Joel Sweeney Early Banjo Convergence

Comment by D. Wooldridge on May 16, 2016 at 6:08am

Playing at the very tavern where Joel Sweeney honed his chops at an early age before setting the world on fire with that blessed banjo!

Comment by D. Wooldridge on May 16, 2016 at 6:11am

The local militia trained in this yard as well as well as paraded on such occasions as Independence Day! That group included Joel, as well as his musical brothers & cousins: Sam, Robert Miller, & Charles.

Comment by Paul Draper on May 16, 2016 at 8:06am

It was a great time! Thanks to David and Mark for organizing this, and to Bob Carlin and Laurent Dubois for their presentations, and to all the players present! Good playing with you all. Sonny, hope you made it back to ole kentuck safe and sound - thanks for putting some more tunes on my radar...

Comment by Strumelia on May 16, 2016 at 8:51pm

Wow, what a GREAT time we all had!  Morning...afternoon...evening...nighttime... lot's o' playing and fun, plus all the historic buildings and the campground and lanterns, the campfires, the beautiful shady porches, and the groups of appreciative onlookers and schoolkids coming through and loving the music...

BIG thanks top Mark and David W for putting this event together, and my personal thanks to Jim for making sure I didn't get lost off in the fields somewhere (as i am liable to do).

Paul I know you are still probably mad at me for winning the giant banjo car magnet PRIZE for longest trek, but maybe I'll take pity and lend it to you.  Maybe.    ;D

I am totally wiped out-drove all day.  Hugs to all my buddies!

Comment by Chris Prieto on May 16, 2016 at 9:19pm

Looks like it was a hoot. Awesome photo :)

and Paul, that coat is rather stellar.

Comment by Tom Taggart on May 16, 2016 at 11:50pm

What a great gig.  I am looking forward to the next one already.  Many thanks to Mark and David for putting this together.

Comment by Sonny Bryan on May 17, 2016 at 10:35am

This was a fantastic, lively event on such historic ground!  Thanks, David and Mark for creating this tribute to Joel Sweeney:  And thanks to Jim, Paul, Lisa, Rob, Scott, Tom, Dave K., and Jack for including me so graciously in this musical experience. Well worth the trip from ol' Kantuck.

Comment by Strumelia on May 17, 2016 at 2:19pm

The weather was so nice too- comfortably cool and sunny and breezy mostly.  We put on a swell concert for the public on Saturday afternoon right on the historic courthouse steps and lawn.  The above photo was taken on the porch of the Tavern, where we did a lot of jamming.

The cool thing was that there were so many great spots to play, listen, teach, and participate all weekend.  Not only the tavern, but in other various historic buildings and porches, in the Sweeney cabin itself (where we did another min-concert for a tour coming through), and in the period campground around campfires.  We were made welcomed to play in many beautiful locations!

Comment by Richard Katz on May 17, 2016 at 7:19pm

You all look so authentic! I hope I can make it back east someday.

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