UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
(All shows are BanjerDan solo unless otherwise noted)

10/3/09, New Deal Cafe, Greenbelt, MD, 8:00PM, 301-474-5642
New Deal Cafe, 113 Centerway, Greenbelt, MD  20770; (301) 474-5642
http://www.newdealcafe.com/

10/7/09, J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters at The Lion & Bull, Haymarket, VA, 8:00PM, (703) 754-1166
Lion & Bull, 5351 Merchant View Sq., Haymarket, VA 20169; (703) 754-1166
http://www.lionandbull.com

10/9/09, Manor House Restaurant,. Casanova, VA, 6:00PM, 540-788-3401
The Manor House at Poplar Springs, 9245 Rogues Rd., Casanova, 20139; 540 788-3401
The Manor House at Poplar Springs, 9245 Rogues Rd., Casanova, VA 20139; 540 788-3401
http://www.poplarspringsinn.com

10/10/09, Middleburg Farmers Market, Middleburg, VA, 10:00AM, 540-687-5152
The Middleburg Farmers Market is located behind the Community Center,  300 W. Washington St., Middleburg, VA 20117; 540-687-5152
http://www.townofmiddleburg.org
http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/

10/10/09. Daily Grind Coffee House, Fredericksburg, VA, 6:00PM, 540-834-0157
Daily Grind Coffee House & Cafe at Cosner's Corner, 10123 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Fredericksburg, VA 22407; 540-834-0157
http://www.dailygrindcosners.com/

10/16/09, BanjerDan's 50th Birthday Bash!
G and M Crabcakes, 804 Hammonds Ferry Rd., Linthicum Heights, MD  21090' 410-636-1777
http://www.gandmcrabcakes.com/directions.php

10/17/09, Stone Soup Coffeehouse, Pawtucket, RI, 8:00PM, 401-921-5115
Stone Soup Coffeehouse, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 50 Park Place, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Tickets: $15.00
Presented by the Stone Soup Folk Arts Foundation, 27 Kent St., Cumberland, RI 02864; 401-921-5115
http://www.stonesoupcoffeehouse.com/page5/AboutStoneSoup.html

10/18/09, Bethesda Co-Op Fall Festival, Cabin John, MD, 5:00PM, 301-320-2530
Bethesda Co-Op, 6500 Seven Locks Rd., Cabin John, MD 20818-1300; 301-320-2530
http://www.bethesdacoop.org

10/23/09, Greenbelt Pumpkin Walk & Carving Festival, Greenbelt, MD, 5:00PM, 301-910-1669
The Greenbelt Pumpkin Walk & Carving Festival is held at The Roosevelt Center, Crescent Road & Gardenway Dr., Greenbelt, MD 20770; 301-910-1669
http://www.GreenbeltPumpkinWalk.com

10/24/09, Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market, Washington, DC, 9:00AM,
Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market, 3200 Mt. Pleasant St., Washington DC 20010
The Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market is held in the triangle park between 17th St., Mt. Pleasant St., and Lamont St., NW.
http://www.mtpfm.org

10/30/09, J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters at JV's Restaurant, Falls Church, VA, 8:00PM, 703-241-9504
JV's Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042, 703-241-9504
http://www.jvsrestaurant.com/index.php

10/31/09, Jimmy's Old Town Tavern, Herndon, VA, 1:30PM, 703-435-5467
"Music for children and other young people." A special Halloween meal and show at Herndon's friendliest tavern!
Jimmy's Old Town Tavern, 697 Spring St., Herndon, VA 20170-5125; 703-435-5467
http://www.jimmystavern.com/

10/31/09, The Gathering of Guests & Ghosts., Stradburg, VA, 5:00PM, 703-435-5467
"The Gathering of Guests & Ghosts is an annual event with music from multiple bands and camping both Fri. & Sat. on the spooky, 219 year-old Stewart-Matheny Farm property near Strasburg, VA. A $10.00 donation per person will go straight to the bands. It's indoor/outdoor, with a late-night barn jam. BOO!
The Gathering of Guests & Ghosts, 410 Tumbling Run Lane, Strasburg, VA 22657
http://www.soundquiltmusicfestival.com

