Béla Fleck | Broken Record

Today we are featuring a conversation with the world’s preeminent banjo player, Béla Fleck. Over the course of his four-decade career, Béla has won numerous Grammys in a variety of surprising genres including Jazz, Latin, Pop, and Classical. Last year, his latest release, My Bluegrass Heart, scored the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.
In addition to Béla’s innovative style and expert technique, he is also an advocate for keeping the banjo’s rich historical tradition alive. In 2008, Béla made a pilgrimage to Africa to trace the origins of the banjo in the documentary Throw Down Your Heart.
On today’s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Béla Fleck about growing up in New York City where he first fell in love with the banjo while watching the Beverly Hillbillies. Béla also talks about how jazz giants like Chick Corea and Charlie Parker influenced his highly technical style. And, Béla explains why he believes the banjo is far superior to the guitar.
Listen a playlist of some of our favorite Béla Fleck songs: open.spotify.com/playlist/42J...
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From Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Justin Richmond. The musicians you love talk about their life, inspiration, and craft. Then play.
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[@gastonflatulenza1276]

In about 1983 I heard "Come On, Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners. It had a banjo on it (played by Billy Adams) and I loved the sound of it. I went out and bought a beginner banjo for $100 and signed up for lessons, hoping to learn Come On, Eileen. At my first lesson, my teacher pulled out a vinyl LP (it was 1983 after all) by a band called Spectrum. She said, "This is how the banjo is supposed to sound." The banjo player on that record by Spectrum was a very young Bela Fleck. I was hooked from that first minute. Two years later Bela came to town with New Grass Revival and I went and saw them at the old Ark in Ann Arbor. Bela was so kind and affable. He answered all my questions and was so patient, especially since I was completely over-excited to meet him. I've seen him play live over 20 times since then and I've met him a few more times and he's always just the nicest, most humble guy. His music got me through college. Now I have a really nice banjo and I play as much as I can. Bela is really a music hero to me. I buy everything he puts out (videos and audio recordings)--no matter the genre. He is a National Treasure.

[@RAkers-tu1ey]

Great interview. As to the future values, there is a lot of discussion in the vintage guitar world about the idea that the baby boomers are driving vintage prices, and that when they are gone, old guitars (and banjos) will be valued only as players, and not as mystical art.

[@shannonpannell2768]

Have seen Dave Matthews shows where he invites Bela out to join. OMG. he is fantastic!! A brilliant addition, incredible sound that is added to songs that are already fantastic. Hearing him play so masterfully has opened up my playlist to include such a diverse and amazing sounds. I'm grateful, thank you for helping fill my soul up!

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

Terrific conversation..naturally with you 2 its likely a guaranteed...one of my top enjoyments is a rich conversation..& one can't stray far from gold when the talk is about ones passions..love to you both, thank you for this treat🎈

[@josephanderson7237]

Great interview. I feel the exact way Bella does and had the same feelings growing up with the 5-string.

[@richardgleichmann7671]

Thank you so much for this interview..❣🎶 Truly. Thank you for sharing this history and your experience and contributions as well..❤👍

[@bhhNC]

Nice interview. I live in Eden NC where Charlie Poole 'worked' in mills, developed his picking style, and drank himself to death. I recorded at Charlie's fiddle player - Posey Rorrer's nephew's studio 20 years ago, and taught the grand-nephew. We had a CP Festival for a dozen years ... [RIP] John Hartford, whom you mentioned, was slated to headline the year he died, and died days before that fest. In a pinch, Syracuse NY homeboy Tony Trischka filled in. Killer show ... he opened w a Beatles tune arrangement that had the old timers rubbin' their beards, but endeared himself to everyone within 5 minutes. Really nice man.

[@ConradAbbottMusic]

Awesome thanks for sharing

[@alicadams3289]

Nooo way “flight of the cosmic hippo” was one of my early introductions to stand up bass

[@leonlobos9718]

My vote for one Bela's best overall albums is "Drive!!" The compositions are a modern day Mozart!

[@stefanhall3219]

I am surprised that in this historical account of the Banjo, Bela forgot to mention William Howell who was a National Banjo Champion and a superior banjo player to either Bela or Tony. You can hear William on Steve Morse's " Pride of the Farm" where he was not allowed a solo or given credit for his fantastic performance.

[@isaacbeen2087]

u wot?

[@Roses_R_redeR]

omg Béla❗ 🥀🥀🥀🥀 he helped create me Rose Covered Gas Mask 🪕🎻🎚🎹🎛 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Dj Gass is coming... and or EGM

[@justion337]

This podcast just isn't as interesting without Rick Rubin. Like I really wanted to hear an interview with Bela, but this just didn't hold my attention at all. :(