Tag Archives: Banjo

Being Inside the Music

Posted on September 23, 2015 by wakingofthebear

Music is a very important part of my life. I like to think of myself as a musician. Not necessarily an outstanding musician, but a musician nevertheless. My earliest memory of music in my life is being a member of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Andrea Bocelli, Appalachians, Banjo, Barbara Streisand, bass, bluegrass, Booster Band, chior, clarinet, Dahlonega, dobro, fiddle, Geoff Howald, Gregorian Chant, guitar, Itzhak Perlman, mandolin, Mozart, musician, Plato, Roy Clark, tonette, Yo-Yo Ma | 4 Comments

A Tale Worth Telling

Posted on May 3, 2015 by wakingofthebear

If you have been following my blog for any time at all, you know that each year my wife and I take at least one trip to John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. If you haven’t, now you … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Banjo, choir director, dining hall, family style meals, glass beads, jewelry, John C. Campbell Folk School, Lamesa, North Carolina | 4 Comments

First Place/Number One/The Best

Posted on July 13, 2014 by wakingofthebear

I have this affliction. Maybe affliction is too strong a word to use here, but sometimes it feels like an affliction. You see, I always want to be the best. This has been going on for most of my life. … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning | Tagged Banjo, bass, bluegrass, dobro, fiddle, first place, Freshly Pressed, Grapevine, guitar, jam, mandolin, meet up, teacher's pet | 8 Comments

. . . and another thing . . .

Posted on June 29, 2014 by wakingofthebear

Since I have not posted a rant lately about things that bug me, I thought this might be the right time and the right topic. The question to be answered is, “Why do some people put themselves in situations where … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning | Tagged advanced, Appalachia, Banjo, beads, beginner, bluegrass, instructor, intermediate, John C. Campbell Folk School, torch | 4 Comments

Heroes, Gurus, and Friends

Posted on April 24, 2014 by wakingofthebear

We all have them. I know that labeling people is not a popular thing to do, but these three labels should not get anyone’s bloomers in a knot. After all, these are all very complimentary. Hero – 1: a mythological … Continue reading →

Posted in Life Path | Tagged Abilene, Aristotle, Banjo, barista, conflict, friend, guru, hero, mentor, mythological, Starbucks, triple threat | 7 Comments

Customs and Mores

Posted on January 18, 2014 by wakingofthebear

I am currently reading a delightful book entitled Whistling Woman (Appalachian Journey). The listed author is C C Tillery, but the book is actually a collaboration between two sisters, Christy and Caitlyn, who have both authored books under their own names. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Community | Tagged 19th Century, Appalachia, Banjo, Baptist Church, barn raising chicken killing, bluegrass, celebration, Cherokee, corn shucking, fox hunt, foxhound, good ol' boys, gossip, John C. Campbell Folk School, minister, North Carolina, pounding, preacher's wife, quilting bee, Tennessee, Whistling Woman | 5 Comments

Can You Teach an Old Goat New Tricks?

Posted on January 10, 2014 by wakingofthebear

Now I know that you all are thinking of the old adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but we are not going to talk about dogs in this post. We are, in fact, going to talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning | Tagged Banjo, barn, chip carving, Christmas, computers, copper, Dogs, Earl Scruggs, goats, iPhone, John C. Campbell Folk School, Learning, metaphor, photography, Radio City Rockettes, relief carving, Texas State Fair | 3 Comments

Epiphany – A Moment of Sudden Revelation or Insight

Posted on January 6, 2014 by wakingofthebear

Today is known in the Christian liturgical year as Epiphany. It is also referred to as the Twelfth Night, signifying the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, when the lover gives someone “twelve drummers drumming” (what else are drummers … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays | Tagged Albert Einstein, Banjo, Buddhist, Christian, Christmas, Dia de los Muertos, Earl Scruggs, Epiphany, Father"s Day, Groundhog Day, Halloween, Hindu, Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King, Memorial DayJewish, Mexico, Moon Landing, Mother's Day, Muslim, Pagan, Samhain, Social Security, St. Patrick's Day, Stock Market Crash, Thanksgiving, Theory of Relativity, Twelve Days of Christmas, Valentine, Winter Solstice | 2 Comments

Taking Chances

Posted on November 2, 2013 by wakingofthebear

Did I mention that I am taking banjo lessons? I have been at this since the middle of July. Today I faced a new opportunity with my banjo. An opportunity to take a chance. My banjo teacher told me about … Continue reading →

Posted in Self Improvement | Tagged Arts, Banjo, Denton Texas, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, Ray Price, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band | 3 Comments

Let’s Keep On Learning New Stuff

Posted on October 13, 2013 by wakingofthebear

Regina and I just returned from a week at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. We have been there five times. Obviously, we like it a lot. If you have not had the opportunity to hear us … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning | Tagged Banjo, Brasstown North Carolina, Green Bay Packer, Janis Joplin, John C. Campbell Folk School, Learning, Mercedes Benz, North Carolina, photography, Sarah Caldwell, wood carving | 1 Comment