Banjo versus TV: Week 52

The very last check-in on the Banjo versus TV project — J.R.'s resolution to spend more time in 2008 on his banjo than on TV. This post covers 12/23/2008 through 12/31/2008.

"So," I hear you ask, because I'm a listener, "What banjo-themed stuff did you get for Christmas?"

And the answer is, this:

A copy of Spectacular Spider-Man #156 (November 1989) featuring the 10-year-old mutant menace of Banjo! Yes, this has little to do with the banjo as a musical instrument. (See this video if you want to see the true Spider-Man/banjo connection.)

Thanks, Big Brother!

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So that's it for 2008. One year of fierce battle between the forces of banjo and the boob tube.

And the banjo won.

Banjo versus TV: Week 51

A weekly check-in on the Banjo versus TV project — J.R.'s resolution to spend more time in 2008 on his banjo than on TV. This post covers 12/16/2008 through 12/22/2008.

It's the busy holiday season. Music-wise, this week has been all about the preparations for the Royal Moose Jug Band's performance.

This week's banjo lesson, for example, didn't have much to do with the banjo per se. Instead I asked Dave for his advice as a recording engineer. Dave runs Shu-Man Studios and is an expert in such things.

Also in the last week:

• While trying to work out sheet music for the Royal Moose Jug Band I ran across a good article: Bluegrass Harmony Vocals.
• Haven't had time yet for our annual viewing of our three traditional Christmas movies...
  1. A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim
  2. Elf with Will Ferrel
  3. Bad Santa with Billy Bob Thornton
  ...but will try to fit them in before the end of the year. (Note from the future: Nope, we didn't get to our traditional Christmas movie viewing. Better luck next [this] year. - 3/29/2009)

Banjo versus TV: Week 50

A weekly check-in on the Banjo versus TV project — J.R.'s resolution to spend more time in 2008 on his banjo than on TV. This post covers 12/09/2008 through 12/15/2008.

Realizing that every set needs a train song, we (of the Royal Moose Jug Band) have decided that we'll be playing Wabash Cannonball.

Which I kinda knew, but which I now know better after a few hours of practice.

Mark your calendars: Shorty's Strickly Bluegrass Festival in Peoria

Once again (You do remember last year, don't you?) it's time for Shorty's Strickly Bluegrass Festival, held this year from Thursday March 6 through Sunday March 8 at the Stoney Creek Inn in East Peoria, Illinois.

I don't have a flyer or much information about this year's festival. It'll probably be something like last year's schedule, with the "Branson Show" on Thursday at 7pm then shows on Friday evening from 7pm to 10:30pm, Saturday afternoon from 1pm to 5pm, Saturday evening from 7pm to 11pm and Sunday from 9:30am to noon.

See you there!