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Hello everybody,
Spring has arrived (well, in most places!) and that means it's just about time for the festival and music camp season. It's been a busy month here in California and this month I'll share news about my recent appearance on A Prairie Home Companion, the new CD Fine Times At Fletcher's House with Fletcher Bright and upcoming shows and camps. Read on, all ye friends of the banjo and many thanks!
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 | Banjos on A Prairie Home Companion! |
 | From left to right: Garrison Keillor, Suzy Bogguss, Bill Evans, Noam Pikelny and Joe Newberry at the Fitzgerald Theater
St. Paul, MN, February 23, 2013 |
I was very honored to take part in A Prairie Home Companion's recent tribute to the five-string banjo. Along with banjo heroes Noam Pikelny and Joe Newberry, and with help from Suzy Bogguss, country music historian Bill C. Malone, and of course, Garrison Keillor, we collectively covered a lot of banjo territory, transporting the instrument from its 19th century roots through bluegrass and old-time styles to the present day.
Joe, Noam and I even took part in the skits - which was great fun. You might have heard that all of our banjos were shot in The Lives of the Cowboys skit. But don't worry, they all survived and are doing just fine, albeit with a few less strings on them. You can listen to all or part of the entire February 23rd show online via APHC's show archive page. And check out this video from the evening's festivities:
 | | Bill, Noam and Joe pick on "Arkansas Traveler" on A Prairie Home Companion. |
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Fine Times At Fletcher's House:
Fiddle and Banjo Music
from Lookout Mountain, Tennessee: the new CD from Fletcher Bright and Bill Evans is now available!
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 | Bill's new CD with Fletcher Bright
features 16 fiddle and banjo tunes!
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Fine Times At Fletcher's House brings together 81-year old Chattanooga, Tennessee fiddling legend Fletcher Bright and yours truly in 16 fiddle and banjo duet performances including familiar favorites, some obscure old-time tunes and more.
Here's what folks are saying about this project:
"Fine Times at Fletcher's House is a real joy. Fletcher Bright is a national treasure, and this album offers listeners a chance to experience his fiddling and wonderful spirit as if you were present for a late night jam at his house or under the moonlight at a festival. Bill Evans plays with great tone and his timing is in excellent sync with Fletcher every step of the way. This is a great showcase of the fiddle & banjo duet; the tune selection is thoughtful and the final result is both classy and endearing." Noam Pikelny "To say that Fletcher Bright has been inspirational to me just doesn't quite cut it. What he and his music have been to me goes to the very core of what music means to me. When I hear Fletcher play, I want to play, too. They say that's the biggest compliment one musician can give another. But, for me, I am the one who is grateful. Fletcher's playing moves me to dig deep, to set aside inhibition, to bring out the smooth with the raw, and pushes me to find the passion that lies within. He is one of those rare musicians whose sheer love of playing pulls you in, latches on to your guts, and changes you, if you're lucky enough to hear him. This is a great collection of tunes here - Fletcher's rhythmic drive and melodic grace brings a warmth and realness to every track here - you won't be disappointed." Missy Raines "So wonderful to hear Fletcher on this recording! The joy in the tunes and the playfulness in his bow, just like the man himself. Fletcher has graced us all with his great fiddling and love of music for a long time. A great fiddler and a great guy." Bruce Molsky Thanks to Snap Jackson for his wonderful fiddle and banjo drawing that graces the cover, to Debbie Berne for her creatively elegant CD design and to Bobby Burns and Jim Nunally for their recording, mixing and mastering talents. We couldn't have done this project without your help.  | Bill and Fletcher were literally right at home recording fiddle and banjo tunes in Fletcher's Lookout Mountain home last December.
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Bangers & Grass In Concert!!
@The Center in Albany, CA
Friday, March 29, 6:45-8 p.m.
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 | | From l to r: Steve Pottier, Tom Bekeny, Bill Evans, Jim Nunally and Chad Manning. |
Join Albany & El Cerrito's Bluegrass All-Stars in a special concert performance launching @The Center, a new arts series at the Albany Community Center! Bangers & Grass will perform one set from 6:45 to 8 p.m. Here's more info:
Friday, March 29: Bangers & Grass in concert at the Albany Community Center's new @TheCenter Arts Series! 1249 Marin Avenue, 6:45 to 8 p.m., doors open at 6:15 p.m. $10 cover. Child care offered on site for $5 per child, ages 3-12. Wine and beer will be served by Solano Cellars.
And don't forget the band's upcoming shows at the Kensington Circus Pub:
Thursday, April 25 and Wednesday, May 29: Kensington, CA, The Kensington Circus Pub, 389 Colusa Avenue at the Circle, music from 8 to 10 p.m. No cover ever but your tips are gladly appreciated. Info at 510-780-6446. Arrive early to grab a seat or come late to catch the band's legendary second sets!
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The Banjo in America comes to the
Point Richmond Acoustic Concert Series, Richmond, CA, Friday, April 12th, 8 p.m.
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 | | Bill brings nine banjos to Pt. Richmond in April! |
This will be the first local performance of The Banjo in America in several months - come out and hear music from the 1780's to the very present day played on nine different historical banjos in an intimate church/house concert setting! And besides the banjos, there's humor!
Friday, April 12: Pt. Richmond, CA, The Banjo in America at the Point Richmond Acoustic Concert Series, First Methodist Church, 201 Martina Avenue. 8 p.m. show, doors at 7:30. Tickets $15 available at the door. Info at folkunlimited@att.net.
Check out this Fretboard Journal video preview:
 | | Bill Evans Tells the History of the Banjo in 14 Minutes |
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Sore Fingers Bluegrass Week in England
& Berklee College of Music residency!
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 | | With American Roots Music students at Berklee College of Music, Boston, April 2012. |
I'm excited to be returning to England to teach at Sore Fingers Week 2013, April 1 to 5, with Fletcher Bright, Noam Pikelny, Chris Eldridge, Leon Hunt and many others. I then travel to Boston for a residency at the American Roots Music Program at the Berklee College of Music, April 18 to 20. It's an honor to get the opportunity to teach such inspirational students in such great places! I very much love doing this!
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Thanks again everyone for your continued interest and support. I'll check in with you in about a month with news of upcoming late spring and summer concerts, camps and festivals all over the country (and some out of the country!). Don't forget, you can always check out my full schedule on my homepage.
Sincerely,
Bill Evans
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