Clifton Hicks - Old Blue - 1840s Minstrel Banjo

[@SlingAndStones]

My grandma's dog named Battle died last Wednesday. He's been with me and my brother since we were young. He was put down because his liver disease was causing him pain. You never forget how their claws sound on a hardwood floor when they rush to greet you coming through the front door.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I'm sorry to hear that. I know he's with God now, and when you die you're going to the same place.

[@fly_speck_cafe]

Im 70 and remember my dad singing this song to us.

[@milemarker_oscar_mike]

Damn that instrument is just made for this song they go together like coffee and sunrise.

[@vs71597]

Was watching all your fretless videos yesterday. Got in a terrible car wreck last night. Love that I’m able to wake up and watch a new fretless tune when I’m feeling so down. Thank you Clifton.

[@Daddynapalm]

That’s terrible, I hope you get better fast man

[@sierranvbanjo]

Hope you are doing okay

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

A terrible wreck is a terrible thing. Wishing you a full physical and mental recovery.

[@amywright2243]

Bless your heart. I hope you recover quickly and feel better every day!

[@ady_booth]

thats god telling u banjos are the devil

[@WackyEncapsulatedFruitCup]

These fretless banjos have such a nostalgic melancholy sound to them. 😢 I don't see why it isn't in more country or folk.

[@loserorangeorvoremonster8047]

Because most "country" is sung by younger generation that (for the most part) don't really have the good instruments around to do it, and don't really care either. They all like rap better.

[@themountainman7003]

this guy is gonna end up becoming a legend

[@cavelvlan25]

Edit: he already is.

[@jordanwolfgram5852]

Love that youre keeping this piece of American heritage alive

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

They'll have to kill me to stop me.

[@blainechappell5383]

Your version is nothing short of badass

[@greygoat1946]

I could hear that old hound dog baying and barking as you played. Great tune and playing!

[@rustyshackleford4728]

I like that slide action. I don't hear many songs with slides like that.

[@DgurlSunshine]

RIP BLUE

[@vance7274]

A minstrel banjo was not on my Christmas list until about two minutes ago...

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Galen, I have a few vintage and new banjos in stock, including an original 1860s minstrel. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] to inquire.

[@aaronflinner6431]

That banjo was built when my house was new. It was used as a stop in the underground railroad.

[@banjoyogurt1798]

Banjo!

[@KatiTheButcher]

I love the deep tone of that banjo!

[@cavelvlan25]

That banjo screams the blues.

[@cavelvlan25]

At least it does in my house.

[@outrigger_van-life]

So hey Cliff , true story. I roll up at the filling station yesterday with this tune on repeat and while refueling my rig this smoking hot 💣 🐚 of a young lady pulls up and while refilling her vehicle asks me with a giggle and smile who is singing this song " Old Blue " ? She proceeds to tell me her dog is named Blue and never heard the song before. Needless to say you got a new subscriber out of it brother.... 🔥

[@davidtidwell3960]

From a time when a man's two biggest worries were providing for his family and how good his hunting dogs were....Times sure have changed.

[@bradcollins5033]

It's funny how all that stuff works... :) The universe can be a beautiful place if you know how to look... but they say that you can't play the blues if you ain't had the blues, right?! ;)

[@romandybala]

Hi Clifton . I enjoy your work immensely. Not a fan of banjo at all till I saw your work on YT. I am in Australia and i know a few different verses of this song and I have no idea how that has happened. Your music is very special even in your home country and is not popularly heard here. "Shouldered my gun an tooted my horn Gonna find possum in the new ground corn Old blue died and he died so hard Buried his bones in my backyard."

[@MrNU998]

I can hear the dog howl in the banjo. What a masterpiece. Thank you

[@terryfinley7760]

That’s a really good song! I can see the children hanging around the cabin porch listening to Pa playing this between the other stories and songs in the evening.

[@jedwsu7heysanders789]

Hey thanks for your service to America. Keep make great music for all to enjoy.

[@fredericknewbill2703]

Yea man, I’ve been waiting for this one to come back ‘round

[@JB-ni8lr]

Brother you hit those pockets so nicely and make those notes sing. I’m always happy to see your uploads.

[@JB-ni8lr]

On a fretless no less. I’ve never had the opportunity but I imagine it makes those slides just a little smoother.

[@mitchmitting102]

When you invade the Appalachians and the woods start speaking in banjo.

[@Mo11y666]

Great treat to start off the day for both myself and My Bluetick Hound Named Mississippi Dog. We appreciate ya Clif.

[@victorguzman6595]

Never had a dog name blue but sure was my bb guns name. Keep'm coming Cliff

[@clawhammer704]

Heck ya I heard that dog baying.

