Newbies and Lurkers - Start Here

[Danny]

Welcome aboard Heather, how long have you been playing?

[heehaw]

Since March of this year, when I was gifted with my very own one! Greatest day of my life! I did play Cripple Creek before then, but only played it robotically and couldn't progress with it since I was stealing everyone elses banjo - they were so kind!

[ned]

Hiya Heather
Pleased you found your way here!
Keep on enjoying what you do,if you need any help or advice just ask.there is a wealth of knowledge lurking here just waiting to be tapped.
Hope you enjoy our company.
Best wishes -- Pete

[banjoneil]

Hi all, I thought I should drop by and say hello. I'm Neil from Georgia and I am a banjo builder, I make the necks for and a few of the Somerset models along with Chris Via in Virginia. I have a blog where I cover some of my builds that might interest folks, and me and Chris have a blog dedicated to mountain music. The links are below in my sig.

Cheers,
Neil

[dick]

Hi Neil,
Great to hear from you. I remember you well from my visit to Crisfield a couple of years ago. The blog/website looks great. Hopefully, one day, I'll get myself a nice custom made banjo.

Regards

Dick

[banjoneil]

Hi Dick,
Great to hear from you too, how are things across the pond? I check out your blog every now and then, some beautiful pictures and wonderful landscapes. Maybe someday I'll get a chance to visit y'all over there.

Take care,
Neil

[Danny]

Hi Neil, welcome aboard mate

Sorry I didn't greet you sooner, real life has been getting in the way of the internet a bit too much lately.

I've had a go on a Somerset S1, is that one of your's? It was a very nice banjo either way

[chrisvia]

My name is Chris Via. Ive been lurking a while as well. A guy named Frank from England stops by our jam in Virginia once a year. I cant remember his last name. My biggest influence on fiddle is Henry Reed. His fiddling had a lot of English influence.
Good to be on here.
Chris Via
www.gilesmountainstringband.com

[dougie]

Hi,

I'm Dougie I have been lurking here for a while.
Never thought that Neil Turner and Chris Via were lurking here as well, is Lowell hiding somewhere too?
I am in central Scotland. I have had a banjo for a few years but didn't make a lot of progress until I started tuning in to Tangier Sound/Daily Frail. My banjo is a made up one, its got a 3ply maple pot, whyte laydie tone ring, kershner style tail piece and a Sigma neck with assorted tuning pegs on it.

All the best,

Dougie

[ned]

Hi Dougie
Really glad your banjo is a mongrol,--they live longer and have more fun.
Enjoy playing, and enjoy what you play, and dont forget to share it with us.
Best wishes.
Pete

[Danny]

Welcome aboard Dougie. Sounds like a tasty banjo, mine has a whyte laydie tone ring and she's a beaut. You're a lucky man

Danny

[myrmidon]

Hi all

I'm Jan, lurking around the Staffordshire/Cheshire border. Have been a closet folkie for about 10 years, thought its about time to change that. I play the guitar and bazouki, and looking at branching out to the tenor banjo.

Catch you guys around and happy folking

[reels]

Hiya Jan, welcome.

Wes

[Tim]

Hi Folkies!
My name is Tim and i am 13.
I've been teaching myself (clawhammer) banjo and harmonica a few months now and more recently guitar and really enjoying it.
In the past i have been more into classical music playing 'cello and recorders but i got a bit bored and searched the internet for an instrument i could have a bit more fun with.
I found out about UKfolkies on Pat & Patrick Costellos' utube page where i have learnt lots.
Best wishes
Tim

[ned]

Hi Tim! Pleased to meet you.Good luck with your new venture I hope you enjoy every moment.
You can learn a vast amount from the Pats,they are very generous guys.
Dont neglect what you know already though, just add to it and get pleasure from all aspects of music.
If you can post something for us to hear it would be generously recieved.
Best wishes young Sir
Pete