Category Archives: Patrick

clawhammervsfrailing.com

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I updated clawhammervsfrailing.com early this morning. In addition to the original four-part essay there are twenty-three more articles discussing the craft of making music.

I have to admit that this little web site has been a lot of fun to put together. Taking away the day-to-day weblog material and focusing directly on the discussion of making music has allowed me to clarify some ideas that will be going into my next banjo book. It will be interesting to see where this all go goes. Two short essays covering the same basic idea, Doing It Wrong and No Proper Anything, keep showing alone and together up all over the web in all areas of music. It is fun to see ideas getting out into the world.

Crisfield Banjo Retreat May 23 to 27

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Howdy, folks! Patrick here with some updates on the Crisfield Banjo Retreat being held May 23 to 27 at the Daugherty Creek Conference Center in Janes Island State Park.

Things are coming together nicely for the event. We have hired someone to do the cooking this year so we can have more time to spend with our guests. Banjo builder Lowell Jacobs will once again be there sharing his knowledge and love of banjos. My brother Carlos and our friend Randy Bott be there to help out musically.

Before you leave home for Crisfield it may be beneficial to get familiar with the layout of the town:

You can also get an idea of what Crisfield is like by checking out the online version of my book, Four Seasons on Brick Kiln Road.

What to bring:

  • Bedding
  • Flashlights
  • Towels, toiletries, etc.
  • Your instruments & music gear
  • Weather is pretty warm during the day and cool in the evening.
  • Any needed allergy medication.
  • Rain gear is usually a good idea.

Phones / Wireless
Cell phone and wireless reception is pretty spotty at the State Park. There is no wifi at the Conference Center.

The Conference Center land line number is: 410-968-3332.

The park office number is: 410-968-1565

Rules:

  • This is an alcohol free event
  • Please observe quiet time in the conference center after midnight
  • Please do not go for seconds at meals until everyone has been served

Instruments, cases and such:
Please be careful where you leave your instruments. Don’t leave your gear where someone may trip over it.

If you have any questions contact Dear Old Dad at (410) 968-3873.

Yesterday’s Banjo Shindig

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It was a long and busy day. I got to meet a lot of old friends for the very first time.

I always enjoy teaching and I love working with my dad, but I think the best part of the day for me was when I took a break and everybody in the room kept on making music and sharing with each other. A room full of strangers suddenly felt like a family gathering.

Thanks to the nice folks at Bedford Banjo Shop for sponsoring the event. Folks, if you are in the market for a banjo give Mike a call.

A big thank you and a high-five to Randy from Ohio for making the trip to help out. You are turning into one heck of a teacher, my friend.

Most of all, thanks to Amy for her love and support.

I am still worn out, so Invictus the cat and I are going to curl up together and watch a B-movie.

God bless,
-Patrick

500,000

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At some point yesterday Frailing Banjo Lesson One was viewed for the half-millionth time.

That isn’t counting the 35,320 views on archive.org.

The DVD version of Frailing Banjo with better quality files for all four videos in the series can be purchased from Pik-Ware Publishing.

Thanks to everybody for letting Dear Old Dad and myself share the recklessly precise art of frailing banjo with you.

See you all in Bedford tomorrow!

Sunshine and Shadow

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This morning, after church, Amy and I went for a walk in the gardens at the Benedictine monastery. I have been hurting so bad lately that I haven’t been out hiking very much, so being out in the sunshine with the flowers and bees was a real treat.
bee butterfly

Friday’s trip to Johns Hopkins did not bring us much good news. I am in a lot of pain, but the doctor is unsure as to the cause. He commented that the operations and infections have left everything in a chronic pain state and suggested we look for a pain specialist.

I have been through pretty much this exact song and dance with Hopkins before, so I think it is time to look for a second opinion. The only problem is that I don’t have any idea where to go for that second opinion. it is incredibly frustrating to have gone through so many operations only to end up deaf and in pain just like I started.

Right now I have to focus on getting ready for the May 11 workshop and the Banjo Retreat. I am in a lot of pain, but I am also surrounded by blessings. A loving wife, an amazing family, friends all over the world, a Maine coon cat and a hedgehog. I am the luckiest man alive.

As I write this my ear is starting to hurt like hell again. I think I will curl up on the couch with Amy, Invictus and Quinoa and watch my old VHS copy of A Night at the Opera. Tomorrow I will start tracking down a pain specialist and think about other places to look for help. If I am up to it, I will try to knock out a Daily Frail workshop.

Goodnight and God bless,
-Patrick