[dcab-l] Re: Banjo Pickers at Delaware Valley Bluegrass

DC is really a hotspot for banjo talent. Maybe the best anywhere. I'd like to get other opinions on that...

But for the likes of Mark and Mike Munford (ok, so maybe he's a Ballmer guy, but certainly is seen frequently around here) DC has some of the BEST of the new talent wave that seems to be country wide, on all instruments. 

Certainly, the established banjo talent in this town is legendary.

Word on the street is that there is a great recording project finishing up that celebrates DC's 5 string prowess...

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 10:02:10 AM UTC-4, Ed Schaeffer wrote:

Bluegrassers:

 

Just a few short words on this year's Festival.

 

The weather was, generally, superb.  There

were the regular list of Washington bluegrass

folks attending, and I always enjoy seeing them

at the festival.  Good people.

 

For me, there was a special surprise, to re-unite

with a banjo picker who played with Rattlesnake

Hill maybe 20-25 years ago.  She wandered into our

campsite, and when I heard her speak, I asked

if she was from Australia.  What a surprise

to realize it was Jenny Shimmen, back from

down-under after all these years!  And, sounding

very good!  It's things like this reunion with her that

keep me breathing and singing!

 

Talking about banjo pickers, I would mention how great

Mark Delaney looked on stage with the Danny Paisley

band!  Danny couldn't help but smile during each and

every break Mark took on the banjo.  Likewise,

the crowd absolutely applauded most every solo

he delivered, and he did so with excellent stage

presence.  Quite exciting, Mark!

 

More on banjo pickers, is an admission that somehow,

during all my years playing this music, I had never

come into contact with J.D. Crowe.  At Del. Valley,

I made sure to heard all his shows, and enjoyed him,

before he pulls the plug on his performing.  I thank

the Lord for that experience with him on stage, and

hearing the banjo played by a master.

 

Does remind me on one other banjo master I saw at

Del. Valley, before he quit performing, and that was

Allen Shelton, whom I had long admired.

 

Several years ago, I was stage side, and as he began

a banjo break, I found myself leaping from my chair

just to memorize a glimpse of his playing.  He immediately

noticed me, and his trademark smile lit the stage up;

He and I locked eyes, and it seemed he played that

solo specifically for me; I'll always treasure that moment.

 

So, one story of a reunion with a banjo bandmate, and

a story about two banjo masters from Del. Valley;

and Mark Delaney becoming another one, right before

my eyes!

 

ed

 

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