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Jamming

The Delta Blues

September 25, 2021

Got the “Delta Blues” from the pandemic mutant infestation? During the first wave of this global affliction, the G&F band migrated outdoors to jam weekly on the patio behind the BRC workshop where they paused (below) for a dock photo taken one year ago. We navigated the subsequent winter months by retreating indoors and picking in a heated and ventilated garage, and we rejoiced when Springtime finally blossomed and returned us to outside jams.

Our brewpub music for the benefit of the Children’s Hospital was on hiatus for more than a year, and we resumed performing Sunday afternoon gigs for a couple months until the delta variant arrived. We have now migrated back to outdoor jam sessions on the patio behind the BRC domicile as seen in the recent photograph below. The expansive wood porch surmounting the patio brings welcomed shade to the musicians and provides marvelous acoustics for their stringed instruments.

It has been a goofy journey, but all the G&F musicians remain healthy, vaxed, and eager to play Bluegrass music. Our shared fellowship is enjoyed in this safe environment where overhead a young bald eagle frequently patrols the shoreline. Lakeside neighbors text message the BRC spouse their appreciation for the music that floats over the water on Sunday afternoons. We count our blessings whenever one of us kicks-off the “potatoes” intro to signal the tempo of the next tune. As the leaves paint their seasonal changes around the lake perimeter, we wish the very same to you.

From the BRC: Be well, be safe, keep on picking.

BRC Activities, G&F Band

Milestone & Music & Monarchs

September 10, 2021

Since its inception in 1995, the BRC banjoist`s Gainor & Friends band has entertained listeners with Bluegrass music and donated all tips to the local Children`s Hospital. The Broadway Brewery graciously began hosting our Sunday brunch jam sessions in 2009, and we are grateful to this family-friendly brewpub for its generous community spirit. After a music hiatus during the 2020-2021 pandemic months, our performances resumed in the springtime, but we are again on-hold because of delta variant issues. This summer, nonetheless, our total collections for the Children`s Miracle Network surpassed $27K. Almost three-fourths of these monies have been donated by the faithful patrons at the Brewery. We salute them all as partners in achieving this milestone, and we look forward to stepping-up on stage once more sometime soon to entertain them again. For a while, the G&F pickers (below, all vaxed) will be jamming Sunday afternoons on the back patio of the band leader’s lakeside home.

During a Spring visit, the grandkids had occasion to pause with their BRC grandfather on the brewpub stage (below) to welcome the brunch hour guests while their mom Lisa and Grandma looked-on.

The BRC craftsman is especially thankful to his daughter Lisa (pictured above) for upgrading the BRC website last month and giving its format new wings by making the content much more accessible to our faithful readership. With much appreciation, Grandpa Doc.
In the meantime, our historical Thursday night jam of 3 decades duration is currently on hiatus with the pandemic, but the Wednesday afternoon outdoor picking session in a small village nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks remains active. Last month, however, the blistering August sun not infrequently drove the above musicians into the air-conditioned basement of a nearby church.
 
 As the monarch butterflies migrate south to Mexico and autumn draws near, we thank all these musicians for renewing and sustaining Bluegrass music during our shared and strange journey through these unusual and shadowed times. Peace.
From the BRC: Be safe, be well, mask-up.
Art Shows

Wherever Eagles Dare

August 28, 2021

Last month, our Chicago grandkids stayed at the BRC domicile for a week in order to attend a horseback riding camp at a nearby ranch. One morning on the drive to the countryside venue, they thrilled to witness a magnificent bald eagle swoop down in front of their vehicle to seize some roadside carrion with its spikey talons.

On the weekend, the youngsters visited the Veteran`s Pavilion op-up art exhibit on display in the lobby gallery of the Central Bank of Missouri to see their grandfather`s Sky Rover banjo (for details please enter “rover” in the homepage search engine to visit the “Sky Rover & Happy 4th” posting of July 4, 2021). They studied the mother of pearl eagles on the fretboard and learned that all BRC banjos have a signature inlay on the heel of the neck for the eyes only of the musician.

The BRC craftsman is a student of military history and has an extensive collection of original vintage and contemporary posters, and many of them depict striking images of our National Bird- the bald eagle.

The Veteran`s Pavilion art show concluded at the end of July with an evening reception to honor its participating Show-Me State former members of the US Armed Forces.

