Wynn Fay, The Ol’ Ridgerunner
Wynn was the REAL deal: soulful, musical, knowledgeable, kindhearted, and humble. I performed many a show with him as a member of his band, the Ridgerunners. And, once you became a Ridgerunner, you were a Ridgerunner for life – and also a member of Wynn’s musical family. Ask other former Ridgerunners like Jim Rooney, Bill Kieth, Jim Heffernan, or many, many others – they will all agree. ⇨ Read more
Tabby Crabb
I had heard through the music grapevine that a fellow had showed up in the Amherst area straight from being a member of a popular country rock band in Texas called “Medicine Wheel.” Folks said he could play pedal steel guitar, banjo, guitar and fiddle and was looking for work. ⇨ Read more
Defining Bluegrass
John Bollard, one of my picking buddies, was a fine banjo player who also happened to be a linguist working for Webster’s Dictionary. One day, he told me that he had been assigned the job of writing the first definition of the word “bluegrass” (as in music) for the Webster dictionary.
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Playing Contra Dances
There was a strong interest in traditional American country dance music in New England when I arrived in the 1970’s. There were wonderful old social clubs and community halls throughout the region where dances were held, great callers, friendly dancers, and some fine old-time players…. I was lucky enough to play in some of these groups for a number of years. ⇨ Read more
The Stuff of Art and Songs
I often hear folks using Paris in the 1920’s as an example of a time and place of great artistic atmosphere and importance. I wasn’t there, but I believe that it was so. I lived in New York City in the 1960’s, however, and I also believe that New York back then had a similarly powerful atmosphere and importance. ⇨ Read more
Cambridge, MA
A friend and I loaded up a truck and moved our stuff to Cambridge, MA. Cambridge had a reputation as a more laid back music town than New York, and a place where great music was also happening. My buddy, Rick Lee, had wanted me to move there for some time. …I played music gigs at night and on weekends and worked many different jobs during the days…. ⇨ Read more
The Star-Spangled String Band
Kenny Kosek, Allen Feldman and I became the Star Spangled String Band in High School. We were crazy about old-time music. We played constantly throughout high school, did a lot of live shows,appeared on radio often, and traveled to the fiddlers conventions at Galax, Virginia, and Union Grove, North Carolina. ⇨ Read more
Early On – A Kid in New York
New York in the 1960’s was a fabulous place to be for a young guitar nut. There were great players like Dave VanRonk appearing at venues where even an under-age guy could go. Then, there were folks like Doc Watson coming to town! I remember hearing Doc and Reverend Gary Davis jamming backstage at a hall…that was really something! ⇨ Read more