11/1/09, HCR ManorCare (Private Event), Potomac, MD, 2:30PM, 301-299-2273
HCR ManorCare, 10714 Potomac Tennis Ln., Potomac, MD 20854; 301-299-2273
http://www.hcr-manorcare.com/

11/6/09, Private Event (with The McGinley Family Gospel Singers), Purcellville, VA, 7:30PM

12/17/09, Educare Learning Center, Jefferson, MD, 10:00AM, 301-834-9007
Educare Learning Center (formerly Dandelion CC), 2538 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson, MD 21755; 301-834-9007
http://www.educatewithcare.com


QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"Members of Congress should be compelled to wear uniforms just like NASCAR drivers so we can identify their corporate sponsors." ~Phil Proctor

"Virtually everyone that I know in music is a very unique character. Most of us are throw-aways, abuse-cases, or just generally volatile people. It's the music that saves us and gives us the inner fight." ~J.B. Beverley


SUBSCRIPTION LIST

The September 2009 Newsletter was sent on 8/27/09, to 1,727 subscribers.
The October 2009 Newsletter was sent on 10/2/09, to 1,738 subscribers.
11 new subscribers. Welcome to the BanjerDan Community!


MYSPACE

As of August 27, 2009, I had 6,973 myspace friends.
As of October 2, 2009, I had 7,109 myspace friends.
136 new friends. Welcome to the BanjerDan community!
http://www.myspace.com/banjerdan


BANJERDAN'S 50TH BIRTHDAY BASH

October 16, 2009: BanjerDan's 50th Birthday Bash!
For my birthday, I've decided to treat myself G and M Crabcakes in Baltimore. All friends invited to join me. RSVP so I'll be able to reserve space.
G and M Crabcakes, 804 Hammonds Ferry Rd., Linthicum Heights, MD  21090' 410-636-1777
http://www.gandmcrabcakes.com/directions.php


FRIENDS OF EDDIE AND MARTHA ADCOCK

Eddie Adcock is one of my primary influences, and one of the people who showed the world early on that the banjo is a MUSICAL instrument, not just a Bluegrass instrument. He and Martha are two of my longest and dearest friends in the music world. (They performed at my wedding, and although I'm not married any more, I remember that day fondly, and having them there was one of the best things it.)

Having overcome the medical issues that caused them to take a hiatus from performing, Eddie and Martha are now battling the financial aftereffects, and some friends are pitching in. The San Diego folk music community put on a benefit concert for me when my instruments were stolen in 1999, so I know how much a gesture like this means. I hope all my friends will support this cause by attending the concert or by sending a check. Details in the article.

Friends of Eddie & Martha Adcock
Oct. 25, 2009
The Station Inn, Nashville, Tenn.
Time: 7:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $20.00
Bluegrass Artists Appearing include: The Whites, Jerry Douglas, Gene Johnson (Diamond Rio), Jesse McReynolds, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Randy Waller and many more.
http://www.bluegrassjournal.com/2009/10/01/friends-of-eddie-martha-adcock-benefit-show-at-station-inn/


STONE SOUP COFFEEHOUSE

The morning after my birthday, I'll get on a train to Providence, RI. I've been honored with a booking at a very prestigious concert series; a booking that came about because of a mix-up. I received an e-mail from the folks at Stone Soup inviting "Banjo Dan" to perform. I knew immediately that they were thinking of "Banjo Dan" Linder, from Vermont. I wrote and told them that I'm not the leader of the Mid-Nite Plowboys, but I'd be happy to accept the booking. They reviewed my website and decided to offer me the show!

"Twenty-seven years ago several Rhode Island musicians and songwriters were inspired by Pete Seeger to share their music with each other and a wider audience. Stone Soup Folk Arts Foundation and Stone Soup Coffeehouse resulted. Stone Soup Coffeehouse is now one of the oldest and largest coffeehouse venues in New England, presenting live music most Saturday nights from September through the end of May. "
Stone Soup Coffeehouse, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 50 Park Place, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Tickets: $15.00
Presented by the Stone Soup Folk Arts Foundation, 27 Kent St., Cumberland, RI 02864; 401-921-5115
http://www.stonesoupcoffeehouse.com/page5/AboutStoneSoup.html


GREENBELT PUMPKIN WALK & CARVING FESTIVAL

"Once a year, Greenbelters gather for a magical night.

