder.com/index.php?id=news.php&newsId=1048

Palatka Bluegrass Festival 2010 - Friday

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:50:27 CST

I've posted an account of Friday at the Palatka Bluegrass Festival now being held at the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch just south of Palatka, FL. It was a good day with improving weather and fine music. Check out the blog. - Ted http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

Palatka Bluegrass Festival - Thursday

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:33:28 CST

I've posted an account of the opening day of the Palatka Bluegrass Festival now being held at the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch near Palatka, FL. Fine performances by all six bands including the 2010 version of the Dailey & Vincent Show and the surprise appearance of Mike Cleveland playing with David Peterson were two of the many highlights. More to come tomorrow. - Ted http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

Online music room

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:18:03 CST

Hey everyone, Id like to invite you folks to join us on sunday nights,5PM central.I opened a room on Paltalk, which is free to join. All you need to join in is a computer mic and a free paltalk account. . Fiddle,banjo,guitar,dulcimer ,spoons,jug,whatever tickles your fancy. We had a good turn out tonight with some great folks and great music. This room will only show up in the paltalk listing when its open. You will go to the music tab,then pick live music and then the room titled "Old time mountain music". I think this is great way to hang out and share some tunes. Everyone that showed up really enjoyed the group. Hope to see you there next Sunday. Barry

BG jam tonight (2/13) in Pottstown, PA

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:03:09 CST

Hi, all, My lovely wife announced (just a few minutes ago) that, as part of her gift to me for Valentine's Day, she has arranged a surprise jam for me tonight. I'm very pleased by her great idea. (It's especially welcome as I've been on night shift for the past 5 weeks and very much out of touch with all things music-related.) If anyone is in the area and wants to jam tonight, feel free to come! The jam starts at 7 pm. 24 Creekside Drive, Pottstown PA. Thanks, Dave

My Photos in Strictly Country Magazine (Holland)

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:37:41 CST

Hi Folks, I'm proud to say that some of my photos from the 1972 Country Gentlemen Festival in Webster, Mass., have been published by Rienk Janssen in the beautiful magazine Strictly Country from Holland. The magazine comes back to back with Bluegrass Europe. Rienk has also given me permission to display excerpts on a web page, so here they are: http://frobbi.org/slides/sc-feb2010 You'll see some caption updates below the photos. Rienk is aware of them. I've also added a link to my Slide Shows page at http://frobbi.org/slideshows.html Motivated this week by Rienk's adding captions with the musicians' names, I finally started adding captions to the original slide show at http://frobbi.org/slides/cg1972. For their expert help, I want to especially thank Rienk, Fred Bartenstein, Phil Zimmerman, Dick Bowden, Akira Otsuka, and Sab Wanatabe (publisher of MoonShiner magazine from Japan). This mini-project alone has been an overwhelming thrill for me, working with bluegrass folks literally around the world in just a few days. I also have to thank my longtime friend Wayne Galella who lent me the professional slide scanner last spring. If it weren't for him, none of this would've happened! Fred

Palatka Bluegrass Festival - Preview

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 8 Feb 2010 03:48:15 CST

I've posted a preview of the sixth annual Palatka Bluegrass Festival to be held at the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch in Palatka, FL beginning on February 18th and running for three days. This is the largest bluegrass festival held in Florida and is always a stellar event. Check out my preview. - Ted [url]http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com[/url]

Denison U Performance Sat 2/6

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 4 Feb 2010 20:32:50 CST

If anybody is in the area, I will be conducting a guitar workshop on Sat 2/6 at Denison University in Granville Oh. I think the workshop is scheduled for 12 noon and a performance that evening at 7. In addition there will be performances by the Andy Carlson band on Saturday and the Infamous Stringdusters on Friday.

