J.D. Crowe, plays banjo at home, rare video. A bluegrass banjo legend.

Late 1980s JD Crowe. Tom McKinney singing/guitar, Frank Neat, camera. It appears that 3 different banjos are played in this video. This video is presented here in the memory of William Felty of Lexington KY who devoted much time and effort into recording and collecting recordings of live bluegrass and acoustic music and to the late Jack Chaffins of Avilla Indiana, for being a good friend, letting me play his old flathead 3 and often telling me the story of how he bought it in the early 70s from a classified ad in the Grit Newspaper. If it were not for Jack, this video would not be here. I miss you boys.

[@grateful_guitar]

0:00 - On My Mind 2:26 - If I Should Wander Back Tonight 4:56 - Ground Speed 6:16 - Dixie Breakdown 7:00 - Going Down The Road Feeling Bad 8:18 - Bugle Call Rag 9:57 - Worried Man Blues 12:32 - Randy Lynn Rag 14:35 - {JD pets the cat} 14:46 - Salty Dog Blues 16:30 - {banjo switch} 16:40 - My Home's Across The Blue Ridge Mountains 19:25 - {false start, JD joking} 20:02 - Dear Old Dixie 21:20 - {JD solo playing} 23:25 - {frank and JD talking} 24:50 - {JD solo playing cripple creek} 25:52 - {great JD reaction} 27:20 - Instrumental 29:08 - {JD talking about capos} 30:00 - Down The Road 32:14 - Nine Pound Hammer 33:12 - {left hand zoom in} 35:35 - On My Way Back To The Old Home 37:31 - I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home 40:45 - {frank asks JD to pick blackjack} 41:08 - Blackjack 42:38 - {more talking} 44:06 - Dark Hollow 47:47 - Cryin' Holy 49:43 - Why Did You Wander

[@bluegrassboy]

I missed this the other day, 27:20 is Pike County Breakdown. Much thanks again for your contribution.

[@davidlundmark9359]

nice job 👌

[@Anthony-vc8mr]

Thank you Sharing your knowledge ,manny song titles.

[@crgflgr]

@7:00 is actually Lonesome Road Blues

[@LuizBraido]

Tksss😀

[@mandograssable]

The guy recording this did not know what a service he was doing. Showing all those close-ups of JD's hands is priceless.

[@joshuahymer15]

You can thank Frank Neat for that.

[@bluegrasscannuk]

I have watched this great video many times now. Among other things I am getting , as you mention , that by closely watching J Ds left hand , and with an intermediate experience picking 5 string - it is a great lesson in back up licks etc. Get out your banjo and copy his moves . pause and go for it . No TAB required. RIP J D Crowe..

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

Mate you couldn’t tell me the name of the first song?,im trying to find guitar tab for it

[@bluegrasscannuk]

@@Man_fay_the_Bru Sure. "On My Mind". A great classic Flatt & Scruggs song. I do it almost every jam or show I do. Here's a tip for you buddy. Harley Allen and Mike Lilly do a wonderful rendition of it. The banjo break Mike Lilly takes will blow you away. Mostly all chopping with chords up and down the neck. Just search Harley Allen On My Mind. Watch the live show one.

[@mandograssable]

@@Man_fay_the_Bru "On my mind", by Lester Flatt.

[@bluegrassboy]

I've had this video for almost 20 years. It's been put up for years but the news of JD's death prompted me to dig it out and watch it again. I felt l should post it for others to see. I'm sure many will enjoy as much as I did the first time I watched it. This was 3 long time friends just sitting around doing things bluegrass buddies tend to do. Learn a lick or maybe some backup for your next jam or band practice. That would be the best way honor JD, I think. Rest in Peace.

[@TomSelleck777]

Thank you

[@bluegrassboy]

@@TomSelleck777 You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@gregoryhurd]

This is pure gold! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@bluegrassboy]

@@gregoryhurd It sure is. I 'm glad to share it. Thanks for watching.

[@thomas7johns]

Thank you so much for posting this!! To a Banjo dude like me, always learning, this is a master class from one of the best Banjoists that walked on Blue Grass.

[@user-qz6bp8bs5x]

There will never another backup banjo player like JD Crowe...the best

[@渡辺豊-x4q]

🎉🎉Bj🎉🎉Bj🎉JD🎉🎉

[@kevinmoyer6224]

I had the privilege of meeting him many times. He had the best backup/supporting banjo in the business. While others are singing or soloing, jd was playing perfectly tasteful parts at the right time. A legend for the ages

[@bluegrassboy]

You are right, hardly no one plays back up like JD. And that's a shame, really. Thanks for watching.

