The annual winter Food Show at the local community art league is entitled “Savor” this year. In this juried exhibition, artists are challenged to express their connections with appetites and sustenance. In addition to an opening reception, the show is later formatted as the “Let Them Eat Art” gala evening fundraiser where local chefs and bartenders (mixologists) offer their entrees and beverages in a contest judged by the votes of the gallery guests. The BRC founder fashioned a “Moonshine” banjo for these savory events.
Twenty-seven years ago, the BRC craftsman formed his Bluegrass band “Gainor & Friends” to play benefit gigs for the Children`s Hospital. In its early days, the group was called the “Moonshyne Reunion” for a while. These musicians are pictured below while providing entertainment at a hospital picnic circa 2004.
The Moonshine 5-stringer fingerboard features bolts of white lightening and topsy-turvy jugs reflecting a potent beverage within. These laser cut wood images spill all the way down the fretboard amidst an occasional star.
As always, BRC banjos have a signature inlay on the heel of the instrument for the eyes only of the musician.
The opening reception was postponed because of the omicron surge, so the art league Director taped a video tour of the Savor exhibit for the artists and patrons. Displayed at the entrance of the gallery, the Moonshine banjo was the very the first work that she presented to the online viewers.
To benefit the Children`s Hospital in 2004, the BRC gig master recorded a solo album of original songs entitled, “Hartsburg Anthology”. An aged fiddler reminisced that many decades previously, moonshine “white lightening” liquor was sold by the gallon not too far from the rural village of Hartsburg. A sound file of the song “Moonshyne Reunion” from the CD is below. Enjoy. (copyright 2004)
From the BRC: Be safe, be well, best wishes on Groundhog Day.
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