Cell Perches & HVO

Big Muddy is a swift river as it rounds Pilot`s Bend near Cooper`s Landing between Boonville and Jefferson City, and this was the site of a recent canoe race. Fans, families, and photographers watched from the shoreline as the racers navigated through the unpredictable eddies and fast moving Missouri River waters. Entertainment for the spectators was provided by the BRC founder and fellow musician Pippa. They have been performing together for almost 25 years and were cooled by a brisk river breeze which tamed the 90 degree temperatures.

Pippa is a multi-instrumentalist and is seen in the below photo (second from the right) playing mandolin back in 1995 at a `Gainor & Friends` benefit for the Children`s Hospital at the inaugural Pumpkin Festival in nearby Hartsburg.  Harmony singer Tara (front row second from the left) has also performed with the BRC founder for almost 25 years. Both ladies are in the BRC Hall of Fame for their much appreciated music and fellowship.

In June, Bluegrass pioneer and legend Ralph Stanley passed away at age 89. He was a beloved ambassador of  mountain music and an American treasure. The BRC founder saw Dr. Ralph perform in a star-studded Bluegrass festival in Florida in 1975 and retained the playbill as a cherished keepsake. Godspeed, Ralph, to the Angel Band awaiting you.

P.S. Check-out the open back “SunFlower” 5 string BRC banjo on eBay July 17-24 (sold). The new owner`s feedback, “Love my new “SunFlower” open back. I have a “Freedom Eagle” also, both are great.”

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In NYC, the hit musical `Bright Star` with words and music by banjoist/comedian Steve Martin and songstress Edie Brickell has garnered 5 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. The plot, based on a true story, unfolds in Act I with song, dance, and drama. An unwanted newborn is thrown from a train in a suitcase which is discovered by a farm family who raise the foundling child to manhood. Then, Intermission allows the audience to catch its collective breath.

When the house lights dimmed announcing Act II, the string band orchestra greeted the audience with the Overture while gleefully beaming.  Suddenly, author/composer Steve Martin stepped into the footlights with his Granada banjo joining his fellow musicians in rendering the score.  When the Overture finished with a flourish, the electrified audience roared its approval of the surprise cameo appearance by the author. In the below photo, staff banjoist Bennett Sullivan is stage-left with his long neck 5 stringer while Martin congratulates him from the stage-center spotlight. The author/composer waved hello to all, saluted the orchestra, and vanished off stage.  It was a magical moment of theater at its best.

For resolution of the plot, you will need to go to NYC for Act II (sorry, no spoiler). Or, let`s hope that `Bright Star`  wins enough well deserved Tony Awards to result in a national tour or movie that will shed its sunshine on your home town.

P.S. Check out the “Open back ‘Freedom Eagle’ 5 string BRC banjo” on eBay June 19-26 (sold).

Feedback from the buyer: Awesome Freedom Eagle Banjo, great deal for the price, sounds and plays great!!!

Upon fully retiring from his day job earlier this month, the BRC founder made a pilgrimage to the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City. This stunning collection houses 400 vintage instruments which have been restored to pristine condition.

He was graciously greeted by the executive director Johnny Baier who is a virtuoso 4-stringer and friend of  BRC consultant Dr. Ron.

The banjos of comedian and  master banjo picker Steve Martin are on display as well as other familiar 5-string instruments from the folk and Bluegrass era.

After touring the museum for hours and picking a long neck Bishline banjo kindly supplied by the ticket-taker at the admission desk, the BRC founder and his wife journeyed to Tulsa to visit the Woody Guthrie Center.

These archives contain the hand written lyrics, oil paintings, and  countless drawings penned by the prolific and multi-talented Dust Bowl balladeer. Also on display are his guitar, mandolin, and signature fiddle.

After a brief detour to a nearby  art museum in Bentonville, AK, the BRC founder returned to his workshop to begin fabricating another `Freedom Eagle` banjo destined for an eBay buyer.

What are the factors that influence the timbre and tone of your banjo? Wood vs. aluminum rim, design and thickness of the bridge, angle of the tailpiece,  resonator vs. open back, type and tension of the head, neck design and wood type, flat top vs. archtop, alloy of the tone ring, gauge of strings, how and where you pick the strings, a pot made of contemporary wood or ancient `lost forest` timber harvested from the floor of the Great Lakes?

(photo of BRC founder`s Stelling Masterflower with a Tony Pass rim)

In archery, the flight of the arrow is dependent half on the arrow and half on the archer. Most factors in a banjo tend to remain constant, but changing the head can appreciably alter the voice of your instrument in one simple step because of differences in plastic material and thickness. Most heads are made of Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate ), and Deering has a Kevlar (para-aramid synthetic fiber) head available. Here is a comparative chart of synthetic options based on thickness:

5-Star head from Stew Mac, great for a crisp Bluegrass tone = .007 inches

Cloudy Mylar Remo head, brightness favored by 4 stringers = .008 in.

Frosted Remo Weatherking head, a mainstay item = .009 in.

Ludwig head, on Stelling banjos with `old wood` rims = .012 in.

Fiberskyn,  Mylar coated with Tyvek, a clawhammer favorite = .014 in.

When the BRC founder purchased his first banjo more that 55 years ago, only the calf skin head was available, and this was integral to Earl`s classic sound.  Application and maintenance are issues with this biomaterial, and only devoted traditionalists saddle their instrument with it these days. Experiment with banjo head options, and you might be very surprised at what you hear.

At a recent dinner gala benefitting the Children`s Hospital, the BRC founder picked a Stelling Masterflower with a new Ludwig banjo head on it while his band entertained the guests.

P.S. Watch for the BRC “Freedom Eagle” banjo on eBay April 17-24.

During the World War II years, the Gibson Company shifted its production away from guitars to radar assembly parts, glider skids, and machine gun rods (instead of truss rods). As many of the craftsmen went to war, they were quietly replaced by a corps of female luthiers.

These women produced thousands of the classic “Banner” guitars that today are a coveted collector`s item because of the “Only a Gibson is Good Enough” inscription on the headstock.

The unsung story of these skilled luthiers is chronicled in the recently published book “Kalamazoo Gals” by journalist/law professor/musician/guitar geek John Thomas who interviewed the surviving craftswomen.

A company staff photo from 1944 shows the Gibson female workforce in front of the factory at 225 Parsons St. in Kalamazoo, MI.

Although very few Gibson banjos were made during WW II, these rare instruments were invariably from the Mastertone model line as carefully documented on the <earnestbanjo.com/gibson_banjos_by_year.htm>  webpage.  Because of a wartime shortage of wood and metal materials,  some of these `floor sweep` banjos were unstandardized in design.

Pre and post War Gibson Mastertones routinely  bear the iconic Kalamazoo decal on the inner rim of the instrument as shown inside the pot of the BRC founder`s 1928 Mastertone 5-stringer that sports a 1950`s bow tie inlay conversion neck.

A tale now told at long last, the almost forgotten saga of the Kalamazoo Gals is another version of the heroic “Rosie the Riveter” home front story. Well done, ladies.