[@samallen6476]

every lesson i've ever had when i ask them about back up they just say "JD crowe"

[@johns.4152]

We lost a legend today.

[@blue4948]

We lost Tony almost exactly a year ago 😢❤️

[@williamsmith7406]

If the love of this man and his music could have saved him, he would have lived forever. Of all the musicians we have lost over the years , this one really took it's toll on the emotions of an old man in Georgia. Caught me off guard.

[@bluegrassboy]

I guess his COPD had really progressed -in recent months, especially. 84 is a good, long life though. The brevity of life …that is a thing, for sure.

[@MrSDFD18]

Thank you J. D. for decades of great music and introducing so many future great country artists to the world. They all seemed to funnel through the new south somehow. R.I.P.

[@maximocortes1631]

When JD Crowe sits down in your living room with a banjo, you turn on the camcorder. It’s as simple as that. This is gold! Pure gold! Thanks to whomever filmed, edited, posted.

[@rjmoney9]

His right hand control is just legendary. "The claw"! RIP to one of the all time greats.

[@47Banjoman]

I've been a banjo picker for 50 years. Played many, many festivals and bar room gigs in my life. I've tried to hold my hand in the position of JD's style and the next day have have to take three Aleve! He's the master of power and drive. He and Bill Emerson were my God's of the banjos! RIP to both. Such a sad year for many pickers.

[@boblackey1]

@@47Banjoman Some years ago I saw an interview with J. D. and he discussed how he so taken with Earl Scruggs when he was a youngster J. D. wanted everything just like Earl does it including the banjo strap over the right shoulder which must be part of Earl's sound and tone. When he was some older J. D. got to travel around with Flatt and Scruggs and found out the only reason Earl wore his strap over his right shoulder is so he didn't have to take his hat off when he switched to guitar and later back to banjo:) I just found out J. D. had passed away today. J. D. was one of the absolute best!!

[@dangeoopatrick2593]

Whoever taped this stuff deserves a medal. Its a treasure.

[@ronniedeaton6319]

I got to know JD through Ricky Wasson while recording a project in Ricky's studio just a few years ago. JD was a fine person. He was a big Andy Griffith fan. We got to talking and laughing about the Ernest T Bass episodes. He loved those things. The world lost a great treasure. He was one of the greatest banjo players that lived. I just hope that this new generation holds up his tradition.

[@martzepan]

Thank you for sharing this 🙏 I just keep watching and listening over and over. As many have already said It's Gold Thank you 😊

[@Sheila-cm4jy]

I like all the background activity in this house: the kid dancing around in his pajamas, the wife fixing the rug, and the cat slinking by, all while great bluegrass is being casually played in the living room. Nothing staged here!

[@wildbanjoman99]

This video really is solid gold, it is a time capsule itself. Almost a one on one lesson with the legend himself. J D is truly a master.

[@mikescully3046]

I remember seeing JD Crowe in some lounge when I moved to Lexington from Cincinnati in 1973. In the interim, I've lived in Denver, Sacramento, Bangkok, Clearwater, Sarasota and now retired in East Tennessee but the music always went with me. Sorry to hear JD is gone. Bless his heart.

[@davemoy330]

Best backup banjo

[@bluegrassboy]

Yes sir. Have a happy new year.

[@benperea8483]

Oh man 😥another one of my banjo heroes is gone. Rest in Peace JD.

[@jnholland006]

I’m proud to say I met JD twice and man was he everything I hoped he’d be !!

[@JamesSterling]

J.D. kills it on "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" and "Bugle Call Rag." "Dear Ol' Dixie" ain't too shabby either. We lost another legend today.

[@BrandtM84]

absolute tone monster

[@rbenroper1654]

Not bad on Ground Speed, either.

[@garyhighley9022]

I've learned more about playing banjo just watching this video than I have in the last ten years.

[@vernonyates8408]

I love the combination of great music, regular home, and everyday life going on in the background. JD was brilliant. He knew exactly how important his musical contributions were....and it made no difference to him. He was who he was and treated everyone like an old friend.

[@snapjacksonphotography]

I met JD a few years back when our band showcased at IBMA. Got my banjo head signed by him. Something I’ll always cherish.

