John Les is Frailing in Great Britain & Beyond

John Les is a recent Chuck Lee owner. He lives in North Wales and plays with a duo called "Highly Strung". We enjoyed his comments:

"I am very pleased with bass end and tremendous volume of this banjo which I play with Elixir strings. I am equally delighted that I can frail and/or play with finger picks and the quality of the tone is undiminished. It's my banjo of choice which will accompany us all summer as we tour and play at the British festivals, with up and coming visits to France, Czech Republic and Ireland."

Les went on to tell us about his duo's 1999 tour in the US. "... we were privileged to enjoy a ten day tour with banjo player Tony Ellis and The Musicians of Braeburn starting in Columbus Music Hall, Ohio. Then a gig in Circleville Ohio, and onto Balsam Mountain Inn near Asheville, where we sang for our supper with Singer Songwriters Guild of Nashville. Traveling on to Lebanon County Cedar Park where we were made very welcome by Buddy Ingrams, eventually enjoying the highlight of visit we were honoured to spent a magical afternoon with much missed John Hartford."

Southern String Band

Wade Smith is one of nine experienced musicians in the Southern String Band. He has recently purchased a Chuck Lee Chautauqua from Zepp Country Music in North Carolina. We were proud to hear that his whole band approved of his purchase, and that the "feel and even the smell" of the instrument was an instant band hit. Wade owns a number of banjos but he says, "this one has the clearest and cleanest sound I have heard." We're so proud!

Check out Wade and company at the band website, Southernstringband.net. We wish they were closer to Texas!

Georgia Crackers, Chip Corbitt & a Chuck Lee Banjo

Chip Corbitt of the Georgia Crackers plays a Chuck Lee Banjo. He told us " I Love the dynamics of My Lone Star Deluxe (#51) - it's soft enough to play the sweetheart songs and big enough to bark a mean tone for the rowdy Georgia tunes."

More about the Georgia Crackers, from Atlanta, Georgia:
Take a trip back in time to the early era of Country Music with the Georgia Crackers. Before Hank Williams or Bill Monroe & his Bluegrass Boys, Georgia musicians such as Fiddlin’ John Carson, Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers, and many others pioneered the golden age of “Hillbilly Stringbands”. The Georgia Crackers faithfully re-create the vintage sound of the 1920’s, while keeping alive the spirit of spontaneity and improvisation. Their irreverent stage banter is always a crowd pleaser as is the buck dancing of Ms. Edmonstone. An original member of the world famous Green Grass Cloggers, Andy Edmonstone also plays the stand-up bass. Along with old time singer, Kenneth Johnson (Pea Ridge Ramblers) on guitar and Chip Corbitt on clawhammer banjo, this rhythm section holds it down for Fiddlin’ Mick Kinney. Kinney has a unique but authentic fiddle style. When asked for his secret, Mick says, “steal licks from the best” and “keep it hot and greasy, but take it easy”. Listen to the Georgia Crackers as they reach back for that old time feel and surge forward in a rush so entertaining it’s mesmerizing.

On Youtube: Cottin Bagin' and Buckin' Mule

Here's their Facebook Page

Carolina Chocolate Drops' Justin Robinson

Musician Justin Robinson, of the "Carolina Chocolate Drops", purchased a Chuck Lee from Zepp Country Music. This popular group is traveling the country (& the world) with an amazing sound. They are one of Chuck's favorite Old Time bands. This month they were even featured on NPR. Here are some of Justin's links:

The Band:
www.carolinachocolatedrops.com
www.facebook.com/carolinachocolatedrops
www.myspace.com/carolinachocolatedrops

His solo project:
www.myspace.com/birdsormonsters
www.facebook.com/birdsormonsters

And Justin's words: "I'm loving playing my new banjo. I've been composing new songs and learning old ones since I've had it."

111+ Year Record for Snow & Dakota the Newfoundland

Well 13+ inches of snow isn't much for most places but it was a 111 year record (that's when they started keeping records) for a 24 hour period here in North Texas. Oh and What's a snow plow? the Power went out and many folks are still out after several days.





Here's a picture of Dakota the velcro dog (aka Kota Bear) saying "Dad, I am so excited, can I jump up and put my paws on your shoulders?" Of course Dad said yes and we had a great big Newfy hug in the snow.

Chuck, Would you build me a banjo?

When we received a call from Dennis Moore for a custom banjo project, we didn't know that a delightful family was involved.

Dennis ordered his Custom Chuck Lee, choosing all the features, woods, scoop style, tuners and more, just as he wanted them. We were thrilled when he could pick it up in person a few months later...bringing this photo-op with him!

Chuck really enjoys knowing where his banjos are going and making special "one-off" projects made to order. Making each banjo as unique as the musician who plays it.


Dennis Moore, shown above in our shop with his wife Sara, son Reed, and sister-in-law JoAnn.

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