Archive for January, 2010
Eddie Adcock
Virginia native Eddie Adcock first came to prominence as the banjo player with the groundbreaking Washington-D.C.-based Country Gentlemen during the 1960s. His overwhelming technical ability and blending of Scruggs, single-string, and Travis style were essential ingredients in the Gentlemen’s sound, and seminal recordings such as Sunrise and Pallet on the Floor earned the Country Gentlemen the reputation of being the first progressive bluegrass band, the progenitor of “newgrass” and “jamgrass” bands such as New Grass Revival, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers.
Since the 1970s Adcock has been performing and recording with his wife Martha and has recently performed a series of Country Gentlemen reunion concerts with fellow alums Jimmy Gaudreau and Tom Gray. An endorser of Deering banjos, Adcock became known as the “bionic banjo player” in 2008 when he underwent deep brain stimulation surgery to correct a tremor that had developed in his right hand. Adcock not only remained conscious during the procedure at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but actually played the banjo as surgeons worked so that the placement of the brain implant could be adjusted for maximum effectiveness. A week later, he was back on stage at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s yearly convention in Nashville.
As the parent of a beginning banjo player, I have to try especially hard not to seem overbearing. After all, I started playing the instrument when I was precisely my son’s age, and it’s tempting to help him avoid making all the same mistakes I made. But I’ve found through experience that harping on him to practice will only serve to drive him away from the banjo – something he loves for now.
I’ve also learned that it’s important to allow the child to deviate from his practice routine every now and then. At least once a week I encourage my son to throw out everything he’s learned about tenor banjos for a solid half-hour. During that time, I tell him to try whatever improvisational technique he wants. The way I see it, the best banjo players broke the rules and created their own unique style.