What a wonderful day we had at Eagle-Deering’s ‘Banjo 2020’ UK celebration on March 7th, at the North Light Gallery, Huddersfield. Here are some snippets and photographs that were taken on this amazing the day.
The Afternoon Audience for the On-Stage Workshops at Eagle-Deering Banjo 2020
Eagle-Music celebrating thirteen consecutive years as the #World Dealership for the Deering Banjo Company USA. ‘Banjo 2020’ …It was a memorable day with on-stage workshops, banjo presentations, jamming sessions, and world class on-stage performances from the Kruger Brothers, Gayle Skidmore, Tilterwheel, Phrase & Fable and Matt Chaffer. We also had an excellent banjo teaching workshop from Jonny Hulme.
Greg Janet and Jamie Deering welcomed everyone to the event and gave an insight into the latest developments at the Deering Banjo Company, USA. Jamie Deering was congratulated by Greg Deering on the excellent work that Jamie is doing, in her position as the CEO (Chief Executive Officier) of the Deering Banjo Company.
Greg, Janet and Jamie Deering
The on-stage workshops began with a brilliant knowledgeable presentation from Eagle’s Matt Chaffer explaining stringed instrument ‘Accessories and Instrument Care Products’.
Rachel & Matt – Eagle Music Team Eagle’s Matt Chaffer Presents ‘Accessories and Care products for Strings Instruments’ at Banjo 2020
Jonny Hulme hosted his ‘Chords, rolls, melodies, and creative thinking’ 5-string banjo workshop giving all that attended his many years of knowledge as a highly skilled master of the 5-string banjo and on-stage performing artist.
All the way from San Diego USA, but now living in the Netherlands, Gayle Skidmore’s afternoon ‘Music and Song Performance’ was stunning. Multi-talented instrumentalist Gayle played piano, 5-string banjo and ukulele banjo. Gayle held us transfixed with her beautiful pure singing voice and self -penned songs …
Gayle Skidmore at Banjo 2020
A special moment was when Gayle invited Jens Kruger onto the stage to join her and duet on 5-string banjo playing her moving original song ‘All My Life’. Gayle is a special artist, and she made a lot of friends at ‘Banjo 2020’.
Gayle Skidmore & Jens Kruger
The Kruger Brothers accompanied by Jody Call on percussion, treated us to a memorable afternoon on-stage performance workshop of how they put together their amazing music, arrangements and performances.
Kruger Brothers Afternoon Workshop
Music Masters at work! The Kruger Brothers then invited everyone on stage to play a Group Jam of ‘Cripple Creek and Duelling Banjos. What a fabulous joint performance by all, video to follow.
Group Jam with Kruger Brothers – ‘Cripple Creek’.
Cripple Creek & Duelling Banjos – Group Jam at Banjo 2020Afternoon Workshops at Banjo 2020
‘Phrase and Fable’ Maria Wallace (Of True North Music) & Phil Stott closed the on-stage afternoon performances with an excellent set of songs on guitar, 5-string banjo and fiddle.
Maria also hosted a table during the afternoon promoting ‘True North Music’.
Phrase and Fable at Banjo 2020
All the way from Dripsey in County Cork, Ireland, Mr Long Neck Banjo Pat Kelleher hosted his ‘Long Neck Banjo’ music table throughout the day giving banjo advice and contributing to the songs and music of the day.
Pat Kelleher at Banjo 2020
The concert room closed at 6.00pm for the interval.
Joe Mcilvenny and Bill Forster ran and led the excellent annual picking session during the evening interval. It was a brilliant, well turned out session with lots of new faces and instrumentalists joining in the tunes. Bill and Joe were on top form bouncing tunes off one another and creating a great atmosphere in the room. We also had some tidy songs and guitar accompaniment work in the session from Pat Kelleher.
Joe Mac and Bill Forster leading the Picking Session at Banjo 2020Picking Session at Banjo 2020
The concert room re-opened at 7.00pm for the
evening concert.
‘Tilterwheel’ Jonny Hulme 5-string banjo ace and singer, Simon Brady Mandolin, Guitar Vocals Cliff Woodworth Fiddle, Guitar Vocals and Ray Walmsley Double Bass were the support artists for the concert. They gave a storming performance of Americana, bluegrass, swing, Celtic, and much more. Four brilliantly talented musicians that were much loved by all.
Tilterwheel at Banjo 2020
During the interval Greg Janet and Jamie Deering congratulated Eagle Music on being their #1 International Dealer for the thirteenth consecutive year running and made a presentation of a carved mahogany plaque.
Greg Deering Presents 13 Year Award to Eagle Music at Banjo 2020Deering award 13 Year plaque to Eagle Music at Banjo 2020 Banjo Presentation to Steve from Greg Deering at Banjo 2020
Greg, Janet and Jamie then went on with a surprise presentation of a blue powder coated 5-string parlour size, 19 fret 5-string banjo and a personalised carved exotic wooden armrest to Steve.
Greg Deering Presents Steve Noon with a Blue Banjo at Banjo 2020
Eagle Music’s ‘Customer of The Year’ was announced. This year it was won by William McLean, of Northern Ireland. Many congratulations William and thank you for being a special Eagle Music customer. Due to unforeseen circumstances, William was unable to attend the event.
Wllaim McClean customer of the year Banjo 2020
The Eagle Music Raffle was drawn on stage by Erin and Toby Price. All the amazing musical instrument prizes have now been claimed.
Erin & Toby Price draw the RaffleRachel & Steve Announce Raffle Prize Winners 1st Prize Winner -Jo Crossland-Eastman PCH1-D Guitar
The ‘Banjo 2020’ event closed with what can only be described as a magnificent momentous showcase concert from the inimitable Kruger Brothers Their performance was just spellbinding. Maestro musicians Jens Kruger, Uwe Kruger and Joel Landsberg were accompanied by ace percussionIst Jody Call. The capacity audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation and encore.
The PA system and sound for ‘Banjo 2020’ was mixed and engineered throughout the day for all performing artists by David ‘Peabody’ Spiers who is without question a ‘Sound Genius’ and is part of the awesome Kruger Brothers tour team.
