5 Glory-Beaming Holiday Gift Ideas

As we did last year, here is a holiday gift guide for the banjo nerd in your life. Here are five glorious ideas for you last minute shoppers.

RELATED: 5 Glory-Beaming Gift Ideas for Winter Solstice & Other Holiday Celebrations

1. Field Recorders Collective 2015 Releases Box Set ($70)

Here, you have all five of the albums released by the FRC this past year: Maggie Parker "Hammons Family Songs & Music" (FRC713), Tom Fuller "Traditional Fiddling from Oklahoma & Texas" (FRC714), Dean Sturgill "The Spencer Branch Fiddler" (FRC710), Craig Johnson "Deep Woods & Hollows" (FRC711) and "Old Time Fiddle Music of Allegheny County, NC" (FRC712). The FRC is also selling gift certificates now.

RELATED: An Ohio Old-Time Connection

2. Old-Time Banjo Taught by Frank Lee ($29.95)

Even though I've been playing banjo for more than seven years, I've always wanted this instructional video from Homespun Tapes. I remember Mark Olitsky recommending it to me way back at one of his workshops at the now defunct Kent State Folk Festival. Not only does Frank Lee teach some great tunes in some funky tunings, he brings on the original Freight Hoppers for a number to see how to fit in with a string band.

RELATED: Freight Hoppers in Cleveland

3. David Bragger, "Big Fancy" ($12)

I have to admit I kinda stole this idea for a gift guide from David Bragger, but suggesting you buy his debut CD seems as good a way as any to make up for my theft. Bragger's Old-Time Tiki Parlour has been putting out some great music and videos this past year, and this album is a fine addition to any library. Bragger includes a great mix of old standbys and obscure tunes on banjo and fiddle, with accompaniment by guest musicians on fiddle, banjo, guitar, pump organ and bagpipes. If you've ever heard his playing, you know Bragger's album is well worth your time.

RELATED: In the Tiki Parlour with Dan Gellert

4. Joe Bussard Presents: The Year of Jubilo – 78 RPM Recordings of Songs from the Civil War ($11)

This latest release from Dust-to-Digital features 19 tracks culled from the collection of the legendary Joe Bussard, plus a 36-page booklet with essays and liner notes. Bussard ran the last 78 rpm label in the United States, Fonotone Records from 1956 to 1974, and has been a strong promoter of old-time music over the years. The compilation includes such luminaries as Ernest Stoneman, Buell Kazee, Da Costa Woltz’s Southern Broadcasters, Fiddlin’ John Carson and far too many more to list here. Go back in time with this wonderful gem.

5. Old-Time Herald Subscription ($26)

There is no better source for old-time music related news and features than this wonderful quarterly magazine. My subscription just lapsed, and I need to get it started back up. The current issue features Walt Koken's latest dispatch from the Highwoods Stringband archives, an interview with Alan Jabbour and an article about luthier Mark Ward by fiddler Christian Wig. That's one heck of a lineup.

RELATED: Master and Apprentice

If you have any suggestions, throw them in the comments or follow up the discussion on Facebook. Happy holidays banjo pickers!

The Ultimate Banjo Joke Compendium

This post is dedicated to my friend Joel Specht. Ever since the Olitsky & Moskovitz concert last month, my son has been obsessed with banjo jokes. During one of the MANY tuning breaks, they asked the crowd to fill the time by telling their favorite quips about the old five-string. Joel told many that night. I've been trying to remember them, along with best ones I've heard over the years for when my son asks again, so I thought I'd make this list. Question: What's the difference between a banjo and an onion? Answer: Nobody cries when you cut up a banjo. Question: How do you know if the floor is level? Answer: The banjo player is drooling out of both sides of his mouth. Question: What's the difference between a banjo and trampoline? Answer: You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline. Question: What's the definition of perfect pitch? Answer: When you can throw a banjo into a dumpster without hitting the sides. Question: How do yo

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Clawhammer Picks and You: A Review

Clawhammer picks are a useful tool for increasing volume or to overcome fingernail challenges, such as broken, too short or weak nails. There are all sorts of commercial and homemade solutions available for banjo players, but it can be difficult to decide which options to choose. Thankfully, I've already done some of the work for you. Just to be clear, I prefer my natural fingernail for frailing. However, there was a time when I experimented with regularly using a pick, and there are instances now where I find that a pick is necessary. Today, I'll take you through the five options I've tried. These are all available online at prices ranging from about $1 to $13. Reversed/Reshaped Dunlop Pick ($0.75) This was the most common suggestion before other companies started addressing the gap in the clawhammer pick market. Take a bluegrass pick, flatten it out and wear it backwards. The problem is that it's hard to get the fit right. While Dunlop picks are cheap and r

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Summer Blockbusters: Top 10 Banjo Movies

We’re nearing the end of the summer movie season, which this year has included blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War , Solo: A Star Wars Story , Incredibles 2 and other movies, including some that weren’t produced by Disney. However, none of these films showcases a banjo in any way. It's not like the banjo hasn't been featured on the silver screen throughout film history. The five-string has starred in numerous movies, sometimes in its proper context as a musical instrument and other times as a comedic prop. Whether making a cameo or starring in the hands of the main character, it's well past time to present my Top 10 Banjo Blockbusters: O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, this movie sucked me into the realm of old-time , bluegrass and country music in general. The banjo is featured in a number of songs on the soundtrack and shows up on screen a few times throughout the movie. Top Banjo Moment: Delmar picks the banjo b

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The Glory-Beaming Banjo

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