Who is Stephen Wade?

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 05:50 AM

Stephen's book was mentioned in another recent thread but I endorse the above posting. But,the book is not just "worth a read", it is an excellent read and very well researched. I was amazed sat how much information was discovered so long after the events and the recordings referred to. Highly recommended and at a very good price for a well produced handsome hardback.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,Irwin Liebman
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 09:57 PM

Stephen Wade's book "The Beautiful Music All Around" has been issued by the Univ. of Illinois Press, August 2012. Scholarly work on folk music. Included is a CD of many of the songs referred to in his book.
Available on Amazon. Worth reading.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: saulgoldie
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 12:38 PM

What a pleasant and timely memory reminder! I saw him at the Old Vat room in the 80s, and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen!

Saul

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,peggy howard
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 09:32 AM

stephen seems to be a fine man though we have never meet in person we have talked on the phone .he was trying to find out about my mother mae porter puckett a gifited musician along with her sister nell agreat singer of folk music played with bill stepp, thier music is in the library of congress.my mother played for nora carpenter and mrs earl cooper.mom was a wonderful piano player,guitar,and fiddel,i hope magoffin co will buy and display the book that stephen wade will have written and finished this spring. my mother was lady who loved the lord we were blessed to have her ,she left this world sept.5 1996. thank you stephen for your time and knowing beautiful music.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: BK Lick
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 04:03 AM

paleolith wrote

it seems that Banjo Dancing, at least as a complete show, is still unavailable as either an audio or video recording.

True, but don't overlook the two splendid videos linked in my 09 Nov 08 post -- the first one contains a segment taken
from Banjo Dancing, and in Stephen Wade on making Catching the Music, he explains why he prefered making
this film rather than filming his stage performance.

—BK

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 11:48 PM

FP, I saw that interview on Tom Snyder's show and wholeheartedly agree. In knowing and doing some open mic nights w/Stephen years ago I knew him as a very delicate, brilliant artist. Deeply insecure unless within the cocoon of his playing. Tom Synder was snarky, condescending and impatient w/Stephen. Never really gave him a chance to unwind. So, Stephen shut down, clammed up and couldn't play very well. By the same token Paul Reubens(Pee-Wee Herman)went on and deep-fried Tom in his own juices. THAT was great TV.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 11:40 PM

Bill,
Right on!
Art

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 10:12 PM

I met Stephen Wade on 2 or 3 occasions when he was not actually performing. He was a very shy, awkward person, but also VERY charming and willing to discuss things and answer questions, if it was 'about' something...especially music.

He did not do 'banter' and irrelevant 'interviews'. We could all take a lesson from his quiet humor and immense talent.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: frogprince
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 10:01 PM

I saw Banjo Dancing in Chicago "back when", first by myself and again with a girl I started to date just afterward. I was particulary struck by the fact that Wade ranged from excellent fast, racuous playing down to the sweetest, sublest banjo playing I had heard. I loved the show, but found it interesting that, when he broke a string, he just "went away", with no apparent sense of a thing to say or do, until he got restrung and retuned.

A little after that, Wade appeared on Tom Snyder's late-late show. He basically froze up, and Snyder outdid himself as a cretin by treating him abominably and pretty much booting him off stage. How much was youthful lack of confidence, or just what, I wouldn't venture to say. But if he has continued to grow as a banjo player, he should be something to hear these days.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: paleolith
Date: 06 Mar 10 - 09:00 PM

I still remember seeing Wade's Banjo Dancing in Chicago, probably in 1979, on a business trip. I hadn't heard of him before -- probably went because of what I read in the newspaper. It was one of the thrilling performances I've ever attended. I'd have gone back night after night, but I saw it on my last night in town.

The one part I remember somewhat clearly -- it has after all been over thirty years -- dealt with a dog racing a train. A real train's dog, not some stranger or competitor. Somehow the dog was faster than the train, but faded out of sight about the time one of the train's axles started smoking. The engineer looked out, and there was the dog, RUNNING ALONG BESIDE THE TRAIN ON THREE LEGS TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I think this number was about the same length as Alice's Restaurant, perhaps longer. Needless to say everyone in the house was laughing hysterically by the time it was over.

Ever since then, I've looked around for info on him now and then. Gradually, little by little, more has become readily available. But it seems that Banjo Dancing, at least as a complete show, is still unavailable as either an audio or video recording.

Edward

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:50 PM

saw him at the Apollo theatre in Chicago in 78 or 79 with, I think, the premiere of Banjo Dancing (aka "the 49th Annual Squitters Mountain Banjo and Dance Contest and How I Lost") and then, what a surprise, to see him again about a decade later in DC

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 06:02 AM

we had him at the Sing Out folk club in Crewe on the Sunday after he'd been in Liverpool .. I think John Howson organised the mini-tour. An unusual performer.... I remember his dramatic telling of folk tales ... Les Barker was there with Mrs Ackroyd, who got quite excited by Stephen's performance ... barking and running up and down the aisle (Mrs Ackroyd that is, not Les Barker...). At the time I remember that Stephen just ignored the dog and carried on.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 02:51 AM

I remember seeing Stephen in a folk club in Merseyside sometime in the 70s. I got to the club early, and Stephen must have practiced various scales and exercises on his banjo for 30 mins. I also recall the dancing and playing thing he did.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: open mike
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 12:47 AM

http://www.mindspring.com/~bdavis/Wade.html

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,jack
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 10:52 PM

?