A big ‘Thank you’ to our wonderful Eagle Music Team for all their hard work before, during and after the event. We’re already talking about arrangements for ‘Banjo Fourteen’ 2021.
Eagle Music Team at Banjo 2020
The Eagle Music Trade Stand was buzzing throughout the day ‘Thank You’ all for your purchases and for enjoying the special event prices that were offered on the day on all products and Deering Banjos.
Deering Banjos at Eagle Music Banjo 2020
A special Thank you to you, our valued customers for attending ‘Banjo 2020’ and for making it such a wonderful memorable day.
Steve, Rachel and all the Eagle Music Team.
Photo and Video Credits: ‘Thank You’ to Debbie Soden-Photography : Dave Mallinson : Alan Jones : Rachel Price and Steve Noon.
Some of the beautiful carved wooden Plaques that have been Awarded to Eagle Music by the Deering Banjos Company, USA, Over the Past Sixteen Years
PLEASE NOTE : THE FOLLOWING BLOG IS HISTORY ABOUT THE EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY MARCH 7th 2020
Dear Friends,
Here is our ‘Banjo 2020’ event latest update. Join us once more at ‘The North Light Gallery’ which is situated just behind Eagle Music Shop, Brooke’s Mill, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, HD4 7NR.
We’re extremely proud to celebrate Eagle Music’s 13th consecutive year as the #1 World Dealership for the Deering Banjo Company, USA.
We’re looking forward to another amazing event as things are really getting exciting!
Here’s a brief outline of the fantastic arrangements so far for the day
To pick up your tickets …Please just give your name at the door when you arrive at the event
Banjo 2020
Here’s an outline of ‘What’s Happening at ‘Banjo 2020’
This will be a memorable day of Banjo Teaching Workshops, On-Stage Banjo Presentations, Jamming Sessions and World Class On-Stage Performances from some of the world’s most respected players in the banjo world. The all-day event will be packed with a fusion of world class music including the best of American and Irish …This will all be topped off with a showcase evening concert with the Kruger Brothers
The Showcase Evening Concert
With the awesome Kruger Brothers All the way from North Carolina, USA with Special Guest percussionist Jody Call Jens Kruger 5-string banjo virtuoso, Uwe Kruger guitar/vocals master, Joel Landsberg bass virtuoso
Picture: Kruger Brothers
Kruger Brothers: In their ever-expanding body of work – Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) – The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh. (See Biography Below)
Picture: Audience appreciation for the ‘Kruger Brothers’ over the past twelve years at Eagle Music’s annual banjo events
‘Tilterwheel’ Evening Concert Support Artists
The Kruger Brothers evening concert will be supported by ‘Tilterwheel’ featuring Americana, bluegrass, swing, Celtic, and lots more!. Jonny Hulme 5-string banjo ace and singer, Simon Brady Mandolin, Guitar Vocals Cliff Woodworth Fiddle, Guitar Vocals and Ray Walmsley Double Bass
Picture: Tilterwheel
Meet the Makers
Interact throughout the day at ‘Banjo 2020’ with the world’s Master Banjo Makers ‘The Deering Family’ …Greg, Janet and Jamie Deering. (See Biography Below)
Picture: Greg, Janet and Jamie Deering
Picture: Jamie Deering – Recently appointed the CEO of the Deering Banjo Company, USA
Greg Deering
Greg and Janet will host a ‘Banjo Set-up Table’ throughout the day where you will have the unique opportunity to sit alongside master banjo makers Greg and Janet and get expert ‘Banjo’ advice, or have your banjo tweaked and set-up by the makers themselves.
Picture: Greg Deering
Afternoon On-Stage Performances
‘Gayle Skidmore’ Special On-stage Performance
Gayle Skidmore is an award winning American singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist from San Diego, California. She has written over 2000 songs,toured worldwide, and worked together with numerous world class artists …
Picture: Gayle Skidmore
Picture: Gayle Skidmore
In 2013, Gayle opened for Lisa Loeb, whom she has cited as one of her earliest influences. Gayle’s single “Paper Box” was featured in an episode of HBO’s “Looking”. Gayle was nominated for the San Diego Music Awards seven times of which she won best singer/songwriter in 2013,best pop album with Sleeping Bear in 2014,and best pop artist in 2015.
Picture: Gayle Skidmore
In the summer of 2017 Gayle Skidmore was signed by the Dutch independent label “TRPTK” and released “The New York EP”. Gayle’s song “No Ordinary Life” was featured in the movie Little Women in 2018. (See Biography Below)
‘Phrase & Fable’ On-Stage Afternoon Performance
Phrase & Fable are based here in Yorkshire and perform a mix of mellow Americana and folk classics, upbeat traditional bluegrass standards and fine original songs, with some great harmony singing. Maria Wallace (vocals, clawhammer banjo, fiddle) is known for her powerful bluesy voice, as well as for her award-winning live music promotion company True North Music.
Phil Stott (vocals, guitar, mandolin) is a talented acoustic musician who has played in many bluegrass, folk and ceilidh bands over the years, including Cowbaby and the Doghouse Irregulars. Phil was also one of the organisers of the original Yorkshire Dales Bluegrass Festival in Silsden.
Since 2016, Maria and Phil have performed together at numerous bluegrass festivals with their full band The Reckless Abandoners.
Picture: Phrase and Fable
Picture: Maria Wallace & Phil Stott ‘Phrase and Fable’
‘Kruger Brothers’ Afternoon Performance Workshop
The awesome Kruger Brothers will take to the stage in the afternoon and talk us through ‘How they put their awesome music together and perform it on stage’.
