Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes

Subject: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: GUEST,--seed(charleskratz)
Date: 07 May 06 - 03:19 PM

Note number one: Last night I decided to go to the Midwest Banjo Camp in East Lansing, Michigan, which has a great lineup of teachers, particularly (from my point of view) of old time styles. It's June 2-4, and I'll probably fly into Detroit on the 1st and drive to Lansing.
Anyone else attending?

Note number two:   I received another invitation to attend the camp as a result of having purchased from Elderly a Renaissance head to replace the skin head on a Slingerland I have, with an A scale 5-string neck. The skin head had a great tone but not enough volume for my taste, and when the Renny arrived yesterday I immediately took off the old and put on the new (I was surprised by how quickly I managed to get the job done--the key being that for a head bolt wrench I used a screwdriver with two replaceable double ended shafts (four screwdriver heads) that fit into the two ends of a sleeve which fits into the ample handle. The sleeve is like a socket with two different size hexagonal sockets, one of which was perfect for the bolts on the Slingerland.   

Note number three: After I had replaced the head, I installed a no-knot tailpiece I had also just received from Elderly, then restrung the banjo and decided to take it and show it to my clawhammer teacher, Jim Carr, at the Fifth String, Jim Hyatt's store. I also packed my dogs into the car so I could stop off at the dog park on the way home (see my dogs in my album at banjosnbluegrass.com).   

Note number four: After talking to Jim Carr a few minutes, I headed for the park, got my dogs out of the car and the Slingerland out of the trunk, and entered the park, freeing the dogs from their leashes. I spoke with a few people, some of whom I knew, and when one of the tables cleared of its people and dogs, I grabbed my banjo and leashes and headed for it. A young woman came to the table at the same time, and when I pulled the banjo out of its gig bag, said she was a banjo picker too. I tuned the banjo--new strings, remember--and handed it to her. She was right--she could play, a very unique clawhammer style that for some songs featured a thumb lead, and, althought the banjo was tuned in open A, her first few tunes were modal (Cluck Old Hen, Reuben's Train, Shady Grove). She also had a very sweet mountain singing style and voice--she said she used to be in a group with two or three other women, but had since moved to Oregon. We passed the banjo back and forth for about an hour, and toward the end I invited her to join my Monday night group and she seemed excited to do so, and will--if she can convince the friends with whom she's travelling to stay a day or so. Her name, if I remember it correctly and can guess the correct spelling, is Kaya--maybe some of you know her.

Note number five: I have a perfectly good 10 3/4 inch mounted Slingerland calfskin head now sitting in the box the Renny came in from Elderly. If anyone has a 10 3/4 inch pot and would like to try a skin head on it, send me a note and an address offline, and I'll ship it off to you via USPS.   

Charles

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: chazkratz
Date: 07 May 06 - 11:06 PM

I'm beginning to feel like the invisible man--I've posted this message on three forums so far--and this is the first response to it (me, responding to myself). I also posted another related one here (--seed heads to michigan) and it, too, is sittiing lonesome. I'm refreshing this one so maybe someone will check it out before it drops off the current list. I was kind of hoping someone else from the Mudcat might be going to the workshop.

Charles (--seed) Kratz

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 08 May 06 - 12:00 AM

Not going, but can you tell us more about it? Web link?

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: Azizi
Date: 08 May 06 - 01:28 AM

Well you are kinda invisible but we all are since I don't think that anyone can see folks who are typing out these posts-but with homeland security and big brother is watching and such- who really knows.

But Charles, I wanted to say that I liked your description of the woman banjo player named Kaya who you met at the park and shared your banjo with. It read kinda like a story. I'm wondering what will happen in the next chapter. Please let us know if she comes to your Monday night group.

Isn't it wierd sometimes how you meet people and then never see them again in life?

And are such meetings "planned" or are they happenchance?

Anyway, sorry for going off subject, but I caught myself before I got on a roll with that subject.

Best wishes to you, and have fun at the Midwest Banjo Camp.

from Azizi
{who ask for forgiveness from you and other banjo players for dissin that instrument in the past; if you don't know what I'm referring to, good!}

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: chazkratz
Date: 08 May 06 - 02:06 AM

Here's most of the text of the message I received from the Banjo Camp. Cut and paste the link to see camp's website. (maybe Joe will come along and change it into a clicky)

Charles



These days it's hard to find real community anywhere. But this coming June 2-4 the Midwest Banjo Camp brings together roughly 150 enthusiastic members of the 5-string banjo community from all over North America for a weekend of classes, jamming, and concerts. You'll not only have an opportunity to learn from some of the best professional banjo players around (see below), but -- just as important -- you'll be able to connect with fellow banjo enthusiasts from your own region and around the country.