When night falls, the townspeople take a fifteen-minute walk through an enchanted trail, lit by hundreds of softly glowing jack o'lanterns. They smell the crisp air of Halloween. They taste the warm apple cider. They hear the crunching of leaves beneath their feet.

The evening before, the townspeople carve jack o’lanterns in the town square to the tune of live old-time banjos and guitars. The next day, their creations appear along the wooded trail, in trees, on stumps, and on the ground, lighting the path of the Pumpkin Walk!

Be a part of this unique experience that is fit for young and old."
http://www.greenbeltpumpkinwalk.com/


HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR CHILDREN AT JIMMY'S OLD TOWN TAVERN!

Join me Jimmy's Tavern for a Halloween party fit for kings, queens, angels, pirates, Spiderman, ghosts, witches, and whatever else you and your parents can think of for a costume! I'll bring a mix of scary and funny songs!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/BanjerDan/10-31-9K.jpg
Jimmy's Old Town Tavern, 697 Spring St., Herndon, VA 20170-5125; 703-435-5467
http://www.jimmystavern.com/

"THE GATHERING OF GUESTS & GHOSTS III"

From Mark & Becfky (Walnut Grove):

"Howdy GroveTrotters,

Change has come at last, and no thanks to the feds who argue & bicker over how to waste our money, kill more people, complicating things.

The change we’re experiencing now can only be credited to one sweet lady known as Mother Nature.  She’s consistent, hardworking and true.  Mother Nature is on tour, now in Virginia, she arrived last week

In an attempt to keep Fall around as long as possible, Walnutt is busy putting together a SoundQuilt style Halloween event called the Gathering of Guests & Ghosts III.  Mother Nature has already RSVP’d.  More information is available at http://soundquiltmusicfestival.com and here is the schedule so far…

Music Schedule for Halloween 2009

11:30am - t.b.a.
1:00pm - Astronomers
2:30pm - This Day Waits
4:00pm - t.b.a.
5:30pm - BanjerDan
7:00pm - Power Pirate
8:30pm - t.b.a.
10:00pm - The Walnut Grove Band
11:30pm - Buster Brown and The Get Down
1am - The Rez

This Halloween marks the 10 Year Anniversary of the Walnut Grove Band who has been working with new and old music lately in the country outside of Strasburg, Virginia.
http://walnutgroveband.com

Space travel is all the rage and recently WGB built its own space station, check it out at http://myspace.com/thewalnutgroveband"



BANJERDAN ON YOUTUBE

Here I am, jamming with "Herb and Hanson," just hours after being stung on the left eyelid by a yellow jacket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WiYaW1G0LA

Herb and Hanson:
http://www.herbandhanson.com/



TWO ARTICLES ABOUT THE WAYWARD DRIFTERS

William Hastings spent a few days on the road with The Wayward Drifters, and wrote this beautiful story.

"Visible as a tear on a new widow’s cheek the long drives, the motels, the bad food, the cigarettes and the whiskey dissolved into the sound coming from the stage. There was no former Marine, no former Murder Junkie, no former music theory major up there. Three individuals had given their selves over to the search and met as one."
http://jambands.com/features/2009/09/30/other-animals-don-t-sing-the-blues-on-the-road-with-j-b-beverley-the-wayward-drifters/?4

* * * * * * * * * *

"The Tin Whisker" interviews J.B. Beverley

"Virtually everyone that I know in music is a very unique character. Most of us are throw-aways, abuse-cases, or just generally volatile people. It's the music that saves us and gives us the inner fight."
http://thetinwhisker.com/viewtopic.php?t=360&sid=e96264263222cc5e4b3cf0930e8002f7


REVIEWS OF "WATCH AMERICA ROLL BY"

"This is the real deal with plenty of old-time country sounds and the hillbilly vocals he does so well. Give it a spin."
http://nobtexas.tv/id17.html


BANJERDAN'S SOLO CD, "OLD STUFF" FOR SALE AT CDBABY!

http://www.cdbaby.com/banjerdan


BANJERDAN DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE FROM OURTRACKS!

http://www.ourtracks.com/artistpage.php?id=278

"OurTracks is determined give music lovers fast and cheap independent music downloads. Our staff is currently out scouring your favorite bars and dancehalls to bring you the artists that you want to hear. At OurTracks, you can download independent music at independent prices. At OurTracks, the listeners and the artists win!"


