David 'StringBean' Akeman - It's Mighty Dark To Travel

[@georgevance1485]

Dave Akeman truly was a National Treasure and belongs in the Country Music Hall Of Fame as well as the Bluegrass Hall Of Honor. "Stringbean made us laugh and he was a Great Musican. He may be no longer with us but that does not mean it's too late to Honor the man. We sometimes think only those who have sold millions of records belong in our Music Halls but that just is not true. Talent takes many different roads.Rest In Peace Mr. and Mrs. Akeman...we know the two of you are making Heaven a better place each and every day.

[@MikeBlitzMag]

David "Stringbean" Akeman operated on a level of genius so intense that few (if any) could match it. He is greatly, greatly, greatly missed.

[@RichardAugustMatthew19Man]

Stringbean had incredible vocal range. He actually spoke in a bass range.

[@alexhickey5633]

Didnt know that til now

[@donnawheeler1716]

Wow. He truly was the Kentucky wonder. No one compares!!!

[@troynov1965]

All these years later and this is still the Opry star i miss the most ....RIP String you are surely missed by this old hillbilly. He DESERVES to be in the Hall Of Fame!

[@vanessanixon5197]

He isn't??!!?

[@troynov1965]

@@vanessanixon5197 Nope

[@horseman528]

Not only could he play that banjo, but he had a good singing voice as well. He was a pleasure to listen to.

[@humpy936]

This is pure AWESOMENESS Love Stringbean !!!

[@sartainja]

It does not get any better than that performance. I would hate to follow Ole Bean on stage. Be like following Hank or Elvis.

[@patrickjamessimpson7268]

i just love the way they all have a smile on their faces. they loved what they did, fantastic skill and brilliant music

[@hiddencharges]

He can sure tear up a banjo : ) Miss you String!

[@dntlss]

No problems playing that instrument,smooth as silk.

[@rosaleeingram7308]

I love stringbean. He was the best. Hands down. None like him. RIP string! You are so missed.

[@donnawheeler6067]

Classic greatness. There will never be another one like Ole String!

[@TC-bz9dz]

he was and will always be the best "frailer on the banjo" hands down!

[@cornellgreen3692]

Man! Ol' Stringbean could tear it up on banjo!

[@MikeBlitzMag]

Absolute, utter perfection! David "Stringbean" Akeman is greatly, greatly missed.

[@Themostancient]

String Bean was simply A W E S O M E!

[@otterpops85]

I'm a relatively new clawhammer player too, and I try to pay very close attention to how Stringbean goes about it -- I think one important thing, which is also highlighted in some texts, is that he puts his whole arm into it, the strikes don't come just from his wrist

[@TruegrassBoy]

Buddy Spicher - fiddle - man! he is INTO IT. Wonderful job by both Strang and Buddy.

[@patmccrossan]

What a great talent. His murderer should never be paroled for robbing us of Stringbean.

[@brianparton8934]

Can't beat that String, buddy....man had the music

[@Gratefulman1965]

💫Legend💫 Rest in peace David and Estelle.

[@sr633]

A real talent from the old Opry days.

[@sartainja]

Viva the memory and music of David “Stringbean” Akeman. Gone but not forgotten. He was proof that the good die young.

[@jerryferrell517]

Died at 58 yo...Only the good die young,,, he was too young to die....RIP Stringbean and Estell.

[@donnawheeler1716]

Now this is real talent!

[@Hunter45s]

Wonderful music. I wish he had made more of it.

[@donnawheeler1716]

Just can't get enough of string!

[@ZacharyRedFulton]

When I think about you, I think about 17 I think about my old John Deere, I think about the stars in the sky Funny how a melody sounds like a memory Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night......STRINGBEAN!!! :-)

[@iahelcathartesaura3887]

Beautiful words, I appreciate reading them :)

[@kendallbarlow6555]

Same here!

[@shuffle877]

The Late and Great Hal Rugg on the steel.

[@donnawheeler6067]

No one could do it like Ole String! Thanks!

