steve davis - Posted - 04/05/2012:  13:03:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by Polle Flaunoe



 

 

"The Dance Around The Golden Calf"

Have any of you by the way noticed, that Barney McKenna - the Godfather of Irish Style banjo playing - far more important than Earl in a global sense/context - has also left Planet Earth lately?

Will his banjos get the same interest?

So who´s next?  Me and my B&D Silver Bell Ne Plus Ultra´s?

Polle

 

I've never heard of that fellow or play his style of banjo,probably.

Does he have a hangout of his style on the internet with 70,000 followers?

 

 

---

Emiel - Posted - 04/05/2012:  14:23:25

Barney McKenna has a whole lot of followers. He invented and popularized the Irish style of tenor banjo playing...

Robxx - Posted - 04/05/2012:  23:17:47

There are obviously not as many Irish people in America as I imagined,  it's very sad , but thank you for your input Emiel and Polle, and the few others who have commented.   I will give the Hangout a rest for some time now.

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 04/06/2012:  02:42:28

Rob,

Don´t let ignorants take away your good spirit - do recall the 200+ years old saying:

"Against Stupidity the Gods Themselves Contend in Vain"

Millions and millions (if not billions - LOL!) of broadminded people all over the world are aware of and do appreciate the fantastic Barney McKenna.

He had a tremendous influence on various modern folk music styles worldwide - as did Earl Scruggs for sure on the BG music style in USA.

Polle

BANJO TONY - Posted - 04/06/2012:  14:58:35

lets just say if you were to give that bano to any top player do you really really think it would sound the same ?,I don't it was Earls soul that made the music not the banjo.glad I have a lot of his records & cd's & I saw him 2 times at BB Kings in Manhattan I will allways remember that.

privard - Posted - 04/06/2012:  22:07:05

I don't find this topic to be in the least disrespectful, inappropriate or ghoulish. Any one of us on this site who claim to not have this thought cross their mind is being disingenuous at best.

I for one am not a fan of musical instruments in museums, no matter their provenance. Instruments are designed to emit sound, and keeping one in perpetual silence is disrespectful to the instrument and its maker(s) both. So, may Earl's Granada find its way into the hands of someone who can play it well, and may it continue to ring out in memory of its most famous player.

BANJO TONY - Posted - 04/07/2012:  04:32:08

Good morning,if any one is out there wfdu-fm 89.1 is playing Earls music right now ! so you can listen on the radio if you live in northern N.J or NYC/Queens,not to far & out on Long Island.if not tune in on your computer & enjoy Earl,remember thats what he would have wanted !!!. have a nice Easter & God Bless.

beegee - Posted - 04/07/2012:  06:10:36

Maybe they should rotate the banjo among "deserving" young pickers...share the wealth, if you will. Hasn't Sonny loaned his banjo to certain other people at different times?

naw...bad idea. Then we'd have people fighting over the privilege. Maybe it should just be parted out...naw, bad idea.

Maybe we should just stop obsessing and think about something we can actually have some control over. Good idea....

lazyarcher - Posted - 04/07/2012:  08:00:55

As a tribute to the musician Earl, a recording using his Granada would be I think be a lasting memory that he would have approved of.

Players such as Larry Perkins, Sonny Osborne, Dave Talbot, JD Crowe, Bill Emerson, etc etc could each do one song.

What a recording that would be...and what a beautiful remembrance of the man and the instrument.

Have the profits go to a cause such as funding for music programs, Musicians against Cancer....etc etc.

banjomartin88 - Posted - 04/07/2012:  09:45:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

As a tribute to the musician Earl, a recording using his Granada would be I think be a lasting memory that he would have approved of.

Players such as Larry Perkins, Sonny Osborne, Dave Talbot, JD Crowe, Bill Emerson, etc etc could each do one song.

What a recording that would be...and what a beautiful remembrance of the man and the instrument.

Have the profits go to a cause such as funding for music programs, Musicians against Cancer....etc etc.

