Bio

For 3 decades, a by-invitation-only jam session has been convening after hours on Thursday evenings in the basement of a local hardware store.  Out of town guests were recently hosted at this closed get-together,  and the BRC founder was introduced to them as a `new` member because he had been  invited to join the jam session only 20 years ago. Careful research has subsequently revealed, however, that the BRC founder actually joined the  group 25 years ago, and so he petitioned for `associate` membership. The senior musicians quietly conferred among themselves and balloted to approve his application with the proviso that he would be eligible for `full` membership in the year 2020 if still in good standing.

To rejoice in his new and exalted status upgrade, the BRC founder played his beloved Baldwin Model D banjo at the yearly Harley Davidson dealership festival  benefitting the Children`s Hospital. 

Of historical interest, the Baldwin Piano Company purchased the Ode banjo business in 1966 to explore the folk music instrument market. Profits were marginal, and in a few years the Baldwin/Ode line was a financially re-structured as a Gretsch affiliate .

To co-celebrate the BRC founder`s recently elevated rank at the Thursday night jam session, we invite our cherished readers to click-on the below link and enjoy him and musician buddies performing a sweet tempo  “Colleen Malone”  at Lucy`s burger pub. Watch Barry (black T-shirt at 1:05 mins) happily pick his vintage Baldwin Model D, a prized Bluegrass banjo collector`s item.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqfcMhkM-2c

“Country rocks, but Bluegrass rules! ” – J.D.Sumner

“Three chords and the truth”- definition of country music attributed to songwriter Harlan Howard

“Bluegrass music is an addiction, and I ain`t lookin` for a cure”- unknown picker

“Redneck-tify?” -BRC founder`s daughter

“Thanks for playing that music. That`s what God created you guys for.”  -an appreciative farmer at an outdoor gig by the BRC founder`s band.

At a jam session in Eldon, MO, the BRC founder admires Ross` restored 1937 Martin D-18 guitar. What a classic gem!

P.S. Due south of Eldon is the Willow Springs landmark  `Hillbilly Junction` roadside rest center.

The BRC clan kicked-off the Holiday Season by gathering for a Thanksgiving dinner albeit sans our Texas kinfolk who celebrated their festive weekend along the meandering shores of the Rio Grande. Despite yet another deficit BRC fiscal year, all the assembled were in good cheer as evidenced by our annual Yuletide family portrait.

Our Thanksgiving feast was highlighted this year by an extraordinary feathered visitor who we hope might happen-by your home sometime during this Holiday Season.  Guess what up tempo tune our guest performed for us prior to departure (answer below). The grandkids wondered what to call this sphinx-like creature: a turkjo? a bankey? You decide for yourself and keep on picking`.

Best Wishes to All for a joyful and blessed Holiday.

Answer: Turkey in the Straw

While traveling to Boston last month, the BRC founder set aside an afternoon to again visit with instrument designer, award-winning clawhammer musician, and banjo uber scholar Ed Britt. The two pickers share a common love of Ode banjos that were manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, from 1961-1966. 

Included in Ed`s marvelously  extensive collection of vintage 5 stringers, and pictured below cradled gently in the BRC founder`s hands, is the ornate Muse banjo (right) featured half a century ago on the cover of the 1964 Ode banjo catalogue-  held by its owner Mike Ford. This same image was pictured on the back cover of the 1963 Ode catalog.

Ed is holding  a special edition Martin guitar  for which he designed the elaborate mother of pearl inlay.  The ornate top of this 00-45 Custom is shown in Dick Boak`s book ” Martin Guitar Masterpieces”– as a full page photo, on page 12. Ed is cited on pages 10 and 11. The pearl work was cut and inlaid by Britt`s longtime friend, Dave Nichols, of “Custom Pearl Inlay.” Dave also did the highly-figured inlay on the first Martin Custom D-45, for Neiman-Marcus, in 1979 (shown on page 11) which established a precedent for decorative high-end guitars.

Because of his encyclopedic fund of knowledge, Ed is frequently sought online as a resource and arbiter of banjo history issues, and it is fabled in chat rooms that he has forgotten more factoids about banjos than most folks have come to know.  The two Ode banjo fans spent the afternoon admiring Ed`s instrument collection which, incredibly, contains the Ode banjo imprinted with inaugural Serial No. 1.  As a threesome, they jammed with Ed`s masterful Scruggs-style picking pal and fellow recording artist Don Borchelt. What better way to spend an autumn afternoon in Beantown?