[@TheCheeseBaron]

It's good to see String smile

[@donnawheeler1716]

Wow! Good ole string bean. Amazing

[@JonathanMcClintic]

My God, so amazing. A true talent.

[@donnawheeler1716]

Please, please, please, we want more stringbean.

[@350mcn]

String seems so happy here.He was a great one!

[@piekielrl]

Love how String would just stay on the 1 chord through an entire song!

[@hamrickdr]

Love how he sticks in an extra beat here and there. That keeps the band on their toes!

[@SuperBuzzy57]

Rare talent.

[@piekielrl]

Love how he just stays on the I chord for almost the whole song! One of his trademarks!

[@bobquack1]

Never mind the time signature. It varies according to the singer and the words.

[@123bluegrassgirl]

Wonderful video. Man, than stringbean can pick the banjo!

[@SenorPescadorJohnson]

RIP, God bless him,

[@SuperBuzzy57]

The real thing. Mountain music from the soul. Tragic ending for such a great entertainer. I hear the murderer is out free.

[@kendallbarlow6555]

Yep, paroled...in 2014 I believe... :-(

[@kendallbarlow6555]

Actually 2016 - sorry about that!

[@jesuszamora6949]

The accomplice died in prison. The triggerman was paroled after serving 41 years in prison, and thus too old to do any more damage. Had to edit as I originally had it reversed. Still kinda bullshit that either of them got paroled given just how heinous the murders, especially of Estelle, were.

[@lpthepl3192]

I love ole Stringbean

[@peggypeggy4137]

Me too !!🥲

[@donnawheeler1716]

Such talent/come on clive!!

[@FirstLast-ml7yf]

This makes me cry. Truth.

[@mousie6067]

I love it too!!! Play on!

[@RCMerchant]

Nice Bean hadda distintive style of pickin.

[@JerryJr65]

We are not going to hear another one like String Bean -who is both a monumental musician and holding the earth on his shoulders titan at the same time. You just took that job because it needed to be done! ;)

[@curtisshaw6160]

Man this is good!

[@stevesprinceofsteaks]

Yeah Buddy knew for sure. They played together many times over the years. Looks can be deceiving for those who don't know their blue grass history.

[@seanmiller6823]

Im still sad for him and his wife who could kill such nice people its evil never forget you String.

[@alimuslimforshariahlaw3284]

That's what I'm saying. The murderer deserved the Brazen Bull punishment method.

[@seanmiller6823]

@@alimuslimforshariahlaw3284 I do ask the Lord for forgiviness and forgive those who have trustpassed agianst us even when it breaks your heart bad things happen to good folks and no im no very religious but i believe ....

[@bubbacastiel9815]

Damn! He is kickass!

[@gwmgbwi]

When you first discover String like I just have, fall in love with him, then find out what happened to he and his wife, it's almost too much to to take. So god damn heartbreaking. I love this man.

[@scusemewhileiwhipout]

same. you summed it up perfectly. i discovered him this year, and everything else you said subsequent to that happened. i think he's wonderful, and it really saddens me more than most things going on right now in 2020 that he's gone

[@alimuslimforshariahlaw3284]

Those guys who took Stringbean Akemans life. Those guys deserve the brazen bull or the iron maiden or the judas cradle, punishment methods.

[@Gratefulman1965]

I was eight when the murders happened and remember it all very clearly, If you want to truly honor String and Estelle. Say a prayer for this poor old world as you lie down every night. Those folks loved they’re lord and savior Jesus Christ and it’s with him that they reside with now and forever. 😇

[@AngelHoll]

​@Gratefulman1965 you're right!!!

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

Wow, thank you for turning me on to this great muscian, really enjoyed it!

[@peggypeggy4137]

💔❤

[@RedowlMB]

great video

[@km10nner]

He's Good

[@appalachiancookingwithbren1411]

one of my favorite string bean viedos . Thanks

[@3422dave]

Love when he had the banjer smokin and had to fan it with his hat

[@joesmith7427]

you just had to be there! the good ol'e days are dying and so are the people in them.

