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G&F Band

G&F Band

The Bluegrass way….

July 20, 2013

In the autumn of 1991, award-winning photojournalist Torsten Kjelfstruad snapped a picture of three Bluegrass musicians jamming at the Hitching Post saloon in Hartsburg, Missouri. This nostalgic image, featuring the young banjo-playing BRC founder,  adorned the saloon`s 1992 calendar. A few souvenier copies of it are extant.

Four years later, at the inaugural Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, the BRC founder`s band performed its first of several yearly benefit concerts in the small farming village for the Children`s Hospital. A flyer from that era recruiting pickers survives (click image to enlarge for small print).

 

 

Eighteen years later,  Gainor & Friends now plays an annual benefit gig for the Children`s Hospital at a street festival hosted by the local Harley Davidson dealership.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the same band members from the mid 90`s are still pickin` for the kids today. It`s the Bluegrass way.

G&F Band

Bluegrass music is safe for kids

June 10, 2013

A long and soggy rainy season brought recent flooding to the Heartland almost reminescent of  the famous regional painting ” Spring on the Missouri” by native son Thomas Hart Benton.  The over-saturated  Earth generously gave up some of its waters to the basement BRC workshop that required a few days of clean-up.

The first real day of summer finally arrived on the second Saturday of June just in time for the Safe Kids Discovery Day fest (see placard) at the Children`s Hospital. This fun  carnival is part of a nationwide educational program  for children and families to learn injury prevention behaviors.

The BRC founder`s band opened the stage show and then held an interactive jam session for kids and parents to learn more about  stringed instruments and traditional Bluegrass music.

It was a glorious summer day followed promptly by rain showers the next morning.

 

 

P.S. Watch for a BRC “Peace Dove” banjo on e-bay June 17-24 (sold).  Upon receipt, the new owner  emailed, “The banjo is beautiful and sounds great.”

 


G&F Band

BRC band- busy bee$

April 7, 2013

The BRC founder`s band performed again at the yearly Roast-a-Doc gala, an evening to benefit the Children`s Hospital, when staff and friends gently poke fun at the physicians. We were stung when one of our fiddlers was 40 minutes late for the one hour gig because of unexpected delays installing a beehive in her backyard. Quipped one of our musicians to the frazzled and tardy violinst, “Two bee or not too bee, that is the question.”

 

At the reception, one of the band`s young and devoted fans and father stopped-by to listen to an old timey clawhammer passage on the banjo.

 

Afterwards, the musicians shared an (almost) annual dinner together at a local restaurant where it was announced that the band has donated $12K in gig tips to the Children`s Miracle Network over the last nine years.  With worldwide bee counts down and the flower pollination season at hand, the pickers also celebrated the two new bee colonies.

 

G&F Band

G&F Bluegrass Band shares Holiday Spirit

December 8, 2012

The BRC founder’s band ‘Gainor and Friends’ gave holiday concerts for the in-patients on the children’s and adults’ psychiatric wards last week at the University Hospital. The highlights of this songfest included Mr. Bones (see BRC Hall of Fame)  juggling clusters of sleigh bells and tossing tamborines to the tune of seasonal favorites. Staff and patients ended the festive performances together with  a communal sing-along of “Jingle Bell Rock” and “White Christmas.” It’s the Bluegrass Way.

The band members wish all BanjoRehab readers a blessed Season and healthy 2013.

Enjoy more G&F fun under the mini “Bands” header at Moonshyne Reunion, or just search the site for `Gainor & Friends`.

G&F Band

Summer banjo fun

July 29, 2012

At the recent 8th Annual Street Party for benefit of the Children`s Hospital, the BRC founder`s band “Gainor & Friends” gave its yearly performance. As pictured at the kids` festival, the BRC founder gives his “Born to Pick and Grin” T-Shirt to a young and faithful Bluegrass music admirer. Over the last 8 years, the band has donated $11K in gig  tips to the Children`s Miracle Network. Well done pickers. It`s the Bluegrass way.


On the following sunny afternoon, the Banjo Rehabilitation Center`s CEO received a 5-string birthday present from his grandfather`s shop. Maybe, some day our CEO will step-up and replace his ‘Papa’ in Gainor & Friends and play banjo for the benefit of the Children`s Miracle Network. Let`s keep our pickin` fingers crossed.

 

 

P.S. Note our CEO`s right thumb postured in the ready-position over the nylon strings and the pinky finger anchoring the hand on the head. Kids don`t miss a thing- a promising sign.