Here are some links to other websites and music that might interest you.
Acri Banjo Picks
These are my favorite banjo picks and I was lucky enough to meet and play with their inventor Gordon Acri recently at the Blythe Bluegrass Festival in California. His picks are available at: https://www.elderly.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=Acri.
Check out my post about meeting Gordie here:https://jeffbelding.com/gordon-acri-banjo-pick/
Out of the Bluegrass
Out of the Bluegrass is a great band I played with back in NY. Their style is fun, upbeat music in a wide range of styles including pop, bluegrass, jazz, swing, blues. Mac (banjo), Bert (bass) and Pete (mandolin) are all former students of mine as well as dear friends and fantastic musicians. They have a new guitarist, Tim, and they’re still playin’ and are available for hire – check them out on their Facebook page here: https://m.facebook.com/Out-of-the-Bluegrass-446004702210492/
Vito Petrocitto
My first student! He’s an amazing guitarist who has made his life entertaining audiences all over the Hudson Valley and beyond. I’ve had the pleasure of playing in many different bands with Vito over the years. Check out his Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008740184425
Saratoga Faire
Saratoga Faire is a group I performed with on guitar and bass for several years in NY’s Capital Region. We made a CD called “Saratoga Romance.” It has an eclectic mix of tunes: “Quasi” Bluegrass, Medieval fiddle tunes, Irish Ballads, and some original tunes by myself and my other bandmates. Perhaps what stands out as most unique is the incorporation of the hammer dulcimer. Here’s the link to purchase it: http://.saratogafaire.com/
Lise Winne and the Spirites Consort
In a somewhat “remixture” of personnel from Saratoga Faire (some same, some different), I was the guitarist on another CD called “Winged With Hopes – New Interpretations of Renaissance Songs.” I also performed “What if I Never Speed” on the banjo on this album. This group and Saratoga Faire were lead by Lise Winne (pr. Winnie), an accomplished vocalist, with a vast knowledge of songs by John Dowland and other composers from this period. Here is the link to purchase this CD: https://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/2693058
Banjo Hangout
A great resource for banjo players – billed as the “worlds largest and most active banjo community” Here’s the link: https://www.banjohangout.org/
American Banjo Fraternity
This organization caters to the classical banjo which is a 5 string banjo with nylon strings that is primarily played in C tuning. I started learning some classical banjo pieces from listening to Bill Keith and from an album by William J. Ball called “Banjo Galaxy.” I really enjoy this type of music although I don’t own a nylon string banjo myself. It has helped me learn to read standard music notation on the banjo. Anyway – something different! Check it out here: http://banjofraternity.org
Hilton Music Center
This is a great family owned music store in Albany NY where I taught for many years. While teaching here I laid a lot of the foundation for my banjo book. If you are in need of music equipment or lessons in NY’s Capital Region I highly recommend them. Here’s a link to the store’s website: https://www.hiltonmusiccenter.com
Here are some great bluegrass organizations:
Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association https://hvbluegrass.org
Adirondack Bluegrass League http://adirondackbluegrassleague.com
Arizona Bluegrass Association http://arizonabluegrass.com