banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  08:30:54

This article just came out in today's Spartanburg Herald-Journal:

Q&A: Longtime picker Frank Eastes shares 'Banjoy' <<-- click to read article

This was pretty cool. A few weeks ago I got a call out of the blue. I didn't solicit this article. They called me out of the blue! Pretty cool.

This is also in today's edition of the printed newspaper. In Spartanburg, this is about as good as it gets. I guess I'm famous now. Wooo Hooo. I'm still reading through the "Famous Peeps for Idiots" owner's manual though...

Today's my mom's 84th birthday (really, she was born March 1, 1928). She's tickled this came out on her birthday. So, I went and bought only 4 copies for my mom, since this ain't the cover of the Rolling Stones

banjoy = banjo + joy

Edited by - banjoy on 03/02/2012 07:19:51

Banjo to the power of infinity = banjoy

The Old Timer - Posted - 03/01/2012:  08:33:02

Congratulations! Bask in it!

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 03/01/2012:  08:33:56

Good for you, Frank.

bluegrassjunkie - Posted - 03/01/2012:  08:40:29

Congratulations Frank!

Happy Birthday to your mom too..

Edited by - bluegrassjunkie on 03/01/2012 08:42:27

Spitfire-Smith - Posted - 03/01/2012:  08:48:18

Right on buddy!

Nancy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:03:46

Hey Frank...I am right proud of you.

Nancy

banjomartin88 - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:08:30

Awesome!

RatLer - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:09:25

Congrats...

Prewargranada - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:10:20

Frank:

Congratulations on this great article.  You're a fine banjo player and deserve the accolades.

Keep on pickin'  !!!

Allen 

pickNgrin - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:15:56

That is really neat. Congrats, and thanks for spreading banjoy!

-matt

WalterVA - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:23:58

Congratulations on well-deserved recognition.  The reporter could have asked more questions, though.  The article was too short.

mtnpckr - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:29:34

Happy Birthday to "Mom" !

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:32:16

WOW thanks for all those kind words. Actually the article was longer than I though it would be! It was explained to me this section was a brief Q&A just to highlight the arts events and people in the community.

The writer, Dan Armonaitis, is very knowledgeable on the history of the roots music coming out of the Spartanburg area. We sat at a coffee shop for well over an hour and swapped stories about the area.

I mean, less than 1/4 mile from where we were sitting, Earl Scruggs used to play on WSPA-TV all the time. Then down the road about a mile of two, there was a feller named Don Reno, who also used to perform at WSPA-TV.

I mean I can go on about the rich history here. A mile from where we were sitting, the legendary Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland was discovered in front of Alexander Music House — the same music store I got my first (owned) violin from when I was 13 years old.

Then if you keep going down Main Street in Spartanburg a little further, you'd come to Converse, SC, where Bobby Thompson was born and raised. Buck Trent was born and raised in Arcadia not too far away. Dan just wrote a feature article about Buck Trent.

The cool thing is I know where all these places are. I've talked to folks in Buffalo,SC who knew Don Reno and tell all kinds of cool stories! I shared a few stories recently with Don Wayne Reno about his dad, at banjothon this past January.

Oh and let's not forget Leonard Skynard or Marshall Tucker Band, also from Spartanburg.

I am awed by the talent that has come out of this area.

. . . . talk about standing in the shadows / on the shoulders of giants (take your pick) ! ...

Edited by - banjoy on 03/01/2012 09:37:33

pickNgrin - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:37:54

And in the late 30s, Snuffy Jenkins​' banjo picking was beamed to the world from WSPA in Spartanburg. No doubt a 15 year old Earl Scruggs was listening!

-matt

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:41:07

quote:

---

Originally posted by pickNgrin

And in the late 30s, Snuffy Jenkins​' banjo picking was beamed to the world from WSPA in Spartanburg. No doubt a 15 year old Earl Scruggs was listening!