[@michaelmcknight8419]

Have to agree. Nothing short of badass and the real deal. Thank you!!!

[@johnbowse4693]

KEEP IT ALIVE BROTHER

[@itsobvious5835]

Dam Cliff that's a good one. Nate from Pennsylvania

[@JordynHealing]

dreamy

[@annebennett313]

One of my all time favorites. Sounds great on this banjo.

[@DixieHomestead]

One of these days I need to learn that playing style. I just play Scruggs style bluegrass but I love this kind of music too. 🎶

[@crazyscott2646]

Thank you for that picking. I needed a good old song to lift me up. Blessings

[@JeremyDuncan1985]

Dog Will Hunt! I love what you do for the music community man, still in amazement of your version of "The Cuckoo", great stuff!

[@Palmetto705]

I read that SOG recon sang that song at wakes for lost brothers.

[@thomashumphries3519]

Every song, every time, you move me sir🤘☺

[@gomertube]

Whew!!

[@lachlannmullin]

I love your fretless banjo videos, I need to do a version of this song!

[@Fire_And_Iron]

Now this brings back memories! ❤

[@terryfinley7760]

If you take measurements on that banjo, I would sure love to get a copy!

[@neilbush9873]

Your enjoyment is infectious ,thankyou

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

You just can’t get a more Lovely bending of strings than a fret less banjer! Kind Thanks Clifton and a Very Merry Christmas to You and Yours! A Wonderful classic Old Blue! Banjo Hicks, my favorite! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@theearthisfallingtheskyisl4801]

Greetingz 🌠 🙋‍♂️Neat stuff,unique sound🐕🐶

[@tedijune6759]

Clifton Hicks; Bravo on your banjo playing and your great singing. I sussed to your channel here, and will share on the twit.

[@TheeMikeForce]

This jam is like a Samurai duel soundtrack. Verily impressive.

[@td4dotnet]

Ah Clif another classic video brother!!! Love it man! (td4dotnet)

[@jaimymetts]

Awesome!!

[@yayaetchacha]

❤👍

[@immaleaf4964]

That headstock is so cool

[@landonthomass]

That's so cool! Great job Cliff!

[@landonwelch603]

lol yeah

[@jrcrawford4]

I'm from N.C. and have never heard of any "Little Texas" in this state. But no matter -- good picking!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Alamance County.

[@jrcrawford4]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Funny because my people (part of 'em) come from down near Liberty. Thanks for the lead.

[@coopNbeau]

Love it, one of my favourite songs

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Sounding great Clifton!

[@t4texastom587]

Only an idiot wouldn't absolutely love Clifton Hicks and his banjo 🪕

[@John-ws5oh]

Beautiful sad song,

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Never got used to losing a dog.

[@JacobvsRex]

My kids and I love this version of this song

[@paulcritchfield6958]

That’s some good picking!

[@harryscott9533]

🤓🙋‍♂️❤👍

[@gregdoran5850]

Hey Clifton. I'm new to your page and I've been binge watching all your previous episodes. Absolutely love the traditional style you play! I'm hooked!!!

[@mightyoakbanjo]

I am obsessed with this tune! Thank you so much, Clifton, for your incredible musicianship and all you do - As a fellow musician, it is endlessly inspiring. That minstrel banjo is a true work of art, too!

[@danparts9333]

That was awesome

[@dawggonevidz9140]

It's not for us. Our grandkids, and their grandkids after them. They will be the ones who will thank our ghosts for these living memories. Don't believe me? Well I guess you've never watched some old Alan Lomax footage and felt so grateful like I have. Thanks from the future, Clif.

[@jakelanningiscool]

Please do a lesson, I need to learn this for my dog Blue. The Alan Lomax version is a good listen also

[@mcdavies9999]

That is one of the best songs I've ever heard on banjo, regardless the style...SO impressed! It just...fits. Curious where you found that instrument too...the old minstrel banjos are just beautiful.

[@bearshield7138]

sweet job

[@soulstripper3305]

Love it man

[@AlexWonderful]

This is 🔥🔥 great music

[@rondelby2482]

Love it Cliff.

[@michaelray9576]

THANX CLIFTON...FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS TUNE WAS A "CITIFIED VERSION" BY THE BYRDS...LOVE THOSE FINGER SLIDES...CARRY ON CLIFTON CARRY ON ✌

[@Deletedaccount-i5w]

[@KushaDwipa]

Thanks for keeping your melungeon music alive. : )

[@elizabethrogge7908]

I am really loving this! Your timing is so great and love the sound of that banjo.