[@jackhall5425]

TODD FISCHER u r so right

[@southernfryedyankee]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@N66511]

the great David Stringbean Akeman, great singer and comedian. I like the mode that play the banjo in many performances, you was the only.

[@RCMerchant]

Nice. Bean hadda distintive style of pickin.

[@BarerMender]

I just love claw hammer banjo.

[@Brockspapa]

Yes indeed ~BCK. Mighty thanks for sharing.

[@josephambrose2852]

Granny ate this junk up R I P Granny & Stringbean

[@tonysmith3987]

Com on five!

[@theqamman]

great video, thanks for sharing

[@jpsholland]

I still not figured out he does that trick with his hat.

[@noisepuppet]

It's still around, just not on TV no more. :(

[@emilywilson3469]

Happy Birthday StringBean

[@lembriggs1075]

Sure do love that hat flip you do there String!

[@nitromethane222]

I saw String at Opra Land a week before he and his wife was murdered1973

[@txhypnotist]

A friend of mine bought String Beans Banjo and His young son played it at the Grand Ole Opera, I was told.

[@kylewood4852]

Your friend actually had string beans Vega number 9 banjo!! If so then that’s incredible

[@francoismeuldeur7590]

rare

[@marchoover2326]

I just interviewed author Taylor Hagood who wrote a book about the murder of Stringbean for the Catch my Killer podcast.

[@lthomas3004]

Stringbean was too cool

[@johndesando2458]

Read Taylor Hagood 's hypnotizing book on the Kentucky wonder and his murder. It will tie you to String, bluegrass, and traditional music and won't let you go.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Thanks for the tip. Cheers

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Fiddle player is great also.

[@brettkoeshall2325]

R.I.P. Stringbean.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Kentucky Wonder indeed.

[@karlfisher1864]

Dang, String has still got it. How old was he in this performance? 70+ no doubt. Karl

[@Banjoman-p7t]

He was 53 years old on this show in 1968. He died in 1973 at 58. Taken to soon.

[@robertr.hasspacher7731]

that guy is DAMN good at the violin

[@codiehammill1941]

Buddy Spicher

[@scottelliott5816]

He plays the neck of his banjo pioneering the trail for Eddie Van whats his name!!

[@gp-banjo]

I've always wondered why he's not in the hall of fame. Musicians who performed with him like Grandpa and Roy are, but it seems like they skipped over String.

[@appalachiancookingwithbren1411]

when the fiddle player stands up watch out.

[@quinnmccully4689]

True. Thank god from people like Dale Watson, Marty Stuart, Hank III, Dwight Yoakam, The Pine Hill Haints, etc...

[@DancingSpiderman]

I LVOE songs in this style, but I cannot shake the feeling I am being chased through the woods by a feckless Lynch Mob and a buncha BloodHounds...

[@mandolinsam7901]

What is time.

[@vitablack1]

Love everything he does. Whats going on with the pants with him?

[@br529]

Jr samples would call him straaaang

[@quinnmccully4689]

What has happened to America? What has happened to real music?

[@MrCoffeekelly]

Liberals

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

It left the hills for sure, and unfortunately has never come back home.

[@oldrustycars]

Victim of a senseless murder. I can't imagine he had an enemy in the world.

[@regiepirotarum2893]

Nuk ka kengtar te dyte, Stringbean eshte unik Luv Stringbean

[@inyobill]

And he was right.\

[@donnawheeler1716]

I don't understand why string used eye pencil on his eye brows to get the arch.

[@williampalchak7574]

Strang.

[@billcenne7262]

he should have had his bib overalls hanging as low as his blue jeans used to.........lol

[@AECEntertainment]

Whoos the steel player

[@andrewlevistermma]

I hate the people who killed this man.

[@alimuslimforshariahlaw3284]

I agree with you. The murderers should of got the brazen bull.

[@DaveFurgess]

punk bluegrass-out of sight

[@alimuslimforshariahlaw3284]

The murderer who killed him should of got the Brazen Bull punishment method!!