# Our bass player, Andy Van Guilder, has just opened his new recording studio in Traverse City, Mich. It is by far the largest and most well equipted studio in northern Michigan and the upper penninsula! He and Joe' would love to have you come and check it out in Traverse City. It is located in the upper level in "Logans Landing". He is planning a grand opening soon with some special deals on recording times and mastering etc.. Call Andy @ 989-390-5057

 

# We are having a great summer making music! We are and have been appearing all over central and northern Michigan playing what we think is the perfect blend of American roots music! Our listeners continue to cheer us on with over whelming applause' and standing ovations! We love them, and it appears they love us and our music as well. Thanks to every one!

 

# I have just begun playing a new resonator guitar! I've always loved the sound of a resonator guitar played "finger style". It should add a nice "change of pace" sound to both the trio' and Tiger-Bear Jon performances. But I'll need to practice to get accustomed to it! This thing really cuts' through with sound and its heavy like a banjo. Right up my alley!

 

# New for the 08' season is our Tribute Show "THE BANJO IN AMERICA" We will be presenting our show from an "historical aspect". Starting from the crude beginnings of the earliest banjo playing and on up through the present modern day banjo songs and styles. We are looking forward to some fun picking and singing!

 

# I just had my Martin guitar worked on by luthier, Tim Miller. I usually string the guitar with light-medium gauge strings. When the guitar was returned, Tim had installed a new set of extra-lights. I wasn't sure if I'd like them or not but thought I'd at least "play them out". Now, after playing them for 2 weeks, I think I like them better! The guitar is not as loud but its tone is better high lighted and of course its easier to play. So there is some truth to the opinion that different guitars will sound better or prefer a different gauge of strings.

 

# Lately,I have been entertaining thoughts of spending 2-3 winter months in Florida performing my "Tiger-Bear Jon" show. Anybody know of any pickers or events down there that could keep me working?

 

# I have two new CD recordings planned for sometime this fall and winter! One is all gospel/Christian recording, and the other, some new material and standards with "The Banjo Picker and Friends" If you read this and have any suggestions or imput, please e-mail me as we are in the planning stage.

 

# It is amazing how much picking while under pressure, such as a concert or festival, will improve your playing! I dont mean negative pressure, but positive pressure from our peers, fans, and listeners. It builds positive mental control and confidence in our picking. Whether singing, or playing an instrument, harmony, lead, rythym. A good performance will sort of 'feed and build' upon itself strengthening your music and allow professionalism to begin growing and blooming!

 

#Our bass player, Andrew VanGuilder (my son) has just returned home to Michigan from Phoenix, Arizona after a years absence. Andy had attended and graduated from the "Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences" in Tempe, Arizona. We congradulate Andy and Sarah and welcome them back! Andy will be using his new recording skills and modern top of the line equipment in his new job as chief engineer/owner of "Halohorn Records". Contact Andy if you need some recording work done. His knowledge, abilities and ideas are fresh and finely tuned!

 

# Our singer and rythm guitar player, Rachel Kanakis, is making plans to record a "all analog" CD of songs she has written (at least 15 we've heard!)

 

# I am now playing three different 5-string banjos. Depending on my mood at the time, or a change of tone or picking style, I may use a Gibson Mastertone 250, or a Ode Baldwin C model, or an original Vega Pro 2. Each one has its own unique sound and expression. To my ears anyway! All banjos have a little different tone. Though to many listeners they may all sound about the same, to a banjo picker' no two are alike. Much about how a banjo sounds has to do with how it is set-up, and how it is actually "attacked" or picked. If picked lightly with the right hand, you are able to be more dexterous and maybe get a little fancier. However, picking harder and stronger seems to convey more feeling and gives a little more "pizzaz" to the music. "Just pick that thang!" And dont get too technical. The average listener appreciates, timing, clarity, presentation, being in tune, sensible speed, and change from song to song!

 

#Picking guitar seems to help my banjo playing, and the banjo my guitar playing. A good relationship! But trying to learn 'Travis picking on the guitar and three finger style on the banjo is a chalenge! The rolls' used on the two instruments are for the most part unrelated. With the banjo, the thumb is used as part of the roll, but with the guitar as in Chet Atkins style, the thumb is used mostly to play a bass/rythm line. Very challenging, very rewarding also!

 

# MORE TO COME...!