Kiwi kid's Bluegrass trip to the US

Subject: RE: Kiwi kid's Bluegrass trip to the US
From: GUEST,Guest AMC
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 06:42 PM

Real name is Catherine Bowness, but BB is preferred.
Has had some coaching from well known NZ banjoist
Mark Warren. One lively highly talented girl -so young,
and so wonderfully gifted on the banjo. Such vivaciousness
and eagerness when playing. She can really place it up with
much older musicians and leave them stunned and admiring
at her skills on the banjo.
Hope to hear you again soon, BB.

Subject: RE: Kiwi kid's Bluegrass trip to the US
From: GUEST,fi_in_nz
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 03:00 PM

Wow, I met BB a couple of years ago at a Waharau gathering and she was a pretty stunning banjo player then. Bet she's come on in leaps and bounds. Would love to hear her again. Will have to wait 'til we're back in NZ. F

Subject: RE: Kiwi kid's Bluegrass trip to the US
From: Rman
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 10:19 AM

Go for it!

A budding Alison Brown in the making?

Subject: RE: Kiwi kid's Bluegrass trip to the US
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 08:07 AM

Well said, Robyn. BB is one gifted sparkling performer with an infectious enthusiasm for bluegrass music !   I'm following her progress and looking forward to hearing her again on her return to NZ. She has a heap of admirers down here. Go, BB !!

Subject: Kiwi kid's Bluegrass trip to the US
From: Little Robyn
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 04:09 AM

New Zealand has produced a few excellent bluegrass banjo pickers over the years and the current youngest, a teenage girl who calls herself BB, is currently touring the US, on the trip of a lifetime. This was partly funded by her prize money from winning the young performers award at the Auckland Folk Festival earlier this year.
BB is a very pleasant young lady (aged 15, I think) and she is a born entertainer as well as being a wizz at Scruggs picking.
Her mother is travelling with her and sends reports home regularly.
They arrived in San Francisco on June 7 and during their stay there BB spent about 5 hours in a shop called The 5th String - she was in banjo heaven! She also had a lesson with Bill Evans and met him again at Nash Camp when she was in Nashville.
They both thoroughly enjoyed your 4th July celebrations.
She also met and spent time with Alison Brown who they describe as the 'most well known female banjo player in the world'.
On 9th July they found a Bluegrass Festival that had competitions and so BB entered - she was the only girl in the banjo section, and guess what? She came first! She won $150 US which will help with the trip.
At East Tennessee they have been looking at the State University which apparently has a great bluegrass program available and it sounds as if BB is wanting to relocate. I don't blame her but it would be a shame if NZ lost such a talent.
So, if you are at a bluegrass gathering and run into a young girl with a big grin and a great banjo style, say 'Hi' to BB from NZ.
Robyn