Old-time Performers

Conversations with Old-time Performers

The Series - Music - People - History - Culture - Joy

“Music is the universal language. Those that continue the Tradition by practicing and teaching the skills to others are bridge builders... peacemakers. Their efforts transcend time. They indeed make the world a better place.” - Craig Evans

In 2014, I shipped the Banjo Builder Series off to the Smithsonian. Having spent 3 years in the field meeting these incredible folks, I was not prepared for the let-down of no longer spending time with them. So after a year of reflection, I decided to crank up the cameras for another round. But this time, I would focus my interest on another group of artists in our Traditional Music Community - the Old-time Performers.

As I was preparing, I started wondering if these creatives would be similar to the Banjo Builders in their reasons for choosing their careers. For instance: Why would anybody seek a job that paid so little? Beyond the reward of performing, it must be something about the community or the history of the music...

So, early in 2015, I set out to find answers. I knew they would reside in the personal stories of these amazing people.

As with the Banjo Builders, what I've found is of much deeper significance than one would expect. Beyond sacrifice and endurance, I’m witnessing the rewards that come from the pursuit of one’s gifting.

I’m also learning about timeless connections... what we share as human beings across smiles, miles and generations. And once again I’m seeing and experiencing something beyond simple happiness. Indeed, herein lies satisfaction... and joy.

A beautiful woman playing banjo in a tintype photo from the 1870's

For those that love Doc Watson, his reflective, personal comments at the beginning of this song are priceless. This is precisely why I'm filming Conversations with Old-time Performers.

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 1

Click on the picture of any Old-time Performer to see their "teaser" video clip.

Volume 1 includes the stories of Rayna Gellert, Chris Coole, Rebekah Weiler, Howard Bursen, Mac Benford, Walt Koken, Clare Milliner, Lukas Pool, Seth Swingle, Stephen Wade, John Herrmann and Dwight Diller (from Volume 3 of the Banjo Builder series, courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways).

Click on pic below for a complete listing of Volume 1 "teaser" videos.

Volume 1 is now available. To place an order, use the "Buy Now" button below. $30 + $6 shipping (domestic). Pay-Per-View available here.

Internationally shipping rates apply. Currently shipping to these counties ONLY. Ireland, Sweden, Canada, Greece, Iceland, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, Russia, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Norway, Hong Kong, Germany, Israel, France, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Japan, Mexico

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 2

Click on the picture of any Old-time Performer to see their "teaser" video clip.

Volume 2 includes the stories of Joe Newberry, Ken Perlman, Laura Boosinger, Steve Arkin, Frank Lee, Michael Miles, Mary Z. Cox, Arnie Naiman, Mark Johnson, Dan Gellert and Adam Hurt (from Volume 3 of the Banjo Builder series, courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways).

Click on pic below for a complete listing of Volume 2 "teaser" videos.

Volume 2 is now available. To place an order, use the "Buy Now" button below. $30 + $6 shipping (domestic). Pay-Per-View available here.

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 3

Click on the picture of any Old-time Performer to see their "teaser" video clip.

Volume 3 includes the stories of David Holt, Brad Leftwich, Art Rosenbaum, Reed Martin, Brad Kolodner, Richie Stearns, Paul Brown, Terri McMurray, Steve Rosen and Chirps Smith.

Click on pic below for a complete listing of Volume 3 "teaser" videos.

Volume 3 is now available. To place an order, use the "Buy Now" button below. $30 + $6 shipping (domestic). Pay-Per-View available here.

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 4

Click on the picture of any Old-time Performer to see their "teaser" video clip.

Volume 4 includes the stories of Cathy Fink, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, Evie Ladin, Jane Rothfield, Rafe Stefanini, Clelia Stefanini, Clarke Buehling, Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin, Bruce Molsky and Dr. Alan Jabbour.

Click on pic below for a complete listing of Volume 4 "teaser" videos.

Volume 4 is now available. To place an order, use the "Buy Now" button below. $30 + $6 shipping (domestic). Pay-Per-View available here.

Conversations with Old-time Performers & North American Banjo Builders - Volume 5

Click on pic above for a complete listing of Volume 5 "teaser" videos or click on the picture of any Old-time Performer (below) to see their "teaser" video clip.

Volume 5 includes the stories of the Canote Brothers (Old-time Performers), William Seeders Mosheim (Banjo Builder), Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones (Old-time Performers), Tas Philp (Banjo Builder), Beverly Smith and John Grimm (Old-time Performers), Jan Bloom (Banjo and Fiddle Builder), James Leva (Old-time Performer), Matt Acara (Banjo and Guitar Builder), Dan Levenson (Old-time Performer) and Dean Robinson (Banjo Builder).

Volume 5 is now available. To place an order, use the "Buy Now" button below. $30 + $6 shipping (domestic).

Well, here it is... the 5th volume of both Conversations with North American Banjo Builders and Conversations with Old-time Performers. Why combine these two groups? Well, frankly, why not?

Famous composer/conductor Gustav Mahler once said, “Tradition is not to preserve the ashes, but to pass on the flame.”

Both artist groups clearly fulfill this role. After completing 4 volumes of each series, I realized these incredible people are really more alike than different and their stories complement each other! Combining the artists seemed a logical next step. Now that it’s done, I’m happy and humbled to report an even stronger, more inspiring Gestalt image of Traditional Music has emerged! What a beautiful, vibrant musical moment-in-time we now share. Saving it for posterity is the right thing to do.

One more reason to combine efforts: After driving through many of the same towns and places to film folks on the left side of the road, only to return a year or two later to record those on the other side of the road, I wised up and decided to film them both in one trip.

So here it is, the first combined volume of Conversations, with both groups of remarkable people! Like me, I hope you continue to be inspired by their personal stories of love for the music, the instruments and our Traditional Music Community.

Old-time Performer "Package" - Volumes 1-5

Volume 1-5 is now available. To place an order for all 5 Volumes, use the "Buy Now" button below.

$150
Domestic - US Only
$135 + $15 shipping

$180
International
$150 + $30 shipping

Conversations with Old-time Performers​

The Series - Music - People - History - Culture - Joy“Music is the universal language. Those that continue the Tradition by practicing and teaching the skills to others are bridge builders... peacemakers. Their efforts transcend time. They indeed make the world a better place.” - Craig Evans

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 1

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 2

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 3

Conversations with Old-time Performers - Volume 4

​Conversations with Old-time Performers & North American Banjo Builders - Volume 5

Old-time Performer "Package" - Volumes 1-5​

Conversations with Old-time Performers

The Series - Music - People - History - Culture - Joy

“Music is the universal language. Those that continue the Tradition by practicing and teaching the skills to others are bridge builders... peacemakers. Their efforts transcend time. They indeed make the world a better place.” - Craig Evans

Conversations with Old-time Performers & North American Banjo Builders - Volume 5

Old-time Performer "Package" - Volumes 1-5