No Commercial Potential? - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T05:46:50Zhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?id=2477478%3ATopic%3A67663&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI think with a band like the…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-25:2477478:Comment:680492012-05-25T18:51:41.959ZNicholas A Bechtelhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/NicholasABechtel
<p>I think with a band like the C. Chocolate Drops that are successful with their style of music, there will be more bands emulating that sound, CCD will/have influenced a lot of musicians new and old. I think we will see more music that embraces that style of music played out in a variety of settings and not just in a historical reenacting environment. I have yet to see them live, but everything else I have heard or seen video wise really gives me the impression that the Carolina Chocolate…</p>
<p>I think with a band like the C. Chocolate Drops that are successful with their style of music, there will be more bands emulating that sound, CCD will/have influenced a lot of musicians new and old. I think we will see more music that embraces that style of music played out in a variety of settings and not just in a historical reenacting environment. I have yet to see them live, but everything else I have heard or seen video wise really gives me the impression that the Carolina Chocolate Drops embrace many styles of music from the minstrel period to early 20th century, right on down to bluegrass. I hope we see more bands with the same approach. I think now is an interesting time for a resurgence of this era of music. You can't escape the lure and effect it has on the ear. For me it fills a familiar spot in my soul. Glad to see it happening.</p> So, integrating this music in…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-25:2477478:Comment:679412012-05-25T13:43:03.614ZTim Twisshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
<p>So, integrating this music into genres / sets that already exist does present some possibilities for commercial acceptance. The audience already there, and they have been brought along in a show....receptors are open. </p>
<p>So, integrating this music into genres / sets that already exist does present some possibilities for commercial acceptance. The audience already there, and they have been brought along in a show....receptors are open. </p> As I mentioned, the C.Chocola…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-25:2477478:Comment:680412012-05-25T10:23:59.312ZStrumeliahttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Strumelia
<p>As I mentioned, the C.Chocolate Drops are performing much minstrel material on stage now, including songs stories and bones, and they are a VERY popular group. There are other old-time musicians performing both minstrel and old-time music on gourd banjos, on minstrel banjos. Some of these people are well known in old-time music circles and festivals- though 'fame' in the old-time world is admittedly somewhat limited. But I suspect old-time bands and musicians are substantially more…</p>
<p>As I mentioned, the C.Chocolate Drops are performing much minstrel material on stage now, including songs stories and bones, and they are a VERY popular group. There are other old-time musicians performing both minstrel and old-time music on gourd banjos, on minstrel banjos. Some of these people are well known in old-time music circles and festivals- though 'fame' in the old-time world is admittedly somewhat limited. But I suspect old-time bands and musicians are substantially more commercially viable than Civil war re-enacting folk.</p>
<p>In the old-time festival world, there is a huge resurgence going on right now where young people in their 30's are taking up the cause with enthusiasm- many of them are really into the old stuff, wearing young hipster combos of retro clothing, playing the Old Dead Guy material..... <em>it's already happening.</em></p>
<p>That's where I'll be this weekend, at a small local old-time festival with my gourd banjer! Gonna meet up with another member from here who just has a minstrel banjo and just got his new gourd... =8-D</p> Its a funny thing Ryan, I'm s…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-25:2477478:Comment:678032012-05-25T02:01:27.452ZBrian Glasshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/BrianGlass840
<p>Its a funny thing Ryan, I'm sorry to admit I didn't know Rhiannon by name or by sight when we met. She was just another Minstrel Banjo Enthusiast at the weekend event but she does have a fantastic voice and it wasn't long after that I happened to be watching the Bring me the Banjo special on Natgeo and I recognized her! Its a small world in Minstrel banjo. Be sure to listen for the minstrel banjo playing. I am sure I have picked it up in at least four of the songs on the album. </p>
<p>Its a funny thing Ryan, I'm sorry to admit I didn't know Rhiannon by name or by sight when we met. She was just another Minstrel Banjo Enthusiast at the weekend event but she does have a fantastic voice and it wasn't long after that I happened to be watching the Bring me the Banjo special on Natgeo and I recognized her! Its a small world in Minstrel banjo. Be sure to listen for the minstrel banjo playing. I am sure I have picked it up in at least four of the songs on the album. </p> This thread has wandered and…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-25:2477478:Comment:680372012-05-25T01:59:29.504ZTim Twisshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
<p>This thread has wandered and gone many directions.....very good! One point I see brought up is that somebody who is ALREADY commercially successful yields great power to draw attention to the genre. It may not be the focus, but it puts it on the table.</p>
<p>This thread has wandered and gone many directions.....very good! One point I see brought up is that somebody who is ALREADY commercially successful yields great power to draw attention to the genre. It may not be the focus, but it puts it on the table.</p> Well Brian, I have to admit I…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-25:2477478:Comment:675342012-05-25T01:40:22.824ZRyan Grayhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/RyanGray
<p>Well Brian, I have to admit I am jealous of you. you got to meet one of my biggest idols in music. It was because of her that I continued to keep playing banjo after I first started. Now that 'im also doing minstrel tunes, its even better! After work tonight i'm going to buy that new album you are talking about and blast it on the way home :)</p>
