Playing Since: 2001
Experience Level: Purty Good

Interests:
[Jamming] [Socializing] [Helping]

Occupation: Sales

Gender: Male
Age: 79

My Instruments:
Cortez

Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Alison Krauss & Union Station, Blue Highway, Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver

Classified Rating: not rated
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Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 12/30/2007
Last Visit 1/2/2008

I started playing the Drums in my younger years and gave that up after playing smoke filled bars in the Pittsburgh area. Mostly Country & Country Rock. Working full time and playing just took its toll and I couldn't stand the smoke anymore. I always liked the Banjo sound. I say you cant play a sad song on a Banjo. I met a wild hairy character at a local pub close to where I llved. I was just learning, playing along with a local drunk when he walked in and started playing guitar & singing. He was just starting up a Blue Grass group and wanted me to join. I knew all of 3 chord positions. He booked us a job playing for a Maple Festival in Myersdale, Pa. I said, 'Are you nuts" , I only know 3 chords!. He said it didn't matter, this rest of the group would cover me. I was used to hiding behind a set of Drums and this was the first time I was on front stage. Freezing my #&# off in PA March weather but loving every minute of it. I was hooked. After a Season of playing a few bluegrass festivals, " The Guffey Hollow 23 String Band" found a banjo picker that could pick and had hair to match the rest of the group. I gave up the Banjo to get serious about making a living. I would pick it up a couple times a year and that was it. I moved to Mooresville NC in 2000. While my cousin was visiting in 2001, we stopped in a little coffee shop in the town of Mooresville and it had about a dozen pickers sittin around, just jammin. I've been there almost every Saturday morning since. It's open to anyone with an accustical instrument. We've had up to 24 muscians at one time at all levels. That's far too many and timming gets to be a problem but it's still fun. I play by ear and sometimes use a Melbay book just to learn a couple new chords. I hate to practice and don't profes to play any song the 'right" way but I enjoy what Im doing. I especilly enjoy watching people come in for the first time to get some coffee and see the expression on their faces when the music hits them. The muscians get free coffee and lots of thanks. If you ever find yourself in Mooresville, NC, look up Pat's Gormet Coffee Shop in town and bring your Banjo starting about 9Am every Saturday.