archive.org - lots of free live music

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:54:40 CST

Hey all, I've been over on the Banjo Hangout for quite a while but thought I'd stop by here to let you know about about a free source for live concerts. I've been working with them to hap spread the word. It's totally free and a non-profit library organization. http://www.archive.org/details/etree There's a number of bluegrass bands and lots of other good stuff too. Here's a list I compiled at a glance but I'm guessing there are some others too: .357 String Band Acoustic Syndicate Arthur Lee Land Assembly of Dust Back Forty Bad Livers Barefoot Manner Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Big Daddy Bluegrass Band Big Smith Blue Turtle Seduction Blueground Undergrass Borrowed Angels Brittany Reilly Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band Butterjive Cadillac Sky Carolina Chocolate Drops Cast Iron Filter Chatham County Line Cindy Woolf Cornmeal Cross-eyed Rosie Danny Barnes Del McCoury Band Dirtfoot Don Reno Dread Clampitt Flat Mountain Girls Girls, Guns and Glory Green Mountain Grass Greensky Bluegrass Hackensaw Boys Hayseed Dixie Tony Trishka Uncle Earl It's all free and most of it can be downloaded or streamed. Also, if you have recordings you'd like to upload they encourage that too. You would first email them to get a page set up. You have to have have permission to include these as it is a non-commercial, trade-friendly site. Also, Deadheads love it…over 7,000 concerts on line! There's lots of other great stuff on the site too. Check out the movies and the Wayback Machine. If you enjoy it you can add a link to your sites or blogs. Best, Jeff

OH pickers: Ever hear of Milhoan Guitars?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:58:38 CST

Back in the 1980s, at a flea market in Rogers, OH, I had a conversation with a guy named Harry Milhoan. He told me he built guitars, and that his guitars were in high demand all over that local region. I made a mental note of his name, in case I ever happened across one of his guitars. I never did, but I remembered his name all these years. A google search doesn't turn up anything about Milhoan guitars, and I'm pretty sure I recall the spelling correctly. (He spelled his last name for me at the time.) Does anyone here know anything about this guy's guitars?

YeeHaw Junction 2010 - Friday

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:44:54 CST

I've posted an account of Friday at YeeHaw Junction. It was a good day with another coming today. Take a peek. - Ted http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

YeeHaw Junction Bluegrass Festival - T Th

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:11:54 CST

I've posted an account of the lead up and opening day of the YeeHaw Junction Bluegrass Festival being held through Sunday at YeeHaw Junction Florida. All signs point to an excellent traditional bluegrass festival in a great setting. Fresman promoters Keith Bass and Victor Hall are bringing it together in fine fashion. Check it out. - Ted http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

"cheapest strings I can get"

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:31:03 CST

The latest edition of Acoustic Guitar has a very interesting interview with David Rawlings. It's hard to know what to believe in magazine articles, but a sidebar lists his hardware -- what guitar he plays, his favorite picks, strings, capos, etc. For picks he cites "old fender, extra heavy," and when it comes to strings: "The cheapest strings I can get, in bulk -- regular bronze, light gauge." I think it funny that here's this star who seems somewhat cavalier about the strings he uses, when over at the Mandolin Cafe there are two threads going, one on Elixir Nanowebs v. D'Addario J74s, another which pits the J74s v. J75s! And people get so "het up" about these things; I was roundly criticized for suggesting that I saw nothing wrong w/ coated strings (the Nanowebs). Over there and here on Flatpicker Hangout there are a number of threads on favorite picks. Dunlops v. Wegens v. Pearse v. V-Picks and on and on. I follow these conversations with some interest. But why? Here's bigshot Rawlings suggesting he gets whatever light gauge bronze strings he can, while amateurs argue about one gauge of D'Addario vs. another! I'm as "guilty" as anyone in these "hardware porn" discussions, but I wonder if the professionals bother? Ricky Skaggs endorses a certain line of D'Addario -- does he use them? Chris Thile has his own Blue Chip pick (the 55, for those of you who want to spend $35 on a pick). Are these just sports endorsements -- wearing Nike on their gold caps, etc? No answers -- not even a point, really. Just some late-evening ruminations.

