Groundspeed

The first cut on that classic Earl Scruggs album Foggy Mountain Banjo. Many a banjo player cut their teeth on that album!

[@dippydija6275]

Sounds ALOT like Earl Scruggs himself, you are very gifted at the banjo.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Eli!

[@banjoist123]

I keep thinking that everybody's playing this song too fast so I went back and listened to Foggy Mountain Banjo, and there he is, right at 155 BPM. Almost exactly what John is playing here. I'm just getting too slow:) Carry on!

[@jimsatterfield8748]

that is scary good. You almost out-earl Earl!

[@rb.867]

great job!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks R Baker !

[@digitalremaker2004]

Making earl scruggs proud in heaven! Love that tribute!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@jimharris8597]

I loved that....!!! Well played.

[@jimharris8597]

My new favorite version I've heard played. Think I'll warm up my Huber and give it a spin.

[@geoffreyrackoff2310]

so clean and original!

[@peterjohnson724]

Ha Ha, just had me grinning ear to ear for 1 minute 46 seconds!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Peter!

[@user-qw1et7yo4m]

That's some fine banjo picking from you John. Your playing is always exceptionally good. I really enjoyed it a lot.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Eric! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@artpam]

AWESOME!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Art!

[@rickymcconnell4016]

Keep up the good work my friend you sound great.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Ricky!

[@mikereynolds6050]

I have been a disciple of Scruggs for all my life so far but your talent and versatility is overwhelming my new icon thanks for the pleasure you given me I can’t believe your not a star thanks mike in uk

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Mike!

[@5ivestring]

Aw, takes me back to all the festivals I went to. Thanks.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

You’re welcome!

[@mikereynolds6050]

You have taken Scruggs to a new level

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Mike!

[@williamgshippw.g1673]

Very nice,well played….☮️🎶🔛🌎

[@martzepan]

sweet ! Thanku for sharing. Really love your tunes & songs John Always so confidently picked An aural delight for my ears anyway.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bobmiller9313]

Good job smooth

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Bob Miller thanks!

[@meicabruzzler]

Such superb picking.... awesome man.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks M L!

[@benperea8483]

Very nice... I especially like the ending and the little touch of my hero Alan Munde 😊

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Ben! Alan is a banjo hero of mine as well!

[@imonwalton1325]

Love to hear good banjo picking and you did it really good. Thanks buddy

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thank you!

[@swvamarksman1834]

This is truly incredible. Thank you for the content.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@19conrod42]

John that was some great playing: note to self: have another go at Ground Speed !! Well I can dream can't I

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Denis!

[@mickmcguire4571]

Fair play john excellent . I had a go at this tune years ago and didn't finish it after hearing this it's given me a second wind I'm determined to get it. hearing great players like yourself is great influence to many players keep up the good work john all the best

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Mick McGuire Thanks Mick!

[@dean8842]

John Apfelthaler: the man who plays with asbestos fingerpicks!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

LOL! Thanks Dean!

[@Bascomblodge]

Fine Fine Fine!

[@juliettemaki2605]

very smooth

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Juliette!

[@facemanable]

Wow!! Great version !

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Jasper!

[@charlesjohnson4544]

Awesome pickin ♥️🪕👍

[@daveduncan8004]

Good Pickens enjoy that very much

[@michaelmurphy825]

Wow!! 😮

[@andrujazz123]

Muy Bueno , Felicitaciones Jhon !!!!!!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Muchas gracias!

[@garyhighley9022]

That little D minor thing you did towards the end..nice.

[@matthewbutler6420]

Nice playing!

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Matthew!

[@matthewbutler6420]

Any upcoming gigs?

[@peterreno4203]

Wow. Awesome John. I bet there was a fair bit of wood polishing to get it to that standard.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Peter!

[@alexcerondeoliveira6576]

Muito bom amigo

[@wsearp]

Great pickin.....

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks Bill!

[@romabelow6440]

👏👍

[@TheGhost5600]

Wow...John, and as if this wasn't enough, did I hear a little of Doug's tune in there?

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks!

[@JOHNKUHNMUSIC]

I shouldnt have doubted ya...... I thought Man, this is pretty straight fwd. Played with the normal JA staple of EXCELLENCE, but wheres the JA spin?..THEN! there it was (1:03) FINALLY..Ill never doubt again...LOL

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Ha Ha!! Yeah, I thought I'd play some straight Scruggs but then that little ditty popped in my head and so I had to include it!! Thanks as always for listening.

[@gradyguy3823]

I want lessons please

[@henri7999]

What make and model is that banjo? It looks odd and sounds stellar.

[@JohnApfelthaler]

Thanks San. It's a 1933 Gibson TB-2 conversion. It was an arch top tenor converted to a flathead 5-string. Dick Powell made the neck.