Been working on a big project about early banjo music that has got me excited – been going through a lot of pieces from 1855 and thinking about the cultural soup this music came from – African/Irish/German/English/Indigenous etc etc etc – but particularly interested in where traces of the African diaspora have survived in European notation. This tune I’ve been living with a long time, and the fifth string increasingly becomes the key to where the real rhythm is. Hard Times from Briggs’ Banjo Instructor (1855), as tabbed by Joseph Wiedlich. p.s. the stickers on the finger board are there to help me tighten up my intonation. Never stop working on your technique, folks! Sweatshirt from the Ft. Worth Worth African American Roots Music Festival (https://www.fwaamfest.com/)
Many of the techniques used for an early style banjo such as the one I hold (1858 Levi Brown replica by Jim Hartel) in large part died out as the ‘stroke’ style favored in these tunes (which itself was a descendent of West African techniques on ancestral lute type instruments) evolved into the ‘frailing’ or ‘clawhammer’ so well known and loved in old time music. In this piece, Butler’s Jig from Frank Converse’s banjo tutor of 1865 (tab’d by Joseph Weidlich), you can see the thumb technique that really contributes to the rolling feel of this tune. Here’s a work in progress.
So a commenter dropped this photo in one of my posts and I love it so much – wish I had a higher res version of it but you get the gist. When my children were babies I took them on the road; their dad was an incredible ally in this, driving and being involved daily in the workings of the Carolina Chocolate Drops; once the eldest was school age and the youngest one was weaned however, it was time for them to settle down and I became the more usual traveling musician sans children. This picture shows a moment where I was on the road with the youngest on my own (we could not afford nannies ever), and the baby sitter for the day that the venue had brought in couldn’t handle my baby. I heard him crying and I just couldn’t take it so I put him on my back and turned down the monitor so I could finish soundchecking. After the pandemic I was one of the lucky ones that had a ton of work; it felt like I was traveling every other day. There was a moment last year, however, where my children, particularly the one on my back there, who is eleven now, let me know in no uncertain terms that I was gone too much. So I listened and took some projects (book, long form composition, etc) that would keep me home more. I love touring but I love my children more. So I am out there with my touring family as much as I can- and when I’m not out there I’m home, cooking, writing, scrubbing the floor, and being here when my kids get home. I’m very fortunate and grateful for the opportunities I have been given; and I do my best to center humanity in my life, always. p.s. and o my he was the most amazing baby chunk ever
Today marks 18 years since the @chocolatedrops released our debut album Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind. Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind was the first record CCD made – we recorded it in a couple days I think in Chapel Hill many moons ago – right after we’d spent a month doing a bunch of school shows. I remember making CDs in the back of the car until Tim and Denise Duffy saved us and put it out on their label @musicmakerfdn. It has a lot of Joe Thompson’s music on it – here’s a rendition at the Augusta Heritage Center about 402 years ago. 🙂
As @simonebiles said…I love my Black job 🖤
Happy #NationalVoterRegistrationDay! Did you know that 16 million young people will be voting their first ever presidential election this year? YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Registering to vote is the first step in making sure you’re heard. You can check your voter status or register now with @headcountorg at HeadCount.org/register.
These are excerpts from a very different dream speech from MLK, Jr. He says a lot here, July 4, 1965. (10:15): …that through our scientific genius, we have made of this world a neighborhood. Now, through our moral and ethical commitment, we must make of it a brotherhood, and we must all learn to live together as brothers [and sisters] or we will all perish together as fools. Every individual must learn this and every nation must learn this. Every nation must realize its dependence on other nations. (13:13): All I’m saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated. We are tied in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, it affects all indirectly. As long as there is extreme poverty in this world, no one can be totally rich even if he has a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant, and millions of people cannot expect to live more than 28 or 30 years, no one can be totally healthy even if he just got a checkup in the finest clinic of the nation. (22:12): Now we must get rid of two false ideas in order to continue to engage in creative protests. One idea is the myth of time. There are those people who argue that time alone will solve this problem. So, they say you must not push things. You must be patient. You must sit down and wait. And sometimes they decorate it in even larger terms. They say cool off for a while, slow up for a while. Time is the only thing that can solve this problem. What we must come to see is that evolution is true in the biological realm. So, Darwin is right at that point. (23:01): But when Herbert Spencer seeks to apply it to the whole of society there is little evidence for it. Human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals. And without this hard work, time itself becomes the ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social stagnation, so that we must somehow get rid of this idea that time alone with solve the problem. We must use time. The whole speech has so much in it. Link in bio. PS – his expression is exactly how I feel.
IFYKYK
Here’s a glimpse of my recent interview on @abcgma3 where I spoke with @kyraphillips to discuss the history of Black artists in country music. Watch the full segment at the link in bio!
Check out this awesome cover of the @chocolatedrops “Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind” by @tula.b.strong! Fabulous gourd banjo by @menziesinstruments
Back with another #TBT! In 2020, I gave a special performance along with @francescoturrisimusic for the digital premiere of our album there is no Other at @metmuseum as part of @metlivearts. @ibassnote also joined us and here is a glimpse of performing “Ten Thousand Voices.”
I’m going on the American Railroad tour with @silkroadproject in November! Here’s a glimpse from our last tour. We are looking forward to seeing you! More info at the link in bio.