Jamming website for Michiganders

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:36:24 CST

Feel free to check out this website for communicating jams in Michigan: http://michigan-musicians.ning.com/

TOMMY EMMANUEL AUCTIONS GUITARS FOR HAITI

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:48:54 CST

From Mary Burdette on the Grey Fox Forum: I'm passing this along from Carol Young of the Greencards.... Hello All, Trying to get word out to as many as possible. I'd be very grateful if you would forward to your friends and associates. -Carol Begin forwarded message: From: "Red Carpet" <redcarpet@entertainmentedge.com.au> Date: January 24, 2010 8:39:33 PM CST Subject: TOMMY EMMANUEL AUCTIONS FAVORITE GUITARS FOR HAITI RELIEF Dear Friends and Fans of Tommy, Tommy has been distraught over the fate of the victims of the Haitian earthquake and to raise money for UNICEF he will be auctioning off 3 of his favorite guitars on Ebay. He is selling off his Maton Jumbo, his Gibson Country Gentleman and his PRS Acoustic. The auction has started today and here are the links: Paul Reed Smith http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140377424744&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123 Gibson Country Gentleman http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&&item=140377423946&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1120#ht_720wt_1004 Maton Jumbo http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140377419973&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123 If you are a successful bidder on any of the guitars, you will also receive 2 VIP seats to Tommy's concert nearest to you, dinner with Tommy and a two hour private guitar lesson. Also includes free shipping to anywhere in the world. Please watch and forward his plea to you on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4o6rtxYMeM Please give generously if you can and please forward and SPREAD THE WORD to any potentially interested parties. Regards, Gina Mendello Manager for Tommy Emmanuel

30's jazz guitarists

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:55:10 CST

Hey all: I'm wondering where I can find good recordings of the great acoustic guitarists of the 30's (besides Django & Eddie Lang, whom I have a large databases of), such as Carl Kress, Dick McDonough, & George Van Eps. I know all three made many recordings in the 30's but I'm having trouble finding recordings on which they're playing solos, barring a couple of the duets that Kress & McDonough did, which I found on Youtube (& I have the 2 that Kress & Lang did). I especially love the pre-Django single note style of McDonough, I'd love to hear him improvising on some of the standards. Thanks! 73, Brennen

Ron Block AcuTab Guitar DVD

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:28:44 CST

Hello all, I will be making a guitar dvd with AcuTab in March. If anyone has any ideas of what should be included, tunes, concepts, etc., I'd be grateful. I've played the lead guitar for Alison Krauss and Union Station (except when I'm playing banjo on a particular cut) for nearly 18 years, so there are a lot of options. On Everytime You Say Goodbye Tim Stafford did some of the leads on the two-guitar/no banjo songs. I've also played lead on a few of Chris Jones' recordings, and assorted other things through the years. I asked this same question on Banjo Hangout and found the results to be very helpful. I'm trying to get a jump on it so I can relearn whatever solos I need. Thanks in advance for the advice I'm gonna get, Ron

Just moved to Portland, ME

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:47:19 CST

Hi, I hope this is the right forum. I moved to the Portland, ME area last Sept. I play guitar, banjo, and harmonica. I have a list of songs that I sing too. I'm really looking for some folks to jam with. My favorite instrument to play is banjo in the jams. I've already been to 317 Main in Yarmouth..what a fabulous place to play and meet people! I've also been to jams at the Acoustic Artisans and I put a jam on at the Brunswick in Old Orchard Beach every other Thurs. evening..including this Thurs 1/21, 2/4 and 2/17. I'm glad to give more info. if anyone wants it.