[@dennisrocker]

That was incredibly entertaining. Lol

[@robertlenfert636]

probably the best picker ever!

[@lornebain3831]

👍👍.....

[@huckenfank6977]

fuck yeah clif! i've been waiting for you to post this song

[@mikethefenceguy]

Seen the hound in background. Nice tune sir

[@1strule00]

Love it!

[@harvdog5669]

Excellent sounding banjo 😊 Excellent playing 😊 Classic song..

[@seraphinabroadwick3467]

🥰

[@dodgedevil8404]

Beautiful. Thank you

[@TheCoyoteRadioShowPodcast]

beautiful

[@sameubanks7349]

great!

[@charleswatson7154]

Nice! Where do you advertise when you have a banjo for sale?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Charles, I have a few vintage and new banjos in stock right now. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] for price list.

[@matthewwillis5502]

I have the brown collection of folk songs and was looking for the music to this. (I know Grandpa Jones wasn't the same)

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I offer the tab for my version at Patreon.com/CliftonHicks

[@zachb8012]

Is there a deliberate reason for winding a drone string over top of the peg? Okay, I'm gonna write the lyrics down mostly for my reference, because I like how Clifton sings it and I don't like what I'm finding online. had an ol dog and his name was blue come on blue you good dog you all them pretty gals gather round we didnt have a penny to go around me an ol blue went out on the hunt he treed a possum in a hollow stump you know from that he's a good ol dog come on blue you good dog you me an ol blue went huntin again he treed a possum out on a limb you know from that he's a good ol dog come on blue you good dog you grabbed a possum and put him in a sack said excuse me blue til i get back (dog-banjo thing) ol blue died and i dug his grave dug his grave with a silver spade every night i call his name come back blue you good dog you That's it... I do like a verse he didn't sing - When old Blue died, he died so hard He shook the ground in my back yard We lowered him down with a golden chain And every link we called his name

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

It's common on early banjos for the 4th and 5th strings to be spaced a little too closely. This can cause the bass string to rattle against the thumb peg, as well as other issues. Owners of such banjos often wind the 5th string like this because it helps.

[@MrMav-ch2sd]

Whatasong :) so awesome

[@davidyoung8956]

Would sure like a tab for Old Blue!

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Coming soon.

[@robertpalmer4806]

I love the Byrds version of this song. From the Dr Byrds & Mr Hyde album.

[@justforever96]

I assume that's supposed to sound like a baying hound? Well done.

[@Kltpzyxm17]

I wonder if Ole Leather stocking ever had a dog...

[@jeetray11]

Love the low muted sound of this banjo. The scale looks longer than usual. 27-28" scale? Where did they put the bridge for the minstrel banjos? In the middle or like a bit lower towards the tailpiece? Thanks.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I think they put them anyplace they wanted.

[@spudelrudel2979]

Thanks Clifton for this one;) Say, ive been searching for this video you uploaded a long time ago, George Gibson playing Wild Bill Jones on a porch. I used to listen to that all the time. If you took it down on purpose you had a reason i guess...

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Banjo Heritage online course & forums banjoheritage.com Patreon exclusive tabs, photos, forums patreon.com/CliftonHicks SubscribeStar (same as Patreon) www.subscribestar.com/cliftonhicks Banjo Heritage apparel & merch www.BanjoHeritage.org Bandcamp streaming music & downloads cliftonhicks.bandcamp.com Spotify streaming music open.spotify.com/artist/7fQxc3ZY6LTVWkfxvsEPUV iTunes streaming music music.apple.com/us/artist/clifton-hicks/1437321931 PayPal donations paypal.me/cliftonhicksbanjo Venmo donations venmo.com/cliftonhicksbanjo KZbin members only kzbin.info/door/0fRKB_T-2yrNajqoz9VWAgjoin

[@drummerboy2007]

Bet you five dollars he’s a good dawg too

[@fuchsiasaville]

Nice one quality piece. Is yourdog a gundog she looks sweet

[@Jjboneyard]

First heard this from Jerron Paxton, and I really enjoy your version too

[@jeetray11]

Awesome! Where can I get a banjo like this? Do you have one for sale or know anybody wants to sell one?

[@blainechappell5383]

Email him, he has a few for sale. [e-mail]

[@jeo1557]

Hey Clifton, I'm looking for a good budget banjo. Im about toi just go to guitar enter and get the cheapest open-back banjo they have. Thoughts?

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Gold Tone AC1.

[@harrykuheim6107]

You can get one cheap at a Pawn Shop/Used Instruments store...It's like buying a New Car or a Wedding Ring ...it's not worth it to buy new instruments either...