[@jasonhudson2929]

Gods own singer of songs went home. He will never know how many hours I have spent listening to his banjo picking. I wanted to hear the best and learn to pick like him. Truly a Kentucky Treasure.

[@cw330]

Man, this is a treasure. Saved to my desert island playlist. Thanks for sharing.

[@bluegrassboy]

You're welcome. I was so stocked when I got it...and that's been years ago.

[@bluesvillestation]

JD sounds better noodling around then some guys that practice there whole life, amazing musician. RIP JD… Thanks! for everything.

[@aidenparker3571]

This is an excellent video of jd pickin! He is by far my favorite banjo player of all time and every time I watch him play I get mesmerized and lost in his sound. Truly one of the all time greats and in my opinion the greatest of all time! Rest in peace jd we miss you greatly.

[@RonBlockAKUS]

This is one of my favorite J.D. videos ever. Thanks for posting it.

[@bluegrassboy]

RonBlockAKUS, Thanks Ron, I'm glad to have been able to post it. I was extremely lucky to get a copy. My old friend that had it, guarded it and thought JD would get mad at him if he let a copy get out. And the only reason he let me have a copy was as a favor for converting his VHS to DVD. -And I had begged and begged :). After 18 or 19 years my friend died and then less than a year later, JD followed him on to Glory. Well, at that point, I figured I had sufficiently kept my promise. I loved JD as a musician and I loved Jack Chaffins as a friend. Thanks so much for watching.

[@t4texastom587]

My dad, who went to be with the Lord in 2007, absolutely loved you.......me too. R.I.P. J.D. Crowe🪕

[@MrFrabol]

Beautiful video, perfect banjo playing, nothing artificial. Comfort and fun among friends. Such music is a matter of the heart. I watched and listened to the whole thing and it filled me with the beauty of folk music.❤

[@bluegrassboy]

It is a beautiful thing. Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoy it.

[@Ravenscaller]

Rest in peace JD you wuz one of the good'ens.

[@jeanneannvalfre9581]

The man and his music will always stand tall……thank you…..

[@gigly235]

Oh my, first class material, homestead bluegrass, RIP J.D. Crowe we keep your music in our heart

[@jeffsmith673]

23:33 Banjo in one hand and coffee in the other. That's good living right there!

[@cctn34]

Wow! Glad this was posted for everyone to enjoy! Its like they are playing a request list just for me. Great Classic Bluegrass!

[@nikolausporemba1255]

Could your tell me the name of the first song? That’s the one I don’t know and really want to learn by heart :) thanks!

[@robertparksbass]

@@nikolausporemba1255 That's 'On My Mind' (Flatt & Scruggs) kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3ncpHaYgrVpbpo Great Tune!!!

[@danausmus9807]

I could listen to this all day and most of the night. RIP, sir.

[@bencmorris]

Thanks for posting this video. It should be put in such as Bluegrass Hall of Fame. A fine musician is gone. But his creativity and love of the art form will be difficult to surpass. Rest in the arms of the Lord, Mr. Crowe.

[@eysenbachts]

Good Lord, what a find. Sir you've made my day a couple times over with this. Thank you!!!

[@Cavemanfbs1]

Thanks for the gifts jd

[@bluegrasscannuk]

Thanks for this great upload. What a loss to the Bluegrass world - and to think we were mourning Tony Rice this time last year. I've been hoping for some inspiration to get my banjo out of the case again - and this is it.

[@redlinemando]

With banjo & guitar being top on the list of instruments I try to play, It was like being punched in the gut..............after just getting over a punch in the gut!!!!!!!! I've had my YT name for over 10 yrs now & I'm thinking strongly about changing it now. This loss has tore me up pretty hard!!!!!!!

[@billstetler6769]

Thank you for posting this. It’s nice seeing a more personal side of JD

[@Steve-cs8nd]

Superlatively fine. I love that singer too. I adore the southern vernacular. It adds veracity to that Kentucky Alfalfa. Ground Speedin’ Rest Easy JD.

[@bluegrassboy]

Thanks for watching, The gentleman singing was Tom McKinney who was from North Carolina. Tom is known in the bluegrass guitar world as the fellow who made the first sleek, non bulky, yoke style capos which were popularized in large part by Tony Rice in the 1980s. Today, Elliott Capos offers their licensed version of the McKinney style capo.