Since we figure it usually takes people a few weeks to clear their calendars to get a weekend away, this may very well be your last opportunity to arrange your life in order to attend MBC this year.

Once again, here's our faculty:

Old-time banjo staff: Cathy Barton-Parra, Riley Baugus, Bob Carlin, Chris Coole, Dan Gellert, Brad Leftwich, Michael Miles, Arnie Naiman and Ken Perlman.

Bluegrass banjo staff: Janet Beazley, Tony Ellis, Bill Evans, Murphy Henry, Bill Keith, and Alan Munde Ross Nickerson and Butch Robins.

Accompanists: Alan Jabbour (old time fiddle), Peter Knupfer (bluegrass fiddle), Ron McKeever (bluegrass guitar), Dave Para (old time guitar).

The cost of the event is a fairly modest: $395, which covers single occupancy room, board and tuition (there are also special commuter rates for locals). To register or obtain more information, go to

http://www.midwestbanjocamp.com

or send us
an email, [e-mail].

Cheers,
Ken Perlman and Stan Werbin
Co-Directors
[e-mail]




http://www.midwestbanjocamp.com

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: Peace
Date: 08 May 06 - 10:14 AM

There are some banjo players who frequent the Mudcat, and I'm sure once they see your thread they''ll be posting to it. The camp sounds wonderful. I hope it is hugely successful.

I suppose you've heard all the banjo jokes, right? Sometimes this place has NO mercy at all.

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 May 06 - 10:45 AM

Seed old friend, how the hell are you? You don't come around anymore except on the very rare occasions and I miss that wit and intelligence. Granted the joint ain't what it used to be but it still has its moments.

Mick is now in New Jersey unfortunately and Bonnie is even rarer than yourself. If I had the time and $$$ I'd run up there myself just to meet you face to face.

Have a great time as I know you will.......and stop in here now and again....and report back after the camp!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 08 May 06 - 11:14 AM

Welcome home, Charles! Sorry I can't help w/ the thread, but it's good to see you!

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 May 06 - 01:33 PM

I'm not a banjo player and won't be going to the camp, but it sounds like a wonderful thing to do.

Thanks for the story about encountering the other player at the dog park. I enjoyed it.

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: GUEST,Arnie Naiman
Date: 08 May 06 - 03:16 PM

I just happened to check into Mudcat today for some reason and saw this thread. Well I will be teaching the novice clawhammer class at the camp, and between myself and Chris Coole, we are determined to get anyone going on the right path to old time banjo madness before they get on their way home. So if you were ever thinking about playing banjo in the clawhammer/frailing style, now's a great chance to get on board. You'll catch the disease and be inspired to the point of playing non stop when you get back home - (good luck with your spouses)
Looking forward to meeting you! Boing Twang,
Arnie

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: chazkratz
Date: 08 May 06 - 03:40 PM

Well, I'm all signed up, got me airline ticket and me rent-a-car. One bummer bit of news from Catspaw above: Mick now lives in New Jersey! Maybe at least I'll have time to drop in at Elderly--although I've already overspent my instrument budget for the next couple of years. And most of the banjos I'd like to play--Chuck Lee's, Mike Ramsey's--are on back order.

Hey, Arnie--it's yours and Chris's presence there that are pulling me across country for the Camp, even though I'm not a beginner. I love your work on both "FIve Strings Attached" albums. And the Bonnie mentioned in Catspaw's entry above has been a student of yours in Toronto.

I got some nice welcomes on this thread and the Spaw origins thread. Great to see so many of you are still plugging away and that I'm still a memory. And Spaw even read the other thread I started to call attention to this one--hey, Pat--but didn't post to it so it's about to drop off the list.

Charles (--seed)

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: GUEST,Arnie Naiman
Date: 09 May 06 - 11:27 AM

Bonnie must be Banjo Bonnie who lives near Ottawa now when she's not out on zany worldy outdoor adventures. She plays banjo quite well these days. When you say Charles you are coming across counrty - I'm curious where are you coming from? I'm honoured that our presence has got you motivated to come, but aren't there some truly awesome players there teaching? I wish I could just take all those classes myself. Lets have a tune or 2 together.
Boing Twang

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: Amos
Date: 09 May 06 - 12:53 PM

I would give me eye teeth, if I had 'em, which I might, not knowing exactly which ones they are, to go to this gig.

