I missed this the first time around and am happy to see it brought back. Are there any subtle differences in the in the downpicking style which is labeled clawhammer, rapping, and frailing? Or are they regional names? Here in the Ozarks the old timers like Bookmiller Shannon played pretty fast and were quite rthymic, possibly because the banjo was used to accompany square and jig dance along with the fiddle. Often the banjo and fiddle were the only instruments used for dance music. The oldtimers' playing was not as melodic as players I have heard further east. Generally speaking the Ozark frailers, played faster and with less single noting than their eastern counterparts.

Several modern frailers not mentioned heretofore, but certainly worthy of note are Jim Connor, best known for his song, Grandma's Feather Bed, Gordy Hinners, and Mark Jones. Jim's skill on the banjo is nothing short of amazing. He can play the old fiddle tunes as well as anyone, but I can't begin to describe what else Jim does with the banjo, getting sounds and textures I have heard from no one else. Gordy plays a fretless banjo with Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers and gives that band a very distinctive sound. Ralph Blizard is a another story, a wonderful fiddler with a distinctive bowing technique, and a real treasure. The New Southern Ramblers are quite a band. Mark is the son of Grandpa Jones and a first class musician in his own right.