Flatpicker Quiz #1 ANSWERS

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:07:37 CST

We have a winner! Egadz1960 (Ray) only missed a few. Here's the answers: 1) Rolls and cross picking can be done by: a) using DDU b) using DUD c) any darn way you want d) hammer-ons and pull-offs e) retuning your guitar Answer: c. crosspicking is a flatpicking pattern, and has been demonstrated professionally using several different methods. 2) On which fret do you place a capo, to play in the key of E, but out of C position? a) none b) 1st c) 2nd d) 3rd e) 4th Answer: e) 3) Who is "Thompson's Reel" named after? a) Hank Thompson b) Suzy Thompson c) Eric Thompson d) Thompson Watson e) Tommy Thompson Answer: c. Eric Thompson was flatpicking as early as the late 1950's, and a West Coast/Bay Area pioneer, introducing and sharing old-time and bluegrass music with such notables as Jerry Garcia and David "Dawg" Grisman. Suzy is his wife. 4) Which famous flatpicker was a member of Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys? a) Doc Watson b) Tony Rice c) Robert Bowlin d) all of the above e) none of the above Answer: c. Robert placed at Winfield in both flatpicking and fingerstyle, and was Bill Monroes final fiddler! A very talented fellow. However, Bill Monroe never employed a flatpicker for any length of time as part of his main lineup. He maintained a guitar for rhythm only. 5) Jimmy Rodgers played: a) out of open tunings b) with two flatpicks c) 00 and 000 Martin guitars d) with only two left hand fingers e) fiddle tunes Answer: c. An early flatpicker, but mostly singer, I'm not sure he was ever photographed with a dreadnaught. Also, he died in 1933, before Martin's famous dreadnaughts, or Gibson's Jumbo were widely available. 6) Tony Rice recorded all but: a) Gold Rush b) Salt Creek c) Red Haired Boy d) Down Yonder e) Church Street Blues Answer: d. 7) The famous "bone" is: a) a capo b) a material for bridge pins c) a nickname for Cedric Rainwater d) Alan Shadd's favorite pick e) a modified 30's vintage Martin guitar Answer: e. Tony Rice's signature 1935 Herringbone D-28, that was previously owned by Clarence White, and heavily modified, with enlarged sound hole, and a Gretch fretboard and others. Tony Rice model guitars include these features to emulate his signature solo tone. 8) Stricty Instrumental was a: a) grammy winning tune by David Grier b) famous studio band c) a Mel Bay book for teaching flatpicking d) Russ Barenberg's high school band e) An album featuring Doc Watson with Flatt and Scruggs Answer: e. The essential introduction of Doc Watson to bluegrass fans, following his Newport debut. This album was a huge seller, when instrumental-only projects were thought to be dead. 9) Dan Crary is unique, because he: a) flatpicks a 12-fret 00 sized guitar b) uses a thumbpick c) prefers nickel strings d) uses all closed chords e) uses two fingers and a thumb to hold a pick Answer: e. He's not an advocate, but explains that he just didn't know any better. 10) Alton Delmore won a guitar contest using a flatpick in 1927 playing: a) as part of a band, the Brownsferry Four b) while standing on a chair c) while singing d) the Saint Louis Blues e) a French harp Answer: d. One of the earliest references to a guitar contest as part of a fiddler's convention, and earliest reference to a flatpicking style winning a contest. The Delmore Brothers did break new ground with their gospel project, The Brownsferry Four, featuring 3,4, and 5 part harmony, and usually a single guitar, but also included other instruments occasionally, including Merle Travis. 11) Hank Snow's nickname is: a) The Texas Troubadour b) Little Canuck c) Champ d) Red e) The Singing Ranger Answer: e. Hank was a prolific singer and picker who thrust the flattop into the limelight as equal for leads and accompanying songs. 