On July 6th 2005, John Grimm of the Georgia Potlickers and the Georgia Mudcats and Craig Evans of Singleton Street and the Eelpout Stringers - a couple of old-timey music buffs - got together in the back room of Vintage Music, John's cozy shop in Dahlonega, to lay down a few favorite tunes. The goal was not for some commercial wealth (way up in the tens of dollars), not even to be incredibly fancy and polished. But rather to kick around some melodies and share in the passion and excitement of this great, timeless music. So far, a few of the 6 or so tracks recorded that night have been mixed down and we're hopeful our friend John Salmon at Sugar in the Gourd (dotcom) will give us some airtime (thanks John!). So who knows. If enough people stop by this site and tell us they like what they hear, we might even consider producing a whole CD.
After all, tens of dollars are at stake.
One Night in Dahlonega...
You can buy John's Georgia Potlickers and Georgia Mudcats CDs at Vintage Music at 37 Park St. South, Dahlonega, Ga 30533 - (706) 864-2682, or order toll free at 1-800-326-9188 or you can stop by County Sales or Elderly Instruments.
This is "Almost Live," Singleton Street's first CD recorded in 2004. If you want a copy, you'll have to write me (we're almost out).
You can listen to a few cuts below.
"He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God."
Psalm 40:3
On the recording, John was playing an incredible turn-of-the century Maggini fiddle. Craig was playing "Faith," a favorite banjo made for him by Lo Gordon of Cedar Mountain Banjos.
I'm a much noiser player than most clawhammer folks. That's because I use the drum head as just that... a drum! I often get asked how I produce the heavy percussive sounds that accompany the notes. First, this style of play is not exclusive to me. I picked it up from Dwight Diller. Dwight can get at least 4 distinct percussion sounds off the head. I've studied this by listening to Arkansas Traveler and Turkey in the Straw on his Just Banjo '99 CD. Here's what I learned.
1. Thumping or rapping comes from the back of the knuckles on the middle and ring fingers (and partially the pinkie nail). I do this a LOT and have the calouses to prove it!
2. Snare drum raps come from fingernails on middle, ring and pinkie.
3. Snare drum brush strokes come from dragging the same 3 fingernails across the drum head (short strokes).
4. Tapping comes from the pad (end of finger) on the same 3 digits.
What's right for you.
"Banjo Voice Continuum"
12/06 - The Eelpout Stringers (Nick, Loyd, Karl and me) decided to get creative and make a CD as a Christmas present for friends and family. You can hear what that sounds like on banjohangout.
ANNOUNCING the 12/07 RELEASE of SINGLETON STREET's GOSPEL CD,
"Wingin' It"!!
After 3 years in planning, Singleton Street is proud to announce the December '07 release of our Gospel CD, "Wingin' It!"
CD cover art by the lovely Ms. DeAnne!
"Wingin' It!" is available at these FINE online retailers:
Sound files, SCHEDULES and fun pics HERE (www.myspace.com/singletonstreet)
Singleton Street is Sherri and Chuck Leyda, Jimmy Newkirk on bass and me on banjo.
MORE videos of "Wingin' It!" songs performed at our 2/23CD Release Concert at Rosemount UMC.
Red Clay Halo
By the Mark
I Saw the Light
The Harvest
During the introduction of this beautiful song, Chuck talks about his children... and autism. This is a part of why we carry messages of hope about this baffling condition.
