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Blue Grass

Red Robin

Well-known member
I don't know if it's because we're inbred around here or if it's because we're poor or if it's because we're close to Branson but there are some folks here that can flat play. Over at moms for supper tonight we listened to her play the piano and my kids play. We enjoied that but none of them can play bluegrass right. They play but it's kind of technical. We got out a CD that someone gave dad from one of my grandads whiskey making buddies. It was very, very backwoods. :D I liked it but it was awful. Got a CD out from a kid I've known all my life. He's played professionally since school. He is 36 I think. He's played fiddle for Roy Clark on the road for several years then has played all the headline acts in Branson since then. He is real , real, good. We have a piano player at church that can play like Jerry Lee Lewis or better. That style but more blue grass. He can burn it UP! Can't read a lick of music. I knew another fella when I was a kid that was the same or better. He was kind of autistic or something and never took a bath (or not much) and he might have been better . One of the best I've ever heard. Dad knew another fella he said was as good or better . Dad said his wife shot him with a pistol in the face, three times and he was disfigured from that but could melt a piano down. I know another fella that has played a banjo in branson all his life. I've even heard him play (and him alone) at a funeral before. It was real nice oddly.My Uncle and Aunt have had a gospel bluegrass/gospel band over the years till they got in their 70's and they still have a little music hall where they have bands and singings in on Fridays. My grandad played a fiddle at dances around all his life and my uncle on my moms side could play Sally Goodin and redwings and such well into his 80's.I'm not taking about your regular pickers and grinners here, most of these people could play any gig in the nation and leave them stunned. I just got to thinking about it and thought it was odd. Anyone else live in an area where the bluegrass talent is outstanding?
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
I guess my buddie is famous. I googled his name and I got this deal. Seems like a couple others like Wayne. His mother makes the best christmas candy and brings me some every year. Good folks. Wayne needs a hair cut though. Looks like a hippy. :lol:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/wmassengale
 

TimH

Well-known member
Red Robin,
I'm a Bluegrass fan as well. I like all of it,whether it is played by the old masters or by a bunch of half-drunk "amatures" sitting around the kitchen table. It all sounds good to me.
It is surprising, but I have found that nearly anywhere you travel you can find some pretty good pickers. I've even run into them in construction and oil rig camps in the very far north. Guys will bring along their instruments and pretty soon there is a nightly jam session in camp. Even ran into some women, mostly cooks but a few equipment operators, that could really sing and/or play pretty well.
Bluegrass is the one type of music that,once you've caught the bug, it never leaves!!!! There are people pretty much everywhere that are "infected". :)
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
I always thought it was kind of local or at least regional. I've always liked it and personally I like it best, informal. Thanks for the info TimH.

I just went to that website , clicked on a song and am listening to it now. I didn't know you could do that. Shows what I know about computers. I knew you could listen to some things but not every song .
 

TimH

Well-known member
One of my favorite(I have about 100 favorites) Bluegrass recordings is "The Soundtrack from Deliverance" album. I had it on 8-track when I was a kid, and my sister managed to find a copy of it on vinyl for me a few years ago. Not sure if it is available on CD. Probably is.
I believe the players names are Eric Weisberg and Steve Mandell. I could be wrong,though.
Anyway, it is all instrumental. It has the classic Deliverance theme, but there is a tune called "Eight More Miles to Louisville" on it. EXCELLENT!!!
I might have to go dig it out and crank up the old turntable now!!! :)
 
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