Picture; Kruger Brothers
Picture: Kruger Brothers ‘Performance Workshop’ at our ‘Banjo 12’ event – May 2019
On-Stage Jam with the Kruger Brothers
Picture: On-Stage Jam with Kruger Brothers
Everyone is welcomed on stage to play a group jam after the Kruger Brothers on-stage workshop. This years tune back by popular request will be‘Cripple Creek’in the key of ‘G’ Major
Banjo Teaching Workshop with Jonny Hulme
Jonny Hulme – 5-String Banjo Masterclass – ‘Tips and Techniques for all Levels’ – Ticket Entrance Only – Private Room Group Workshop.Jonny Hulme is highly regarded in the UK as one of the most experienced, versatile, and creative banjo players of the modern era, and those that have already caught Jonny at a concert or workshop will know what we’re talking about! Jonny has actively taught for over twenty years, and takes immense pride and joy in the process of communicating and getting across to his students, to the best of his ability, all that is involved in his playing style of 5-string banjo. (See biography below)
Picture: Jonny Hulme
Matt Chaffer …On stage afternoon Workshop Talk on ‘Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar Accessories & Care Products’
A key member of the Eagle Music team, and also a part time gigging musician. Matt will demonstrate and explain the different types of Accessories that are available for Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar musicians. Also he will explain the use of Care Products that are a must for keeping your instrument in prime condition …Matt will be available throughout the day to answer any of your questions after the presentation.
Picture: Matt Chaffer
Customer of The Year Presentation
Picture: Greg Deering reads out Eagle Music’s ‘Customer of the Year Letter’ during the presentation to Alan Jones at our ‘Banjo 12’ Event – May 2019
Eagle Music ‘Yearly Raffle Draw’
Amazing value musical instrument prizes sponsored by Eagle Music, Eastman Strings, Mainland Ukuleles and Tanglewood Guitars …You will be able to buy raffle tickets at £1.00 each and have the chance to win an instrument up to the value of a few hundred pounds!
Picture: Erin and Rachel Presenting the Raffle 1st Prize …an Eastman ACTG-2E Guitar (Retail value £529.00) to winner Michael Alchorne
Banjo 2020 – ‘Picking Session’
We’re delighted to continue the theme from recent years and welcome the return of Joe ‘The Old Grey Dog’ Mac and Bill ‘Saratoga Star’ Forster to run the picking sessions throughout the day
Picture: Joe ‘The Old Grey Dog’ Mac
Picture: Bill ‘Saratoga Star’’ Forster
Picture: Jamming Session with Joe Mac & Bill Forster
Special Guests at the Event
Howard ‘Shep’ Shepherd, Pat Kelleher, Bill Forster, Joe ‘The Old Grey Dog’ Mac, and so much more throughout the day …
Howard: ‘Shep’ Shepherd: ‘Mr Plectrum Banjo’ celebrating over fifty years of professional banjo playing. Howard ‘Shep’ will be with us on the day and be around to mingle with visitors, tell his amazing banjo stories and give advice where you may ask him for it!
Picture: Howard ‘Shep’ Shepherd
Picture: Pat Kelleher
Pat Kelleher
Pat will host his ‘Long Neck Banjo’ table and be available throughout the day to give you his best advice on all aspects of performing and playing Long Neck Banjos.
Eagle Music’s ‘Special Celebration Discount Prices at ‘Banjo 2020’
The Eagle Music stall at the event will offer you the opportunity to browse what will be the largest selection of Deering Banjos ever to be displayed for public viewing in the world.
It will be a golden opportunity to personally meet and interact with some of the world’s greatest icons in the banjo and traditional music world.
We look forward to celebrating ‘Banjo 2020’ with you.
Steve, Rachel and the Eagle Music Team
Picture: The ‘Eagle Music Team’ Pictured at our ‘Banjo 12’ Event – May 2019
Banjo 2020
More Details about the Artists that will be with us at ‘Banjo 2020’
Kruger Brothers
Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Growing up in a family where music was an important part of life, they were exposed to a wide diversity of musical influences. The brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Jens’ and Uwe’s first public performances were as a duo, and in just a few years they were busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and western Europe.
CBS Records contracted with Jens and Uwe when Jens was just seventeen years old, and shortly thereafter, the Krugers hosted a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss Public broadcast group. Several years later, the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, a native of New York City who also had a very extensive musical upbringing in classical and jazz music (studying with jazz great Milt Hinton), thus forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Together, they established the incomparable sound that The Kruger Brothers are known for today. The trio moved to the United States in 2002 and is based in Wilkesboro, NC.
Since their formal introduction to American audiences in 1997, The Kruger Brothers’ remarkable discipline, creativity and their ability to infuse classical music into folk music has resulted in a unique sound that has made them a fixture within the world of acoustic music. The honesty of their writing has since become a hallmark of the trio’s work.
In their ever-expanding body of work – Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) – The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh.
In addition to their regular concert schedule, The Kruger Brothers perform these classical pieces regularly with select symphony orchestras and string quartets throughout the country.
Through their numerous CD releases, radio and television performances, lectures, and collaborative efforts, The Kruger Brothers’ powerful artistic statement continues to inspire and enlighten audiences and musicians around the world.
Originally from Switzerland, where the trio first formed, Jens Krüger and Uwe Krüger later moved to Wilkes County, NC. The brothers began playing North American folk music at an early age and were particularly inspired by recordings of Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and other progenitors of country, bluegrass and folk music. Their first public performances were as a duo, busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and western Europe. Later, after gaining a recording contract as well as a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss public broadcaster, they teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, inaugurating a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Landsberg is an American citizen from New York, NY. The first recording project to include Landsberg was Behind the Barn, Vol. 2, which was released in 1997.
Today the group is highly regarded within the world of acoustic music in North America, in particular by those within the industry. They have also gained the attention of some of the musicians, including Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Tut Taylor, and Bobby Hicks, that once served as models. Watson once remarked that, “The Kruger Brothers are just about as fine a band as I’ve ever played with. … I love to play music with them.”
Gayle Skidmore
Gayle started playing classical piano at the age of four and wrote her first songs when she was eight years old. During her childhood she often sang songs and played the piano together with her sisters and her parents.She and her sisters played the flute in middle school. By the time she turned 11 she learned to play her father’s 12-string guitar and started using open tunings and different finger styles.Gayle studied Theology in San Diego and at Oxford University.
