A brief article in a recent newsrag issue about Barry Patton might be of some interest relative to spoons and similar musicalia. "Bones is much better than spoons, if they're played right."

Patton, who's sort of a local boy, "appeared" on the HBO show "Deadwood" as a background musician. Having never seen the show, I can't offer any comment there, but the description in the Wichita Eagle included:

(Quote)
Patton is the final musician showcased, and he's sittin' and grinnin' and playing bones with both hands.

"I call them cowboy castanets," said Patton, 45, a fixture at Winfield's Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival.

"Most players are one-handed. There are probably only 10 people in the world who play two-handed like I do. One hand does lead and one does rhythm," he said.

His instruments of choice are made of cow ribs.

"Real bones have a unique sound. Wooden ones all sound alike," he said.

Patton was among half a dozen musicians hired to play for a wedding scene in the "Deadwood" season finale.

(End quote)

I believe Barry was about 10 or 11 years old when I saw him perform briefly on stage at Winfield (The Walnut Valley Festival) many years ago, and he was impressive then. I don't recall seeing him perform since, but haven't gone out looking for him.

The link is to the Wichita Eagle website (Wichita, Kansas, US). They usually leave such stuff available for only about a week – after which you have to pay to see it from the archives. There's a little bit more in the full article, but don't feel too bad if you miss it.

John