Banjo history with Don McLean

Don talks about his love of the banjo and history related to where bluegrass banjo originated from. Originally aired on bluegrassmusictv.com
Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, a BBC Lifetime Achievement award recipient, and his smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) a top 5 song of the 20th Century. A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. Don McLean’s incredible legacy spans music from virtually every genre including blues, country, folk and of course, pop. In addition to entertaining tens of millions of fans for six decades, Don McLean has influenced a variety of icons in the music world including such notables as George Michael, Madonna, Garth Brooks, Tupac Shakur and Elvis among many others. Don McLean continues to write and tour extensively and in 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of “American Pie” with a world tour.
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[@jaimealexisedades8871]

Thank you for your beautiful and soulful life Don !! May your music lives forever!

[@gav1nwood]

I wonder if you remember playing at Huddersfield Town Hall (West Yorkshire England)? We certainly do. A tremendous concert - hope your memories of the night are as fond as ours. We were amazed to see a great musician we had always loved and admired on our own doorstep. Never to be forgotten. Thanks.

[@JewandGreek]

I learned to play Babylon around 1975, but I never really heard Don cut loose on the banjo until now. I love it!

[@fritzcat6198]

I’m one of your biggest fans. Thanks for your presence on KZbin.

[@Walterdecarvalh0100]

You made my favorite song ever. Not exaggerating, it's at least my favorite rock song.

[@artemiollena2358]

Yes since 1970'swe used to play your songsand.will keepon playing

[@TheJackocraft]

always look forward to seeing this videos Don, Babylon is one of my favourite melodies

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

thank you Maestro. Much Respect

[@CarlVanHorn-if4th]

Thanks for sharing … exceptional!

[@tmo7734]

Thanks so much, Don. I enjoy all of your tutorials. Best wishes from the San Francisco Bay Area.

[@lancemclaughlin5625]

Thank you Don, this really was informative and I enjoyed watching it getting your perspective on the banjo

[@CrystalTwinStar]

My dad used to play...and this is making me feel very nostalgic. Thank you so much! Take care and Happy Thanksgiving, and most of all Thank you for your music! 😊❤🙏

[@jimmypontious550]

You said it all He was perfect. 😊

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

thank you Maestro Don.

[@hugo.p]

Thanks Don ,hello from Scotland

[@Brian-ie2un]

Thats pretty cool.

[@owenwindred4184]

Wow, that masters of war song is very cool! Might need to learn that!

[@d2dolan]

You should continue to teach banjo!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@davidlindberg6125]

I once heard Don singing The Banks of Marble while playing the banjo. It's such a great performance, but I doubt I've ever heard that song again. How time flies.

[@JeffreyPappas786]

Song request for Sister Fatima. Godspeed kind sir! 👍🙏🇺🇸

[@Slumbert]

Hi I discovered you after I saw a very emotionel song on Parody Whitney. She sung your Babylonsong after Hamas massacre in Israel. I found your song, and saw you playing Banjo live in Dublin. I didn't know a Banjo could do that. Just perfect for that emotion. I really really really would like you to get a megachoir and do that again. Soft analog tech if possibel.

[@OceanRoadbyTonyBaker]

Professional in all instances

[@frankperry1111]

I'm 70 and just got my 1st banjo. Thanks for demonstrating with Masters Of War. The playing reminds me of Pete Seeger. Folk banjo is what I'll be aiming to play. I'll also be aiming at the frail style of playing. I think Earl Scruggs bluegrass is a little too fast for me as I had a touch of autism in my childhood and though I grew up on a farm listening to WWVA out of Wheeling, West Virginia back in the late fifty's into the 60's Bluegrass is a bit fast paced. I love the sound of your Masters Of War by Dylan version. I think I'll be able to handle that. Your banjo video is excellent for getting me started. I sing and play mostly guitars at open mics in Downeast Maine. We are having our first open mic since the pandemic at Franklin Veterans Club on June 4th/21. Thanks You're video here is a God Send. Big Pete Seeger fan here. I get a lot of applause when I cover Starry Starry Night using fender electric/acoustic dreadnaught with chorus effect. When covering songs, I consider it an honor and present it as a tribute to the great artists like you for writing the song and it's my way of also promoting the songs. Thanks Man! BTW, I play true lefty so my guitars and my banjo are all custom lefty's.

[@dolam]

Awesome! I am 51 and just got my first banjo. I am learning : )

[@mikisi9694]

The world absolutely needs another earl scruggs

[@steveswingsinger5948]

Hi Don I've been following ( and loving your music) you ever since I bought SOLO in 1978.....managed to see you in Derby in 1980.... Do you know of anyone that does a Don Mclean tribute show? Would you mind if I did one in the UK? Just small bars etc? I can play most stuff off of SOLO , plus a lot of your other songs....

[@imannonymous7707]

Rolling in my sweet babys arms and yea the beverly hillbillies theme song....my favorite flatt and scrugs tunes

[@thebanjoman4215]

nice version of "masters of war". what is the banjo tuning !!!!!

[@denniswalker9680]

What about the Solo album, recorded in the UK in 1975 approximately.

[@TheSenhorMister]

Any way to watch the full stream? Couldn't find it on bluegrassmusictv.com

[@jamesmcateer3658]

Don, what about the tenor banjo played in Irish bands? Didn't Earl Scruggs borrow from those techniques?

[@oralc.etilom233]

is the meaning of stary stary night ? Are you saying about jesus do???

[@JmoeGD]

idiot lol

[@imcat-holic10]

It's about Vincent Vangogh, one of the Greatest Artist's in the world. The title, Starry Night is the name of One of his most famous works of art. He speaks through his art, and I believe he was looking for Jesus but didn't know it. He was a very tortured soul. I hope he met Yeshua when he passed away.

[@imcat-holic10]

@@JmoeGD NoNeed for being rude nor calling people names.

[@oralc.etilom233]

@@imcat-holic10 john 11:11-15 11 After he said these things, he added: “Lazʹa·rus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.” 12 The disciples then said to him: “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.” 13 Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazʹa·rus has died

[@TONYSESLCAFE]

I disagree with you %100 percent my cyberspace fake friend. You are the coolest baddest banjo player and you just proved with Dylan’s Master of War which is the best I ever heard. God Bless you on your mission. Don, Your a good soldier. Bronco Rothschild

[@Brian-ie2un]

Thats pretty cool.