BANJERDAN TEACHES!

I'm a patient teacher with 25+ years experience. If you live in the DC Metro area and want to learn 5-string banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin or dobro, drop me a line

Here's my rate structure:

At my apartment in Washington, DC: $30.00/hr. 1/2 hour lessons and group lessons available. (This rate is negotiable, and open to barter.)

At the student's place: $60.00/hr. Group lessons available. Neither 1/2 hour lessons nor barter available.

For lessons farther than 20 miles from Warrenton, VA, a negotiable/barterable surcharge will apply for gas/driving time. Mileage can be estimated by an online mapping service like MapQuest or YahooMaps, and confirmed through my odometer reading. (I keep a detailed notebook of my travels.)


BANJERDAN AT THE KENNEDY CENTER!

The BanjerDan's DangerBand show on October 23rd, 2006 (including a guest performance by J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters), is permanently archived on the Kennedy Center's website! Find it by searching the archive HERE:

http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/archive.html#

October 23, 2006 - D.C. favorite BanjerDan and his Danger Band play styles "from bluegrass and beyond" on banjo, guitar, mandolin, and dobro.
Featured Artist(s): BanjerDan's Danger Band

July 25, 2007 - The BlackOut Series - a reincarnation of Theater of the Absurd and readjustment of the Japanese Suzuki Method presents "My Way Little Girl," which explores explores social mores in education, advertising and politics.
Mature content; recommended for ages 13 and up.
Part of the D.C. Fringe Festival
Featured Artist(s): The BlackOut Series


CIGAR-BOX BANJOS!

The good folks at "Resin 8" have made me a cigar-box banjo! (They call is a cigar-box guitar. It's a three-string instrument tuned like a dulcimer.) Check them out at:

http://www. myspace.com/resin8cbg


**********

COMMENTARY

Every now and then I write my own commentary, but most of the time I just publish excerpts from stories that I find here and there on the Internet. By a huge margin, most of the articles I cite come to me from "The Project for the Old American Century." T.J. Templeton founded and maintains the POAC website "(a)s a reference library for combating right wing misinformation."

I urge everyone to support T.J. Templeton's diligent work by visiting his website, subscribing to his (Almost) Daily Headlines, and by direct financial contribution.

The Project for the Old American Century:
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/


MY 50TH BIRTHDAY

My 50th birthday is coming up in only 2 weeks. This is the time and the forum to write about this impending milestone, and I don't want to do it because the critical voice is screaming in my head. I'm a talented writer who doesn't write, and a good entertainer who does't work enough. I've got no money in the bank, no property, and no children. I listen to banjo players like Bela Fleck, Alison Brown, Scott Vestal, Noam Pikelny (and many others), and realize that I'll never have nearly the arsenal of techniques  that they bring to any project. I have plenty of other regrets of a personal nature, and through fear I've missed several wonderful opportunities, both career-related and romantic. I've been insensitive and even cruel at times, and I have a selfish streak a mile wide. As a mild ADD case, I can htper-focus for hours on trivial things, but also have a lazy, unmotivated aspect, which smoking pot doesn't help.

Well, here's what I say to my Inner Critic:

So, there are musicians who run circles around my abilities. So what? I have a different skill set.  My ear for tuning has improved over the years, and while not a naturally gifted vocalist, I've learned how to sing reasonably well. I can make children and old folks laugh and sing. I've written songs both profound ("The Guys in the Suits and Ties") and silly ("Dance Dance Dance, But Don't Take Off Your Pants"). I've taught many people how to make music on several instruments.

