Category Archives: HISTORY

King of the Five String World

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“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.”
Steve Martin


Today while I was detailing my car, I was listening to my favorite banjo music. Well, not only my favorite banjo music and musician but also one of my all time favorite performers.

I’ve been a fan of Steve Martin since I was in my teens. On July 4th back in 2014, my dear son bought tickets for us to see “Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers” perform at the Hollywood Bowl.

My son knows who Steve Martin is, but he was unaware of the banjo musician side of the man. He had a great time and we both were thoroughly entertained by not only the great music, but by his comedy throughout the performance. A great evening was had by all.

Shortly after the Hollywood Bowl concert, Mr. Steve Martin received the 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award, one of the highest honors for a career in films. That same year he also received a Grammy for Best American Roots Song. The song, “Pretty Little One” is from his album Live (with Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell) and is such an amusing song, everyone should check it out.

I love all his bluegrass music that he has produced the last few years. But the one CD I listen to the most is, “Live”. Not only because it reminds me of the Hollywood Bowl performance, but because each and every song is pure perfection. It amazes me that one person can have such talent in so many areas of entertainment.

There was a time when some people I knew looked down on banjo music as just silly hillbilly music. But with entertainers such as Steve Martin, Bela Fleck, The Steep Canyon Rangers, and the recent interest in Pete Seeger, I’m glad to say it’s making its way back up the music charts.

In a sea of six strings, in my opinion, Steve Martin is king of the five string world.

Shine On

LeRoy Neiman

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“It’s a nice feeling to go out in the world and
look for excellence – the best in man.
My subject is very valid.
It’s about people, and about life.”
LeRoy Neiman

  • LeRoy Neiman, June 8, 1921 – June 20, 2012

There’s an artist that I’ve admired for over forty years. He was an American artist famous for his breathtaking energetic images. His brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screen prints of athletes, celebrities, musicians, leisure activities, Playboy illustrations, and sporting events made him one of the most popular artist in the United States.

Leroy Neiman’s artistic style is familiar to a remarkably broad spectrum of Americans –rich and poor, black and white, urban and rural, educated and illiterate, and young and old alike. He was the official artist at five Olympiads.

Back in the 1970s, I received a large coffee table book, LeRoy Neiman: Art & Life Style. Whenever I feel like relaxing and looking at beautiful works of art, I will sit down with a cup of herbal tea and enjoy the majestic work of LeRoy Neiman.

Shine On

Just a few more samples of Neiman’s work.

Uke Music Moments

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“Every song is like a painting.”
Dick Dale

I’ve been listening to a lot of my favorite ukulele music. One of the song’s I’m really enjoying is Misirlou. This song gained popularity in 1962 when Dick Dale performed it as an American surf rock version.

The version I like is performed by The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. I’m sure all of you are familiar with this song performed by The Beach Boys and Dick Dale and his Del-Tones version in the movie, Pulp Fiction. But you may not of heard it played by a ukulele orchestra.

Hope you enjoy this uke music moment.

Shine On