---

Edited by - banjomartin88 on 04/07/2012 09:46:43

stevena - Posted - 04/07/2012:  14:56:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

As a tribute to the musician Earl, a recording using his Granada would be I think be a lasting memory that he would have approved of.

Players such as larry perkins, Sonny Osborne, Dave Talbot, JD Crowe, Bill Emerson, etc etc could each do one song.

What a recording that would be...and what a beautiful remembrance of the man and the instrument.

Have the profits go to a cause such as funding for music programs, Musicians against Cancer....etc etc.

drew-gurbach - Posted - 04/08/2012:  10:01:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by stevena

 

 

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

As a tribute to the musician Earl, a recording using his Granada would be I think be a lasting memory that he would have approved of.

Players such as larry perkins, Sonny Osborne, Dave Talbot, JD Crowe, Bill Emerson, DREW GURBACH,etc etc could each do one song.

What a recording that would be...and what a beautiful remembrance of the man and the instrument.

Have the profits go to a cause such as funding for music programs, Musicians against Cancer....etc etc.

---

banjomartin88 - Posted - 04/08/2012:  16:12:55

You guys are putting bold in the wrong place. 

SWCooper - Posted - 04/08/2012:  16:28:18

Huh. That sound didn't come out of that Granada. It came out of Earl. He could pick up any banjo in the room and sound exactly the same.

Let his kids hold onto it or put it in a museum or whatever. It's never going to sound like that again.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 04/08/2012:  17:06:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by SWCooper

Huh. That sound didn't come out of that Granada. It came out of Earl. He could pick up any banjo in the room and sound exactly the same.

Let his kids hold onto it or put it in a museum or whatever. It's never going to sound like that again.

---

Amen!

The old story of Bill Monroe being interviewed and the interviewer was inquiring about the great monetary value placed on his mandolin. The interviewer asked Bill, ' What makes your mandolin worth so much?" Bill's reply was "These hands".  Truer words were never spoken regarding the instruments of  Mr. Monroe and Mr. Scruggs.

Ken

JMalmsteen - Posted - 04/08/2012:  17:36:51

Ken, I fully agree with you that the player makes the instrument. I still would love to see Earl's Granada next to Bill's mandolin. I would also hope that the instruments would be played at special events by players skilled enough to do these instruments justice.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 04/08/2012:  17:52:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by JMalmsteen

Ken, I fully agree with you that the player makes the instrument. I still would love to see Earl's Granada next to Bill's mandolin. I would also hope that the instruments would be played at special events by players skilled enough to do these instruments justice.

---

I just want to see Earl's wishes fulfilled - whatever they were. This time to me is all about Earl and his memory, character, and gift to us.

Ken

stevena - Posted - 04/08/2012:  18:50:17

I can't help but think of Roger Ebert when I read this thread. Here's a quote from him.

" I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear, he writes in a journal entry titled "Go Gently into That Good Night." I hope to be spared as much pain as possible on the approach path. I was perfectly content before I was born, and I think of death as the same state. What I am grateful for is the gift of intelligence, and for life, love, wonder, and laughter. You can't say it wasn't interesting. My lifetime's memories are what I have brought home from the trip. I will require them for eternity no more than that little souvenir of the Eiffel Tower I brought home from Paris."

​

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 04/08/2012:  21:07:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by SWCooper

Huh. That sound didn't come out of that Granada. It came out of Earl. He could pick up any banjo in the room and sound exactly the same.

Let his kids hold onto it or put it in a museum or whatever. It's never going to sound like that again.

---

 youtube.com/watch?v=95HSA1Qy8I4

DantheBanjoMan - Posted - 04/08/2012:  22:48:30

It isn't our banjo and it isn't our decision.  Presumably the family owns it, and we should respect whatever decision they make. 

Vapor - Posted - 04/09/2012:  06:01:10

You are so correct Ira.

Emiel - Posted - 04/09/2012:  07:36:37

quote:

---

Originally posted by Vapor

You are so correct Ira.