12) Which famous flatpicker first established the guitar as an equal lead instrument in a bluegrass band? a) Tony Rice b) Roy Smeck c) George Shuffler d) Dudley Hill e) Clarence White Answer: c. Although many will consider Clarence White to be the father of modern flatpicking, Shuffler deserves credit, for pioneering during a time when only he and the Stanley's performed as a trio, and he had to share solos with Ralph. He was quoted as saying it was a matter of survival, and lead to his innovative DDU crosspicking skills. While the Stanley brothers would not describe their music as "bluegrass", they were admittedly closely associated with Bill Monroe's sound, and other bands during the 40's and 50's, before returning to their signature mountain music. 13) Which pre-war (flattop) guitarist was a flatpicker but didn't know it? a) Hoke Rice b) Byrd Moore c) Karl Farr d) Nick Lucas e) all of the above Answer: e. Some were singers, and others went on to electrics and different music. But, they all started on flattops, playing lead on instrumentals, largely emulating the old fiddle tune format. 14) Amplification changed flatpicking in: a) 1933 b) 1953 c) 1973 d) 1993 e) never Answer: e. Flatpicking is primarily performed on an acoustic, where alternate picking is required to clearly hear long sequences of notes, as in a fiddle tune. Flatpicking is not limited to acoustics, but electric guitars usually exploit their ability to do other things not requiring lots of alternate picking. 15) Big River Blues was recorded: a) first by flatpicking b) flatpicking by the Osborne Brothers c) by Doc Watson with a flatpick d) by Skip James e) without lyrics Answer: a. This was tricky. Big River Blues was recorded by the Delmore Brothers as a song with instrumental solos in the early 30's, using flatpicks on guitar and tenor guitar. Doc Watson recorded Deep River Blues, essentially the exact same tune some 30 years later, with slightly different lyrics, and not using a flatpick, but using a two-finger Travis style of picking. 16) The first three time Winfield winner was: a) Tony Rice b) Clarence White c) Ricky Skaggs d) Norman Blake e) Steve Kaufman Answer: e. Steve Kaufman is widely known for his extensive workshop schedule, and his very successful Kaufman Camp for flatpicking held every year. The camp now includes fingerstyle guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, old-time banjo, and other classes as part of the camp. His list of instructors tops the list of the nations best talent. 17) Who provided the first prizes for the Winfield contests: a) Country Music Association b) International Bluegrass Music Association c) Mossman Guitars d) Gallagher Guitars e) Nippon Gakki Answer: c. Stuart Mossman was one of the founders for the Walnut Valley festival held every year in Winfield Kansas. He was a successful builder of custom dreadnaughts, and donated instruments as prizes. "Winfield" is one of the pre-eminent contests for flatpickers in the world, and has launched many carreers for the winners, including Mark O'Connor. 18) Flatpicking must always: a) be a fiddle tune b) use a flat pick or plectrum c) be traditional or country d) be an instrumental e) none of the above Answer: e. Another tricky one. b) would seem to be the obvious choice. But some thumb-pickers flatpick with a thumb-pick. Wayne Henderson has flatpicked for years, but used a thumb pick, which technically is not a flatpick. Richard Smith is another example, although he's more of a finger-style guy. But when playing in the Hot Club of Nashville, he switches to flatpicking format, retaining his thumbpick. 19) Billy in the Low Ground is: a) a rag b) a ballad c) a show tune d) a breakdown e) a waltz Answer: d. A little tricky again. Billy in the Low Ground is an old celtic reel, but very popular amongst fiddlers and flatpickers. In a contest, it qualifies as a breakdown. 20) Which flatpicker recorded Lady Be Good on a "Selmer" style guitar in tribute to Django Reinhardt on his first album? a) Bryan Sutton b) Charles Sawtelle c) Norman Blake d) Brad Davis Answer: a. Bryan Sutton was a member of the Hot Club of Nashville, with Richard Smith, and John Jergenson, performing Django Reinhardt covers on his Dell Arte Petite Bouche guitar. He included his excellent swing picking on his great flatpicking CD.

