The High Lonesome Sound

On the Road with Darin and Brooke Aldridge

feeds@yuku.com (KeeneValleyGuy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:19:49 GMT

I've posted a blog entry called "On the Road with Darin and Brooke Aldridge." In addition to seeking to profile this fine young couple, I hope to provide a picture of the hard work and joys of being a touring bluegrass musician. The post covers five days in their week, during which they performed five times. Check it out. - Ted

Bones, Horns, Wood...Advice on Bridgepins and Strap Buttons...

feeds@yuku.com (razfcc) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:50:56 GMT

I have added two very sweet guitars to the fam lately and I want to add some strap buttons, bridgepins and endpins.

D-18VS:

She came with some dark wood bridgepins (one is cracked) and I don't think they are ebony or anything special. I would like to put matching bridgepins and a strap button. The binding is tor-tis with a small white line of boltran I guess. Any suggestions? I was thinking buffalo horn or bone. She came with a Martin installed pickup, so no...

The Morris Brothers at Conway (SC) Farmers Market

feeds@yuku.com (KeeneValleyGuy) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:35:13 GMT

I've posted another entry in the occasional series I like to call "Where Bluegrass Is." In these posts, I like to focus on small, local events that capture the real essence of the people's love of bluegrass music. While large festivals and standout touring bands often garner all the attention, it's at small events featuring bands you might never have ever heard or seen that the strength of bluegrass can be found. Enjoy this one. - Ted

Guitar position

feeds@yuku.com (Scottish Thistledown) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:29:11 GMT

I switched to playing in a more classical position awhile back, with the guitar resting on my left thigh - it allows me to keep on playing dreads (my favourite) without any shoulder pain.

I am now concentrating mainly on flatpicking - I don't want/need to be a star but I would like to be capable and play cleanly. Is this position going to make it any harder than it should be or is it just a case of "whatever works"?

:')

Old Time music DVD's...

feeds@yuku.com (rob) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:42:01 GMT

Has anyone seen either of these "movies"? What did you think? They look very, very interesting to me...

Why Old Time? - http://horsearcherproductions.com/whyoldtime.htm

Music for the Sky - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytUoymI4ZyE

Carolina Road Tenth Anniversary Homecoming - Preview

feeds@yuku.com (KeeneValleyGuy) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:15:27 GMT

I've posted a preview of the Carolina Road Tenth Anniversary Homecoming Festival to be held November 6-7, 2009 at the Burlington Ramada Inn in Burlington, NC. Performers will include bands containing as many Carolina Road alumni as could make arrangements to perform as well as a grand finale on Saturday made up entirely of band graduates and current members. Check it out. - Ted

My first MANDOLIN

feeds@yuku.com (Rec79) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:23:13 GMT

I´ve been bit by the mandolin-bug. I cab´t play a lick on the mandolin but I´m gonna learn. This beautiful Levin 325 is heading my way next week. I´ll probably have it on wednesday. It is built here in Sweden in 1949.

Here´s the specs.

Hand carved top & back.
Spruce top.
Flame maple back & sides.
Single-bound top with unbound f-holes.
Single-bound back.
Single-bound pickguard.
Single-bound headstock.
Flame maple neck with...

Bluegrass back tracks

feeds@yuku.com (terryf1960) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:09:05 GMT

I quite often use back tracks for country or blues and rock for practicing. I haven't seen any back tracks for Bluegrass. Does anyone have a link for downloading bluegrass backtracks?

Flat picking Bluegrass

feeds@yuku.com (terryf1960) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:02:47 GMT

I started out in Blue grass back in the late 70's early 80's when bluegrass was pretty big here in Canada. I evolved in to the country scene in the mid 80's around the time that Ricky Skaggs brought country and bluegrass together commercially.
Although I have played around with blue grass occasionally through the years I've mainly made a living and now a part time income playing country. Country has changed quite a bit through the 80's, 90's to present. I just...