---

That may well be, but that's no reason why this great banjo couldn't be played by someone else and made sound great in a somewhat different way. The banjo had one ore more owners before Earl too, who played it.

wuzapicker - Posted - 04/09/2012:  12:29:07

I've heard some pickers who came incredibly close to the sound Earl Scruggs drew from his Granada or even that RB4 he is said to have recorded Ground Speed with for the the "Foggy Mountain Banjo" album. So I don't doubt that someone can get the same sound, but why is that important?

Mr. Scruggs' definitive sound is documented by very many recordings. With due respect, even he didn't get that same sound in his latter years.

Frankly, there is so little left of the original Scruggs' Granada that is visible from the outside. Still, it is Mr. Scruggs' favorite banjo of the many he owned. Thus I would be just a pleased to see it behind glass at the Earls Scruggs Center at Shelby, NC. If it was never played again it would be fitting. At least having it enshrined behind glass at a known location would dissuade unscrupulous builders from passing off their fakes as the original.

bob chappell - Posted - 04/10/2012:  03:22:28

I've often wondered, what would the banjo landscape be like today if Earl had played a Bacon & Day from the start?

Gymbal31 - Posted - 04/10/2012:  08:28:15

There's a story that was told of Donnie Bryant, when he was going to fill in for Earl after the car accident.  Earl wanted Donnie to use his Granada.  Donnie tried to play it but just couldn't.  There was something about the action and set-up.  So Donnie just went ahead and played his own banjo for the time he was playing with the Foggy Mountain Boys.

So don't assume just anyone can play that Granada.

wuzapicker - Posted - 04/10/2012:  09:05:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by bob chappell

I've often wondered, what would the banjo landscape be like today if Earl had played a Bacon & Day from the start?

---

The landscape would be really different.  B&D Silver Bells are a mainstay among 4-string banjo enthusiasts.

In an old Pickin' Magazine article the same subjective question was put by George Gruhn regarding Paramount banjos.  Personally I think there is a reason Fisher Hendley and DeWitt (Snuffy) Jenkins preferred Flathead Mastertones.  Even Charlie Poole who was contemporary with those gentlemen yet appears to have had no influence on either of them acquired a Mastertone in 1927.  Surely it was a matter of the sound.

B&D Silver Bells are fine banjos, and they were quite expensive new.  Nevertheless many serious players had them - even 5-strings. Mr. Day himself was a classical banjoist.  In the mid 1970's a friend of mine had a beater B&D Silver Bell tenor restored and converted to five string to play Bluegrass.  It sounded really different.  Silver Bells ring, they don't pop like a Mastertone.

Interestingly, I know a tenor banjoist who had a modern 3lb Mastertone flathead ring and 3-ply rim installed in a B&D Silver Bell No.1 tenor.  He uses it to play Dixieland in a semi-pro band based out of Contra Costa County, CA.  It punches out really strong but it doesn't sound like the Silver Bell it looks.

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 04/10/2012:  10:37:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gymbal31



1.)  There's a story that was told of Donnie Bryant, when he was going to fill in for Earl after the car accident.  Earl wanted Donnie to use his Granada.  Donnie tried to play it but just couldn't.  There was something about the action and set-up.  So Donnie just went ahead and played his own banjo for the time he was playing with the Foggy Mountain Boys.

 2.)  So don't assume just anyone can play that Granada.

---

1.)  Probably true.   Earl liked his action set very high by most player's standards, and most of us would have no doubt found his Grenada quite difficult to play under those circumstances.

2.)  Why?   Setups are easy to change. 

~Pete

monstertone - Posted - 04/10/2012:  13:49:19

Personally, I can see no more fitting place for a good forgery of Earl's banjo than behind glass. As for the genuine article, I would assume Earl's wishes were much the same the rest of us share for our own banjo(s). Pass it down through the family with the hope that someone will play it with the same passion as it's Master.

JD

gharrison - Posted - 04/12/2012:  09:48:25

Good question!