-matt

---

OMG I nearly forgot!!! I got to talk to Snuffy Jenkins a few times by phone, when he sold Chevrolets in Columbia, SC and I moved down there and had picked banjo about a year or less. I read about him in the Triska books, so picked up a phone and called him. He was a very nice fellow. I never did go and meet him in person. But you are right! He kind of was one of the sparks that lit the banjo fire for sure!!

Thanks Matt for mentioning Snuffy Jenkins!!

pickNgrin - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:56:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjoy

 

OMG I nearly forgot!!! I got to talk to Snuffy Jenkins a few times by phone, when he sold Chevrolets in Columbia, SC and I moved down there and had picked banjo about a year or less. I read about him in the Triska books, so picked up a phone and called him. He was a very nice fellow. I never did go and meet him in person. But you are right! He kind of was one of the sparks that lit the banjo fire for sure!!

Thanks Matt for mentioning Snuffy Jenkins!!

---

Now that is one of the coolest things I have read on the BHO in a long time! Do you remember what he told you?

-matt

Paul R - Posted - 03/01/2012:  09:58:19

Congratulations.

And I noticed that you spent the time talking about music and other musicians, and not about yourself. Good man.

retiredguy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:08:14

Congratulations on the write-up.  It is amazing the number of prominent musians that came out of this area. Seems like the tune "Dueling Bangos" was written by Arthur Smith here at WSPA. I may be wrong,it could have been WBT. Happy Birthday Mom.

OleRed - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:09:48

Yep, you're a local banjo celebrity now! Loved the article, read it all. You have played with some high profile people, but now you're high profile too, newspapers famous and all! Banjoy it, man! Save the article, it's something to really cherish and be proud of.

Happy birthday to your mom, I bet she's also proud to have her own copies of such a memorable moment. Good job, Frank!

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:12:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by pickNgrin

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjoy

OMG I nearly forgot!!! I got to talk to Snuffy Jenkins a few times by phone, when he sold Chevrolets in Columbia, SC and I moved down there and had picked banjo about a year or less. I read about him in the Triska books, so picked up a phone and called him. He was a very nice fellow. I never did go and meet him in person. But you are right! He kind of was one of the sparks that lit the banjo fire for sure!!

Thanks Matt for mentioning Snuffy Jenkins!!

---

Now that is one of the coolest things I have read on the BHO in a long time! Do you remember what he told you?

-matt

---

Hey Matt. I was about 18 years old that would have been 1978-79. I had picked banjo maybe for a year and moved to Columbia for about a year, until I was 19 or so. I was too green and clueless to understand the importance of who I was talking to or where it all fit in the big picture. I think we talked more about chevys than banjos! As much as I would like to recall the details, I can't recall much more than talking about chevys, I think I asked him about the pick guard on his banjo and he told me he had come up with it for whatever reason, and talking about him being in those banjo books by Trishka (and I think Wernick?) which he seemed appreciative of being recognized like that.  and he invited me to come on out and pick any time. Never did. Oh well. Young and stupid. Now I'm old and stupid! hahahaha. That's all I can remember from 33 years ago...

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:14:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by retiredguy

Congratulations on the write-up.  It is amazing the number of prominent musians that came out of this area. Seems like the tune "Dueling Bangos" was written by Arthur Smith here at WSPA. I may be wrong,it could have been WBT. Happy Birthday Mom.

 

---

OMG ANOTHER ONE I forgot!! You're right!! Arthur Smith wrote "feudin' banjos" that was later picked up and became the hit was all know about. I used to watch The Arthur Smith Show (I think it was on WSPA too?) growing up as a kid.

Kewl thanks for remembering another great one!!

Dr Ralph - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:31:30

Congratulations Frank

It's good to see someone's talent recognized & recorded

Say happy Birthday to your Mum from all us Bluegrass folk here in England 

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:37:55

I just called my mom and told her that folks from all over are wishing her a happy birthday! She is tickled beyond words!

Thanks everyone for your kindness!

