by Bert Daniel | Feb 11, 2022 | Welcome Column
I’m sure you’ve all seen them. They wander around the campgrounds in search of a good jam. But unlike most other would be bluegrass jammers, they are heavily burdened by a very ponderous and unwieldy instrument. If they do a lot of jam hopping...
by Bruce Campbell | Feb 9, 2022 | Welcome Column
Recently I heard some chatter about a guy who was wreaking some havoc with guest spots at a regular jam session. I guess it wasn’t a jam session in the usual sense – this particular jam will feature five musicians thrown together for the night, and I guess that...
by Bert Daniel | Feb 6, 2022 | Welcome Column
The Daily Grist: Where oh where is pretty little Susie? Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch (traditional) Spring is springing already here in California! And there is no greater delight than watching the trees bloom each spring. Like many others during the COVID era I...
by Bert Daniel | Feb 4, 2022 | Welcome Column
I can tell you from experience. It’s not a bad thing at all to be stuck in Lodi. For years now the CBA has held its fall or spring campout at the Grape Festival Grounds in Lodi. By April we may be somewhat out of this pandemic mess and I hope we will be able to...
by Patrick Campbell | Feb 4, 2022 | Announcements
Check out the VIDEO that CBA staff photographer Robin Frenette shot at Molly and Golden Highway performing “Grass Valley” at the Roxy Theater on Feb 2. Anyone who has attended at Father’s Day Festival in Grass Valley will feel pretty darn nostalgic!...
by Patrick Campbell | Feb 3, 2022 | Reviews
Magnolia Drive: Timeless www.MagnoliaDrive.com Song List: Lonely Side of Goodbye, The Girl On Sugar Pie Lane, Going Back in Time, Your Tender Loving Care, I Will Always Be With You, I Won’t Call You, It’s Me Again Lord, Mountain Rose, Sweet Country Girl, Going Home,...
by Patrick Campbell | Feb 3, 2022 | Announcements
Greetings – Thanks for your interest in Bay Area bluegrass and old time music events — and for sending me updates and corrections. Please visit the Bluegrass Signal web site for the latest listings and playlists, as well as a number of items and articles...
by Patrick Campbell | Feb 3, 2022 | Interesting Instruments
CBA Member Kai Lyons, currently on a study trip to Brazil, tries out a “samba banjo.” Based on a traditional Brazilian instrument called a cavaquinho, this instrument uses a banjo body for extra volume, like a banjo uke. It’s tuned an octave above...
by Bruce Campbell | Feb 2, 2022 | Welcome Column
I’ll never make a living on music. There. I said it. My parents were right. I tried, I really did. But I discovered that a few things were holding me back. First and foremost, I don’t have enough talent to rise to the upper 1/10 of 1%. I just don’t. I have some...
by Patrick Campbell | Jan 31, 2022 | Reviews
Jamie Francis: The Complete Tune Playing Toolkit for 5-String Banjo www.melbay.com Publication ISBN 978-151-346-812-9 The banjo is a unique American instrument with origins in Africa. The four string banjo or tenor, enjoyed popularity in jazz and Irish music,...