From the BRC: Eat healthily, exercise regularly, get the vax.

Vega Martin Stories

Decoding a Vega Martin Deluxe

August 14, 2021

Dear BRC Mailbox: (Summer, 2021)

I have inherited a Vega 5 string banjo, and I am told by a local shop that the internal serial number is 1223 and was likely built in the 70’s. It does not have any Martin decals. The back of the peg head has a single star design reminiscent of a compass rose. The back is quite unique. It is a 6 segmented pie like design. Since I know nothing about banjos I am seeking any information that I can get. I have photos if you can provide an email address. Although Canadian, my in-laws likely bought this in Tennessee, as they were blue grass fans. Thanks much, S.B.

Reply from the BRC:

Dear S.B.,

Thank you for the detailed photos of your ornate banjo. Although your 5-stringer is a high quality circa 1977-78 instrument made of C.F. Martin parts, it is doubtful that it was assembled at the Nazareth, PA, factory. The serial number is a duplicate of a different type entry level instrument made in 1975. I have two theories about the construction of your Tu-Ba-Phone Deluxe model, and please consult my <banjorehab.com> website for the posting on Jan. 9, 2016 for details (enter deluxe in the homepage search engine). Your banjo may have been assembled overseas from inventory inherited by the Galaxy conglomerate that purchased the Vega franchise from Martin in 1979.  Around 1975, however, a few high-end banjo parts were sent to a warranty Martin repair shop in Toronto for assembly when the C.F. Martin interest in manufacturing banjos was beginning to wane.  Sometime around 1976-77, the Martin Company leased industrial floor space on Milner Ave., in Scarborough, Ontario, to transfer the manufacturing of its Vega banjo line up north, and parts were then shipped to Canada. The story then becomes a little sketchy, but some top end instruments were assembled in Ontario after banjo production reportedly ceased in Nazareth in 1977 because of a difficult luthier strike there. My guess is that your Canadian in-laws probably purchased your banjo from the Toronto or Ontario venues. Question: does the inside of the pie-sectioned resonator have a small Martin decal on it as shown on my aforesaid website posting? Thank you for sharing your instrument questions with me.

With appreciation, Barry

 

S.B. replies:
Just went to the link you mentioned. The banjo is identical, just not branded Martin inside the back. There is no label inside the banjo, nor even a shadow of one. The Scarborough assembly location would have been only a few miles from my in-laws. Thanks, S.B.

 

From the BRC: Be safe, be well, be vaxed

Art Shows

Time for Tea

July 31, 2021

The local community art league has an annual mid-summer extravaganza referred to as the Food Show. The title and theme of the juried competition this July was “Snack Time.” The opening reception was the first in-person event since early 2020 and was conducted with masks-up and social distancing. In mid-August, the art league plans to host its yearly gala evening called “Let Them Eat Art” where local chefs and bartenders offer food and drink inspired by the works in the gallery, and the guests vote on their favorite dish and beverage. For the Snack Time exhibit, the BRC craftsman submitted an “Herbal Tea” banjo that was accepted into the show.

Mother of pearl tea leaves of gold, green, and black flutter down the peg head and onto the fretboard. The heel of each BRC banjo is a signature location for a unique mother of pearl inlay, and a green tea leaf is situated there on this 5-stringer (below right) for the eyes only of the musician.

The entries were adjucated by a university Visual Studies faculty member who provided the Juror`s Statement:

It was a pleasure to jury the Snack show! Fortunately, artists provided me with a broad range of media and subject matter. From felting to banjos and handmade paper with blueberries, the artists in the Snack Show create a visual experience for us that ranges from quirky to gorgeous and well-crafted.

 

 

 

At the art league`s opening event pictured below, two BRC grandkids pose by their Grandpa Doc`s snack time 5-stringer. By serendipity, the BRC craftsman has exhibited 3 banjos in various art shows during this past month of July: Baroque Bur Oak, Sky Rover, and now the Herbal Tea.

During the opening ceremony, a mysterious gallery visitor apparently familiar with tea leaf readings, closely studied the mother of pearl inlays on the Herbal Tea banjo and reportedly predicted, “Better days are ahead.” Good news is always welcome.

From the BRC: Be safe, be well, be vaxed.