<p>Well Brian, I have to admit I am jealous of you. you got to meet one of my biggest idols in music. It was because of her that I continued to keep playing banjo after I first started. Now that 'im also doing minstrel tunes, its even better! After work tonight i'm going to buy that new album you are talking about and blast it on the way home :)</p> Funny thing today, on the way…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-25:2477478:Comment:679372012-05-25T01:28:40.021ZBrian Glasshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/BrianGlass840
<p>Funny thing today, on the way to work I had the radio on a college station and our own Minstrel Banjo Ning member Rhiannon Giddens and her group, The Carolina Chocolate Drops were getting some air time and low and behold, I heard a minstrel banjo playing in the background!! Perhaps there is a way to make this banjo style pay after all? I checked out(and purchased) their new album and realized that Rhiannon played her Minstrel Banjo on several of their new songs! I recall meeting Rhiannon at…</p>
<p>Funny thing today, on the way to work I had the radio on a college station and our own Minstrel Banjo Ning member Rhiannon Giddens and her group, The Carolina Chocolate Drops were getting some air time and low and behold, I heard a minstrel banjo playing in the background!! Perhaps there is a way to make this banjo style pay after all? I checked out(and purchased) their new album and realized that Rhiannon played her Minstrel Banjo on several of their new songs! I recall meeting Rhiannon at the Minstrel banjo and Bones weekend at Harpers Ferry in November when she took home her new Hartel Banjo. It seems she managed to put it to good work for the new album. Maybe we can take a note from her book and try to incorporate the Minstrel Banjo into modern music and ultimately, educate the public at large about its history? Are there other members here who have managed to crossover with their minstrel playing into mainstream music?? Just a little food for thought.</p> Your right , I like that sta…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-24:2477478:Comment:676312012-05-24T13:22:53.417ZSteve Jeterhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/SteveJeter
<p> Your right , I like that statement better myself.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Dan'l said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67627&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2477478Comment67530"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Steve - Repectfully, to use the sound bite "the banjo is from Africa" is a disservice to the ingenuity of African-Americans and other Americans who invented the banjo.</p>
<p> Before the banjo…</p>
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<p> Your right , I like that statement better myself.<br/> <br/> <cite>Dan'l said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67627&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2477478Comment67530"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Steve - Repectfully, to use the sound bite "the banjo is from Africa" is a disservice to the ingenuity of African-Americans and other Americans who invented the banjo.</p>
<p> Before the banjo was first <em>imported</em> to Africa by some performer or instrument seller, banjo academics tell us there was no instrument from Africa called by the English language word banjo, nor any instrument that had the combined characteristics of banjo, nor any African in Africa who had made or even held a banjo.</p>
<p> How about "The banjo is an American instrument evolved from Africa." That's a true statement.</p>
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</blockquote> And that's my unbirthday!Greg…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-24:2477478:Comment:677312012-05-24T11:16:09.683ZJoel Hookshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
And that's my unbirthday!<br></br><br></br><cite>Greg Adams said:</cite><blockquote><div><p>June 17? That's my birthday as well! <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Carl Anderton said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67530&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2477478Comment67627"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>June 17, 1837.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Ian Bell said:…</cite></p>
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And that's my unbirthday!<br/><br/><cite>Greg Adams said:</cite><blockquote><div><p>June 17? That's my birthday as well! <br/> <br/> <cite>Carl Anderton said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67530&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2477478Comment67627"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>June 17, 1837.<br/> <br/> <cite>Ian Bell said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67523&xg_source=activity#2477478Comment67523"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Quick, Carl - When is Frank Converse's Birthday?</p>
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</blockquote> June 17? That's my birthday a…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2012-05-24:2477478:Comment:676282012-05-24T11:02:41.550ZGreg Adamshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/GregAdams
<p>June 17? That's my birthday as well! <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Carl Anderton said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67530&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2477478Comment67627"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>June 17, 1837.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Ian Bell said:…</cite></p>
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<p>June 17? That's my birthday as well! <br/> <br/> <cite>Carl Anderton said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67530&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2477478Comment67627"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>June 17, 1837.<br/> <br/> <cite>Ian Bell said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/no-commercial-potential?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A67523&xg_source=activity#2477478Comment67523"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Quick, Carl - When is Frank Converse's Birthday?</p>
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