The Series
Conversations with North American Banjo Builders
I’ve always been fascinated with the banjo. What inspires me is how many others share my interest - there are over 70k members at banjohangout (dotorg). When I discover individuals that are creative, innovative builders and players of this historic, joyful instrument, I’m even more delighted. As of this writing, I’ve found 25.
I’ve always wanted to talk to banjo builders... not only to learn what makes a great banjo, but to understand what it is that makes these people so passionate about this instrument. As a 60th birthday present to myself, I decided to give myself permission to do just that. And there in lies my big adventure.
The North American Banjo Builder Documentary Series
The banjo’s roots are in Africa. It was introduced to the north before the Civil War. Today, player/luthiers have brought its state of development to an amazing art form while still paying homage to its historic roots.
This Documentary Series captures the philosophies and inspirations of 25 of today’s most passionate open-back banjo builders.
Your host:
Craig (frailin) Evans
Interviews with VOLUME 1 and 2 Banjo Builders are now available for immediate viewing for $4.00/show here.
Want to learn more? You can watch individual Programs with Pay-per-view: $4.00/Program
Available NOW!
Volume 1
DVD (3-disk set)
“Banjo Builders East of the Mississippi”
Features Builders: BIll Rickard, Jason Burns, Jeff Menzies, Greg Galbreath, Pete Ross, Bart Reiter, Lo Gordon and Tim Bardner, George Wunderlich, Mike Ramsey, Will Fielding, Chuck Lee, Kevin Enoch Doug Unger and Jim Hartel.
Volume 1 Bonus Tracks feature conversations with current banjo performers (i.e. Bruce Molsky, Paul Brown, Steve Arkin, Howard Bursen and Riley Baugus on what they look for in a banjo), observations of trends in banjo buying from Elderly’s Stan Werbin and Donald Zepp of Zepp Country Music and insights on today’s banjo building renaissance from ethnomusicologist Richard Jones-Bamman.
To place your order for Volume 1 now, use the “Buy Now” button.
“The most fascinating banjo people you will ever meet. Period.”
Conversations with North American Banjo Builders Series is now being carried by...
Note! This is for Volume 1!
Note! This is for Volume 2 ONLY! Shipped within 5 business days.
So in May of 2011, I started eastward... intent on capturing the images, thoughts and sounds of 14 of the 25 banjo builders I’ve selected to include in my documentary adventure. Volume 1 - Banjo Builders East of the Mississippi shipped in August of ’11. In October of 2011 and March of 2012, I traveled West and picked up the remaining 11 Builders. Volume 2 is now complete and shipped in May (2012). Volume 3 - Conversations with Banjo Historians is complete with a shipping date of January 2013.
All THREE Volumes are available for sale. You can even see a free show (further down the page).
You can follow the developments of the project here: http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/202324/1
Features Builders: John Bowlin, Greg Deering, Bob Flesher, Brooks Masten, Jason Mogi, Chuck Ogsbury, Mark Platin, Doc (Patrick) Huff, Jason and Pharis Romero, Bob Thornburg and Colin Vance.
Volume 2 Bonus Tracks features an interview with the builder of Banjo Hangout (dotorg), Eric Schange. This online forum is home to 70,000 banjo lovers worldwide!
To place your order for Volume 2 now, use the “Buy Now” button.
Note! This is for Volume 1 ONLY! Shipped within 5 business days.
This fascinating series of programs features tours of large private collections, discussions of yet-to-be-written banjo history and interviews with “living history” performers and teachers.
Ethnomusicologist Greg Adams discusses the 62 west African plucked lutes that contribute to today’s banjo. And vetted banjo researcher Bob Winans comments on what we have yet to learn.
Other interviews include Dr. Laurent Dubois. CeCe Conway, Bob Carlin, Taj Mahal, Adam Hurt, Dwight Diller, Kevin Fore and Ulf Jagfors.
Volume 3 also includes a personal tours of Jim Bollman’s and Peter Szego’s extraordinary banjo collections.
Available NOW!
Volume 2
DVD (3-disk set)
“Banjo Builders West of the Mississippi”
Available NOW!
Volume 3
DVD (3-disk set)
“Conversations with Banjo Historians”
Note! This is for Volume 3
ONLY!
Shipped within 5 business days.
Ireland, Sweden, Canada, Greece, Iceland, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, Russia, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Norway, Hong Kong, Germany, Israel, France, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Japan, Mexico
Internationally shipping to these counties ONLY.
Write me if you’re elsewhere. frailin@mac.com
Copyright 2011-2012. All Rights Reserved.
Contact: Craig Evans - frailinflix Productions - frailin@mac.com
5/11/12 - Yesterday afternoon I picked up the DVDs of Volume 2 - Banjo Builders WEST of the Mississippi. Since I'm almost out of the (second) run of the "original" DVDs of Volume 1, I had some of those produced, too (you can see the new packaging design of those in my right hand). If you still want an original, I'm down to about a dozen.
The orders are now all packaged up and ready to take to the Post Office (they're expecting me Monday morning at 7A). So by the end of the week, most of you should have what I'm holding here in YOUR hands. I'm really excited for you to see/meet this incredible group of amazing human beings.
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So here they now are... Two Volumes of Conversations with 25 North American Banjo Builders. And my original journey - started the 17th of March in 2011 - is now complete.
Happy 60th Birthday to me!!
As you may recall, I set out to find answers. And I do have findings to report: "Yes. Through the work of their hands, the Banjo Builders know they're adding joy to the world." And they clearly do it for love, not money. That makes it even more meaningful. What a remarkable group of people. And what an incredible adventure I had. Thank you all for sharing it with me.
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And now I'm on to the "reprise" - Conversations with Banjo Historians. This new adventure is already looking to be another heck of a fun ride. I'll have more updates to talk about and show in a few weeks. But for right now, I'm going to go watch a few of the past year's travel movies with my incredibly patient and supportive wife. I'm going to be introducing her to some of my delightful new "old" friends. And I'm also going to take a few moments to say "thank you God" for one more blessed day in the sun.
And thank you, my friends, for your ongoing support of my journey.
Craig
And finally...
Here’s an excerpt (the music video) that ends
the Banjo Builder Series. It’s found in the “Festivals” program on Volume 3. I experienced many wonderful people, learnings and events throughout this adventure, but none touched me as deeply as the story of “calendas”... where the slaves gathered to sing, dance and tell stories. This clip tells more.
Click on pic
