Music: Danny Barnes on shuffle. ( one of my modern banjo heroes)

And the winner is ME…
I won a banjo over the weekend at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival. For five dollars I supported the bluegrass academy and got to start a new hobby. If you were at the festival and stuck around through Sunday, I hope you saw the kids academy perform. I always find this part of the festival inspiring. There is a future for bluegrass. It’s nice to kids up there playing traditional music. I’m partial to the old stuff.

For a picture of the banjo I won, click here

( I did not get the gear bag, but I did get a nifty four sided banjo shaped cardboard box- possible pic of box to come- it’s way cool) I think I will have to fork over the money for the gear bag eventually though)

I’ve been going to the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival for four years. Ever since the first time, I’ve been trying to win a banjo. I’ve tried to win instruments at Joe Val, Grey Fox, Strawberry Park, and Podunk.

This year, Joe Val smiled down on me and I won.
Laurie Lewis drew the winning entry.

I sat in the audience as they pronounced my last name wrong, corrected them, and basically went into shock. I was stunned, over whelmed and completely besides myself. I walked to the back to see if I heard right, but I knew I did. The nice man took me to the green room where somebody else took my picture as I held my new acquired banjo ( Did I mention I’ve wanted to own one of these for four years?) It was all a bit too much to handle so I said I would pick it up later and went back to listen to No Speed Limit. I couldn’t sit still so I joined the dancers on the wooden area in the back. When I told people I was the gal who had won the banjo they were so nice. Gotta love those bluegrass fans.

I’ve played instruments in the past ( badly) . Piano and clarinet, in that order, but I’ve never played a string instrument before. My fingers and brain need to learn a whole new language. This is what I do know. My banjo is in the key of G. The emphasis goes on the thumb. My banjo is openback.

These are some facts about my banjo that were written on the attached tag:

Easy to tote- only 4 lbs!

This is good because I don’t want to lug around something heavy. At this point I’m wondering where I might be lugging it to. Up and down the stairs of my apartment? To a lesson ( when I can afford them)?

Ideal for beginners, traveling, & hiking

Hmmm…beginners? sure, that’s me. Traveling, OK, say I take it to my grandmother’s or parents, or slow jam session ( guess I need to learn to play songs first), Hiking? Right, I’m going to take my banjo hiking. Like a traveling troubadeur? Like an appalachian story teller?- She travelled through the woods playing songs and entertaining small animals.

Durable and reliable

Like most things in life should be.

So twangy people, I could write about this all day but then it would never get posted. I want to thank the BBU and all the volunteers for the time and effort they put into the festival. Well done!

Much thanks also to all the people who gave me advice on what to with the banjo after I won.

On to practicing my rolls and maybe learn a few songs. Next year, I’ll be jamming in the halls!

Damn, I’m just too excited. Now if only the luck of winning, would spill over into my job search.