Gayle’s Career
Gayle first started performing in local coffee houses in San Diego when she was 14 years old. While studying at Oxford she travelled and played shows in several countries in Europe.After going through some negative experiences with small labels, one of which having to be settled in the small claims court, she started her own independent label, Raincoat Records.Gayle plays electric guitar, banjo, ukulele, balalaika, melodica, harmonium, mountain dulcimer, flute, folk harp, glockenspiel, marimba, kalimba, vibraphone, organ, electric bass, stand-up bass, tambourine, mandolin, ocarina, accordion, trumpet, and percussion.
Gayles debut EP entitled “Gayle” was released in 2002, followed by “So Deep” in 2005. She gained nationwide attention with her third EP “Paper Box” when its title track was featured in HBO’s Looking, and with her fourth EP “Cowley Road”, which was listed on the first ballot for the Grammy Awards in 2009. In the years that followed she released several singles, two of which were engineered by Jason Mraz and another EP.
Gayle’s Full-length albums and coloring books
In 2010, Gayles first full-length album was released accompanied by an adult coloring book. This combination soon became a signature for Gayle Skidmore,notably before the start of the sudden increase in popularity of adult colouring books later in the 2010s Her second full-length album, “Sleeping Bear” (2014) also came with a coloring book.All of Gayle’s coloring books consist of a piece of art for each song, created by Gayle herself, and the lyrics to the song.
Gayle’s third full-length album and adult coloring book was released in April 2017. Music was recorded in three different locations,Ninkasi studios (Eugene, OR), Rancho de la Lune (Joshua Tree, CA), and Singing Serpent (San Diego, CA). The album was engineered by James Book of the Flys, and one of the tracks features Dave Catching Dave on guitars.
Gayle’s Awards and achievements
In 2013, Gayle opened for Lisa Loeb, whom she has cited as one of her earliest influences. Gayle’s single “Paper Box” was featured in an episode of HBO’s “Looking” Gayle was nominated for the San Diego Music Awards seven times of which she won best singer/songwriter in 2013,best pop album with Sleeping Bear in 2014,and best pop artist in 2015. In the summer of 2017, Gayle was signed by the Dutch independent label “TRPTK” and released “The New York EP”. Gayle’s song “No Ordinary Life” was featured in the movie Little Women in 2018.
Jonny Hulme
Jonny Hulme is highly regarded in the UK as one of the most experienced, versatile, and creative banjo players of the modern era, and those that have already caught Jonny at a concert or workshop will know what we’re talking about! Jonny has actively taught for over twenty years, and takes immense pride and joy in the process of communicating and getting across to his students, to the best of his ability, all that is involved in his playing style of 5-string banjo
Coming from a non-musical family in south Manchester, out of the blue came an inspiration for Jonny to learn an ‘away from the norm’ instrument, and with his favourite band at the time being The Pogues, alongside fortunately having the natural ability to discern two particularly appealing sounding instruments from records, namely the banjo and mandola, he then decided to embark on the journey that has brought him to where he is today. He has enjoyed sharing the stage, recording with, and collaborating with some of world’s finest players over the years.
Jonny developed his playing style in the company of, and listening primarily to, musicians from both bluegrass and Celtic genres. The compositions he creates sit somewhere between these two musical feels.
Join Jonny for this fun and informative workshop, where he will talk you through and demonstrate his creative thinking & detailed techniques, in playing effective Celtic style tunes on 5-string. You can take away his examples, and have a crack at it yourself!
Handouts will be provided to visually aid understanding the content, and accompanying sound files will also be available to those that think they would be of benefit.
This workshop will be aimed at an easy to intermediate level of ability, with the only prerequisite being the basic ability to play ‘Scrugg’s style’ 3-finger picking rolls.
The Deering Banjo Company
Here’s a Small part of the Deering Banjos Story Greg Deering began learning woodworking from his father at the age of two by watching him build model airplanes. Growing up in San Diego, he received his first tools and tool box which he had carefully laid out in his wagon on his third birthday. Many of these tools he still has today. That is how important this was to him. It was a career in the making.
At the age of 13, Greg purchased his first banjo by investing pay from his paper route into a used banjo. He learned to play Kingston Trio songs on his banjo with his best friend Tom playing guitar.
Greg made his first banjo as an industrial arts major at San Diego State College. In 1970, at 19 years of age he joined other enterprising young college students at the American Dream Co-Op and began doing instrument repairs and building banjos. This co-op would become the birth place of at least four now world renowned instrument manufacturers – a true tribute to the concept of the American dream! The American dream became the theme of Greg’s life when he and Janet started the Deering Banjo Company in 1975 as a family business. Together they not only raised two children but built, piece by piece, the Deering banjo factory.
Today, over 40 years later, the Deering Banjo Company has seen many a milestone including the launch of the Goodtime Series in 1997, the relocation to a new 18,000 sq.ft. premises in 2001 and the launch of the Eagle II in 2009, a breakthrough in banjo tone with the development of the new Twenty-Ten™ tone ring.
In its young 41 year life, Deering has delivered the finest hand built American instruments to over 100,000 happy musicians and counting… one banjo at a time.
Pat Kelleher
Pat Kelleher who hails from Dripsey, County Cork, Ireland is an accomplished musician and singer and has played and sung for over 30 years and is now renowned in Ireland and abroad for his folk singing and in particular his Long Neck five string Banjo Playing in many styles.
Pat has performed in theatres and festivals all over Ireland and has toured in the USA, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.
He has had many influences during his life, notably Luke Kelly of The Dubliners, Tommy Makem, Christy Moore, Pete Seeger, Furey Brothers, Peggy Seeger, Stan Rogers, Eric Bogle, Tom Paxton to name but a few. Pat has performed with many of the artists afore mentioned.
He has been sought after as a session musician for recording and has recorded some material himself, home produced. These CD’s are now available for purchase and download from this site. Click here.
Pat has been fortunate to have travelled as a guest musician to the UK, USA and Germany and all over Ireland.
He specialises on the long neck banjo invented by the great folk icon Pete Seeger. He teaches the 5-string banjo and frequently gives banjo workshops on both the clawhammer and long neck folk styles.