I hope Earl's banjo still gets played. Hopefully, he's made arrangements similar to the ones made by the great guitarist Charles Sawtelle of Hot Rize. Before Charles died, he asked Nick Forster (bass player in the band), to choose an up-and-coming bluegrass guitarist to "lend" his 1937 Martin to. His only stipulation.....it had to be someone who would respect the instrument.



Nick chose Chris Eldridge, who now plays Charles' Martin on-stage with The Punch Brothers. Thanks to his wisdom and generosity, this great guitar will be heard by thousands of people for many years to come.

 

Edited by - gharrison on 04/12/2012 09:49:21

Baltimonkey - Posted - 04/15/2012:  11:48:13

National treasure? Sure. But it's a family treasure. To me the biggest worry is how Randy and Gary will keep it secure. A museum it probably the best security, and lends to the whole "national treasure" thing, but I think everyone needs to realize that this is a FAMILY treasure. Family is always the most important thing.

DHutchens - Posted - 04/15/2012:  16:04:04

I cannot say what I think.....as it will probably get "locked" as many of my other post have.........      :(    Similar to the Soviet phone book of years ago...No Problem ......You can have a phone but you cannot have your neighbors's number....that thing call "Communication" it is powerful and ...........,.... and along with it comes "Truth".....It scares the heck out of some people.....

Edited by - DHutchens on 04/15/2012 16:05:24

Gymbal31 - Posted - 04/15/2012:  16:29:45

I heard a rumor that Eric is going to raffle it off next month to members of the Banjo Hangout Union.  So better join up now!

stevena - Posted - 04/15/2012:  17:16:05

Could be like Ralph's banjo...... 473 of them! :)

grich - Posted - 04/15/2012:  18:24:23

This is going to be a big shock to Gary and Randy Scruggs ..... and most of you !

Earls banjo will soon become the property of Gibson Guitars as stated in the new contract agreement between Earl Scruggs and Gibson Gibson . Earl was paid an undisclosed amount for his banjo in advance as well as a new royalty fee of $150 for every ES model banjos produced that bears his name. Gibson can use the banjo for R&D , advertising , display or offer it for resale in the event that the Earl Scruggs model banjos don't meet the required sales or production numbers specified in the new contract.

Gibson can also produce his banjo under the Epiphone and Flatiron brand names 

If the family doesn't know this they soon will and don't you know what's going to hit the fan ......

Breakout the popcorn and sit back because it's going to be a wild time in Nashville soon enough !

had you going there for a minute .....

Edited by - grich on 04/15/2012 18:25:23

daz - Posted - 04/16/2012:  05:34:43

W@%&er

sehatfield - Posted - 04/16/2012:  06:17:23

And it's not even April 1st.......................

Polle Flaunoe - Posted - 04/16/2012:  06:36:36

Greg,

Thanks for the laughter - I love your approach towards all-banjo stuff!

Polle

nittio - Posted - 04/16/2012:  09:31:15

Did you stay up all night thinking of that one ?????????

pick1936 - Posted - 04/16/2012:  14:38:20

Not  to  e  disrespectful   to  Earl.  I  love  all  his  music.  I  have  almost  all  his  music,  Including  His  pickin  on  His  old  R.B 11    But  Between  His  Gibson,  and Don  Reno's    I  would   choose  Don's,  Because  it  is  pretty  much  original..   Earl's  has  had  I  think?  at  least  3  different  necks,  on  it,  and  the one  one  it now  is  not  original.   Still  Thou  Earl's   and  Don's   are  the  two best  Out  there, Oh  wait  Their  a  still  Sonny's  Granada,  ad  Oh  wait  some  (GREAT banjo's   owned  By  Jim  Mllls.    Gibson  was  Great back  in  the  day.

Nechille.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  kelso

Baltimonkey - Posted - 04/16/2012:  20:42:59

wow - that had me REALLY pissed for a second... good one... totally twisted, but def had me going.

quote:

---

Originally posted by grich

 

This is going to be a big shock to Gary and Randy Scruggs ..... and most of you !

