George William Rockefeller, self-taught banjoist.

[Carl Anderton]

Here is a danged interesting biographical sketch of a 16 year old George Rockefeller, who in 1859 built his own tackhead banjo, and "bought for a dollar a book entitled, Phil. Rice's Method, With or Without an Instructor," which in George's case was "without." "  After enlisting in company E of the 108th New York Infantry Regiment in July, 1861, he "regaled his comrades in camp with his various melodies."

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=CjROAQAAIAAJ&dq=phil%20rice%20...

 

Also, scroll down to page 91 for a rare sketch of Dave Reed, famous for his "Sally Come Up" that he performed with Buckley's Serenaders and Bryant's Minstrels.

[Bell Banjos]

"..strings and keys.."   I had to stop and think a minute.

[Tim Twiss]

Hey, good find. The guy before him must be the figure of  "Stanwoods Favorite" by Frank Converse. Keep digging Carl, we appreciate it.

[Carl Anderton]

Could very well be, Tim.  Stanwood died in 1886, just as the Analytical was going to press.

 

There are probably many more interesting and relevant people profiled in there, I haven't had time to scroll through them all.

[James Pentecost]

Thanks Carl for posting this material.  I just finished reading it and found it all very informative.

I understand that you are taking good care of my friend Mark Weems this week.

[Carl Anderton]

Glad you enjoyed it, James.  Mark is a heckuva banjo player.  He's using my gourd and my tackhead to practice with this week.