But it ain't gonna happen, as I am not retired and not wealthy beyond all imagining, so I can't just "call in rich".

But, dammit, Seed, come back more often. We value folks like you around hyar.

A

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: chazkratz
Date: 09 May 06 - 03:08 PM

Arnie--I'm in California--El Cerrito, just north of Berkeley. I first heard your music on KPFA, our local listener supported radio station, on one of the Sunday afternoon roots music programs: I think it was "America's Back Forty." I googled you and Chris and bought your two albums immediatly--the third a few years later. I'll jump at the chance to jam with you. Wow!

And yes, that's the same Bonnie: Banjo Bonnie (Li'l Neo) Kumer. We used to correspond a lot, then we both kind of dropped out of Mudcat--and her old email address doesn't work any more.

And Amos, I think I'll be back a bit more, although I don't think I'll spend the 6 hours a day I used to spend, and I'll mostly avoid Gargoyle (my eyes aren't good enough for his post scripts). I think the thing that really got me avoiding the 'Cat was one of the song challenges, the devil in the computer thing--I had a song going that just kept getting darker and darker, ending up with the computer refusing to be shut down, continuing to run even when unplugged, and ultimately I was way off in Stephen King country and could see no way out. I ran.

Charles

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: chazkratz
Date: 09 May 06 - 03:25 PM

Addenda to above note to Amos: Plus I had recently decided I didn't need my antidepressants and stopped them--and announced it on the Mudcat (and Gargoyle, of all people, warned me that it was dangerous--he was right. I had a few weeks of intense crisis compounded by a return of my heart problem--I even had to skip a Dave and Pam Swan party in honor of Wyo Woman (I was going to accompany her "Hard Times Come Again No More"), stopped spending my Sunday Nights in the Starry Plough at the Irish session (I had done a song a week for a few months in the song sessions during band breaks). Finally, after getting on a new heart med and resuming the antidepressant, I started coming back to normal, but have been reluctant to do much more than occasional lurking at Mudcat.
I came back this time especially to announce my participation in the workshop in hopes of finally meeting Big Mick but he seems to have carted his oversized Irish self off to Soprano country.

Charles (older and wiser, and somewhat seed-depleted)

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: GUEST,Arnie Naiman
Date: 09 May 06 - 10:21 PM

Charles, I'd be most happy to meet you and do some playing. Even though I'm a teaching staff guy, it's a camp, which means I'll be a happy camper to hang out with anyone in whatever spare time there might be. If you want to email me, I'll supply you with Bonnie's email address. My email: [e-mail]
Cheers, Arnie

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: Amos
Date: 09 May 06 - 11:20 PM

Aw, Charles, a heart-touching tale.

I sympathize -- there have been lots of hills and dales on the road through Mudcat over the years. That the devil in the computer song challenge added to your burdens is most sad. I actually did a karaoke recording of the song I wrote for that, using "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and managed to dub my singing over the vocals, so I had Charlie Daniels' band and hot fiddle in between my verses. Wonder where that recording went? I think I sent it to Lyn in Kansas. Anyway, rest assured that particular script CAN be exoorcised! :D

There's a possibility I will be coming up to Livermore this summer and if so I want a date with you and Swanno at the Plough. More when I learn about it.

Checkin for PMs from time to time. Wunnerful to see ya around these parts!! :D And if anyone DOES get in touch with Bonnie, pass her my warm regards. Have a real hoot at the Camp!

A

Subject: RE: Midwest Banjo Camp, other notes
From: GUEST,Little Neophyte
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 10:56 AM

Drats, I really wanted to go to this banjo camp but unfortunately I was dragged away on an expedition ship that travels the coast of Scotland, Norway and Spitsbergen.
I seem to not have my priorites straight.
I miss my marvelous mentor Arnie Naiman.
I also miss being one of Chris Coole's students which was very cool.

If it wasn't for Charles I would have never read this thread.
Thanks Charles, I'll be in touch for sure.

Catspaw, what can I say, if I had better comprehension skills I might be around more often, but it takes me so long to read one darn posting that I can't seem to find the time I used to to weed through the threads.

I do miss the Mudcat but my life is so amazing these days that I seem to be self absorbed in bliss mode.

Bye bye
Banjo Bonnie