This blogsite is so new that most of its intended content hasn’t even been unwrapped yet. I’m presently converting info from my old web site to this fantastic blogsite made available to me through Myst. It’s like having a new toy!!! If you’re interested in Dixieland in general, follow my blogs. This blog speaks to The Banjo Ragtimers face of my band , and gives you a little history on how this band got started in New Hampshire in 1978. In 1975, at 45, I decided I wanted to learn how to play the banjo. In 1978 when I started the band I think I could play three songs well enough so people knew what I was trying to play ; and I didn’t need any “wait-a-minutes”. If you have ever tried to learn how to play an instrument you will know what a "wait-a- minute" is. I figured, if I surrounded myself with a few good banjo players no one would ever know I really couldn’t play very well. I did just that and was fortunate enough to find Mike Hashem a fiddle player turned banjo player. He was really great; so great that in 1985 he won the US Open National Banjo competition. I went with him to Ny and competed in the “Kent Hardly” division set up for banjo players who “Can’t Hardly Play”. I came in last. The Banjo Ragtimers at that time were made up of 7 banjo players, a keyboard man and a base player. We performed all over New England for many years until I got interested in Dixieland Music and started The Dixie Ragtimers. At that point I disbanded the Banjo Ragtimers. However; because of popular demand (three people I think), I am currently in the process of re-activating the Banjo Ragtimers for a debut in SW Florida. If this sounds like something you might be interested in check out my future blogs. I’ve asked a good friend and banjo player by the name of Jim Welch to contribute blogs to this site as he gets this “old face of my band” back on line. By the way, if you click on MSN News and/or Briefings (Google) upper right hand corner of page you will see how powerful this type of blogsite is at keeping me up to date on what is new in Dixieland music. Your comments on my site are encouraged. Use “Contact Me” set up special for you. Thanks for visiting my site. | 
