June Apple

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 1921 Tubaphone tenor presentation grade deluxe pot, gold plated, with a neck custom-designed by me and built 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!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fred
• Coon
• banjo
• frailing
• clawhammer
• Tommy
• Jarrell
• Wade
• Ward
• Galax
• fiddle
• folk
• acoustic
• music

[fredcoonbanjo]

thank you

[guywolff]

So glad you got a chance to play with the "greats" . Bob was up here in Connecticut when I was trading off a banjo I had from Rodger S and got a Tubaphone with a Mike Allison neck . The Ome C , I traded in Bob faniced up I heard later . Have you seen what he's doing in California ?? Amazing work . All the best , Guy

[fredcoonbanjo]

I visited Bob in his home about two years ago. He is a good craftsman, isn't he? Take care...Fred

[jim8202]

That was nice,realy nice. Please put a load more stuff on,you guys sound great playing together.

[fredcoonbanjo]

Thanks for the nice compliment. Bill and I do enjoying playing together. Best friends too! Nice combo to have in one's life, don't you think?

Bill is a supurb banjo player and he makes great mandolins, banjos and guitars as well. His furniture is shipped all over the country and it is all hand made. He's a great guy.

[Clawhammerinfool]

Well done fellers! Sounds great!!!!

[fredcoonbanjo]

Thanks for the nice comment.

[esinomegatee]

Great..!

[redlizzardpoker]

thats very good playing misters

[1MartinD28]

thank you

[jedmarum]

Beauty!

I love it!!

[longchalk74]

I've just watched that for a 4th time......................Mesm­erising...Gonna watch again......Ty for posting.

[EEPIIFFAANNY]

Five stars ain't enough to rate this...I'm wishin' I had heard you guys before now...It's been forever since I went to a fiddler's convention...been trying to get back into pickin' myself on my banjo, but this is the sweetest music I ever heard on a five string...all of your stuff is, thanks fellers!

[banjorick5]

that is one nice sounding tubaphone, thanks for posting it.

Rick