Comments for Old Time Party

Comment on “Strings of Life” by REED MARTIN

REED MARTIN — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:13:26 +0000

Kevin -

A couple of great old time musicians that I knew – turned out to be related. Trivia for your interest in southern Virginia musicians….

Rufus Quesenberry (musician from Hillville) – and member of “The Oldtimers” had a very talented daughter – who had her own stringband – and later married and settled down in Galion, Ohio. I knew them both, but was floored to find out that his daughter was the great fiddler & banjo player Dorothy Rorrick.

Comment on Ralph Rinzler by Joe

Joe — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:47:30 +0000

Reed,

Thanks for the great story. I would love to see that photo you mention. I’m familiar with this photo. I didn’t realize you were a paid banjoist companion. That sounds like a dream job to me!

http://www.fieldrecorder.com/docs/notes/boggs_martin.htm

Joe, Austin, TX

Comment on Ralph Rinzler by REED MARTIN

REED MARTIN — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:39:56 +0000

So many memories of Ralph Rinzler. I guess if the other readers are too shy to post memories of a great man, I better speak up. He is still peering over my shoulder once in awhile – making sure that I don’t forget his teachings.
I was a local old time banjo player in the Washington, D.C. area when the Folklife Festival idea became reality in 1967. There I stood – drooling in front of the stage as the names of the past walked up and started playing LIVE AND IN PERSON. It did seem impossible that people who were on my “Anthology of Folk Music” records were alive and all around me. I spent every day schmoozing with the performers and audience, and Ralph approached me about sitting on the stage with the performers during the “Banjo Workshop” and making them feel more relaxed.
So – starting with the second year (1968), Ralph would find me -where ever I lived, and pay my way to come sit with the old time banjo players on the stage, and make sure things went smoothly.
I was always broke, so he would slip me some money for expenses. I think those dollars were pretty much my income for the summer back in those days. Above my desk sits the 1968 banjo stage photo. Next to me is Doc Boggs, Buell Kazee, and Don Stover.
I call it “Marionette Syndrome.” Ralph Rinzler knew that sending me to these folks homes and meeting them before they came to Washington, D.C. would leave lifelong impressions on me. The music was just a part of the performer. Thank you Ralph Rinzler –
your teachings worked and are still treasured.
He brought the earliest still functioning steel band from Trinidad.
Since he told them that he was interested in the earliest tunes that were in Trinidad, they promised to play the very earliest Trinidad steel drum tune they knew. We sat in anticipation as they dedicated this yet unannounced tune to Ralph Rinzler…….
Out came Ghost Riders In The Sky…………”Of Course” exclaimed Ralph – smiling – “…that would have been the first hit tune of 1947 – the year that our soldiers left behind the vast numbers of oil drums when the War was drawing to a close………..”

I felt lucky to be with a man who could instantly solve such a puzzle and appreciate the love which the musicians had for him.

Reed Martin
reedbanjo@verizon.net

Comment on Guthrie Meade by Ephraim McDowell

Ephraim McDowell — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:51:46 +0000

I was a young 20 year old banjo player and old time radio show dj at UK in Lexington Ky when Gus moved back to his home land and was reentergrating into the old time scene there shortly before his death. He was a cool wise sage who had come in from the outlands with a greater world view and inner appreciation of our own – this he shared with me at a few old time gatherings. He openingly shareded intel and notions, Thanks to John Harrod. Thanks to Gus. Y’all opened up a flood of 78′s and fiddle tunes for these here younguns of today

Comment on Guthrie Meade by REED MARTIN

REED MARTIN — Sat, 04 May 2013 07:46:39 +0000

Thank you, “Gus” Meade, for being such a huge inspiration to all us younger folks interested in old time music and living in the Bloomington, Indiana area while you were there. You got out and found the great tunes and showed us that old time music was still everywhere – waiting to be discovered.
I remember meeting Hoyt Ming at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
It was unreal that the amazing old 78 record recordings of him were being played right there on stage. Some kind of wonderful time warp.

Comment on “Old Time Black Southern String Band Music” by Jim Nelson

Jim Nelson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:51:13 +0000

You might check this out sometime:
http://www.wirz.de/music/cagetfrm.htm

Comment on Slowtime Field Recordings by addresses to engineering students book

addresses to engineering students book — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:06:00 +0000

Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I
clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all
that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!

Comment on Adventures of a Ballad Hunter by Mario Rios Pinot

Mario Rios Pinot — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:00:41 +0000

I’m reading this autobiography and it is very interesting. I went to youtube and found some songs very enjoyable.

Comment on Rural Parlor Guitar by Tim Lahey

Tim Lahey — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 02:48:40 +0000

I just recently discovered this blog and wanted to say how much I enjoy it. Keep up the good work!

Comment on Rural Parlor Guitar by Jim Nelson

Jim Nelson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:21:03 +0000

A lovely compilation.