Miscellaneous bluegrass news Archives

Bayla Davis, newest Gold Tone endorser

Bayla Davis with her new custom Gold Tone open back banjo

Gold Tone Music Group has announced their newest endorser, and perhaps their youngest, in the person of Bayla Davis, a 17-year-old old time player from western North Carolina. In just a few years time, this talented young lady has turned heads all across the music world for her skillful playing, and her full-on embrace of traditional mountain music.

Last spring she was chosen to be featured on From The Top, a television show and podcast that highlights exceptionally talented teen musicians. For years the show focused on classical artists, but has only recently begun to showcase traditional music players like Davis and Wyatt Ellis.

Bayla says that she is delighted with her new banjo, one that was custom built for her unique stylistic preferences as a clawhammer picker who also plays bluegrass, and by having one made just for her.

“I am really excited to be endorsed by a banjo company! I actually thought only really famous instrumentalists could be endorsed, but I was really excited when some of my friends recently got endorsed, and then I got asked a couple weeks following! It really seems like the music world is beginning to take the younger generation seriously and professionally, and I am really thankful.

I’ve only ever played Gold Tone banjos, but the ones I currently have are only banjos that I have won or never picked out personally. I was invited to Titusville, Florida during my Christmas break from school to check out a custom banjo they had begun to work on for me, and to show me around the factory. I visited Mr. Justin and Mr. Wayne, who I’ve known for years at various festivals, but it was amazing to see them in their working environment, and to meet the luthiers

When I was asked what type of banjo I would be interested in, they were very surprised that I wanted something exactly like a resonator banjo (I play clawhammer, so that isn’t very common); however, I wanted an open back to promote my style and the culture of old time music.

They put together an open back Tubaphone banjo, with three rings, and very low action for a loud and bright sound. They put on an Ome armrest, and they used a gorgeous Gold Tone neck with all the frets and no scoop (usually something only resonators have). I played it for the first time with my siblings in Mr. Justin’s office, and the only thing that was changed was the string gauge sizes: I like to have different weird sizes for the strings specifically so nothing buzzes. I’ve found that clawhammer is a rougher style that can hit the strings in a certain way that promotes annoying pick noise and a ring – and the luthier was able to adjust them in minutes.

I have officially named my new baby banjo “Frankenstein,” because it is a banjo made up of many other parts of different banjos. I feel like average open back banjos are muffled and softer, but because I play more bluegrass and contemporary on clawhammer than I do old time, I wanted to be able to be heard just as loud and clear as other players, but with my own style.”

Well done Gold Tone!

Young Ms. Davis is currently absorbed in applying to music colleges, looking for the best fit for her particular interests.

Hey music schools… time to reach out to this talented artist!

Dozens of cars vandalized at SPBGMA (updated)

Kat Brake’s rental vehicle damaged in the Music City Sheraton parking lot during SPBGMA (1/25/25)

During this past weekend’s National Convention of the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA), the music, the jamming, and the fun was marred by two nights of parking lot vandalism.

Both Friday and Saturday nights, many cars had windows smashed by robbers at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, 105 in total over the two days. Fortunately, we haven’t been able to find anyone reporting the loss of any instruments, as it appears that the individuals breaking windows were looking for things they could steal and sell quickly.

Police told Kat Brake, a mandolinist and singer from Florida whose rental car was damaged, that these robbers had hit 15 different hotel parking lots on Saturday night. They took three hours in responding to the Sheraton incidents as a result.

She tells us that she had nothing in her vehicle, but that it was a major inconvenience all the same.

“The hotel staff says that it happened before 8:00 pm, before their security guard comes in. But I arrived there at 9:00 and it occurred afterwards. 28 cars were hit in the front parking lot on Saturday, after 77 on Friday (these were at the Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn, edited), and the hotel did not notify guests.

Whoever was doing it seemed to be focusing on vans, SUVs, and trucks. The police said that they thought they were looking for weapons.

It was a mess. There was glass everywhere, and the next day no one could get auto glass companies to come out because they ran out of inventory with so many break ins.

I waited 12 hours for a tow truck to take it back to the rental agency.”

Many others who had driven their personal or band vehicles had to make the trip home with a taped over window, no fun in the wintertime.

One such was Amanda Cook, who was at SPBGMA representing Mountain Fever Records. She tells us that she got away with only the damage to her car.

“Thankfully, I did not have anything stolen. They left my CDs in the seat. For sure not bluegrass fans. 😃

The drive home on Sunday was awful with no driver’s window, and the cost of replacement is hurtful, but it could have been so much worse. I know folks that had wallets stolen, etc.

