The Glory-Beaming Banjo

Last year ended on a high note, all in the effort to avoid a new low in my playing time for 2025. To start off January, I was able to carry some of that momentum into the New Year. However, I'm not fooling myself into thinking I can rack up some crazy amount of playing time in 2026.  No. Instead, I'm working on not aiming too high. That is, I'm pursuing more manageable goals this year. Although I've started off strong, I know that there will be bumps in the road, and I might find myself not playing any music for long stretches of time. And that's OK.  This year is all about forgiving myself for not living up to my expectations. After going way too long, I changed the strings on my banjo and fiddle at the end of December, and I'm thinking of 2026 as a fresh start.  Glory-beaming goals for 2026 Because I do it every year, I'll share some actual goals for 2026. I have set some modest playing time goals, but I'm not going to get too hung up on them. Of cour...

Usually, at this time of year, this space is reserved for looking back at the past 12 months. Frankly, there's not a heckuva lot to look back upon. This was a down year when it comes to playing music. Typically, I would offer self-flagellating remarks about not being able to find the time and hoping to do better next go-round. However, some reader comments from earlier this year have inspired me to just stop worrying about it.  So, here is a brief list of highlights:  My fondest memory was volunteering at the Lake Erie Folk Fest .  My most successful post was about a podcast from September 2024.  My favorite post was about buying some 78 rpm records in South Carolina.  My  playing goals  ... well, let's not talk about those.  I didn't reach my goals this year — not the end of the world. I went a few months without touching my instruments at all, but it turned out I didn't forget everything I knew when I got back to them. On the positive side, I...

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 Parlo...

Making music has taken a back seat to buying music lately. I haven't gotten much playing time in over the last couple months, but I have another stack of records to share with you. That is, if you're willing to take a peak at the latest additions to my collection.  While I do have a cool vintage vinyl release to share, it seems that 2025 has become the year of 78 rpm records for me. I've added another 10 shellac records to my collection since my previous post , although not all of them fall into the old-time / hillbilly realm.  Let's start with the vinyl. I saw an online listing for the two-LP set of The Hammons Family, A Study of a West Virginia Family's Traditions, released by the Library of Congress in 1973. The exciting thing about this particular copy was that it was still sealed! The box set includes two records and a 36-page booklet about the Hammons family of Pocahontas County. This collection features music by Burl Hammons, Maggie Hammons Parker, and Sherma...