Podcast 352: A Tribute to J. D. Crowe with Bill Evans

On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we pay tribute to banjo
and bluegrass legend J. D. Crowe with his friend, student, and
collaborator, Bill Evans. Crowe passed away on Christmas
Eve, 2021, nearly a year, exactly, after the death of his friend
and former bandmate, Tony Rice.  


 


Evans is a natural storyteller and educator and was slated to
begin filming instruction videos with Crowe for Peghead Nation
later this year. He talks about Crowe's impact on bluegrass, his
unique style of banjo playing (and how it differed from that of
Earl Scruggs), the unique interplay Crowe had with guitarist Tony
Rice, and the importance of the 1975 album, 'J. D. Crowe and New
South' album (Rounder Records 0044), featuring Crowe, Rice, Jerry
Douglas, Ricky Skaggs, and Bobby Slone.


 


It's an hour-long deep dive into what made one of the world's
best banjo player's tick... and a great primer on the subtleties
of bluegrass. 


 


Evans has graciously shared one of his Crowe lessons on Peghead
Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com/news-reviews/breaking-news/j-d-crowes-enduring-influence/


 



This episode is sponsored by BED|STÜ (use the discount
code FRETXBS to save 20% off for a limited time), Izotope
(use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% on their amazing
software), and Retrofret Vintage Guitars.


 


Our 49th issue of the Fretboard Journal is now mailing,
featuring John Reischman, John Sebastian, Dr. Molly Miller and
more. Click here to learn more. 



Don't forget, beyond the magazine, the FJ now has an entire
network of podcasts, about everything from lutherie to home
recording (and tube amps!): Luthier on Luthier; The
Truth About Vintage Amps; The Truth About Recording
& Mixing; Acoustic Voices; and Sweep the Floor.