Somewhere in the early 1960's, I "discovered" the fiddler's convention at Galax, VA. My first year, I checked into the Hotel Galax and then headed to the other side of town towards the ballpark where it was originally held.

As I drove through town, on the right I passed the courthouse and on the lawn were five older (ha, ha - near my age now) gentlemen were playing music.

I took my banjo from the car, went over to listen and one of them asked me to sit and play. I did. One of them had what I thought was a funny little boler hat on and I had never seen one before. Anyway, it was a few years later before I discovered who they "were" and their significance to oldtime music. As a kid, to me, they were just some really nice, kind and thoughful men who would play with a young man who was forging his style of banjo. I will never forget them or that fateful afternoon at the courthouse.

They were, "Uncle" Wade Ward, Tommy Jarrell, Fred Cockerham, L.W. Lambert and Oscar Wright.

I saw them and played with them each year at Galax and always looked forward to the time I could spend learning from them and just sharing the music. I am so grateful.

On this tune, I am joined again by my friend, Bill Burke, who really does play clawhammer style and I thought I would share this tune with you so that you could see the difference in my one-finger style and Bill's drop-thumb clawhammer style.

The "fancy" banjo I'm playing is a 1924 tubaphone tenor presentation grade deluxe pot with a neck custom designed by me and made by Bob Flesher some 25 years ago. It is a shame you cannot see the intricate detail of the pearl engraving. It remains the fanciest and most detailed engraving Bob has ever done, before or since.

Thanks for listening! (less info)