YeeHaw Junction Bluegrass Festival - Preview

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:40:49 CST

I've posted a preview of the YeeHaw Junction Bluegrass Festival which opens in YeeHaw Junction Florida on Thursday, January 28 and runs through Sunday the 31st. Featuring a varied lineup of national, regional, and local bands under the new ownership of the Hall and Bass families, the festival promises to continue its tradition of fine entertainment combined with some new wrinkles. Look forward to seeing you there. - Ted [url]http://tedlehmann.blogspot.com/2010/01/yeehaw-junction-bluegrass-festival.html[/url]

Ace Frehley value

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:08:29 CST

What is an Ace Frehely guitar signed him worht it is an epiphone les paul thanks

Looking for Tony Rice interview

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:08:14 CST

A while back someone posted here on FPHO a scan of a 1986 Frets Magazine interview with Tony Rice, in which he talked extensively about the 'bone. I can't remember if it was in a forum post or a blog post. Can anyone help me find it?

Flatpicker Quiz #1

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:41:09 CST

For fun, I drafted 20 multiple guess questions for you flatpicker experts. Its here in the blog section: http://www.flatpickerhangout.com/my/musekatcher Come on, give it a try! Good Luck! Jim

Darin & Brooke Aldridge - CD Review

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:26:07 CST

I've posted on my blog a review of the self-titled CD "Darin & Brooke Aldridge" being released on Jaunary 19th by Crossroads Records. Produced by Jerry Salley, this new CD breaks new ground for this exciting emerging duo. Look for an announcement of their CD release party in a couple of days. - Ted www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

New guy

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:13:14 CST

ive been a member here for a quite awhile but am really just a rhythm guitar player. My main focus has been in banjo but i have had a nice little Blueridge that i had converted to lefty so i could work on solid timing and rake chords if i went to a jam where there were already a bunch of banjos out. Well i busted a string on the Blueridge the other day and looked all over but couldn't find a spare set so i went down to the local music store to reload. I walked to the back room and much to my surprise I found this hanging on the wall. It's a 1972 factory lefty D28 in great (well played) shape. Well i went back home and told momma and she said i should jump on it so i took my flatpicker buddy down there and he looked it over an listened to it and gave me the big thumbs up. It is a one owner guitar that came with the original case, original bill of sale, a letter from Frank Martin and the original price tag ($640) in the case. i got it home and my buddy promptly taught me my first break, Clinch Mountain Backstep. A couple days later with some mighty sore fingers i have it in my head and can trade breaks at a painfully slow tempo. So now i am an aspiring bluegrass flatpicker and will be spending endless hours lurking these boards for tips and advice so just thought I'd say howdy. Doc Watson is my favorite guitar picker and i hope to learn Black Mountain Rag someday.[:D]

Archtops anyone?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:20:29 CST

Any proud archtop owners out there? I have a Blonde 40's 17" carved Spruce and flame Maple Orpheum. A nice piece of Americana.

Pick loan stimulus program

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 9 Jan 2010 11:07:39 CST

The following was posted over in the BlueChip pick thread. I thought I'd start a new thread to see if there was any interest. Sort of a "flatpicker stimulus package" if you will: "musekatcher - I've got an idea. We could start a "pick swap" where someone who wants to experience a certain type of pick could get a FH member who has one to send them one on a short term loan. The receiver would keep it for a week or so, then send it/them back. It would cost just the price of a postage stamp, and be beneficial, especially when you're talking about the high-end picks. I'd be willing to be the first one to send a pick (the BC you're wondering about), to get the ball rolling, if that is something that some members want to try. Anyone think this might be a good idea? Might be fun, but feel free to shoot the idea down if you think it's not so good."

Any Kessinger fans?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 8 Jan 2010 16:44:48 CST

About 1983 or so, I first heard Robin Kessinger flatpick Bill Cheatham. I think he won a couple of contests playing that version. That was what got me interested in acoustic flatpicking. Prior to that I was more into electrics. Anyway, I had a Kessinger cassette with Bill Cheatham on it, but it's long gone now. I can't find that album anywhere. I don't even know what the name of it was. I think it had Billy in the Lowground and Flowers of Edinburgh on it too. Sure would like to find a copy of it. Anybody know anything about it?

Hangout Site Statistics

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Tue, 5 Jan 2010 03:53:25 CST

Banjo Hangout.........43853 members since 2000........roughly 4385 members/year Fiddle Hangout...........6333 members since 2007.......roughly 2111 members/year Flatpicker Hangout.....2623 members since 2008........roughly 1312 members/year ResoHangout..............2256 members since 2008........roughly 1128 members/year I was just curious why the disparity in numbers of members to the various hangouts. If you walk around virtually any jam session you will notice by far the majority of instruments will be guitar, probably followed second by banjo, then mandolin (which isn't represented here), and the occasional fiddle or dobro player. Yet, looking at the statistics above, this doesn't seem to mirror the reality of the musical situation. FPHO has barely more members than ResoHangout over relatively the same period of time and you very rarely see a proportional amount of dobroists at jam sessions. The Drum and Bass Hangouts are so brand new, that their low numbers are understandable, though I've never seen a drummer at a bluegrass or old-time jam session in my life. Regardless, it seems clear that the banjo and fiddle hangout sites are benefiting the most from having larger resources of materials for musicians there to draw from. I find this ironic, considering guitar has such a rich history, yet it seems to be underrepresented here by comparison and I can't help wondering why. As the old saying goes, "when everyone benefits, everyone benefits", but banjo players seem the clear winners when it comes to this format.

