Glory-Beaming Banjo Gift Guide 2025

Today is Black Friday, signaling the start of the gift-giving season. No matter your heritage, this time of year is packed with holidays that involve presents. You might have some banjo-loving freak on your nice list for whom you need some gift ideas, or you might be a banjo-loving freak yourself who has been asked to provide gifts ideas for others. As we resurrect an idea from a decade ago, here is the 2025 Glory-Beaming Banjo Gift Guide.

Let's start with some new music ...

The Field Recorders' Collective has released a ton of new albums this year that are worthy of your attention. However, for my money, the Kerry Blech collection (FRC 751) is the one to get. This 50-track behemoth features Blech playing tunes with brief introductions throughout. Recorded in 2004 during a concert at Clifftop, he's accompanied by John Schwab, Bill Schmidt, and Kevin Enoch. The FRC also offers gift cards if you're unsure of what to get.

David Bragger's Old-Time Tiki Parlour has also been busy releasing new music for the banjo enthusiast. The latest is Clinton Davis, Ever Returning. Available only on CD, the album is a collection of 12 tunes curated from America’s musical past, weaving together a wide range of traditions and textures. Other recent releases include new albums by Hog-Eyed Man and the Horsenecks, both available on CD or vinyl.

My final music recommendation comes from former Carolina Chocolate Drops Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. Having already written about What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, I won't spend more time here singing its praises. The album is available on CD, vinyl and digital formats.

How about some reading material?

Here's a companion piece to one of the more influential fiddle tune books out there. Marion Thede and the Fiddlers of Oklahoma, by Paul Kirk Jr., was released earlier this year by McFarland. The 300-page tome offers insights to Thede's The Fiddle Book, which was published in 1967 and was among the first old-time fiddle instruction books ever printed. Kirk's book provides tune transcriptions, contextual stories, tune histories and player biographies. If you happen to be in the Cleveland area, Kirk is hosting a book launch event on Dec. 6. Here's the Facebook event page for more details.

Or just get that new dream banjo!

Earlier this month, I got an email from Pisgah Banjos about a new financing option for customers looking to buy a new banjo. The manufacturer has partnered with Synchrony to offer 0% APR financing for 18 or 24 months (subject to credit approval, of course). While the financing option isn't available on custom banjos (at least, not yet), the deal is valid for all other Pisgah banjo models, builder's choice banjos, as well as cases, straps, armrests, nuts, hardware, and setup tools. The option will be available when you check out. You just add your banjo or accessories to the cart, select the 0% financing option, and then you get an instant decision about financing options to complete your order. For myself, I've been trying to decide between the Rambler Special, Pisgah Wonder or Pisgah Laydie. Decisions, decisions ...

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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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