I've performed with symphony orchestras, onstage in theatrical productions, and on television. I've made music both professionally and informally with a huge list that includes Bill Monroe, Eddie & Martha Adcock, Buzz Busby, John Duffey, Ben Eldridge, Mike Auldridge, Tom Gray, Jimmy Gaudreau, Ken Orrick & Lost Highway, John Hartford, Beppe Gambetta, Tony Furtado, the Yonder Mountain String Band, the Del McCoury Band, Randy Howard, Kathy Chiavola, Roy Huskey, Jr., Missy Raines, Nassim Daquar, Howard Breitbart, Jay Ansill, Andrew Zox, D.J. & the C.B. Pickers, Bob Perilla & Big Hillbilly Bluegrass, The Jackstraws, T. Edwin Doss, Wayne "The Train" Hancock, J.B. Beverley, Johnny Ray Carroll, Jr., Jon Carroll, Taj Mahal, The Electric Waste Band, Ekoostik Hookah, Vince Herman, Mark Vann, Bill Evans, Craig Vance, Moondi Klein, David Nelson, David Grisman, David Grier, Bill Keith, Tony Trischka, Peter Rowan, Bryan Sutton, Ubiquitone, and many more. I'm in a wonderful band with two colleagues who are like brothers to me; we a devoted following and two CDs that I think are very good. I'm on the roster of several agencies and usually get at least one call a week from someone interested in lessons or a performance.

I've seen the night sky in Magdalena, NM, the Giant Seqouia Groves in Humboldt County, the Panama Canal, the Wailing Wall, the fjords of Norway, the Eiffel Tower, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Columbia River Gorge, the Everglades, and so much more. I live and work in Washington, DC, one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. I'm not rich or famous, but I'm BLESSED!

On October 16th, I'm going to celebrate birthday by treating myself to a sumptuous meal at G and M Crabcakes, near Baltimore. RSVP if you'd like to join me.

G and M Crabcakes, 804 Hammonds Ferry Rd., Linthicum Heights, MD  21090' 410-636-1777
http://www.gandmcrabcakes.com/directions.php


14 POINTS OF FASCISM

My only quibble with this article is that Point #9 should be Point #1. The government/corporate fusion is at the very heart of Fascism. Mussolini said so himself.
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14_pts/14ptsGOP.htm


MODERATE CHRSTIANS, MOSLEMS, AND PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS NEED TO SPEAK UP!

"I...was checking the morning news headlines on CNN.  There was the story of this Pastor (if I have to call him that) Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word (although I’m not sure what 'word' that would be) Baptist church in Arizona who really has opened his mouth, as a supposed Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and actually said that he hates President Obama and wants God to 'break his teeth' (a veiled reference to Psalms 58:6 where David was asking God to go after the truly evil folks who were after him and were trying to slander him and take his life). HE SAID WHAT?!!
"By publicly voicing his desire that President Obama be killed, have his teeth broken, and whatever else looney things this man has uttered from his filthy mouth, he has violated the very principal precept of our faith. Now faith, hope, and love remain, but the GREATEST of these is love (1 Corinthians 13). 
"I don’t have a pulpit to stand in and denounce this man.  None of the major news outlets are contacting me and asking me my opinion on Pastor (cough!) Anderson’s ravings. I just have this diary.
"If there are any Pastors, Ministers, Church Elders, etc. who are reading this, please, IT’S TIME FOR US TO SPEAK UP! We’ve got the ;harmless as a dove', 'meek and mild' thing perfected dang near to a fault. We MUST speak out when someone is misrepresenting our faith! Not later, but NOW. Use your voice wherever you are planted, but we have to push back. Let’s write Focus on the Family, CBN, Family Research Council (since they seem to want to be 'on point' for all things Christian) and ask them to remain faithful to the Word of God that commands us to represent his teachings above our own selfish motives, and public denounce Pastor (cough!) Anderson and anyone else who, in the name of our Lord, says such things.

"Do you really want to keep explaining away these clowns? Let’s marginalize them NOW!"
http://www.streetprophets.com/storyonly/2009/9/7/184344/1342


LEGALIZE IT! REGULATE IT!

This lecture traces the history of drug prohibition and highlights its utter ineffectiveness. The rates of drug addiction are EXACTLY THE SAME as before the "war on drugs."
http://www.joycedowling.com/Against-Drug-Prohibition.htm