--banjoy

pickNgrin - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:47:01

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  10:50:50

KEWL!!!! Matt is that map from where these cats were born?? I know that Don Reno was raised in Buffalo, SC, in Union County... I guess he was borne up in NC (please excuse my ignorance)?

Slowly bits and pieces of my memory of talking to Snuffy Jenkins are coming back! I remember now we talked about the Chevy Custom Deluxe model from the 1950s because a neighbor of mind had one he bought new and I got to drive it. As I recall Snuffy loved that model too.... ahhhh .... memories hahahahaha

yadayada - Posted - 03/01/2012:  11:02:57

that map would be a great poster to put up in your house. some entrepeneur out there should get on it! maybe sell it on the bho store.

pickNgrin - Posted - 03/01/2012:  11:20:21

I admit that I am somewhat ignorant of some of this great banjo history. I just looked Don up on Wikipedia. It said he was born and raised in Haywood County, NC. 

-matt

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  11:25:12

Don Reno was recently inducted into the Spartanburg Music Trail Hall of Fame. This article says he was born in Spartanburg, SC in 1926:

spartanburgmusictrail.com/musi.../don-reno

I guess that map needs to be updated!!

pickNgrin - Posted - 03/01/2012:  11:27:16

I just looked at wikipedia again... it says born in Buffalo, SC and raised in Haywood County, NC. For some reason I always though he was a NC boy.

-matt

randal morton - Posted - 03/01/2012:  11:33:34

Congratulations Frank! Great picture & article. You deserve it for the many years playing the banjo so well. Happy Birthday to your Mom too! I know she must be very proud of you. Your friend, Randal.

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  11:40:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by randal morton

Congratulations Frank! Great picture & article. You deserve it for the many years playing the banjo so well. Happy Birthday to your Mom too! I know she must be very proud of you. Your friend, Randal.

---

Randal coming from you this is a high compliment. You are and have always been one of my banjo heroes, I suppose truth be told.

Folks, many years ago when I lived in Memphis, way back in the mid-to-late 1980s, Randal was kind and gracious with this green banjo picker here. He opened my ears to more cool sounds than I could ever absorb. I'm still going through the materials you threw at me Randal! You're the first person who turned me on to Pat Cloud, Béla Fleck, Larry McNeely, all those cool banjo sounds. And you educated me about Bobby Thompson too.

Someday I'm going to get back to Memphis and pick with you again.

Your friend in banjo joy

Westvon - Posted - 03/01/2012:  12:16:09

Great article Banjoy!   Congratulations my friend!

banjogal12 - Posted - 03/01/2012:  12:28:37

Congratulations on the article.  Think it is awesome that it came out on your Mom's birthday.  I know she was bustin with pride.  Way to go!

Edited by - banjogal12 on 03/01/2012 12:30:44

jswkingsfield - Posted - 03/01/2012:  13:16:37

You already were famous to us!  Congrats for the recognition, what a nice present for your mom.  Happy Birthday to Mom of Banjoy!

Bwa908 - Posted - 03/01/2012:  13:28:42

That is awesome Frank!!!!!!!!!!

drgmj - Posted - 03/01/2012:  13:48:50

Congrats on the article

89red1500 - Posted - 03/01/2012:  14:28:31

wow there must be something in the water up there ,  congrats  banjoy, i used to go thru spartanburg to see my brother in marion  nc , i like that part of the country. 

maryzcox - Posted - 03/01/2012:  14:43:49

Congrats !

Mary Z Cox

maryzcox.com

mike gregory - Posted - 03/01/2012:  14:46:54

Famous, and you photograph nicely.

iSteve - Posted - 03/01/2012:  15:27:46

Frank, this is just so cool!  Congrats on the recognition.  Also, good wishes on your mother's birthday.

Steve

banjoy - Posted - 03/01/2012:  18:09:36

Thanks to everyone for your kindness... it really means a lot to me.

