BRC Activities

A Retrospective

January 31, 2026

In the autumn of 2009, the four year tenure of the G&F band at the Artisan Cafe coffee shop ended unexpectedly. The popular student haunt suddenly shuttered its doors leaving the puzzled band and patrons on the sidewalk. The musicians promptly trundled up a nearby alley to the back door of a recently opened brewpub that fronted on the main thoroughfare of our university town. We secured an audition, and the management was content with our music and song. We were consigned to a small alcove adjacent to the staircase that descended from the street level sidewalk down to the front door of the underground brewpub.

Despite the cramped quarters of the alcove, the acoustics were marvelous, and we gigged there on Sunday afternoons for several years. An accordian player (above center) who could sing Cajun songs in French joined us for a while. Youngsters would sit nearby to watch our percussionist “Mr. Bones” step from the alcove to juggle his tambourines during spirited hoedown tunes.

As the patronage of the brewpub increased, the management decided to build a stage for us overlooking the adjacent and spacious dining hall. There was some concern to the G&F bandleader that a stage facing this large seating area would impair the tonality of our acoustic instruments and the unamplified voices of our singers, but the structure`s wooden flooring enhanced the timbre of the guitars, banjos,  fiddles, and vocalists. A hammer dulcimer proved to be a splendid addition to our group for several years.

As all our tips are donated to the local university Childrens Hospital, the management back then decided to have several quarterly Friday evening gigs in addition to our weekly Sunday afternoon performances. A surviving archival flyer (above) from that era announces a Friday night performance on the eve of Valentines Day. The rosy flyer announced that for every beer purchased, the management would generously donate a dollar to the local pediatric medical center.

The G&F band has been blessed with the gracious support of the brewpub ownership during our 17 year tenure at the family-friendly restaurant. We heartfully extend best wishes to all our faithful audiences and our grateful thanks to the generous brewpub owners.

From the BRC: All good wishes to our readers on Valentines Day.

Bio, BRC Activities

Folk Music Memories

January 17, 2026

Some archival gig photos from the 1990`s were recently rediscovered in the BRC files, and one onstage snapshot includes a cherished gold-plated Stelling banjo. The instrument (seen below center) was a long awaited self-indulgent treat that the 5-string picker had acquired to celebrate a 50 year birthday milestone.

Back then, the BRC banjoist was a member of a folk music group called “Minimal Art” that performed at university events and community festivals as seen below where the BRC picker (far left) is playing a blond-toned mandolin. The BRC son (far right) is playing guitar.

The band repertoire in those days consisted of a lot of popular sing-alongs and bouncy blues tunes with harmonica accompaniment.

The well-seasoned Master Flower archtop banjo still resides prominently in the BRC collection and is played these days at Bluegrass jam sessions and Sunday afternoon brewpub performances.

From the BRC: Oldies are goodies.

 

 

G&F Band

Another Milestone & Thx

January 3, 2026

The arrival of the New Year is very special to the G&F Band, as we recently surpassed the $34K milestone of donations to the local Children`s Hospital. We began channeling our fees and tips solely to the local pediatric medical center in 1995, and many musicians have given their time and talent over the years to benefit this university institution.

The band has been performing Sunday afternoons at the Broadway Brewery since 2009, and more than three-fourths of all the aforesaid donations have been provided by the generous patrons of the brewpub. We thank the management of this family-friendly restaurant for graciously hosting the G&F musicians every Sunday afternoon for the last 17 years.

The Gainor and Friends band wishes a healthy and prosperous New Year to our weekly brewpub audiences and also to the faithful visitors to this Banjo Rehabilitation Center website.

From the BRC: Be Well in 2026.

Jamming

Holiday Hoedown

December 20, 2025

Out of town guests, former bandmates, and newcomers swelled the ranks of our recent Thursday evening weekly jam session. This occasioned a festive abundance of picking, spirited singing, and grinning. It was a warm gathering of fellowship and music despite the frigid weather outdoors. We at the Banjo Rehabilitation Center wish all our faithful readers a restful and joyful Holiday Season filled with music and friends.

From the BRC: See y`all in the New Year.

Art Shows

An Artist

November 29, 2025

A few weeks ago, the G&F jam band played a gig in the lobby of a local art gallery that was presenting a retrospective show of painter and art professor James Froese (1996-2012). The artist was a visual story-teller who worked through a variety of media.

The gallery was thronged with a stream of visitors who paused in the lobby to video our band and cheerfully request and sing-along with favorite gospel tunes.

The artist`s son (far left) plays banjo in our band and greeted the enthusiastic assemblage.

From the BRC: It was a delightful evening of mixed media.