Holiday Photo Treats IVb: Spring-Summer 2009

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sun, 3 Jan 2010 06:30:13 CST

I've posted part IVa of my Holiday Photo Treats portfolios on my blog. It's been a long weekend, so I thought I'd post early. Look for part IVb on Tuesday. Enjoy. - Ted [urlhttp://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com][/url]

Story of Elektra Records - Book

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sun, 3 Jan 2010 05:30:09 CST

I'm currently reading a fascinating book, loaned to me by my friend and banjo player Jerry Oland... Follow the Music: The Life and High Times of Elektra Records in the Great Years of American Pop Culture Check it out... http://www.amazon.com/Follow-Music-Elektra-Records-American/dp/0966122100/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262524804&sr=8-1 Website: http://followthemusic.com/

new years eve

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 2 Jan 2010 16:20:33 CST

guy who owns the bar has a band booked for new years eve, last minute they ring and cancell,he panicks looks in the local paper and finds a two peice band clarinet and accordian, out of desperation he hire,s them, everything goes down well once the drink started flowin,end of the night he,s payin the guys and asks them were they doin anything next new years, and would they be ok to play next year, sure say the two, would it be ok to leave the instuments here

What capo...

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:52:26 CST

..does Tony Rice use? I'm pretty sure it's an Elliott capo, but which one? Here's the page with them all http://www.elliottcapos.com/CaposGuitar.html Does anyone know? And also, if you have one, which one do you think is the best? Austin

keep on the funny side

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:07:36 CST

hi, i noticed you have,nt got a joke corner,on the site some where where people can spin a yarn or tell a good joke, a corner strictly for joke,s most sites have em, it,s just a place where you can browse if there,s nuttin happen,n on the site,or your wait, n for a reply , i,m sure most of the guy,s on the site have a good joke to tell, it,s just a suggestion ,you can always put a warning on the thread ,if you have,nt got a sense of humor keep out, and try an keep it clean, [:D]

Holiday Photo Treats III - Merlefest 2009

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:49:04 CST

I've posted a portfolio of photos from Merlefest 2009 as a holiday gift to blog readers. It's always fun for me to go back through the year and try to pick out photos I particularly like. I hope you enjoy them, too. - Ted www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

Did you get anything musical for Christmas?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:31:32 CST

I got a usb turntable so I can transfer my old vinyl to digital format. I'm listening to stuff I haven't heard in years. [:D]

Holiday Photo Treats II - Winter 2009

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:23:44 CST

I've posted a portfolio of some of our best photos from the winter of 2009. Hope you enjoy them. - Ted www.tedlehmann@ne.rr.com

Subscribe to the Acoustic Guitar site?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:56:43 CST

Has anyone found it worthwhile to subscribe to the Acoustic Guitar site, and if so, why? URL: http://www.acousticguitar.com/ Thanks

An unexpected Christmas gift.

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:31:21 CST

My daughter and I attended a Christmas party at the home of the widow of guitarist Tom Price. As we were leaving she told us to wait a minute, she had a present for my daughter. She pulled an Epiphone EC25 from the closet and handed it to daughter Emily. This guitar had been willed to Tom in the estate of another picking buddy who had preceded Tom in death, and it was passed along to us. We are deeply touched and honored! Susan, we love you! Thank you so much!

John Cowan and Sierra Hull in Lexington, MA

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:28:51 CST

I've posted a blog entry reviewing the John Cowan and Sierra Hull concert sponsored by the Boston Bluegrass Union on Saturday night at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA. The event offered a delightful evening of acoustic music along with Cowans signature electric bass sung and played by masters of the genre. - Ted www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

Holiday Photo Treats I: Fan Fest 2009 - Sat

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 7 Dec 2009 03:12:14 CST

I've posted the first of a series of Holiday Photo Treats on my blog. This one features Saturday of this year's Fan Fest at IBMA. More to come from now until mid-January, as I cull through my 2009 photos. Check it out regularly. - Ted www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

Great Deals on Martins?