If you want to contact Pat directly, email to pat@longneckmusic.com
For all other enquiries, email info@longneckmusic.com
The ‘Banjo Event of The Year’ takes place on May 11th 2019
Dear Friends,
Here is our ‘Banjo 12’ latest update, Join us at The North Light Gallery (behind Eagle Music Shop), Brooke’s Mill, Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, HD4 7NR …to celebrate Eagle Music’s 12th consecutive year as the #1 world dealership for the Deering Banjo Company, USA. Things are really hotting up for our celebrations.
Here is a brief outline of the arrangements for the day. Don’t miss out !!! TIMETABLE TO FOLLOW
* Your ticket will be on the door when you arrive … just give your name at the door*
What’s happening at ‘Banjo 12’?
A fantastic day of banjo teaching workshops, on-stage banjo presentations, jamming sessions and world class on-stage performances from some of the world’s most respected players in the banjo world. The all-day event will be packed with a fusion of world class music including the best of American and Irish …All topped off with a showcase evening concert.
Showcase Evening Concert …
All the way from North Carolina, USA the awesome Kruger Brothers
Jens Kruger 5-string banjo virtuoso, Uwe Kruger guitar/vocals master, Joel Landsberg bass virtuoso
Support Artists …
The Kruger Brothers will be supported by Damien O’Kane Irish tenor banjo ace, guitarist and singer with David Kosky (Guitars) and Cormac Byrne (Bodhran)
Meet the Makers …
Interact throughout the day with the world’s master banjo makers
‘The Deering Banjo Co’ Greg, Janet & Jamie Deering ‘The Deering Family’
Guests of Honour: Greg, Janet and Jamie Deering will be giving advice and Greg will be working as always on your banjo set-ups throughout the day.
Picture: Greg Deering
Afternoon On-Stage Performances …
Kruger Brothers: On-Stage Performance Workshop
The awesome Kruger Brothers will talk us through ‘How they put their music together and perform it on stage’.
Pete Seeger ‘100th Birthday Celebration Tribute’ : Presented on-stage by Pat Kelleher and Greg Deering
Pat and Greg will jointly host this on-stage Long Neck Banjo presentation in tribute to the Daddy of the Long Neck Banjo Pete Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27th 2014)
Both Pat and Greg have had their lives touched by Pete Seeger, they are both lovers and players of the Long Neck Banjo and as such they both had a personal contact with Pete Seeger. Pat and Greg will talk about their long neck banjo experiences, tell stories of their meetings with Pete, demonstrate and play long neck banjos on stage during their presentation.
Picture: Pat Kelleher
Picture: Pete Seeger and Pat Kelleher pictured outside the front door to Pete’s house in Beacon, New York, July 2009
Picture: Greg Deering relaxing in the comfort of his own home and playing his beloved Deering Vega Long Neck Banjo
Picture: Pete Seeger’s Iconic Banjo Head
On-Stage afternoon Performance …
‘Banjo Jen’ Yorkshire’s all-singin’, all dancin’ badass banjo-pickin’ girl’.
Sheffield singer-songwriter ‘Banjo Jen’ will be on-stage and perform in the afternoon …“all-singin’, all-dancin’, badass banjo-pickin’ girl”. Playing her style of frailing banjo and singing her original songs, weaving clever lyrics with catchy melodies.
(See below for more details of Jen.)
Picture: Banjo Jen
Picture: Banjo Jen
On-Stage Jam with the Kruger Brothers to be filmed for YouTube …
Everyone is welcomed on stage to play a group jam after the Kruger Brothers on-stage workshop (2019 Tunes to be announced)
Banjo Teaching Workshops …
Damien O’Kane – Irish Tenor Banjo Masterclass – Improvers /Advanced – Ticket Entrance Only – Private Room Group Workshop.
Damien is a much sought after, highly respected musician and accomplished Irish tenor banjo player and teacher. Damien O’Kane continues a long tradition of Irish traditional music within the O’Kane family which can be tracked back generations in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. The much acclaimed Irish Tenor Banjo CD ‘Mystery Inch’ recorded with guitarist David Kosky and other highly respected guest musicians is hallmarked as a milestone Irish tenor banjo album. Damien also toured and recorded with master USA 5-string banjo virtuoso Ron Block in 2018 and recorded the much acclaimed ‘Banjophony’ album.
Join Damien in this beginners / improvers workshop, and take this opportunity to have some of Damien’s playing skills handed-down to you by the man himself.
Graham Holt– 5-string banjo beginners / improvers – Private room group workshop (FREE ENTRANCE …to the first twenty applicants …Please call and put your name on the list.)
A key man at Eagle Music, Graham is a seasoned musician with years of experience both on and off stage playing both Banjo and Guitar …Graham is our in-house banjo teacher and during his workshop he will set you on the right track if you are an absolute beginner, or pass on valuable tips and advice if you are an accomplished banjo player.
Matt Chaffer – On stage afternoon demonstration of electric banjos and explanations of pick-ups and amplification.
Matt is a key member of the Eagle Music team and also a part time gigging musician. Here Matt will demonstrate and explain the different types of electric banjos that are used for differing styles and genres of music …Matt will explain the different types of pick-ups and amplifiers that are used in the banjo world …and will be available throughout the day to answer any of your questions after the presentation.
Customer of The Year Presentation …
The evening will also include:
‘Eagle Music’s Customer of the Year presentation’ – It could be you in 2019?
Rachel reads out ‘Customer of the Year’ presentation to Tom Jenkins at our Banjo 10 celebration
Eagle Music ‘Yearly Raffle Draw’ …
Amazing value musical instrument prizes sponsored by Eagle Music, Eastman Strings, Mainland Ukuleles and Tanglewood Guitars
Special Guests at the Event…
Howard ‘Shep’ Shepherd, Bill Forster, Joe ‘The old Grey Dog’ Mac, and so much more throughout the day …
Howard: ‘Shep’ Shepherd: ‘Mr Plectrum Banjo’ recently celebrating fifty years of professional banjo playing! Howard ‘Shep’ will be with us on the day and be around to mingle with visitors, tell his amazing banjo stories and give advice where you may ask him for it!
