Marshall Brickman passes
Marshall Brickman, a seminal figure in the development of what is now known as melodic style banjo, died on November 29 at 85 years of age. Though perhaps more celebrated for his career in film, writing screenplays for a number of Woody Allen projects, including Manhattan, Sleeper, Annie Hall, and Manhattan Murder Mystery. He also wrote […]
2024 Belgian Dobro & Banjo Workshop report
Henrich Novák and Lluís Gómez in Belgium This report from a recent joint international workshop in Belgium is a contribution from Marc Pirson and Lluís Gómez. Just a week after the 2024 edition of the dual Belgian Dobro & Banjo workshops, the rolls, slides, and resonating tones (in open G tuning, thank you very much) […]
Danny Stewart takes over manufacture of The Mighty D-Tuner
Banjo players have long sought the “perfect” D-tuners, the devices that allow them to effect the slurring, or “detuning” sound popularized by Earl Scruggs in such tunes as Flint Hill Special, Earl’s Breakdown, and Randy Lynn Rag. Initially, Earl achieved this sound by simply lowering and immediately re-raising the pitch of a string manually, by […]
Gold Tone Joe Mullins Bow Tie banjo
Gold Tone has announced a new banjo model, one designed in cooperation with veteran bluegrass performer, bandleader, and broadcaster Joe Mullins. The OB-2JM offers a few differentiations from the Gold Tone Mastertone Bow Tie banjo already in their line. It keeps the popular inlay pattern that Gibson had used in the 1960s, but substitutes a […]
Lonnie Hoppers passes
Noted Missouri banjo player, and former Blue Grass Boy, Lonnie Hoppers, died on November 17 at home in his sleep. He was 89 years of age. Lonnie was a member of Bill Monroe’s band from September 1962 until January of the following year, after having done some fill in work over the previous few years […]
Custom Jim Faulkner banjo owned by Earl Scruggs donated to Earl Scruggs Center
Aaron and Darlene Carr with Earl Scruggs’ Jim Faulkner banjo donated to the Earl Scruggs Center A custom banjo built for Earl Scruggs by Jim Faulkner in 1971 has been officially donated to the permanent collection of the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC. This unique instrument, played by Scruggs during his time with the […]
Ron Block Banjo Workshop app now available
Banjo meets techno! The Ron Block Banjo Workshop app is now available for cell phones, tablets, and computers. Designed for every level of musicianship, it has material help whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced picker. The app offers plenty of ingredients to expand a banjoist’s skills. Ron, a true master of the five-string, has […]
Changes afoot at Banjolit
Richard Ciferský in the Banjolit shop Richard Ciferský in the Slovak Republic has announced some big changes with his internationally popular banjo accessories company, Banjolit. His partner of the past 11 years, Miroslav Durai, has decided to break away to focus on his banjo and mandolin business, Coall Instruments, also located in Slovakia, and Richard […]
Take It Easy video from Todd Taylor
South Carolina’s Todd Taylor, the banjo man in black, has turned his passion for translating rock music to the five string banjo towards the country rock sound of the 1970s in his latest release. It’s a banjo pickin’ take on The Eagles’ Take It Easy, their very first single from 1972, and one of their […]
Lee Dunbar passes
Lee Dunbar with Bobby Hicks at Galax Southwest Virginia banjo player Lee Dunbar died on October 14. A champion picker and a friend to everyone he met, Lee was 63 years of age at his passing. Dunbar had dedicated himself to the banjo since his youth, with a particular fascination for transcribing intricate fiddle tunes to […]