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Fri, 4 Dec 2009 12:25:52 CST

See this topic over on BanjoHangout... http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/164572

Amazing Frontier Ranch Festival Footage

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:37:07 CST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Tq9QrP36Y This is from one of the best single-user YouTube libraries, worth subscribing to... http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=BluegrassLibrary#g/u

Jack Cooke RIP

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:38:55 CST

I am very sad to hear that Jack Cooke passed away last night. He was such an integral part of the Stanley sound for almost 40 years, and a friendly, outgoing presence both onstage and off. He will be missed. And although best known in later years as the Clinch Mountain Boy bassist and harmony singer, he began his career as a guitarist and played some groundbreaking bluegrass guitar for Bill Monroe in the late 1950s. http://www.thebluegrassblog.com/jack-cooke-rip/

Question about PowerTab

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Wed, 2 Dec 2009 08:11:47 CST

I've been trying to put some songs into tab format on my computer. Is there a way to tie a word or a syllable to a note? I've been putting the lyrics into floating text and adding spaces and dashes as necessary, but then when I print it, it's off again. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Gigging gaffs and laughs

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:30:04 CST

I know there are some old road dogs like me out there. Want to impart some wisdom building and humorous anecdotes to the discipleship? I played professionally for over 25 years, 17 with the same band. Please respect the forum rules, omitting lurid details or inappropriate subjects. No one cares if you got trashed. No one wants to hear about alledged sexual conquest. I mean funny stories with an offbeat moral....like... My first real gig was in 1979, with a touring country band, they may still be out there, so we'll call it, Toni Austin and the Austin Texas Band. They hired me passing through town on a tour of Naval Bases and honky-tonks. The bandleader was an old Cajun fiddler (call him Billy Joe) who'd supposedly been a "5 time World's Champion." He never elaborated on that but made sure it was announced by either the bass player or myself a couple of timies per set. He hired me 2 hours before the gig on the recommendation of a buddy at the local music store. I was a bit unsure of my abilities as a lead player, he asked me if I could play a I-VI-II-V in Eb without a capo. I said told him I could in any key needed. He inquired as to my gear, at the time I had a Strat, a parts Tele, and a Gibson ES 125. He said, "Son, if you talkin' Tele, you talkin' COUNTRY!" I got to the gig just in time to set up get first names of the rest of the band and have him run over the "number system" and hand signals. Modulate thumbs up or down the number of half steps, the fingers he held up. How in most country music the II is major, and on uptempo stuff, the VI could be, too. Eyes on him, keep the volume down until he told you turn up...the gig went really smoothly and I played up the Gulf Coast. Lots of George Jones and Tammy Wynette, some Patsy Cline. Classic juke box or AM Country. Ten days later, they disappeared into Louisiana, I drove home with some folding money and a wealth of knowledge . The first revelation was that Toni, being a woman, sang Everything in Eb or Bb, Billy Joe in C, G or D. So we modulated a lot. The second, that he'd hired the bass and drums the same day as me though we were all under the impression that the other two were regular members. Those hand signals served me well and are the basis for every stage arrangement I play to this day... Flash forward 20 odd (and I mean odd) years, I get hired as a sub for a mega church 15 piece praise band, no rehearsal, walk on get a similar first name intro to the rhythm section. the leader asks me if I can play by numbers, sure, any key...Hand signals? Sure...thumb and fingers to modulate, etc... We start, most of it is rehashed Pop styles-same three chords in the same keys. About 15 minutes into this nonstop medley of songs I don't know but sound oddly familiar, he signal a modulation and holds up 3 fingers, we're in C, I cruise easily into Eb, just like the old days...trainwreck... I have no way of knowing what's gone wrong...I'm looking at him, he's looking at me...well, I just feigned playing until I could figure out from the bass player's hands, what the heck was going on. Turns out he uses the fingers three up means 3 sharps (fingers down was the number of flats.), so the rest of the band is A major. Moral...Communication is key, if you are subbing, always go over the hand signals to be sure.

MainLiner Express with Jesse Brock at del Rossi's

eric@flatpickerhangout.com — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:50:32 CST

I've posted a blog entry about last night's performanc of MainLine Express at del Rossi's in Dublin, NH. I've rushed to get this up, because you can still see this band perform at Nippo Lake Golf Course and Restaurant in Barrington, NH tonight and tomorrow. This band offers the rare treat of seeing what a truly inspired pick-up jam band can do when top musicians come together and exude the pure joy of performing together. Check it out. - Ted www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com