BOOK: CROWE ON THE BANJO by Marty Godbey (Univ. of
Illinois Press, 2011) 240 pages softbound. Fans of J.D. Crowe --considered one
of the greatest banjo pickers in Bluegrass --will certainly welcome this excellent
biography, which goes into great detail about Crowe's lengthy career, his various
recording sessions, and the many musicians who worked with him over the years.
Ms. Godbey (who sadly passed away shortly before this book came out) took
advantage of many interviews with Crowe as well as dozens of other musicians
who played with him or knew him well. Obviously Ms. Godbey was very familiar
with his career, being a big fan and living close enough to attend dozens (maybe
hundreds) of his shows. Ten well written chapters include one on a young J.D.
getting to see his idol --Earl Scruggs --every chance he could, and picking up
tips while sitting in the front row: most banjo pickers will definitely relate to his
early experiences in learning to play Bluegrass. Also covered are chapters on his
experiences as a member of Jimmy Martin's band, his long tenure at the Holiday
Inn in Lexington with pickers like Red Allen, Doyle Lawson and Larry Rice, and
the circumstances surrounding Crowe's classic "New South" LP with Tony Rice,
Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs. There's plenty more after that, with coverage of
The Bluegrass Album band LPs, the presence of Keith Whitley in the band, etc.
With a good index and discography, the book is highly recommended $ 17.50
BOOK: CROWE ON THE BANJO by Marty Godbey (Univ. of Illinois Press, 2011) 240 pages softbound. Fans of J.D. Crowe --considered one of the greatest banjo pickers in Bluegrass --will certainly welcome this excellent biography, which goes into great detail about Crowe's lengthy career, his various recording sessions, and the many musicians who worked with him over the years. Ms. Godbey (who sadly passed away shortly before this book came out) took advantage of many interviews with Crowe as well as dozens of other musicians who played with him or knew him well. Obviously Ms. Godbey was very familiar with his career, being a big fan and living close enough to attend dozens (maybe hundreds) of his shows. Ten well written chapters include one on a young J.D. getting to see his idol --Earl Scruggs --every chance he could, and picking up tips while sitting in the front row: most banjo pickers will definitely relate to his early experiences in learning to play Bluegrass. Also covered are chapters on his experiences as a member of Jimmy Martin's band, his long tenure at the HolidayInn in Lexington with pickers like Red Allen, Doyle Lawson and Larry Rice, and the circumstances surrounding Crowe's classic "New South" LP with Tony Rice,Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs. There's plenty more after that, with coverage of The Bluegrass Album band LPs, the presence of Keith Whitley in the band, etc. With a good index and discography, the book is highly recommended $ 17.50