Continuing the theme of recent years, we welcome the return of Joe Mac and Bill Forster to run the picking sessions throughout the day
Picture: Joe Mac
Picture: Bill Forster
Picking Sessions: Join Joe ‘The Old Grey Dog’ Mac’ and Bill Forster for jamming sessions throughout the day
Eagle Music’s ‘Special Celebration Discount Prices on The Day’.
The Eagle Music stall at the event will offer you the opportunity to browse what will be the largest selection of Deering Banjos ever to be displayed for public viewing in the world.
It will be a golden opportunity to personally meet and interact with some of the world’s greatest icons in the banjo and traditional music world.
We look forward to celebrating ‘Banjo 12’ with you.
Steve, Rachel and the Eagle Music Team.
More Details about the Artists that will be with us on the Day…
A small Part of the Deering Banjos Story:
Greg Deering began learning woodworking from his father at the age of two by watching him build model airplanes. Growing up in San Diego, he received his first tools and tool box which he had carefully laid out in his wagon on his third birthday. Many of these tools he still has today. That is how important this was to him. It was a career in the making.
At the age of 13, Greg purchased his first banjo by investing pay from his paper route into a used banjo. He learned to play Kingston Trio songs on his banjo with his best friend Tom playing guitar.
Greg made his first banjo as an industrial arts major at San Diego State College. In 1970, at 19 years of age he joined other enterprising young college students at the American Dream Co-Op and began doing instrument repairs and building banjos. This co-op would become the birth place of at least four now world renowned instrument manufacturers – a true tribute to the concept of the American dream! The American dream became the theme of Greg’s life when he and Janet started the Deering Banjo Company in 1975 as a family business. Together they not only raised two children but built, piece by piece, the Deering banjo factory.
Today, over 40 years later, the Deering Banjo Company has seen many a milestone including the launch of the Goodtime Series in 1997, the relocation to a new 18,000 sq.ft. premises in 2001 and the launch of the Eagle II in 2009, a breakthrough in banjo tone with the development of the new Twenty-Ten™ tone ring.
In its young 41 year life, Deering has delivered the finest hand built American instruments to over 100,000 happy musicians and counting… one banjo at a time.
The Kruger Brothers:
Originally from Switzerland, where the trio first formed, Jens Krüger and Uwe Krüger later moved to Wilkes County, NC. The brothers began playing North American folk music at an early age and were particularly inspired by recordings of Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and other progenitors of country, bluegrass and folk music. Their first public performances were as a duo, busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and western Europe. Later, after gaining a recording contract as well as a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss public broadcaster, they teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, inaugurating a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Landsberg is an American citizen from New York, NY. The first recording project to include Landsberg was Behind the Barn, Vol. 2, which was released in 1997.
Today the group is highly regarded within the world of acoustic music in North America, in particular by those within the industry. They have also gained the attention of some of the musicians, including Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Tut Taylor, and Bobby Hicks, that once served as models. Watson once remarked that, “The Kruger Brothers are just about as fine a band as I’ve ever played with. … I love to play music with them.”
Damien O’Kane:
Irish musician and singer Damien O’Kane is a musician of many talents. He’s a singer, a superb one too with a relaxed assured vocal style that exudes a natural warmth and empathy with the colourful characters who occupy his songs.
He’s also a brilliant, award winning banjo player, a fine guitarist, and an ingenious arranger. Not to mention an accomplished tunemaker, researcher, bandleader and accompanist of rich imagination and fearless vision.
Steeped in music, Damien grew up in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Touring the world with his very own family band, he developed a deep respect and understanding of the folk tradition but also forged a healthy appetite to explore its broadest borders and test its boundaries.
Having already been nominated twice in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, in 2016 his ‘groundbreaking’ album AREAS OF HIGH TRAFFIC was nominated for the prestigious ‘Album of the Year’. Radical and revelatory, this was his first solo record in five years, sending traditional Irish songs reeling into a contemporary soundscape.
‘A bold and inventive set that could well become a crossover commercial success.’ – 4* The Guardian The songs Damien chooses are mainly rooted in his homeland and several have long been part of the fabric of Irish music, recorded numerous times down the years – but never like this. Steeped in tradition he may be, but he also has a thoroughly modern take on folk song and, in league with his outstanding co-conspirators (Steven Iveson on electric guitar, Anthony Davis on keyboards, Steven Byrnes on guitars and Josh Clark on drums and
percussion), he brings a treasure trove of fresh ideas and radically original arrangements to the table.
Now the master musician, songwriter and vocalist is back to continue that unorthodox musical adventure on his third solo record – and this time the Yorkshire-based Ulsterman is out for revenge! Avenging and Bright, released December 8, 2017, picked up the progressive cudgel once more with heartfelt songs from his Irish homeland mixed in with some English and original songs too – one written by wife Kate Rusby.
Another rapier-sharp release it once again ambushes the tradition and tempts it into undiscovered realms, whilst always staying true to the songs’ roots. The scene is set by the album’s Game of Thrones style cover with a kingly Mr. O’Kane ready for battle!
Bold and unflinching in its course, the 11-track album takes its title from what is deemed to be one of the three tragic stories of the Irish which Damien found in the 19th century book The Songs of Ireland. He has penned the tune to complement the words of Irish poet Thomas Moore. Slickly produced by O’Kane, he plays electric and acoustic tenor guitar and his outstanding trademark tenor banjo. Within the realms of Avenging & Bright, there are lush, innovative other-worldly soundscapes wrapped carefully around traditional Irish songs like Bright Flowers, Poor Stranger and opening number Boston City.
Soaring electric guitars, luxurious programmed percussion and O’Kane’s rich and distinctive Northern Irish brogue prove a captivating, spectacular mix.
Released on the Pure Records label on December 8, Avenging & Bright gets right under the skin of traditional
Irish and English folk seducing it into the realms of rock, pop, jazz and world music – never predictable, always an exciting and uplifting voyage of discovery delivered by one of the most fearless and clever conjurors of modern folk music.