Giggin with a D16GT

feeds@yuku.com (YesJB) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:43:44 GMT

I was wondering how many folks are pickin in bluegrass bands, jams, etc with the D-16GT.
Does it have the volume to cut through and be heard??

1 13/16 inch Nut on a Dread?

feeds@yuku.com (razfcc) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:37 GMT

I really like the specs on my 000-18NB....Does anyone know if there are Dreads out there that generally match these specs?

Short scale (24.9),
1 13/16 nut,
2 5/16 string spacing at the bridge
Modified V neck...

It seems to fall right in between a Ditson 111 and a D18VS. I know that Santa Cruz makes a knock off old Gibson short scale dred called the Vintage Southerner, but it has a 1 11/16 nut.

I am having a vision.....it is likely to involve a...

Does adding a strap button affect the value/playability of a guitar?

feeds@yuku.com (razfcc) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:43:28 GMT

I recently purchased a 000-18NB. Man do I love this guitar. I want to take care of it, but I also wanna play it. I would like to take it to local bluegrass jams. But I also intend to use it for some sit down fingerstyle (classical) stuff.

Some questions?

1. Will adding a strap button really "harm" the value of the guitar?
2. Where should I add the strap button? Back of the neck? Treble Side of the neck?
3. Will a treble side placement affect...

IBMA 2009 - Fan Fest - Friday Pt. II

feeds@yuku.com (KeeneValleyGuy) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:33:19 GMT

I've posted a second set of pictures from Friday at Fan Fest on my blog. I'll be doing the rest of Fan Fest, something on the awards show, and some other clean up over the next few weeks. Enjoy the trip. - Ted

Foggy Mountain Banjo back in print!

feeds@yuku.com (ac5aa) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:14:49 GMT

For those of you who might have been looking for this CD which has been out of print for a while now, Sony has just brought it back. The used market had gotten so bad that I've seen them on Ebay for hundreds of dollars (well, OK, that was for one signed by Earl). But it's not just a banjo album - the other band members are featured just as well - Josh Graves and Paul Warren are outstanding on this CD too. I just ordered mine from Amazon. My old tape copy died a few years ago.

It don't git no better innis!

feeds@yuku.com (BrazAd) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:58:44 GMT

Kathy Mattea and Tim O'Brien - good gravy, this is powerful.

The YouTube link is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIjj1mLa_38

The song is:

The Battle Hymn of Love

I will pledge my heart, to the...

Look out fellas....

feeds@yuku.com (FrankF2003) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:41 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/v/PdqTNxO-UzM&hl=en&fs=1&"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true">

VOX DA20 and Roland Street Cube Amp

feeds@yuku.com (razfcc) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:06:55 GMT

Has anyone had any experience with either of these Amps. I am looking for a small practice amp that I can also sing through in the $200 range. Any suggestions?

Flatpicking Essentials Vol 2

feeds@yuku.com (highground) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:26:28 GMT

From anyone studying Dan Miller's Vol 2, Flatpicking Essentials, Learning How To Solo, I would appreciate your opinion.... pros/cons

Hawaiian bluegrass ,etc, on youtube

feeds@yuku.com (pastorharry) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:22:40 GMT

Here's a short video that Caroline Wright took at the 1st campout/pickin' weekend on the Island of Oahu. Some of you might recognize the clown in the brown "Uncle Dave" t-shirt, sunglasses, and straw fedora hat playing old time banjo and guitar , and leading some singing at a few of the jams. Aloha, Y'all.....PH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UYzCRB1264

Help give me direction in guitar search, please.

feeds@yuku.com (Byrdmando) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:59:51 GMT

Hello all. First post.

Here is my "short" story. I am not a very good guitar player but I truly enjoy banging out some chords and singing songs for my wife and son (and they haven't asked me to stop yet). I own a 74 D18 that is a family heirloom that I absolutely hate. Plays like a 2x4. My best friend has lent me his 97? Santa Cruz D which I am in love with. Plays easy and is a cannon although it is more guitar than I could possibly need. Still, I would like to...