This is my grandad’s banjo.
He passed it on to me with the intention that I pass it on to my youngest Riley grandson. His dad bought it from Tarkio College and said he’d give it to the first child who could learn to play it.
That was my Grandpa.
Banjos would have been more expensive than some other instruments in those days due to the metal work involved. This one has a brass hoop but no insignia. I know he had it by about 1920 but not sure when it was actually made.
It’s a family treasure.
He played in a “frailing” style similar to Grandpa Jones from Hee-Haw. I remember sitting on the porch with him as he told me these stories, about my lineage, about our legacy and then he showed me how to play “My dog has fleas”!
He and his brothers and sisters were multi-instrumentalists (all playing fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo) and singers. Grateful for my heritage. For my mom, my dad, lots of grandmas, grandpas, cousins and trouble-makers in my life.
For their encouragement most of all.
Please encourage the young musicians in your life.
We’ve got a tradition to keep alive.
https://jasonriley.com
http://www.stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com