“Another gem of an album from Damien who has found a way of effortlessly harnessing state-of-the-art recordings and technology with a deep understanding of his traditional roots’ Sublime.’ – Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 2/6 Music ‘Great musicianship and a lovely way with the songs. Seriously well produced. Should be one of the top ten albums of 2017’ – Mike Harding
Damien continues to tour extensively with wife, Kate Rusby and her band playing his array of stringy things! He has produced Rusby’s last three acclaimed records and was described by BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley as a ‘sonic architect’ following his bold influence on Kate’s music and his own. Summer 2018 seen the release of a much anticipated duo banjo record ‘Banjophony’ with Ron Block, Alison Krauss’ banjo and guitar player and singer since 1991, Block picking up no less than 14 Grammy’s along the way. Banjophony is a perfect melding of American and Irish banjo styles and techniques which has been hailed one of the top Instrumental albums of 2018. ‘Album of the month’ – GUARDIAN, July 2018
‘An album of incredibly captivating music’ – FRUK Having been friends for many years and fans of each other’s plucking and picking skills Ron & Damien recorded Banjophony and set off on their hugely successful debut tour of the UK in summer 2018. The record is not only
inventive and unique, it also includes a stellar list of A-Grade guests from either side of the pond such as Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Barry Bales on bass, Sierra Hull on mandolin and Mike McGoldrick on whistles and flutes. A true talent at glossing the old with the new, O’Kane’s distinctive music looks set to be around for a very long time. January 2019
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=damien+o%27kane+mystery+inch+youtube&view=detail&mid=38304553434279232FCD38304553434279232FCD&FORM=VIRE
David Kosky:
Ace guitarist, composer and acompaniest David Kosky will be with us at ‘Banjo 12’ to accompany Damien O’Kane and support the Kruger Brothers in the evening concert along with Cormac Byrne on Bodhran.
David is a writer of fine tunes, he penned the jig which is the title track to the much acclaimed David Kosky & Damien O’Kane banjo album ‘The Mystery Inch’. David also wrote two other excellent tunes on this fine album.
David’s laid back style of accompaniment is both subtle and driving, with harmony and invention bringing the best out in the music.
Cormac Byrne:
Cormac Byrne is a bodhrán player and percussionist from Waterford, Ireland and is now based in the UK. He has received many awards for his work including The BBC Young Folk Award and was winner of the BBC Fame Academy Education Bursary in 2006.
Cormac has appeared at numerous festivals around the world and has toured extensively. Primarily playing with Mercury Music Prize Nominee, Seth Lakeman, he was also a founder member of BBC award winning band, Uiscedwr. His versatility has seen him in much demand across many genres, both live and in the studio, from Traditional Irish and Folk, World Music, Classical, Jazz and Pop.
He has worked with the multi award winning Backbeat Percussion Quartet, Les Commandos Percu, Fidget Feet Performance Company, Show of Hands, Michael McGoldrick, Solas, Pól Brennan (Clannad), Soumik Datta (Indian Sarod virtuoso), Ashley MacIsaac, Kefaya, Giuliano Modarelli, Damien O’Kane, Andrew Dinan, Emma Sweeney, Cara, Ducie, Val Doonican, The Priests, Simon Emmerson, Lisbee Stainton, O’Hooley Tidow, Jesse Banister, Declan Bennett, Neil Yates 5 Countries Trio, Craig Owen (Duel), Baltic Crossing and orchestras such as Scottish Chamber, City of Birmingham Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and RTÉ Concert. He was recently approached to perform with Irish super-group, The Chieftains.
He has appeared on TV and Radio many times including performances on MTV, BBC’s Top of The Pops, BBC Breakfast, GMTV, Sharon Osbourne Show, Sky Arts, BBC Alba, RTE, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4 and RTE Lyric FM. He recently recorded music for BBC Film series ‘Inspector George Gently’ and UK’s Channel 4 series ‘The Mill’. He worked with James Divine (the world’s fastest tap dancer) on the international touring show ‘Tapeire’ and with Damien Barber on the dance show ‘The Lock In’.
Pat Kelleher:
Pat Kelleher who hails from Dripsey, County Cork, Ireland is an accomplished musician and singer and has played and sung for over 30 years and is now renowned in Ireland and abroad for his folk singing and in particular his Long Neck five string Banjo Playing in many styles.
Pat has performed in theatres and festivals all over Ireland and has toured in the USA, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.
He has had many influences during his life, notably Luke Kelly of The Dubliners, Tommy Makem, Christy Moore, Pete Seeger, Furey Brothers, Peggy Seeger, Stan Rogers, Eric Bogle, Tom Paxton to name but a few. Pat has performed with many of the artists afore mentioned.
He has been sought after as a session musician for recording and has recorded some material himself, home produced. These CD’s are now available for purchase and download from this site. Click here.
Pat has been fortunate to have travelled as a guest musician to the UK, USA and Germany and all over Ireland.
He specialises on the long neck banjo invented by the great folk icon Pete Seeger. He teaches the 5-string banjo and frequently gives banjo workshops on both the clawhammer and long neck folk styles.
If you want to contact Pat directly, email to pat@longneckmusic.com
For all other enquiries, email info@longneckmusic.com
Banjo Jen: Yorkshire’s all-singin’, all dancin’ badass banjo-pickin’ girl’.
Sheffield singer-songwriter Banjo Jen is the “all-singin’, all-dancin’, badass banjo-pickin’ girl”. Using banjo as the lead instrument for her original songs, weaving clever lyrics with catchy melodies, and incorporating Appalachian step-dancing and Yorkshire charm and humour into her sets, she’s beginning to make waves on the UK Americana and folk scenes. Her debut EP ‘Lost & Found’ was released in 2018, reviewed by Maverick magazine as ‘smart and sassy…a distinctly promising debut’. She was also selected twice to represent the Americana Music Association UK at Red Rooster festival and The Long Road festival in 2018.