It does make me think twice about going again…or at least not staying there.

We were staying at the Embassy Suites down the hill, so it was ALL of the hotels in the area. The hotels are aware of it; our hotel rep said they have been getting hit on a regular basis for the last 18 months. The employees are leaving their cars unlocked and the windows rolled down so they don’t get busted out. Wish we would have known that.”

We spoke briefly with Josh, who was the manager on duty on Monday morning at the Sheraton, and he told us that any comment on this situation would have to come from their corporate headquarters. We haven’t received any as yet.

SPBGMA says they knew nothing about the break ins, only being notified after the convention had concluded.

A most unfortunate marring of an otherwise successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of SPBGMA.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m. – We spoke just now with Mark Deinhart, Area Managing Director at HEI Hotels & Resorts, which includes the Sheraton Music City, who tells us that they actually had no break ins on Friday or Saturday, but did have 22 cars damaged on Sunday evening. Only four were SPBGMA guests.

Deinhart also indicated that they are working with Nashville Police to be sure that this never happens again, possibly positioning police vehicles in the lot for special events. “We are determined to keep the parking lot safe for all of our guests,” he said.

Stephanie Jones with SPBGMA reiterates that she was never notified of break ins in the parking lot, and didn’t learn about this problem until things closed down. She has also been assured that the Sheraton is planning to provide more security for next year.

She also shared her heartfelt sympathies for the people who were affected, and mentioned that anyone who ever has issues while at at SPBGMA event should contact them right away so that they can assist in resolving them.

We also spoke again to Kat Brake who made clear that the break ins on Friday were, in fact, “down the hill” at the other hotels (Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn), and that the discrepancy between her account of the break ins on Saturday showing up on Sunday, as the police didn’t arrive until Sunday, after midnight.

Woodsongs collecting instruments for hurricane victims

The good folks with the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour in Lexington, KY are once again collecting donated musical instruments to distribute to the victims of the destructive flooding in the Appalachian region.

On top of the loss of their homes, many of these people also lost all of their belongings, which of course includes their musical instruments. As homeowners and renters insurance typically exclude flooding from covered events, it’s unlikely that these victims, especially the poorest among them, have any way of recovering any sort of musical expression, or the hope that comes from playing, even if they do have a place to live by now.

So Woodsongs is asking anyone with a musical instrument of any kind that they aren’t using, in playable condition, to consider donating to their Hurricane Helene Instrument Drive. This includes any stringed instrument (banjo, guitar, violin family, mandolin, reso-guitar) as well as brass, woodwinds, and percussion.

Many among the displaced and disposed are school children who have lost the instruments they used in their orchestra or band programs. It may seem like a small thing, but anything that helps them return to a degree of normalcy is a big help.

Collections centers in Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, and Virginia are accepting donated instruments through February 15, which will then be distributed to flood victims on March 9 in Asheville, NC.

Monetary donations are also welcome, which will be used to help cover the costs of transportation and the repair or refurbishing of any instruments, as needed. New instruments can also be purchased from your local music store and shipped to a collection center.

Full details, including a list of collection centers and a PayPal form to donate money, can be found online. There is also a form to obtain tax credit for your donations.

Relief efforts in the wake of the Helene floods has been extremely difficult, owing largely to the mountainous terrain in the affected areas. A small donation of an unused instrument or cash would be greatly appreciated.

Silver Dollar City seeking bluegrass musicians for 2025 season

Silver Dollar City has put out the call for bluegrass pickers and singers. They plan to assemble a band to perform at the park in Branson, MO from April through November this year.

The entertainment team is not interested in existing bands; they are just looking to speak with individuals at this time. These jobs are not yet posted online, so there is no word on the rate of pay.

These sorts of positions are ideal for college students interested in a career in bluegrass performance. Typically Silver Dollar City is only open on weekends in April and May, expanding to all week once the weather allows, and school is out.

Though it hasn’t been specified, theme parks often hire enough players to compose two bands working different schedules to allow them to offer the music attraction during all open hours.

For audition and further details, please contact Mike Hefley by email. He is primarily interested in musicians who can commit to the full 2025 run.

Good luck!

Josh Swift recovering from brain surgery

Josh Swift, reso-guitarist supreme, studio owner, producer, and longtime member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, reports that he is just home from successful surgery to remove a tumor from his brain.

If you find that shocking, just listen to his description from yesterday of how this came to be.

“Well, I think it’s now time to fill everyone in on what’s been going on in our little world.

I’m telling you all, now, because we have successfully come out on the other side of this journey. God is good.

