I will work on putting up some new links later today.

For the record, this is what I do for a living. I play minstrel tunes on period instruments in the original style. I don't have any recordings yet, I mostly perform and lecture for music gatherings, schools, universities and historical organizations. I have spent the last 10 years researching the music and reproducing the banjos of the era. I do have a museum exhibit on the subject that will come out next fall in New York. When I have the exact dates I will post them here on the Cat.

For reading purposes, I can tell you there are some great books out on the subject right now.

Behind the Minstrel Mask. ( a collection of fine articles)

Demons of Disorder, Dale Cockrell (early minstels in the days before Emmett)

Blacking Up, Robert Toll (Out of print, but still available on the used book market)

For Recordings on the subject the very best are

The Early Minstrel Show on New World Records also Minstrel Banjo Style on Rounder Records and Old Dan Tucker, Tuckahoe Music and Joe Ayers

I hope this is of interest, within the year I hope to have a CD ROM out as an instructor for minstrel style banjo playing and my book will be out with the exhibit next year.

Butch (aka George)