Playing the traditional ‘frailing’ style of banjo, she is influenced by aspects of folk, country, blues and ‘old-time’ American music. Whilst bringing a contemporary edge to her root-based sound, a strong sense of these traditional influences can be heard in Jen’s original songs; songs of sinning and straying, of characters and conflicts, of running from the law and of running from yourself. As Dolly Parton says, ‘We’re all just a bunch of sinners, but we do the best we can’.
Between the highly original songs, the traditional percussive step-dancing and the Yorkshire ‘gift of the gab’, Banjo Jen’s refreshingly original act is always guaranteed to entertain. There’s a lot more to come from this banjo-pickin’ girl, so grab yer cowboy boots and come along for the ride!
We are delighted to add to our listings and offer Silvio Ferretti fine hand-crafted ‘Scorpion’ banjo bridges here at Eagle Music. Please see below for details and specification …
4-String bridges available from Eagle Music in the following heights 1/2″ (.500″) 5/8″ (.625″)
and 5-string available from Eagle Music in the following heights … 5/8″ (.625″) 21/32″ (.656″) 11/16″ (.687″) and 3/4″ (.750″)
Produced in Italy by Master Craftsman Silvio Ferretti …The ‘Scorpion’ Banjo Bridges are Hand-Crafted from the finest aged and seasoned, tight grained European maple which is tipped with seasoned dense black ebony. They are worked to exacting angles and tolerances to produce the finest crisp, warm, clear tone and produces maximum volume from your banjo. The bridges are precisely pre-slotted for standard spacing on a 5-String and 4-String Banjos. Also ‘Crow Spacing’ bridges are available for 5-string players. The choice of many professionals.
A Note From Silvio Ferretti …
Dear Banjo Player,
if you are a discriminating player, no matter if you’ve got a 30 plus years experience on the banjo (like me) or not, you will surely agree about the importance of the bridge in determining the sound, in all of its components: response, volume, tone and so on.
My Scorpion Banjo Bridge is a synthesis of some designs I have studied (great bridges from the hands of Snuffy Smith, Dave Wadsworth, Joel Aderhold and others), filtered by the rules that traditional luthiery has developed and followed for centuries in building bridges for bowed instruments. During my luthier apprenticeship at the shop I work at (Airenti & Lowenberger in Genova, Italy), I’ve had the opportunity to analyze old and modern bridges for violin, viola, cello, string bass, and baroque string instruments, and I’ve put that knowledge to use in the Scorpion Bridge.
For my “regular” bridges I choose only high quality Balkan maple, centuries old, seasoned, evenly and mostly tightly grained, and I air-dry it myself. The ebony I use for tops is some of the most dense and hard you will ever find. I always quarter-saw my bridge blanks, which may results in some “waste” of wood, but ensures that the grain be correct in each bridge I build. All these factors are essential for the sound.
I offer my bridges in all possible (reasonable) heights: 1/2″, 19/32”, 5/8”, 21/32” (.656”), 11/16”, and 3/4” (and practically any height in between…). You can get them unslotted, notched to standard or wide (“J.D. Crowe”) string spacing, notched to custom spacings of your choice, with or without intonation compensation for the 3rd string. Other options I offer on special order include different woods (treated maple, sunken maple or birch, walnut, plane, pear, cherry, also purple ebony or snakewood for the tops) for different tonal flavors. I’m always more than willing to build custom bridges for customers who have clear ideas about the sound they want to get from their banjo: after all, getting the most from a banjo is the reason I started building bridges in the first place.
It’s now 12 …High Noon folks! …We are delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for our ‘Banjo 12’ event that will take place at the North Light Gallery Huddersfield, May 11th 2019
Join us along with Greg and Janet Deering, Jamie Deering, Kruger Brothers and a host of musicians to celebrate
Eagle Music’s twelve amazing years as the Worlds greatest banjo supplier and master dealership.
A day of on-stage performances, workshops and picking sessions all topped off with an evening showcase concert with The Kruger Brothers and support artists!
Please Note: Please buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment …Previous events have all been ‘sold out’! Limited places.
A full list of artists and timetable will be announced nearer the event date.
Bring it on!
Steve, Rachel and the Eagle Music Team, October 2018
Start shopping nice and early for Christmas 2018 folks!
Take the strain out of choosing a gift for your friends and loved ones and give an ‘Eagle Music Gift Voucher’ …Buy the value that you want at the time of your order.
• From £10.00
The Eagle Music Shop gift voucher is a brilliant gift to give to your musical friends and loved ones for Christmas, Birthday or that special occasion. The gift voucher can be used at any time at Eagle Music in the shop, by post or over the telephone. This gift idea takes out the problem of buying the ‘wrong’ musical gift! The value can be added to by the user at the time of ‘spending’ the voucher. Please use the drop-down options to buy your gift voucher. We write in the value and sign your gift voucher before sending it to you by FIRST CLASS UK FREE POST
In Stock and ready to ship worldwide. The Goodtime Six is a 6 string, steel string banjo, that tunes like a guitar and features a fast, sleek, and comfortable guitar style neck that feels like an old friend. The Goodtime Six harnesses Deering’s 41 years of banjo know how to put a much needed quality American made 6 string banjo within reach of any guitarist looking to add an authentic banjo sound to their arsenal without breaking the bank.
The Goodtime 6 features an 11” 3-ply violin grade maple rim with a frosted top head for a traditional banjo snap.
A big sincere hearty ‘Thank You’ to Greg, Janet and Jamie Deering for travelling all the way from San Diego, California, USA to be with us at our ‘Banjo 11’ Anniversary event to celebrate Eagle Music’s amazing eleven consecutive years as the #1 world dealership for Deering Banjos.
We were delighted to receive the beautiful carved maple plaque that was presented to Eagle Music at the interval of the Kruger Brothers evening concert …Also the four string ‘Irish Tuned’ Goodtime ‘Mandoline’ Banjo that was presented to our founder Steve Noon.
‘Thank You’ Greg, Janet and Jamie …for the continued supply of the finest quality world class banjos, which makes it possible for Eagle Music to make magic daily with our delighted customers! …Here’s to many more years working together for the magic of the banjo.
