Great Deals on Martin Guitars, act quickly!

Zepp Country Music is closing out their Martin guitar line to focus on banjos. They have great deals that they can't publish but I was amazed at what they are going for. Act quickly as they won't last long at these prices.

Check it out and give them a call:
http://zeppmusic.com/martin.htm

13" pot--a Chuck Lee Banjo Special

Look what we built for Lee Thomas--a dandy new banjo with a 13" pot. Here's Lee's note:

"Hey Chuck and Tammy, Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying the new banjo. The one ply, 13" rim is amazing. The clarity and tone are great and the balance from one to five is perfect. I played it the entire gig last Saturday and it was more than a match for our hard driving fiddle player. Looks like I'll be taking it to the gigs from now on. Thanks for another great banjo!"

Lee's banjo was built of maple with a gorgeous antique cherry stain. The rim is a one-ply, maple, with black stain.

This is one of two we have made--the second went to Zepp Country Music, where is sold promptly. More are planned!

Nate Lee, Alan Munde & Elliott Rogers

Shown above are, Left to Right, Nate Lee, Alan Munde, Chuck Lee and Elliott Rogers. Chuck enjoyed spending time with 3/5ths of the Alan Munde Gazette when they stopped in for a shop visit.

Acoustic Music Camp 2009 Chuck Lee Scholarship

In this photo, shown from left are Dan Levensen, Jennifer Levensen, scholarship winner Scott Soptick, Tammy Lee and Chuck Lee. Scott proved to be an able musician, enthusiastic participant, and above all, a gentleman.

Scholarship Contest Winner-Acoustic Music Camp

We are pleased to announce that Scott Soptick of Lenexa, Kansas is our scholarship winner. He has been awarded a spot at Acoustic Music Camp 2009.

Scott will be taking clawhammer banjo with Dan & Jennifer Levenson, and will no doubt also enjoy lots of mixing with other musicians and teachers.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter our contest. We hope to offer a scholarship to
Acoustic Music Camp next year.

Congratulations, Scott!

Acoustic Music Camp 2009 Scholarship

Every August, here in the Dallas Area, the talented and fascinating Gerald Jones hosts and directs Acoustic Music Camp. In a few short years, this camp has experienced great success with its lineup of talented musician-teachers. Additionally, Gerald has secured a Comfortable location central to Dallas and Fort Worth, caters a number of meals and snacks, and designs lots of opportunities for jamming and networking for all musicians, beginners to advanced.

Here's the big news. Chuck Lee Banjo Company is offering a scholarship this year to Acoustic Music Camp.

We would like to provide free tuition (a $345 value!) for 1 student, (travel and lodging not included). So if you'd like to learn clawhammer banjo from Dan Levenson, mandolin or fiddle from THE Nate Lee, pick with Tony Trischka--or any of the other excellent instructors-- drop us an email! We will select from all submitted entries.

Write us a paragraph as to why you are a worthy choice. The recipient will be chosen on the basis of need, interest, desire, and if all else fails, by random drawing. We will also feature the winner here on our blog. Send your paragraph, with name, address, phone number to AcousticMusicCamp2009@ChuckLeeBanjos.com . Things to consider including would be past experience, musical interest, favorite color......and so on.

Get your entry/email into us by July 20th, as camp begins August 6th.

Craig Evans' Autism Project

At this time we would like to shamelessly promote a CD with a great special interest. Craig Evans, one of our customers and friends, has put out a new CD, Frailin' with Friends. Singleton Street together with some other talented musicians have taken a special interest in children with autism and their families. Proceeds from this wonderful CD go to benefit autism hangout, a forum designed to help and encourage those living with this challenge. The happy music is healing ministry in itself!

Read more about Craig's project here and consider investing in this cause, and get a great CD.

Goodbye, James Reed

We were saddened to receive the recent news that our good friend and gifted musician, James Reed, passed in an auto accident. Our family has known James for about 10 years. Our son Nate received his first mandolin lessons from him. James taught several of our children, and me as well, over the years. He was also a gracious and generous Chuck Lee Banjo owner. Additionally, he was a favorite shop visitor of Chuck's and a generous man--as evidenced by his buying expensive popcorn from our boyscout!

Here are links to his band, the Rainey Creek Ramblers, and a memorial from his work buddies at the VA, as well as his obituary.

Bonnie Lee, High School Graduate

We are Proud!

Bonnie is graduating from our home school this month with 38 concurrent college credits behind her. This is due to our state's program which allows High School students to attend college for credit while completing requirements.

She is heading for South Plains College this fall (where big brother Nate Lee has been studying). She expects to spend lots of time in the art department, but hopefully she'll get to know some of the excellent music teachers there as well.

In these photos she is shown holding her Chuck Lee tenor banjo and playing some fiddle, which was her first instrument.

Fencing

Our #5 child, Johnny, just turned 14 yesterday. Here he is shown at his fencing class. (He's the one on the right). Johnny has also started a band; he's the lead electric guitar player. His guitar teacher says, "with a name like Johnny Lee, he's got to be good!" We think his teacher, Patrick DeZeeuw. of Harps of God, gets a lot of the credit.

Banjos and Recession

I have heard that traditionally during recessions and depressions, banjo playing surges. Perhaps people are staying home more, or in touch with something deep within them. Music can describe the highs and lows of life unlike anything else. We have been curious if this is the case today. Any thoughts? We do know that banjos are still selling! Our music stores still have their doors open, as do our suppliers! Even better, we spoke with the owner of one prominent store yesterday; he cheerfully reported a surge in shoppers and purchases during the last month. What great news! How about your part of the country?

Banjo Company Personnel

Our highly skilled and intelligent personnel are eagerly waiting to serve you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUCK

Today is Chuck's 52nd birthday!

Happy Birthday, Chuck.

You are an amazing husband, dad, banjo builder and genius tinkerer.

With love from your family at home--

Tammy, Bonnie, Isaac, Johnny & Tate

Texas Highways Magazine Luthier Story

Hi, Stan A. Williams, Texas Highways Magazine photographer and musician here. I recently had the good fortune to both come up with the idea of a story about Texas stringed instrument makers and go photograph them at their craft.

I got to spend some productive time with Chuck and Tammy Lee and their friend Lee Thomas, of the Salt Rock Rounders, at Chuck’s shop in Ovilla.

I learned about clawhammer banjos, family togetherness and the values of such, Newfoundland dogs in the form of shop assistant, Charlie, and how it all comes together at a place called Chuck Lee Banjo Company.

You can see some of what we came up with at Texas Highways or pick up a copy of the January, 2009 issue of Texas Highways magazine at your local bookstore or newsstand. If you’re really bored and want to know more about me, look here and here.

Thanks, Chuck and Tammy, for your hospitality and the chance to meet Charlie before he entered the next leg of his journey over the rainbow bridge.

In the picture below Charlie was so sure he was to be included that he just centered up in front of Lee Thomas and sat down until the session was completed.

.

Charlie the Newfy with sidekicks
Chuck Lee (R) and Lee Thomas (L).

Here's some personal details about Charlie.

Charlie's registered name was "Brenrich's Little Boy Blue", but his real friends called him Charlie.

His date of birth was June 22, 2002 and he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on August 19, 2008. He no longer feels any pain and is able to rest while he waits for those that love him.

Charlie's father was "Josh", BIS, BISS CH. Darbydale's All Rise Pouch Cove, ROM. His mother was "Lauren", CH. Sunvalley's Brenrich McLaurin, DD, ROM.

For those that don't know: BIS - Best in Show, BISS - Best in Specialty Show, ROM - Register of Merit Newfoundland, DD - Draft Dog Title, CH - Champion.