The Glory-Beaming Banjo

June coming to an end brings a close to the second quarter of the 2026. As mentioned in March, I decided to bring back my quarterly reports to stay accountable to my yearly playing goal progress and ruminate on whatever banjo-y things I did over the last three months.  April was a bit of a struggle. I came down with an illness and wasn't able to play for more than a week, and I had already gotten out of the strong groove I was in during Q1 . To make matters worse, I ended up not playing at all in May, the second straight year that the fifth month has ended with double zeroes. I finally got back on the horse in early June. However, I'm sad tot say I didn't make it down to the Banjos & Bigfoot festival on June 6. One of these years!  Vinyl Hunter 24.5 One banjo-related highlight from Q2 was picking up the My Soul Is Lost compilation from Jalopy Records on Record Store Day in April. However, I neglected to share four other banjo records I had picked up earlier this year....

As we all know, in-person old-time music festivals are endangered because of the global coronavirus pandemic. Many events have already been canceled, and I expect many others will follow suit as time goes one. To help fill the gap is the first-ever Online Old Time Banjo Festival , May 2-3, via Facebook, Zoom and YouTube. Organized by Cathy Fink and Brad Kolodner, the event features a robust schedule of workshops and concerts on Saturday and Sunday. The lineup includes Adam Hurt, Evie Laden, Eden and Lukas Pool, Victor Furtado, Allison de Groot, Chris Coole, Frank Evans, and Frank and Allie Lee. Banjos workshops will start at noon each day, aimed at all skill levels and featuring a wide variety of topics, such as adding texture, movable chords, learning melodies by ear and many more. The cost for attending a workshop is $25. Preregistration is required. Email bradkolodner@gmail.com with questions. Registrants will receive a private Zoom meeting link after submitting payment. C...

For those familiar with old-time music, Mike Seeger’s name rings like the banjo he was renowned for playing. This summer, the eighth annual MikeSeeger Commemorative Old Time Banjo Festival will pay tribute to his legacy with a series of concerts and workshops on the weekend of July 12-13. The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, Virginia, will host the concert on Saturday, July 12, featuring Tony Trischka, Cathy Fink, Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton, Marcy Marxer, and Rick Good. Tickets are $29.50 and available through Ticketmaster (service fees apply) or directly from the Birchmere box office. The roots music store House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, Maryland, will host the workshops on Sunday, July 13, featuring old-time fiddle, clawhammer and finger style banjo. Space is limited, and the organizers recommend registering early at www.hmtrad.com/lessons/workshops.html#banjofest . If it is less than three days before the workshop, call (301) 270-9090 to regis...