For the last 10 years or so, I’ve dealt with some weird hormone related health issues. Recently, I had a new urologist recommend a brain scan to look for a brain tumor. I literally laughed out loud. That said, we did the scans and one was found. If we didn’t get it handled, I’d be looking at severe health problems in the future. So, my family and I made the decision to immediately move forward with surgery to remove the tumor.

I’m currently riding shotgun in the car with my bride, who is driving me back home. We had a little stay at Vanderbilt this week, but the tumor is GONE. I can’t say enough about the folks at Vanderbilt. They went above and beyond and I feel like I had the best team in the world taking care of me.

Now, I’ll be taking some time to heal. I won’t be with my road family (The Isaacs) until I’m 100% but I suspect I’ll be back in six weeks or so.

Though it’s been a long/hard journey, we are on the winning side of it. We are awaiting the pathology report in hopes that I should have a normal, long, and HEALTHY life. To be honest, I’m fully expecting a good report. I’ve apparently (unknowingly) had this tumor for most of my life, and honestly, I’m thankful to know that. I suspect if it was REALLY BAD, it would have taken me out years ago.

To the few folks who have known and been praying, thank you for those prayers. For those just now finding out, remember us in the coming weeks. I’m a workaholic and am not fond of ‘doing nothing,’ which is exactly what I have strict orders to do.

Love you all and thank you for your love and support.”

He says that he is doing well, but has a whopper of a headache.

Such marvelous news! Looks like we’ll have Josh around for quite some time yet.

South Carolina Banjo Day coming up March 11

Once again this year, the state of South Carolina will dedicate a day to their native son, Todd Taylor, as they celebrate South Carolina Banjo Day on March 11.

The honor was first bestowed on Todd in 2018, both in recognition of his achievements as a banjo player, and in recognition of his having overcome serious health issues throughout his life. He had suffered illness for a number of years leading up to a diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy, as well as additional issues related to the disease since.

In a cruel sort of irony, Taylor has just been diagnosed with colon cancer, and is starting treatment quite soon, so one imagines he will especially appreciate his “day” in March.

The following is the proclamation passed in 2018 by the South Carolina state legislature, and read on the floor of the Senate.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are pleased to recognize Todd “Banjoman” Taylor as an outstanding citizen who has positively impacted the State of South Carolina;

Whereas, in 2012, Mr. Taylor received the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his musical contributions to the State of South Carolina;

and Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to pay tribute to the accomplishments and public service of this son of South Carolina by annually recognizing the second Tuesday in March as “South Carolina Banjo Day.”

Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring: That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize Wednesday, March 14, 2018, and the second Tuesday in March of each year thereafter as “South Carolina Banjo Day” in honor of Todd “Banjoman” Taylor’s musical contributions to the State of South Carolina.

Remember, come March 11, 2025, to think of your favorite banjo player, and if you play one yourself, be sure to pick one for Todd!

Arthur Hatfield Banjos shop burns to the ground

Popular Kentucky banjo builder and repairman Arthur Hatfield suffered the loss of his shop to fire on Saturday, January 10.

A wooden musical instrument shop contains a good many combustible materials, and by the time the fire department got to the building in Glasgow, KY, the shop had been consumed.

Fortunately, Arthur was not hurt, but all of the tooling and equipment used to build the Hatfield Banjos was destroyed, along with everything he was working on at the time.

Arthur has been building and repairing banjos for more than 30 years, doing it full time since 2001. Also a banjo player, he had toured with Carl Story as a younger man.

A friend has established a GoFundMe campaign to raise fund to help Hatfield rebuild. They have raised roughly $7,000 of the $50,000 goal in just two days, and more will be required to put things back to what they were. Anyone who loves the banjo, and the Hatfield Banjos in particular, may be moved to make a contribution online.

We are waiting to hear back from Arthur and will update once we learn the extent of his losses, and whether insurance might help him get the shop back in business.

UPDATE 1/15: We have heard back from Arthur, who says that everything in the shop is gone, and that he had no insurance to cover the loss. This makes the GoFundMe campaign all the more crucial for the rebuilding which he hopes to accomplish.

He also told us that the fire department believes the blaze began near a propane wall heater.

Fundraiser for Gabe Hirshfeld and his kidney transplant

Highly-regarded Boston banjo player Gabe Hirshfeld has launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe, asking for assistance as he navigates the costs and difficulties of an aggressive kidney disease, leading up to a transplant.

Gabe came to prominence nationally as a member of Boston’s Lonely Heartstring Band, now defunct, a very popular modern bluegrass group during the 2010s. Known for their lyrical and harmonic complexity within a bluegrass setting, the band released a pair of critically-acclaimed records but, like many groups formed during college, broke up when the members began to go their separate ways.

