Bringing Banjo To A New Generation
written by Carolina Bridges
Meet the “Howdi Dos” of Central Park II Elementary in East Harlem, New York. They are the future of banjo. In this group of kindergartners may be the next Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Taylor Swift, Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers, Keith Urban, or Mumford and Sons’ Winston Marshall. They say that they “love it so much because it makes nice music.” Why? Because their teacher Chris has taken the time to share with them the love of banjo music.
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow....it’s all about the music we share and the encouragement we give. Many say, if its not played “like Earl” then it isn’t banjo music. But, when Earl was young, no one was playing like he did! And when Django Reinhardt played a 6-string banjo with only with fingers and an old button instead of a pick...well most folks weren’t doing that either. He, along with New Orleans jazz pioneer Johnny St. Cyr who played with the Louie Armstrong, took the 6-string banjo into genres of music that had never even heard banjo before. And when Eddie Peabody played a 4-string banjo...the world stood up and took notice. One and all, these legends of banjos introduced this marvelous instrument to the world in new and innovative ways that we NOW call traditional.
So it is with the new breed of young banjo musicians. Strong, dynamic, physically demanding styles of performances like those of Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers are inspiring others to pick up the banjo and discover the joy it can bring. Scott plays a number of Deering banjos including a Black Diamond, Sierra, Tenbrooks Legacy, Calico, and a Vega Senator.
From across the pond come the Mumford and Sons Band with Winston Marshall on the banjo. They joined the Revival Train tour last year to bring the thrill of banjo music to audiences who met them at train stations from East to West. Taking the train “on tour” as a reminder of a slower, gentler form of travel and partnering with other artists they brought a rousing celebration of lively music to the younger generation of music lovers in the United States. Winston Marshall plays Deering’s Eagle II, Vega Old Time Wonder, and our Goodtime banjo was his first Deering!
A lean, lovely blonde with bright eyes and a smile to match named Taylor Swift has taken the 6-string banjo with her to entertain millions of young people all over the world. Just like Django and Johnny, Taylor does things “her” way, bringing a landslide of young folks into the fold of banjo lovers.Strumming on a Deering Boston 6-String Acoustic/Electric banjo in front of TV audience of 25 million on the Grammy stage, Taylor got a standing ovation. Who said playing banjo wasn’t “cool”? Certainly not Taylor!
It is not just the young but the young at heart who are introducing the banjo to a mainstream audience previously unexposed to the joy of America’s own instrument, the banjo. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers played banjo on the White House lawn during the July 4th celebration. The dancing, clapping, and joyful noise of the crowd was more than a match for the fireworks on that glorious Independence Day! Performing 2 tours with Deering’s Clawgrass model and spawning the creation of the Crow and Rare Bird Alert Goodtime banjos, Steve Martin has taken the time to share his love of banjo with stage and TV audiences around the world.
Are you “a little bit country”...then listen to The Band Perry, Keith Urban Band, Lady Antebellum, Montgomery Gentry, or the Oakridge Boys. Bands new and experienced are bringing more and more folks to the fold! And the banjo is the bright spot leading the way! And yes, they all play Deering banjos too. Calico, Saratoga Star, Boston, Deluxe 6-string banjos... these are among the banjos that meet the demanding needs of these popular artists.
Want to hear what the new tenor crowd is listening to? The popular Boston based Drop Kick Murphys band has taken the tenor banjo to new heights among the active younger audience. With three signature model 19-fret tenors, the Drop Kick Murphys have the world tapping its toes and spinning on the dance floor with their lively, energetic performances...yes, world wide!
Want to be part of this American Revolution of banjo? Want to bring the love of banjo to a new generation? Get your jam buddies together and call the local grammer schools, private or public. Offer them a FREE assembly of music...play it YOUR way! Call the local church youth groups and see if they would like to have a free performance at one of their meetings! Contact the local Boy Scout Council and see who among their many Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops would love to have a free musical performance at one of their monthly/weekly meetings. Of course, visit the senior homes and convalescent hospitals...EVERYONE wants to hear the banjo.
The banjo is alive,well, and flourishing...but only as long as we all take the time to follow the examples of young people like Chris, Scott, Taylor, Winston, and the many others who play the banjo “because it makes nice music!”
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