Category Archives: Ramblings
A little more on microphones
“Recently, I was lucky enough to be loaned a pair of Sony C-37A mics from the early 1960s. They are tube condenser microphones, with special, custom-built power supplies, and their sound is truly magnificent. I’m having a wonderful time, trying out songs, tunes, and instruments in front of them.” Continue reading
Microphones and The Bluegrass Music
but what about microphones? When Bill traveled with his tent shows, you mention electric lights. What did he use to amplify his instruments? It is my impression that bluegrass was built around a microphone, and has been subsequently altered by the expansion of a single mic into a long, often forbidding, row of mics, monitors, etc. Continue reading
The Ash Grove: Old Time Hits the Big Time in Hollywood USA
Born in the midst of the unreality and meaninglessness of the commercial pop world, the Ash Grove soon became the refuge and breeding ground for people’s music. Continue reading
A glimpse of the past . . .
I am speaking of Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys (“BGB”), with Bessie Lee Maudlin on bass, Del McCoury on guitar, Bill Keith on banjo, and Kenny Baker on fiddle. They were playing the Ash Grove Continue reading
Visiting Earl Scruggs
. . . He went down the hall and quickly came back, holding an old Gibson open-back banjo. “This belonged to Uncle Dave . . . here, play me a tune!” Continue reading
