Many popular reality shows currently highlight Americans with somewhat unusual occupations, largely living in rural Southern communities. One of these programs is Animal Planet’s Call of the Wildman, which depicts the adventures of “Turtleman” Ernie Brown, Jr. Brown, who lives in central Kentucky, is featured weekly as he catches a wide variety of wild creatures, ranging from snakes to opossums to his favorite, turtles (which he often kisses in celebration).
This past Sunday (August 5), Turtleman was charged with ridding the workshop of world-renowned banjo maker Frank Neat of a snake. Turtleman’s pay? A jam session with banjo legend J.D. Crowe, who was arriving soon to pick up a banjo Neat had repaired for him. Crowe made a brief appearance, even picking for a few minutes with Turtleman’s sidekick Neal James, who plays clawhammer style banjo. Turtleman also displayed a custom banjo Neat had made for him.
Interestingly, Crowe did a fan a favor this past weekend at the Osborne Brothers Hometown Festival in Hyden, Kentucky, by playing Back to the Barrooms on a Frank Neat banjo, one of two in existence to bear Crowe’s endorsement and likeness on the back of the resonator.
Just in case you missed it, Call of the Wildman typically reruns episodes each week and also posts episodes and video clips on their website. Be on the lookout for a different type of Crowe on the Animal Planet!