[@渡辺豊-x4q]

I'm japanese banjoplayer!　love Earl　 JD and more!.!.🎶

[@BanjoChief]

This video is a real treasure! Thanks for sharing it...

[@dankintner51]

we need more of this kind of thing

[@bradkelley8732]

Good god, that's great. I have to say, I'm not a HUGE fan of bluegrass, and I don't know a lot of the work of Mr. Crowe intimately. This is like watching a master of his art. I just don't see how people like him make it look so damned effortless. And this illustrates a pet theory of mine--behind every great banjer player is a great cat!

[@bluegrassboy]

Thanks for watching. And you may be right.

[@billstetler6769]

A humble talented man

[@amandaoana5051]

Aloha 🌸 grew up on this music with my grandfather playing. You will be so missed Thank you for being the finest . My heart goes out to your family and friends and everyone who fell in love with his music He will be the splendid dancing we do forever

[@rlh271]

I was lucky enough to meet and talk with JD a few years ago. Such a gentleman. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. RIP one of the greats!

[@lylejackson9410]

Thanks for sharing this. I was weaned on the bluegrass album band and his banjo playing. Too many greats have left us at once.

[@keno136]

This is an Amazing video. Thank you for posting!

[@josephmelosh350]

RIP JD , please say hi to Tony for me.🎵🎶🤠🙏

[@alducks1]

could listen to this over and over...amazing!

[@Beanhead12]

Great music!

[@dreamwoodcustomacoustics7768]

I can’t stop watching this. Thank you so much for posting

[@motoandsk8]

Rip 😞

[@Robo_Pig_50]

Thank you for posting this.

[@michaelangelo9024]

Jesus got another great banjo picker and I'd love to hear that beautiful music being played in Heaven forever! God Bless his family and friends !

[@clawhammer704]

Don’t get no better than this right here.

[@stevepaskin2863]

Always been my Favourite player right beside Earl. Got to meet and chat with him at a festival, True Gentleman. This is a GREAT video I have already learnt some new tricks . Things I have been doing wrong for 40 years haha

[@Anthony-vc8mr]

I thank GOD JESUS & Our HOLY Spirit for you , whom sharing this! My Teacher Mike Heading Said JD Crow is one of his Inspirational Banjo players, Now I have 2 new For brothers I will lean on & learn from.

[@luvbgrass]

Thanks so much for posting this. I loved Crowe's banjo playing. This takes me back to a small boy watching my dad and friends pick. Some of that was recorded on an old reel tape. Id give anything to be able to see it again. I don't know what happened to it. Dads passed 5 years ago.

[@lars-akehedman3424]

Love this, Thanks for sharing

[@garyhighley9022]

What a legacy he left us. And a great picker all the way to the very end.

[@BoTyler]

Thank you so much for posting this. This is gold. RIP JD.

[@Knappist]

The man beond Scruggs that most inspired banjo players of Scruggs style RIP God bless J.D

[@haroldarmstrong8285]

What a treasure this is; thank you Sir for posting it here so we can enjoy watching and hearing The Best! May God bless JD and his legacy.

[@bluegrassboy]

Thanks for watching

[@Bascomblodge]

This tape is BEAUTIFUL & WONDERFUL footage of what all of us that are not Earl, & Sonny need! What a pleasure to see it and enjoy it. What an education for all of us that aspire to learn and be a little better. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@renatebanjo7647]

Brilliant. The Best I‘ve ever seen on KZbin.

[@donbond8727]

Iv always loved JD CROWS music. He was really one of the best at what he did. .

[@thumbstruck]

Thanks for posting! JD was a great influence and a great background track!

[@lindseywalker6925]

This video proves even farther, J.D. never got casual with that banjo. He did his finest always.

[@kenajuha]

Best thing I've EVER seen. Such a peek into JDs style of playing!! Thank you!!

[@wheelhossdude]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting this!

[@jonathanpinkey5992]

Thanks very much, one of those special videos that documents something unusual and tremendous. Can imagine we're siting around with JD!

[@krisrasnake2521]

What a treasure!! Thanks so much for sharing it!!