 

Earls banjo will soon become the property of Gibson Guitars as stated in the new contract agreement between Earl Scruggs and Gibson Gibson . Earl was paid an undisclosed amount for his banjo in advance as well as a new royalty fee of $150 for every ES model banjos produced that bears his name. Gibson can use the banjo for R&D , advertising , display or offer it for resale in the event that the Earl Scruggs model banjos don't meet the required sales or production numbers specified in the new contract.

 

Gibson can also produce his banjo under the Epiphone and Flatiron brand names 

 

If the family doesn't know this they soon will and don't you know what's going to hit the fan ......

 

Breakout the popcorn and sit back because it's going to be a wild time in Nashville soon enough !

 

 

 

 

 

had you going there for a minute .....

 

---

JNHOLTBANJO - Posted - 04/16/2012:  21:08:55

I just hope the banjo goes where Earl wanted it to go! Now, I think I'll go listen to it ring out on the old records!

larry p - Posted - 04/16/2012:  23:16:35

LazyArcher- It's INCREDIBLY eerie how very insightful your post is regarding Earl's 9584-3 banjo nearly quoted some of the wishes and aspirations I heard him express about his banjo 'word for word'...

Banjomartin88- Thanks so much for your kind words-but I know and feel quite sensibly that I'm not worthy on ANY level to play Earl's banjo again-never was for that matter....Don't think I could even if I were to be hypnotized and somehow entranced into thinking I ought to be playing it, for innumerable reasons..I enjoyed playing Earl's banjo while he was here, and wouldn't trade the world and all it's gold for the treasured memories I have of he and I swapping banjos around, and the thrill I got when he or Louise would ask me to 'fix it'-but the reason for these thrills and priceless memories is Earl and Louise Scruggs and our Friendship-NOT a banjo...I think SWCooper nailed it down just right: That mystical, elusive 'sound' that so many of us have aspired to came THROUGH Earl Scruggs: Gibson Granada #9584-3 just happened to be a banjo he felt he comfortable expressing himself through. I'm of the opinion that Earl Scruggs would have had the same impact on our world of art whether he'd chosen to paint, write novels, produce films, or play the trumpet, piano, drums, steel guitar, or the old used Granada with melted rosin all over it that he traded Don Reno out of years ago..

For those of you who've graciously emailed and encouraged me to 'weigh in' on this thread, here's my 'two cent's worth': Someone has Earl's 9584-3 Granada banjo now. It's my fervent hope and prayer that the banjo is bringing joy, comfort, peace, and inspiration to whoever has it....I have a feeling they're going to need it a lot more than any of us will, and the question that really intrigues me now is, 'What are WE going to do with OUR banjos?'

grich - Posted - 04/16/2012:  23:57:20

I got a postcard from Earl Scruggs today ................ 

Tomcat - Posted - 04/19/2012:  06:51:50

That snot funny!..... snot at all..... ok is that light gauge or medium gauge stringys bwahahaha

5 finger ninja - Posted - 04/20/2012:  11:59:22

they should make an all star tribute album with all songs recorded played on Earls granada! Id buy the cd...

boulderfolkie - Posted - 05/24/2012:  10:52:51

I just consigned Ian Tyson's 1970 Martin D-45 at fhe Old Town Pickin' Parlor rather than send it to the Canadian Hall Of Fame. It should be played, not gather dust. Same goes for banjos but, sadly, Pete's will probably end up in a museum.......

1xsculler - Posted - 05/24/2012:  15:15:47

I think Earl's Granada should be kept behind glass in the Country Music Hall of Fame and taken out for special benefit concerts to be played by some of the current greats from time to time.

Sheldon - Posted - 05/24/2012:  18:22:12

If you offer enough $$$$ for it I'm sure it can be yours . . . Everything has a price.

Sheldon

Goldstarman - Posted - 05/25/2012:  06:54:14

I had heard it was left to a friend of Earls who to my knowledge doesnt play the banjo even but is in the music industry....could be wrong though?