Since the article mentions that cool dobro player Monroe Queener I used to play with years ago, I thought I'd mention him here again and share some stuff about him. I picked with D. Stout and Monroe Queener from about 1985 to 1991. Here are a few photos of Monroe and a few audio clips. It's me on banjo, recorded late December 1990. The photos here are from the Tennessee State Archives:

A little about Monroe Queener — a cool old codger from the glory days of barn dance radio and TV

in East Tennessee. Monroe was a well know musical force in the area until his death in 1997.

 

Edited by - banjoy on 03/01/2012 18:11:15

Mexico (Queener Tapes)	Kansas City Kitty (Queener Tapes)	Dobro Waltz (Queener Tapes)	Isle of Dreams (Queener Tapes)
Monroe Queener	Larry McNeely onstage with Blue Valley Boys, 1968	Blue Valley Boys, LaFollette, Tennessee, 1969	Josh Graves & Monroe Queener at a Cas Walker event
Monroe Queener

gsdauria - Posted - 03/01/2012:  19:15:38

Well that aint nothen. I stayed at the Holiday inn express once. 

No seriously congratulations and Happy Birthday to your Mom. Enjoy her while you got her.

Roll Player - Posted - 03/01/2012:  23:05:04

Congratulations, Frank, and happy birthday to your mom!

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/02/2012:  04:44:02

Congrats and Happy Birthday to your Mom as well. Don't forget the world's fastest banjo player, Todd Taylor lives in Spartanburg........and though I'm not famous and never will be...;-) I graduated from Cowpens high school many years ago.

Tim

banjoy - Posted - 03/02/2012:  05:03:38

quote:

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Originally posted by chickenpickin

Congrats and Happy Birthday to your Mom as well. Don't forget the world's fastest banjo player, Todd Taylor lives in Spartanburg........and though I'm not famous and never will be...;-) I graduated from Cowpens high school many years ago.

Tim

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Oh yeah I know Todd Taylor. Just a few weeks ago I was with my mom at Wal-Mart, and bumped into Todd there, standing in line like me waiting to return an item. He turned around and recognized me by name!. Wooo Hoooo. Another banjo picker from Spartanburg!!

I'll go ahead and highlight a great banjo picker from Pacolet, SC, who is only now 18 or 19 and going to school at East TN State University Bluegrass School. Folks keep your eyes on Zack Carter, a really great traditional Scruggs picker from Spartanburg County! That kid's gonna go musical places, I tell you!

JanetB - Posted - 03/02/2012:  06:05:56

That article was really interesting, Frank.  Nice to see that joyful face, too.   Why don't they  make these emoticons with beards?  The infinity sign was a nice touch!  And there's nothing like an encouraging mother. 

Frisco Fred - Posted - 03/02/2012:  08:56:52

The back story... the front story...

...it's interesting to read the various roads you took and the people you met on your musical travels.

You're now, part of the bigger legacy

Cool... wear it well my friend

banjoy - Posted - 03/02/2012:  09:33:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frisco Fred

The back story... the front story...

...it's interesting to read the various roads you took and the people you met on your musical travels.

You're now, part of the bigger legacy

Cool... wear it well my friend

---

Wow. When you put it in that light and in those words, I am truly humbled by all this. I will do my best to honor and respect—and celebrate—the traditions that quite by coincidence (the unpredictable winds of life) have led me back to.

Thanks for those words FriscoFred.

banjoy - Posted - 03/03/2012:  14:26:00

WOW. In an earlier post here I mentioned Monroe Queener, this cool dobro player I picked with years ago....

WELL ...

It seems that Monroe's grandchildren caught wind of that, and they have been letting me know how much they appreciate that. So, I have made a blog about it.

My Blog about Monroe Queener and D. Stout

A few years ago I posted 25 audio tracks of a practice sessions with these guy recorded in 1990. I'm compiling an easy reference list to hear those recordings, and I'll update that blog when it's done.,,

This is all very humbling.

Edited by - banjoy on 03/03/2012 14:32:24