As the band members moved away, Gabe has stayed in the Boston area, his hometown, where he has remained active in bluegrass circles. He has also developed a following on YouTube for his video banjo lessons, and teaching at banjo camps.

During 2024 he began to experience an illness, quickly traced to kidney function. Gabe’s doctors determined that he had a misshapen “horseshoe” kidney on his right side, and no kidney on the left. With kidney function rapidly declining, Hirshfeld is fortunate in having already found a donor kidney from someone in the music community, and is preparing to undergo a transplant soon.

He says that he has had to overcome his hesitation to seek assistance, but with the associated uninsured costs of a transplant, especially the enforced three months off work in its aftermath, he finds he has no choice.

“I really hate to reach out for help financially like this, but I need to swallow my pride and remember that this illness is not my fault, and that there is no shame in needing help in times of struggle. The support of my community in lifting my spirits during this difficult time has already been overwhelming, and I hate to ask for more than just emotional support, but sadly, in today’s crazy world, one defective kidney = one GoFundMe campaign.”

Gabe Hirshfeld has long been recognized by his friends and fellow pickers as a kind and humble soul, just the sort that makes you want to reach out a hand when they are in need.

If you find yourself in a position to make a donation of any size to this appeal, you may do so online. GoFundMe accepts contributions via major credit cards, or by digital payments such as PayPal or Venmo.

Good luck, Gabe, on the transplant. Here’s to a full and rapid recovery!

50 years of Deering Banjos

As we start a new year, we recognize a special anniversary for a family business that has served the bluegrass industry for five decades. The Deering Banjo Company is celebrating 50 years in 2025!

The company was launched in 1975 by Greg and Janet Deering, just a year after the two were married. Greg was only 19 when he started building banjos, an instrument he had begun learning to play only six years earlier. Janet had a dream of running a family business since she was a teen, and they realized it as newlyweds with a young son.

Located just south of San Diego, CA, the Deering Banjo Company has grown to nearly 50 employees working in an 18,000 sq ft facility which they opened in 2001. Much of the space is dedicated to the building of their highly successful Goodtime Series banjos, a very popular low-cost instrument ideal for beginners, or as a second (or third) banjo for a serious amateur or professional player.

Over the years the Deerings created instruments for bluegrass and old time players, as well as four and six string banjos, and special models for celebrated artists. Their Tenbrooks Series and Private Collection banjos offer exceptional five strings for the most discriminating collectors. More recently, Deering has acquired the Vega Banjos trademark, and builds and markets a variety of instruments under that name.

Now retired, Greg and Janet turned the management of the company they built over to their daughter, Jamie, in 2019, who had literally grown up at Deering Banjos, from sweeping up to sales and marketing since she was in high school. The founders still remain active in the business, but with Jamie running day-to-day operations.

A major factor in the Deering band is their “made in USA” commitment. Even their lowest-priced banjos are made there in their California shop, where their top line professional models are likewise built by highly skilled luthiers.

With a deep catalog of instruments and accessories, and a stunning array of endorsing artists, the Deering Banjo Company seems poised to continue service to the worldwide banjo community for many years to come.

Congratulations to Greg, Janet, and Jamie Deering for 50 years!

Stompin’ Ground in Maggie Valley, NC on fire

Popular music venue the Stompin’ Ground dance hall in Maggie Valley, NC caught fire earlier this afternoon, and based on photos from the scene, it appears that extensive damage has occurred.

The venue has hosted plenty of bluegrass and country shows over the years, with Raymond Fairchild appearing there often while he was alive, with The Crowe Brothers.

The Mountaineer in Waynesville is reporting that an eyewitness had seen someone throwing an object into the building just as the flames became visible. This has made locals suspicious as the Heart of the Valley Motel located behind the Stompin’ Grounds burned down the weekend before Christmas. Perhaps an insignificant detail, but the two fires were discovered at or near 2:00 p.m., five days apart.

Both businesses are operated by the Edwards family who opened the Stompin’ Ground in May of 1982. The motel dates back to the 1950s.

The venue billed itself as the Clogging Capitol of the World, and had dancers at most shows. The Stompin’ Ground was a major tourist draw for the region.

We will update as more information is made available.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: It now appears that damage was only to the front of the building, which is closed for the winter. A person of interest has been identified by police, and the fire department was able to quickly extinguish the flames.

UPDATE 6:15: The Maggie Valley Police Department and Fire Department have declared the fire a result of arson, and have a suspect in custody. Unfortunately for the arsonist, the fire marshall and fire chief were visiting the site of last week’s fire when this new one was set, and gave chase.