Spring came early after a mild winter which was welcome after the past two winters.
There's lots of fire wood left and more to bring in but we should be set for next winter
and then some. Music has been sporadic but I, Mac, managed to take a solo trip last week to Ohio to deliver the first banjo ever built by lady banjo maker, Pat Wilcox, who had sent it to me last Fall for repairs. It gave me an excuse to go visit master pearl engraver and instrument builder, Doug Unger, as well. I had a great time learning more about a wonderful decorative art that I hope to apply in a sparing way to my banjo work.
I also got to help out Pat with some home improvement. She in turn hosted a workshop for interested folks to attend who wanted to learn more about playing banjo and fiddle in the Southwest Virginia style that I specialize in. I also got to perform solo for the folks who came for a great potluck party that evening.
Jenny and I have been taking a break from performing mostly because its been the off-season.
We do have a couple of things on the calendar so checked em out.
Our daughter, Hanna, whose been in Seattle since the end of last August will coming in for the month of June. Her schedule is booked with music things to do including
Mt Airy Fiddler's Convention, Mars Hill BR OT week, Hotel Floyd's Thursday night concert series, The Floyd Country Store's Saturday night dance series,
Mabry Mill's Sunday PM music, as well as the Elk Creek Fiddler's convention. We may be able to get in another recording session as well. Check out her playing http://mactraynham.com/#gallery
We have almost finished a webpage describing a new venture for us. Basically we'll be conducting a series of weekend workshops for those interested in knowing more about
our local playing styles from yesteryear. Check back soon as I will post a link as soon as it is
ready. Or if you want to added to our mailing list then please send us your email address.
Another new thing has been the Floyd JAMS program which I have been working with.
Its is an after school series of group music lessons for kids in 4th thru 7th grades in mountain style banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Over 80 kids signed up for this and the enthusiasm has been tremendous. I teach beginning claw hammer banjo and have several kids that now seem to be getting the elusive claw hammer 'lick' after 9 weeks of 'hammering' home to them the importance of
timing and rhythm in addition to accurate tuning and listening. We don't want to run out of good claw hammer players in our local area. I've enjoyed the experience and expect I will help out in the future.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mac's new Website / Jenny's new Facebook
Big news! Mac has finally got a decent website about his business Mac's Custom Banjos Cabinets and More. It was designed by our son Ben who is professional graphic designer in the DC area. Check it out www.mactraynham.com when you can. It is a better explanation
of just who Mac is and what he does on a regular basis. Let us know what you think.
Jenny has very recently joined Facebook and has had many friend request since so many of our friends and family are on Facebook. She intend to show her art and summer flower and vegetable gardens that she has worked so hard for. It will be interesting to see how having Facebook will affect our lives. Maybe we won't be such hermits anymore.
We finally got our farm fixed up for beef farming and Mac got the opportunity to run some steers to eat up our grass in a management technique known as strip grazing. 35 grass eaters are something to see devouring up a new break of fresh grass. These beeves belonged to alternative Floyd County's grazier supreme Larry Bright who is Mac's mentor in the effort to be a true grass farmer. We intend to cooperate more in the future. Anyone interested in buying pure natural all grass finished beef from Floyd county should get in touch with Larry or me ASAP.
Mac was again on the staff of Augusta October Old-time Week having a class of ten students for intermediate/advance level of traditional claw hammer banjo. It was great fun with lots of good jams with staff and students. The end of the week was the annual Augusta Fiddler's gathering which drew in some of the best players of West Virginia rich traditional fiddle music. I even sold a banjo to wonderful lady Pat Wilcox.
In June 2012, Mac will be on the staff of Blue Ridge Old-time week at Mars Hill College once again. Shay Garriock, our long time fiddle buddy who Mac has recorded with will be there also. I haven't updated the calendar yet.
December has found us again trying to finish of some building projects on the farm while working on cabinets and banjos for old and new customers. Our Rock Springhouse is shaping up nicely and represents several tons of rocks, sand and gravel moved over the last year and a half onto a resting place that will preserve our water. The spring is one of several on our property that was developed into a water source for our house by previous owners. An ancient roadbed is beside it and word has it that it was known in the old days as one of the best springs in our part of Floyd county which is reputed to have over 1000 springs.
We hope to get the roof on it next week. Photos will be on Facebook.
Musically, Mac has been laying down some tracks at Windfall Studios for a future project involving our area's traditional string music style, ie, Old-time clawhammer banjo and fiddle duets and trios. Hanna, who resides in Seattle, Washington recorded 8 tracks of rare banjo tunes with Mac playing fiddle in a traditional duet fashion before she left. So stay tuned for more about how these tracks get mixed and fixed for a final sound.
Jenny and I hope to learn new songs in 2012 and share them when we can. Check the calendar for an update soon.
of just who Mac is and what he does on a regular basis. Let us know what you think.
Jenny has very recently joined Facebook and has had many friend request since so many of our friends and family are on Facebook. She intend to show her art and summer flower and vegetable gardens that she has worked so hard for. It will be interesting to see how having Facebook will affect our lives. Maybe we won't be such hermits anymore.
We finally got our farm fixed up for beef farming and Mac got the opportunity to run some steers to eat up our grass in a management technique known as strip grazing. 35 grass eaters are something to see devouring up a new break of fresh grass. These beeves belonged to alternative Floyd County's grazier supreme Larry Bright who is Mac's mentor in the effort to be a true grass farmer. We intend to cooperate more in the future. Anyone interested in buying pure natural all grass finished beef from Floyd county should get in touch with Larry or me ASAP.
Mac was again on the staff of Augusta October Old-time Week having a class of ten students for intermediate/advance level of traditional claw hammer banjo. It was great fun with lots of good jams with staff and students. The end of the week was the annual Augusta Fiddler's gathering which drew in some of the best players of West Virginia rich traditional fiddle music. I even sold a banjo to wonderful lady Pat Wilcox.
In June 2012, Mac will be on the staff of Blue Ridge Old-time week at Mars Hill College once again. Shay Garriock, our long time fiddle buddy who Mac has recorded with will be there also. I haven't updated the calendar yet.
December has found us again trying to finish of some building projects on the farm while working on cabinets and banjos for old and new customers. Our Rock Springhouse is shaping up nicely and represents several tons of rocks, sand and gravel moved over the last year and a half onto a resting place that will preserve our water. The spring is one of several on our property that was developed into a water source for our house by previous owners. An ancient roadbed is beside it and word has it that it was known in the old days as one of the best springs in our part of Floyd county which is reputed to have over 1000 springs.
We hope to get the roof on it next week. Photos will be on Facebook.
Musically, Mac has been laying down some tracks at Windfall Studios for a future project involving our area's traditional string music style, ie, Old-time clawhammer banjo and fiddle duets and trios. Hanna, who resides in Seattle, Washington recorded 8 tracks of rare banjo tunes with Mac playing fiddle in a traditional duet fashion before she left. So stay tuned for more about how these tracks get mixed and fixed for a final sound.
Jenny and I hope to learn new songs in 2012 and share them when we can. Check the calendar for an update soon.
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