“Show up, disrupt, do anything to make the whole world listen.” @rhiannongiddens, @crysmatthews, and @resistancerevivalchorus reimagine folk icon @peggyseegermusic’s “How I Long for Peace” as a powerful call for community and civic engagement in partnership with @joytothepolls and @headcountorg. This and every election season, we get a chance to show up at the polls and vote the world *we* want to see closer to existence – a more just and peaceful society envisioned in this incantation of a song. We dedicate this recording to survivors and victims of war, injustice, and poverty everywhere. #NationalVoterRegistrationDay is tomorrow. Check your registration and make sure you’re ready to vote, watch the full video on YouTube, and listen to “How I Long for Peace” everywhere you stream music (all links in bio). As we long for peace and justice across the globe, may you use your voice and vote. Credits: Music & Lyrics: @peggyseegermusic Vocals: @rhiannongiddens, @crysmatthews, and @resistancerevivalchorus (led by @abenakd) Acoustic Guitar: @crysmatthews Bass: @chrisvegamusic Drums: @russellaworrell_drums Electric Piano: @heathermaemusic Engineering & Mixing: @abbeyyleww at @electricgarden Mastering: @jettgalindo at @bakerymastering Videographer: @sparkybarker Editor: @jacksonhl Special thanks: @ginnysuss, @melanthahodge, @mfrestedt, @nonesuchrecords #HowILongForPeace #JoyToThePolls #HeadCount #RegisterToVote #GetOutTheVote #GOTV #VoterMobilization #RhiannonGiddens #CrysMatthews #ResistanceRevivalChorus #PeggySeeger
It’s time for another @metopera Live in HD transmission, and I’m thrilled to be back as the host! Join us in cinemas across the globe this Saturday, January 25, for the live transmission of Michael Mayer’s stunning new production of Verdi’s Aida. Soprano @angeljoyblue stars in the title role. Don’t miss out on live interviews with the cast and other behind-the-scenes content, all presented by me. Met Music Director @nezetseguin conducts. Find your cinema at the link in bio. Photo by @evzmm/Met Opera #MetOpera #MetHD #Opera #Theater #Cinema #ClassicalMusic #LiveMusic #NYC #meetopera
100 hundred degrees outside – they held the plane to crossload our gear – the @united workers must have been exhausted but Jason blew one a kiss in gratitude ❤️ – sometimes the airlines get it right, yall! #millionmiler
@crysmatthews, @resistancerevivalchorus, and I teamed up to spread @peggyseegermusic’s vital message conveyed in her song “How I Long for Peace.” The beautiful cover art by @ashluka is a reminder of the importance of instilling peace today and always across the world. Our rendition of this powerful song comes out Monday, September 16th, and we can’t wait for you to hear it. The pre-save link is in my bio. This project is proudly supported by @nonesuchrecords, @headcountorg, and @joytothepolls. #HowILongForPeace #RegisterToVote #GetOutTheVote #GOTV #VoterMobilization #JoyToThePolls #HeadCount #RhiannonGiddens #CrysMatthews #ResistanceRevivalChorus
I’ve joined forces with @crysmatthews and @resistancerevivalchorus to cover my dear friend @peggyseegermusic’s “How I Long for Peace”! The song is coming out Sept. 16 on @nonesuchrecords ahead of #NationalVoterRegistrationDay in partnership with @headcountorg and @joytothepolls! Pre-save it at the link in my bio. Photo by @ginnysuss #HowILongForPeace #RegisterToVote #GetOutTheVote #GOTV #VoterMobilization #JoyToThePolls #HeadCount #RhiannonGiddens #CrysMatthews #ResistanceRevivalChorus
After we performed together at the @newportfolkfest, the band and I had such a wonderful time recording in the studio with @tajmahalblues! For more BTS content just like this one, make sure to follow my TikTok at the link in my bio!
Thank you to @uncg for hosting me and @silkroadproject for our rehearsal workshops last week! We’re excited for our upcoming American Railroad tour in November!
Starting November 7th, I’m hitting the road with @silkroadproject for the American Railroad Tour! Make sure to head on over to the link in bio for tickets and more information!
I’m excited for you to see the Roots and Rhythms Celebrating Black Voices in Country Music special on @abcgma3! I joined news anchor @kyraphillips to explore and discuss the history of African Americans in country music. Airing tomorrow 8/30 at 1pm ET and 12pm CT/PT on @abc!
Thank you so much to the folks at @edmfolkfest for having me and the band this past weekend – it was a blast. Here are some of my favorite moments!
This Saturday, August 10, I’ll be doing an autograph session in the Merch Tent at @edmfolkfest from 4:45-5:15pm! Hope to see you there!
Only 3 more days until our cover of @peggyseegermusic’s “How I Long for Peace” on @nonesuchrecords is out! Surprise! We’re also releasing a video on Sept. 16! Click the countdown link in my bio to be the first to view the video featuring me, @crysmatthews, and @resistancerevivalchorus when it drops on YouTube. #NationalVoterRegistrationDay is coming up on Tuesday, and we’re proud to release this song in partnership with @headcountorg and @joytothepolls. #HowILongForPeace #RegisterToVote #GetOutTheVote #GOTV #VoterMobilization #JoyToThePolls #HeadCount #RhiannonGiddens #CrysMatthews #ResistanceRevivalChorus