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: BK Lick
Date: 09 Nov 08 - 01:19 AM

Catching the Music An hour-long WETA-TV documentary on musician Stephen Wade. Catching the Music describes the passing of the banjo from one player to the next. The film includes footage of Kirk McGee, Hobart Smith, Fleming Brown, Doc Hopkins, Roscoe Holcomb, Pete Steele, Uncle Dave Macon, and Virgil Anderson.

Banjo Spirits explores the legacy of the banjo through the eyes of Don Stover and Stephen Wade. Don Stover learned to play the banjo from his mother in Artie, West Virginia, where he was born in 1928. Don grew up and worked in the local coal mines, but the banjo proved to be his ticket out of the area. Don played with Buzz Buzby, the Lilly Brothers, and Bill Monroe. Stephen Wade was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1953. After apprenticing for Fleming Brown and serving as accompanist to Doc Hopkins, Stephen is best know for "Banjo Dancing", his long-running one man show. Stephen is also known as a record producer.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Fortunato
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 11:19 PM

I recently saw him at in concert at the Birchmere, a national venue here in DC, a tribute to Hobart Smith. He had Mike Craver with him from the Red Clay Ramblers. Great show. Stephen is a great banjo player and, as he demonstrated in the show, a great 'seated dancer' like Hobart Smith.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 08:21 PM

You notice some of the early replies to his thread were from Bruce Olson, who died a few years ago.
   At his memorial service, Stephen Wade came and played and gave a remarkable tribute to Bruce, who had helped Stephen find some old manuscripts and trace some music. It was magic & a delight.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 07:34 PM

He is still living in Maryland. Here is a review of his last project. Last time I talked to him he was working on a book.


In Sacred Trust/ A Tribute to Hobart Smith

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: GUEST,mjyurchak!gmail.com
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 07:23 PM

I knew Stephen and his family many years ago. I enjoyed his music and the love that he brought to it. Does anyone know where he is now and what he is doing?

Subject: RE: BS: Stephen Wade
From: lamarca
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 06:04 PM

Fretless, it'll run about the middle of the show; here's a description of the story from their website: Friday, March 23 ATC

Talking Blues -- Talking Blues is a song form that can trace its' surface roots to a recording by the Greenville Trio in April of 1926. It's lineage goes much deeper - to spirituals - and an odd combination of the religious and the profane. The talking blues have served as a vehicle for social commentary for Woodie Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and hundreds of others. Musician and researcher Stephen Wade - creator of the stage show, "Banjo Dancing," and a contributor to numerous folklore journals - traces the history of the talking blues. (6:00)

If you miss hearing it, you might be able to get a RealAudio replay on this site tomorrow (but sometimes they can't post music strories because of copyright problems...)

Subject: RE: BS: Stephen Wade
From: GUEST,fretless
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 04:02 PM

Any details?

Subject: BS: Stephen Wade
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 01:53 PM

Stephen Wade is scheduled to be on NPRs 'All Things Considered' tonight. (Mar 23).

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 11:20 PM

I mentioned it last January--a forthcoming book based on the Library of Congress recordings. I assume it's still forthcoming. Has anyone heard any rumours about when to expect it in print?

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: John Nolan
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 09:20 PM

Wasn't he a also player in the Profumo scandal, or was that Stephen Ward?

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 08:34 PM

Stephen is also doing occasional pieces for NPR's "All Things Considered." Coming up very soon will be a short segment about Judge Learned Hand. The famous judge is one of the performers on that splendid "Treasury of Field Recordings from the Library of Congress" (Rounder 1500), the CD that gets my vote for "CD release of the Decade!"

Sandy

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 06:47 PM

"Banjo Dancing," consisting of banjo wizardry, stories, old street chants, inspired me to go find *Joys of Yiddish,* the source for one of the stories (I was just getting into storytelling then). The book cracked me up; a few years ago, when I badly needed a laugh, that is the book I turned to, and had my first laugh after a very bad spell. and yes, he was a stitch onstage.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Frank Hamilton
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 04:35 PM

Stephen Wade is a wonderful performer who recreates the experience of traditional folk music for us by employing showmanship in the finest sense of the word.

