Trapdoor2
  • Male
  • Little River, SC
  • United States
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Trapdoor2's Friends

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Trapdoor2's Discussions

The Mosquito's Parade, a Jersey Review...
5 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jody Stecher Nov 15, 2023.

Another Caselli..."Dainty Hussy"

Started Jan 30, 2023

Good Scout and Universal Foxtrot by Vess Ossman
6 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by nick stephens Jan 29, 2023.

 

Trapdoor2's Page

Latest Activity

Trapdoor2 replied to TONY BRYAN's discussion BERT BASSETT BIOGRAPHY
"I'm getting very little delay, Ian...less than a second. All the buttons work nicely. All the tunes play!"
Mar 11
Trapdoor2 and Clarke Buehling are now friends
Jan 30
Trapdoor2 replied to Richard William Ineson's discussion American Patrol by Frank Meacham arranged by Parke Hunter
"I hope he does! Those UBs tend to have full piano parts, so writing 2nds and CB parts is easy. I have a Sanders Papworth arrangement of "American Patrol"."
Jan 22
Trapdoor2 replied to Clem Vickery's discussion Cammeyer Vibrante Zither Banjo
"Too bad it will be difficult to bid/buy from the US. Arranging for packing/shipping is a pain and probably would add +/- £200 to the cost."
Jan 20
Trapdoor2 replied to Steve Harrison's discussion Buster brown..1898..Roger Bernard.
"Fun! I find the illustration interesting...looks almost nothing like either Buster or Tige. Buster was named for Buster Keaton, BTW."
Jan 18
Trapdoor2 replied to Richard William Ineson's discussion An interesting new banjo recording https://ccthornley.bandcamp.com/.../two-banjos-in-discussion
"I'm surprised that I'm also put off by the noisy bluegrass-style banjo (having BTDT). I think it is the juxtaposition between it and the smoother attack of the Cello Banjo that creates the issue in my ears. Some pick players just have a…"
Jan 14
Trapdoor2 commented on Nic Pennsylvania's photo
Thumbnail

Cole Banjeaurine

"Teenagers, they're still the same. Little bro' photobombing...same today. Isn't that a young Tony Danza holding up the mannequin?   Guy with the Banjeaurine looks like he's wearing little bro's hat. The kid with…"
Jan 1
Trapdoor2 replied to thereallyniceman's discussion Isn't it great what you find lurking in the depths of your computer?
"It makes me wonder how many wives and mothers made their banjoistic husbands/kids practice with their heads tilted "a little more to the left, dear...""
Dec 14, 2023

Profile Information

MARC SMITH

I was raised by a pack of wolves, deep in the forests of Nawthern Alabama...

Ok, perhaps not. I'm told we were a "normal" family...if having an airplane in your garage (sometimes running the engine in the front yard) is normal. We did finish restoring it (a J-3C Piper Cub) and I soloed in it, etc.

I'm an engineering type, working on spare parts for Helicopter stuff, 8 to 5, weekdays. My wife, the inimitable Miz Diane also works with the Helicopter groups, albeit in the contracting and acquisitions end.

I have been playing the banjo since 1979, when I was taught "Cripple Creek" (Scruggs Style) by my now longtime friend, Patrick Camp. Although I started out on the Bluegrass end of things, one of the first tunes I learnt was an 1877 arrangement of "Spanish Fandango" published in "Banjo Newsletter" in the late 1970's. It was another 10 yrs before I attempted another Classic Banjo tune (or even knew what one was).

In 1992, I attended the "Tennessee Banjo Institute" in Lebanon, TN...meeting the likes of Clarke Buehling, Bill Morris, Chris Sands and Eli Kaufman...and listening to them play Classic Banjo. Their performances (and the cassettes I purchased from them) led me down the crooked path of the Classic banjo from then until now.

I have a lot of hobbies...but most have gone by the wayside for Banjo stuff. I have been collecting Banjo Sheet music since the 1980's and have scads of it stashed in boxes in my "music room", along with quite a few banjos...some vintage, some new, some 4-string, mostly 5-string, some are just banjos I got for a song.

I have been actively procuring the materials and equipment to produce my own banjos when I retire. I recently purchased the estate of a local luthier who specialized in producing somewhat illicit reproductions of a well-known banjo manufacturer. Lots of tools and bits and a huge pile of great wood. I've been woodworking since I was a kid and I've started several banjos...discovering my great talent is not finishing projects. ;-)

I have recently adopted the motto of John Steinbeck: Ad Astra Per Alas Porci. Seems to fit me!

