played on new walnut and maple 11" open back in double C tuning

Ric Hollander - My arrangement of Kitchen Girl. Played on the Romero with Nylgut strings. Arrangement: Copyright 2012 Ric Hollander - All Rights Reserved

First Published in 1840. Vocal, Early Banjo, Castanets, and Donkey Jawbone

Early Banjo by James Hartel, Sweeney Model Belle Breezing was born in 1860 and was a nationally known Madam in Lexington, Kentucky. Belle's first job began when she was 19 years old, in a brothel house maintained by Jenny Hill, which had the distinction of being the former residence of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Her final and most elaborate "Gentleman's Club" was located at 153 Megowan Street. Belle also wrote poetry. This tune, named after Belle, was first recorded in 1925 by fiddler Emmett Lundy who was born in Grayson County, Virginia on May 9, 1864

1843. a very popular song in the Antebellum Minstrel shows. Played here with a copy of a banjo made by Joel Walker Sweeney circa 1840. The banjo was reconstructed by Luthier James Hartel. Percussion is played on a Donkey's Jawbone. The sound you hear is the teeth rattling when the jawbone is struck with the palm of the hand.

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 6/24/16, Josie Girl was learned by Tennessee fiddler Charlie Acuff (b. 1919) from his grandfather. A josie is said to be a lady's overcoat with a cape. Art Stamper called the tune Josie-O.

Ric Hollander - My arrangement of Cumberland Gap, played on the Rettberg and Lang with Nylgut strings. Recorded in 2013. Arrangement and performance copyright 2016 Ric Hollander - All Rights Reserved

A tune learned from the playing of North Carolina fiddler Marcus Martin (1881 - 1974). I hear a sad and serious melody.

As played by North Carolina fiddler Marion Reece (1874 - 1941). I can hear the scolding in the A part very clearly!

For a ToTW post. Dan Levenson on fiddle, Jerry Weinert on bass, me on guitar. No banjo.

Been awhile since I've posted something. Composed this in CH but liked the way it sounded fingerpicked better. In Double C.

Sad song. From Cousin Emmy, Roscoe Holcomb, and Frank Proffitt. G tuning, two-finger thumb lead. Rose Maddox recorded a lighthearted version.

Learned from a Mike Compton mandolin lesson. Its minor key makes it sound different from other versions.

I had a nice jam session early on at Clifftop this year with my good friend Tim Rowell (clawhammertim here on the Hangout and on YouTube). Tim has established and now runs the Traditional Music Program at the Real School of Music in Burlington, Massachusetts. We see each other a lot at jams around the Boston area, but had to travel 800 miles to West Virginia to find some quiet time to do play some nice double banjo togrther, clawhammer and three-finger style. This is our take on Gary Harrison's fine twisty fiddle tune.

A happy song, fun to play, with images of little Appaloosas kicking up their heels. Mine was named Cookie. When I sold her, I was able to buy my Bart Reiter Whyte Laydie, so my banjo is named Cookie, too. Honestly.

My submission 12/4/09 for Tuna the Week. A Texas waltz written around the turn of the 20th Century.

Little Rabbit in Double C tuning on a Wildwood.