Playing Since: 2007
Experience Level: Just Startin'

Occupation: Engineer

Gender: Male
Age: 57

My Instruments:
Ramsey Fairbanks Electric, "Zeppified" Deering Goodtime Open-Back & my new toy....a A.C. Fairbanks "Special"

Classified Rating: not rated
Rate this Member

Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 10/10/2007
Last Visit 4/2/2015

As a kid I grew up spending a good part of my summers (1980’s) at the “Hillbilly Campground & Country Music Barn” in Maggie Valley, NC. Since my Uncle owned the place my Dad and I (along with other family members) would spend a lot of time there visiting and listening to bluegrass in the Country Music Barn.

In the beginning I was young and didn’t really know what bluegrass music was all about. I enjoyed watching and listening to the music but at the time it didn’t “grab” me. Also at that time, I didn’t realize how lucky I was to be around and become close friends with such great talents like “Raymond Fairchild” (who played in the Country Music Barn during those years).

But those years quickly passed by and my Uncle ended up selling the establishment (retiring). After this I also moved on to college, which led to a career in Civil Engineering (Transportation Design). I got married and my life was set. But as the years went by I started to notice myself being interested in Bluegrass music (once again). Little did I know that all of those years growing up around Bluegrass Music that it would find its way back into my life.

I purchased my first banjo (a Deering Goodtime openback) in February 2005 from the “One” Donald Zepp. At that time I had it in my mind that I would learn to play “Bluegrass Banjo”. I picked up Bluegrass Banjo Method by Jack Hatfield and gave it a shot. I messed around with it over a couple on months but didn’t get anywhere. I stopped and the next thing I knew two years had went by. It was then that I made my mind up once and for all that I would get serious about learning to play. But something had changed over those two years……I developed a love for the sound of “Clawhammer Banjo”!

I gave Donald Zepp a call June 2007 and set up my first “Clawhammer” lesson. I’ve been at it ever since.