STRINGBEAN 'Barn Yard Banjo Pickin' GUSTO-0956-CD

Stringbean (real name Dave Akeman) had a fascinating career that included a start with old time Kentucky artist Asa Martin, a stint with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, friendships with Uncle Dave Macon and Grandpa Jones, and a pretty lengthly career on the long-running HEE-HAW show. Tragically, he was murdered by thieves at his Tennessee home after an Opry performance in 1973. Though known best for his outlandish clothes, "String" was not a bad banjo player, and this budget priced 2-CD set gives us a generous helping of his repertoire --which was more extensive than most of us thought. The 31 tracks here are drawn from four early Starday LPs that were issued between 1960 and 1963 and include such tunes as BARNYARD BANJO PICKIN', PRETTY LITTLE WIDOW, POLLY, BULLY OF THE TOWN, and DON'T BOB YOUR HAIR GIRLS --quite a few of these learned from Uncle Dave at the Opry. This is a welcome set, with good notes by Dr. Charles Wolfe, and a bargain at only $ 15.00 (2-CD set)

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