Actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician, Steve Martin, has played the banjo since 17 years of age, and John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame played an important role in Martin success with the instrument. The two were friends
Author: Pamm Tucker
Byron Berline rises from the ashes
Byron Berline unlocks the door to his new shop in Guthrie, OK Byron Berline was on the golf course in Mexico one Saturday in February when a message he'll recall forever beeped on his phone… "The shop is on fire." Berline immediately
Kyle Dillingham, Byron Berline, and the Broken Violin
While the smoke has settled in Oklahoma since fire destroyed Byron Berline’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop, yet another Okie native, Kyle Dillingham, has made something positive of a broken violin. Irony has a way of raising its head in odd
Byron Berline’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop destroyed by fire
Today as I drove into the quaint Victorian town of Guthrie, Oklahoma, billows of smoke could be seen. There was a silence on the paved brick streets. Fire trucks, with lights flashing, news cameras on every corner, people gasping in
2018 Oklahoma State Picking and Fiddling Championship
Alexandra Harman at the 2018 Oklahoma State Picking and Fiddling Championship - photo by Pamm Tucker On the last weekend of September, the Tulsa State Fair continued their tradition by hosting the 46th Annual Picking and Fiddling Championship. Yes, I said
Grandpa Banjo, aka John McEuen at IHOP
After a horrible thunderstorm at G-Fest 2017 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, fiddler Kyle Dillingham, Monica Taylor of the Cherokee Maidens, and Steve Short from Byron Berline’s band and I headed to the International House of Pancakes for breakfast and coffee. Kyle
A magical weekend at Banjo Fest 2018
Tim Allan, Béla Fleck, Tony Trischka, and John McEuen at the 2018 American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame induction - photo by Pamm Tucker In 1998, The National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame was established to honor jazz age tenor banjo pioneers,
Earl Scruggs’ Vega banjo at the American Banjo Museum
From the hills of North Carolina, came one of the most popular names in the history of the banjo. Earl Scruggs (1924-2012) put his mark on the instrument at an early age. By the time he was 21, Scruggs had
Jana Jae and The Blue Violin
The lady behind the “blue violin” may not be a true native to the state of Oklahoma; however, Jana Jae has come full circle back to her roots. Born to graduates of The Juilliard School of Music in New York City,
Shelby Eicher’s Cavalcade of Talent
Shelby Eicher at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame (March 2018) - photo by Sandi Cooksey Last Wednesday night was no different than any other Eicher Wednesday at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Shelby Eicher always has tons of talent,