Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:27:11 -0600
From: Ian Patton
To: Info@AmericanBanjoCamp.com
Subject: ABC Camp

Hi ABC:
I posted this on the Banjo Hangout ... thought you might like to have a look.
Thanks for giving me such a wonderful time.
Cheers,
Ian Patton

... This was my first camp as well, and on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being "not even fit for the dumpster" and 10 being "celestial ecstasy", I'd give ABC a 15.

I spent most of my time with:

Ned (Van Halen) Luberecki :-) ... well, I mean his first class was titled "Things you're not supposed to do on the banjo" ... kinda jumped out at me :-) ... what a HOOT!, Ned is a wild and crazy guy and I finally learned how to tap the neck, and do other "evil" things as well!!!

and

Bill Keith. Bill's workshops were simply outstanding. I learned so much from him, I'll be working on this for years. He gave lectures on melodic style picking, but what I found most interesting was his approach to music and the neck, and the relationships between chord patterns and how scales work within those patterns ... that for me was a revelation.

Also, in between one of the classes I was sitting by myself out on the grass noodling "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" ... I like that tune very much and want to make it a permanent part of my set. Well, as it turned out, Bill was listening. He came over and asked if he could show me a couple of things. My version is still a bit "flat" because of my chord choices. Bill played it using a few other chords and it was like TMOTTBG suddenly came ALIVE and danced on the banjo head ... it was one of those wonderful, surreal moments that happen, that make you want to jump up, click your heels and scream YESSSSSSSS!!!! at the top of your lungs ... also, we snuck off during one of his breaks and he noodled on little snarler (I brought my amp and my peddle) ... he wanted to try it out.

As Scott said, the food was incredible. If you've never been to one of these camps, it is a totally outstanding experience.

Best to all,
Ian

Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2006 22:51:15 -0700
From: "Don Deines"
To: "Dan"
Subject: ABC
Cc: Info@AmericanBanjoCamp.com
Hello,

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Don Deines.
I live in Canada near Victoria, B.C.  I have played the banjo for 40 years.  I am known in my own community as an accomplished player; I play in a local bluegrass group (Bryon, Clayton, Thomas & Don - yes that is the name of our group).  I am a banjo enthusiast.  The music of it gives me a great deal of joy in my life and I can't get enough of it.

I have attended ALL THREE of the previous ABC camps and will attend again this fall.  It is a highlight of my year.

If you are wondering if you will be challenged, it is like a good basketball player going to a camp to hang out for three days with Michael Jordon as your coach.  I have material that I can play for the next 40 years of my life from the 3 camps I have gone to so far.  But more than what you learn (the specific licks, etc - and don't get me wrong, these are great), I have picked some general things that are invaluable and will be lifelong learnings.  things like:

1.  inspiration - you will see some of the finest musicians both on staff and in the students population that you will ever meet.  Some you will know; some you won't know.

2.  the instuctors concert is as good a concert as I have ever gone to anywhere else, and it is all banjos.

3.  history of the instrument - I hang out with both bluegrass and clawhammer friends.

4.  discipline - watching and being instructed by some of the best players in the world has taught me to concentrate on some real basics like rhythm and drive.  My fellow band members have seen a real change in how I play and in my confidence.  My intensity at times drives the band and pumps them up.  this I learned at camp.

5.  finesse -  I have learned when to back off and let another player shine and make him sound better in the back up I play.

6.  friendship - my very first banjo teacher from Calgary, Alberta comes each year with all his friends.  He plays clawhammer (Which I can also play) but I have concentrated my playing with bluegrass and I love melodic style playing). We reunite each year, and jam together for hours after the instructors' concert bringing both bluegrass and clawhammer traditions together.  and I have met so many new friends from all over western Canada and the Pacific northwest who make a real effort to come.

7.  encouragement to play better - I was in Danny Barnes' class last year, and he is just an awesome player - yet he was so grateful to pass on some of his tricks to others because of what so many people had passed on to him.  It was really humbling and inspiring at the same time.

I smile all through this camp and for days after, not being able to wait for the next camp.  My friends at home make fun of me because I have been so happy to go to 'banjo camp'.  I am a psychologist by profession and my family doctor thinks I should prescribe banjo camp instead of antidepressants.

My friend from Calgary and I were watching a fellow student during a class.  He had his mouth wide open watching the instructor.  We told him he should close his mouth - it was not polite (typical Canadian thing to say).  He said he couldn't; it was just too good to watch.

You will hear stories like this and so many more from those attending.  The camp is rustic.  But the music and affection from the staff and students are the only things you will notice.

I have learned to play better because of this camp, and I am part of a larger musical community of banjo players from all over the place..  It has made my world more joyful with both the people and the music.  It does not get much better for me than that.

Cheers
Don

Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 21:58:23 -0700
From: "Rick Winter"
Subject: American Banjo Camp
To: "Dan Monte Calvo"
Cc: Info@AmericanBanjoCamp.com

Greetings, Dan:

I'm Rick Winter in Tigard, OR., and have attended ABC for the last two years. Ken asked I write and tell you a little about it, but you shouldn't hold that against him. He's a nice guy, really!

I suppose I'd be considered an "advanced" player. Held down Banjo in a couple of bands for several years, and played Bass with Sam Hill down here in Portland. I practice and study stuff regularly, and attend at least one jam a week.

More importantly, I consider myself an advanced student. I've never been shy about asking the hard questions, and I have yet to ask one the instructors couldn't answer. They're serious enough about it that they don't blow smoke, either, meaning I don't always get the answer I was fishing for (i.e., it turns out I'll just have to work harder).

And they'll pick with anyone.

Got to pick a lot and talk with Bill Keith the last two years. Got smart and recorded last year's class. Way too much stuff to assimilate on the fly. Listen to Ned all the time on Sirius satellite radio. Going to make sure I buttonhole him and pick more this year. Met Pat Clout in the mid-70s in Weiser, and he was fantastic then. Read some of his posts on BanjoHangout. REALLY looking forward to talking with him. I've even known Mike Stahlman, the beginner's instructor, for years. Have never met or heard Murphy Henry but read her stuff in Banjo Newsletter.

The venue is perfect, the food is great, the people are fun. You can work as hard as you want or sit back for the ride. I would not characterize it as a Cruise Ship atmosphere, though. I've never felt I was being led around by the nose by the activities director. And I've never had the ax out of the case for more than three minutes before someone comes up to talk or pick.

Any more questions you might have I'd be glad to answer. Hope to see you there.

Rick