===Marc

 

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Sylvester L. Ossman info

Somehow, I cannot post a .pdf file to the ongoing discussion, so I'll post it here.

This is the US Census record for Sylvester Ossman, Musician, for 1910. It shows the full family at the time, including Sylvester Jr.

They were living in Palisades Park, New Jersey.

Ossman Census record 1910

Posted on December 6, 2015 at 18:44

"Carry On" by Alfred Kirby, MIDI and TAB

Here's the MIDI and TAB for "Carry On", complete with Mike's "Intro".

"Carry On" MIDI

"Carry On" TAB

Ian, please put these in their proper place...should you be inclined to do so.

 

===Marc

Posted on September 3, 2012 at 22:41 — 2 Comments

1880's/1890's banjo sheet music "in da house"

I nicked a box full of crumbly old sheet music offa ebay a week or so ago. Paid about $0.80 ea with shipping. See attached list for the titles, etc.

All of this stuff is American, pre 1900 and in A notation. Amazingly, not many duplicates (whew!) for me. Sure, some obvious ones like Darkey's Awakening, On The Mill Dam, Queen of the Forest, etc. However, there are a couple of previously unknown publishers (two female!) and nearly the entire output of a previously unknown (to me) New…

Continue

Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:54 — 4 Comments

TAB for Jumbo Rag...

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 5:00 — 1 Comment

A shot rang out...!

Yesterday, I drove 2.5 hrs up to the Nashville, TN area for BUW (Breaking Up Winter). BUW is an Old-Time festival that has been held the first weekend in March for the past 15 or so years at a small State Park in Lebanon, TN (Cedars Of Lebanon State Park, no less).

This "festival" (it is really just an excuse to gather OT players and have an extended jam) is one of those places where you meet old friends, play a lot of music and unwind. I usually take a pile of banjos and spend a bit…

Continue

Posted on March 4, 2012 at 16:04 — 2 Comments

Comment Wall (26 comments)

At 23:13 on January 2, 2009, Carl Anderton said…
Glad you joined, Marc. Mighty impressive lookin' line-up of banjars there.
At 22:06 on January 7, 2009, Carl Anderton said…
Did I see that you have a tab for Heliotrope Bouquet? I'd LOVE to take a crack at that!
At 21:09 on February 15, 2009, Ray Jones said…
Hi Marc.
We didn't record that track during the heat wave. As a matter of fact I found it in the attic! ( would you believe )
Regards Ray
At 15:09 on April 6, 2009, Eric STEFANELLI said…
Hi Marc !
Good to know you're in this web bjo group!
My friends Marc D. and Ray J. told me about it.
I was not dead but very busy and moved to another country, i've time now for sharing goodle bjo music on the web again, i had some news from you here and there. I've many clips to put on this site, but a little time to do that, i will try to put some next weeks.
At 6:11 on May 12, 2009, Ray Jones said…
Thanks for pointing that out Marc, I enjoyed listening to it. May I add my congrats to Gavin on his rendition. Beautifully done, and with picks if I'm not mistaken. This puts you up there with the best of 'em Gavin. Keep at it.
At 23:46 on May 12, 2009, Adam said…
Hi Marc ... I really like your video of Sunflower Dance ... Can you point me in the direction for finding the sheet music for that tune? Tab would work too.

Thanks very much,
Best,
Adam
At 5:06 on May 13, 2009, Adam said…
Thanks very much!
At 5:16 on September 27, 2009, Ray Jones said…
I have a couple of Mandolin Solos. Ninon by Ellis. Manhattan Cakewalk by Ellis and The Stars and Stripes Forever by you know who. Ray
At 8:43 on October 15, 2009, Ray Jones said…
Calm down mate, you'll have a siezure if you are not careful. You may be surprised to learn that there could have been as many as 5 or 6 blokes named Ernest Jones living in Wales at the time, and a few Ernest Smith's as well, I shouldn't wonder.
At 20:24 on October 15, 2009, Ray Jones said…
Oh, I see!!! I didn't realise that you were talking about " THE " John Smith, that's a different thing altogether. Best Wishes to thee.

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