banjo break

Amber Waves is a talented Colorado family band that I started coaching last summer. I met them when one of the teenage twin daughters, Katie Costello, attended my banjo camp on scholarship from the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society. The Costellos are living a version of “the American dream”— traveling as a family (4 kids, the youngest is 6) in an old converted school bus, hitting mostly RV parks in the Sun Belt this winter, busking for a living…and making it!… Read More

Here’s some advice I gave a fellow who sent me a playing sample to qualify for Advanced Banjo Camp. He and a friend were picking Foggy Mt. Top. When it was time for the banjo solo, there was no melody, but a cluster of well-executed licks that fit the chords.… Read More

Two pickers writing last week to the Forum on DrBanjo.com asked me to share “secrets”. Well OK, but then they won’t be secrets any more!… Read More

Attendees of last January’s Basic Banjo camp recently exchanged emails about their progress. Keith P. from Maryland wrote:… Read More

This summer presents me some good challenges. Between late April and mid-July, I will have been on stage performing no less than ten different repertoires:… Read More

Gary from British Columbia asks some great and typical questions: First, I would like to thank you for all the encouragement you give new and developing pickers on your videos and website. I have been picking for 6 years, in an active bluegrass band for 2 years, and practicing daily for the last 14 months. … Read More

Duane writes: In BNL this month you mention seeing you run a jam hosted by Steve Martin on your website. Can’t find it anywhere… Would you mind sending me the link?… Read More