[@lumpful1965]

This is priceless! JDs technique is impeccable! This is gonna stay with me forever! Thank you so much

[@joesshitguitar3116]

Fantastic I love this

[@streetoctane1878]

This is just incredible, if anyone joining in on this video only knows JD Crowe in the room thats ok, but i did wanna also say what a room of LEGENDS. Tom Mckinney lived about 8mins from my house in Weaverville, NC. He was a incredible Banjo player and Banjo setup master, he also is the inventor of the obvious Mckinney- Elliott Capo. The name Frank Neat should speak for its self, Frank Neat hand crafted banjo maker and banjo repair guru. This video is absolute GOLD! 3 amazing banjo players in a room togethor all cutting up and making bluegrass memories! I have my great grannys home recordings of bluegrass jams out in my garage and this shows that i desperately need to convert them from vhs to digital asap. Thank you for this awesome video!

[@bluegrassboy]

I would encourage you to. I have quite a bit of festival footage still on VHS that was stored in a garage that unfortunately was subject to high humidity and there is a white mold on the tapes. I'm going through the process of cleaning them, which requires a sacrificial donor VCR that you take the cover off of and use a soft cloth to physically clean the tape as it fast forwards and rewinds. My trouble has been finding VCRs that will work. The last two have bought have quit working just days after I started using them.

[@tommyreid2317]

Superb banjo work, and the singer sounds about as much like Lester Flatt as Lester did

[@nippynf4l831]

I thought the same. Wonder who’s singing?

[@streetoctane1878]

​@@nippynf4l831 Tom Mckinney- maker of the Mckinney/Elliott guitar/banjo capo. Tom was a incredible banjo player also, he played a near replica style of earl scruggs picking. Also amazing banjo setup man, he setup 3 of my banjos!

[@blakeaddison2025]

Thank you for sharing this is awesome footage

[@mitzioden4926]

Great home video! Thanks for sharing it!

[@user-qz6bp8bs5x]

The greatest right hand on a banjo..bar none

[@thediyoutdoorsmen5566]

Wish I’d had this video 20 years ago when I started playing lol

[@goldenbanjo197]

The way JD worked his right hand position constantly looking for the sweet spot is amazing.

[@kylesmith9519]

Facts awesome when JD was just having fun checking out someone’s banjo

[@AlexColberg]

0:00 - On My Mind 1:39 - (tinkering around on the banjo) 2:26 - If I Should Wander Back Tonight 4:56 - Ground Speed 6:16 - Dixie Breakdown 7:00 - Going Down The Road Feeling Bad 8:18 - Bugle Call Rag 9:57 - Worried Man Blues 11:53 - (tinkering around on the banjo) 13:30 - Salty Dog Blues 15:13 - {banjo switch} 15:26 - My Home's Across The Blue Ridge Mountains 17:44 - (tinkering around on the banjo) 18:45 - Dear Old Dixie 20:03 - (tinkering around on the banjo, Frank and JD talking) 26:03 - Pike County Breakdown 27:00 - (tinkering around on the banjo) 28:41 - Down The Road 30:47 - Nine Pound Hammer 33:21 - (tinkering around on the banjo) 34:15 - On My Way Back To The Old Home 36:11 - I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home 39:30 - Blackjack 41:20 - (tinkering around on the banjo) 42:48 - Dark Hollow 46:31 - Cryin' Holy 48:24 - Why Did You Wander

[@banjoyBoy]

Wow thanks for posting this!

[@AlexColberg]

You got some of the timestamps wrong, but thanks for posting this video. Really enjoyed it.

[@bluegrassboy]

I didnt make them. Just pinned someone's else's post of them

[@AlexColberg]

@@bluegrassboy I fixed it. Should be good to go now.

[@danielwick2852]

This is the best thing I've ever seen! Thank you so much!!!

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Thank you for sharing this. We have lost legend.

[@gingerbryan9956]

Always thought he was one of the best..RIP..

[@helloworld451]

What he said. Great to see his hands up close to see what he's doing, such a great back-up player

[@vangie72]

Nice presentation and thank you so much for sharing.

[@guitarman1477]

He’s a great guitar player as well

[@ermancroney3805]

This is a great treasure!! Thanks for sharing it.

[@matthewwaller8659]

To me the best of his era. I always tried to sound like J.D. RIP!

[@suzannegalbraith1942]

Pure gold!! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@nickappel7494]

this is unbelievable

[@LittleCabin]

That is truly awesome. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@user-nm4hx5ks2v]

Love the kid jumping around in the background 😂

[@garyroy3044]

Finest Ky picker that ever come out of them hills!!!