He is a student of the late Fleming Brown of Chicago who was committed to the study of the traditional folk five-string banjo and was doing it a lot earlier before this style became known as "old time" music. Fleming was Stephen's hero and mentor. Stephen Wade has kept alive Fleming's passion for the banjo playing folksingers of the South such as Buel Kazee, Roscoe Holcomb, Frank Profitt, Obray Ramsey, Rufus Crisp, Pete Steele, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Aunt Semantha Baumgartner, Clarence Ashley, Hobart Smith, Cousin Emmy, Stringbean, Brother Oswald, Uncle Dave Macon, Grandpa Jones, Tommy Jarrel, and many more who represent the Appalachian tradition of American Folk Music.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Richard W.
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 03:55 PM

His newest CD is "Dancing in the Parlor" on County Records (CO-CD-2721) and is really delightful.

There is also a video in which he is the host. I saw this on the Banjo Newsletter homepage. The video is called "Banjo Spirits". In the video he takes you through some of the Smithsonian banjo collection.

I do not believe his theater shows are on video.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Feb 99 - 06:37 PM

Dan,

YOU HIT IT ON THE HEAD! That's a completely accurate description of Mr. Stephen. He was first an old Chicago friend. (He's now based in Hyattsville, Maryland.) Driving him home from the Great River Festivals in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, one simply had to get out and relish the silence of the mens rooms along the route whether you needed those facilities or not. His intensity has lead him to tremendous success. I envy and marvel at his dedication, energy, enthusiasm, scholarship and obvious love for those pickers who came before.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Bruce O.
Date: 20 Feb 99 - 03:22 PM

I heard his tribute to Joe Hickerson, on the occasion of the latter's retirement from the Library of Congress, at the Washington Folk Festival last June. I think I saw this reprinted on the internet, but haven't been able to relocate it. He now lives near Washington, DC, but I've forgotten exactly where.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 20 Feb 99 - 03:11 PM

Stephen Wade is a guy I used to see a lot of 20 years because he and my girlfriend were very deeply, very platonically in love. He was, at that time, an absolute bundle of energy, a total banjo nut and very sweet character. He was the kind of guy you would love all day until about 11PM and then you would have to beg him to take his medication.

I'm delighted to hear that he's still at it and it's just great to hear his work still gives so much pleasure.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Mike Teeley
Date: 20 Feb 99 - 02:46 PM

Stephen Wade is wonderful!

We saw both of his Vat Room shows. he is a rare talent who has preserved a bit of American history through music.Is there a video of Banjo Dancing?

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Allan
Date: 31 Jan 98 - 12:46 PM

I have seen him near Philly. at the peoples light and theater co. He performs in a blue suit and tie with heavy work shoes. When he plays seated, he "dances" tapping out a percussive accompanoement with those shoes. His stories are absolutely engaging and his manner is ingratiating. His music is a joy to hear, his show a wonderfull evening.

There must be SOME way he can be reached for info about recordings and performances. IMHO he is well worth the effort to track him down.

good luck and enjoy Allan

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Phideaux
Date: 30 Jan 98 - 02:52 PM

It's good to hear that Flying Fish has issued "Dancing Home"on CD. I have the tape, and it is great.

Bob S.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Dani
Date: 30 Jan 98 - 08:40 AM

...MAYbe...

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From:
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 10:58 PM

Maybe he'll show up here.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 08:20 PM

Not only did Steven Wade produce the wonderful compilation of field recordings from the Library of Congress (Rounder CD1500) with wonderful liner notes--but publication is expected shortly of a full length book based on those liner notes by the University of Illinois Press.

He had two shows which ran forEVER in Washington, DC--"Banjo Dancing" and a follow-up called something like "The Long Road Home", and there's a CD on Flying Fish called "Dancing Home" compiled from excerpts of those two shows.

He lives in the DC area, and obviously spends a lot of time of time at the Library of Congress. I keep hoping someone can persuade him to revive his stage shows (though not necessarily for a decade-long run).

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 03:10 PM

Dani: There must be a CD of Stephen Wade's music from the "Banjo Dancing" show, because a fan sent me a home-made cassette copy a couple of years ago check the e-music site or your local record store. It is a most enjoyable album, and I recommend it highly.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Bruce O.
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 12:44 PM

Forgot to note his one-man show at the Old Vat Room was called 'Banjo Dancing'. Alas, I never saw it. My lst info above was more like a little over a year ago rather than 2 years.

Subject: RE: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Bruce O.
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 11:09 AM

He had a long running show singing, playing banjo, and telling old tales, mostly from the south eastern US at the Old Vat Room (theater) in Washington ,DC in the 1980. I think most of the time since he has been doing research, recently as a resident fellow, at the Newberry Library, Chicago. My info is now a couple of years old, so I can't really say where he is at present.

Subject: Who is Stephen Wade?
From: Dani
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 10:38 AM

Has anyone heard of Stephen Wade? NPR did a great interview with him this morning, and played some of his new CD. He plays banjo and has rearranged some old folk tunes. He also released a CD of selections from the Library of Congress recordings, after tracking down some of the original folks and their families and writing new liner notes. Sounds like they'll both be treasures, but I'm just wondering who the heck this guy is and how I can go hear him?!

Dani