On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we pay tribute to banjo and bluegrass legend J. D. Crowe with his friend, student, and collaborator, Bill Evans. Crowe passed away on Christmas Eve, 2021, nearly a year, exactly, after the death of his friend and former bandmate, Tony Rice.
Evans is a natural storyteller and educator and was slated to begin filming instruction videos with Crowe for Peghead Nation later this year. He talks about Crowe's impact on bluegrass, his unique style of banjo playing (and how it differed from that of Earl Scruggs), the unique interplay Crowe had with guitarist Tony Rice, and the importance of the 1975 album, 'J. D. Crowe and New South' album (Rounder Records 0044), featuring Crowe, Rice, Jerry Douglas, Ricky Skaggs, and Bobby Slone.
It's an hour-long deep dive into what made one of the world's best banjo player's tick... and a great primer on the subtleties of bluegrass.
This episode is sponsored by
BED|STÜ (use the discount code FRETXBS to save 20% off for a limited time),
Izotope (use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing software), and
Retrofret Vintage Guitars.
Our 49th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing, featuring John Reischman, John Sebastian, Dr. Molly Miller and more.
Click here to learn more.