The only way you play the mandolin like that at that age is your a prodigy. He could outplay most pros at that age and now without a doubt is the best in the world. Incredible.
I’ve been playing music since I was about that same age & I see now I should’ve taken up golf a long time ago !!! They’ve always been a phenomenal band , killer players & killer vocals & great harmonies but I didn’t realize at tgat young age they were that great!!
And this is why bluegrass is such a niche. Kids can play it and once you learn the technique, there is nowhere to go with it. They were smart to pivot to more of a folk hybrid.
Fascinating to listen to Andy May and John Burke in conversation. Did “The Project” ever see the light of day? Is it available today in digital format; as an audio on RU-vid maybe? No mention of it is made in the notes accompanying with the above video. Does anyone know where it can be obtained?
I was at Winfield that year and while I don't remember this performance, I do remember seeing Chris sitting at a vendor booth, noodling around on mandolin while chatting with people. I couldn't believe how clean these throwaway licks were that he was just tossing out there. It wasn't a performance as such, but it was striking to me how much talent *and practice* was sat right there. I saw a performance in Lawrence, KS maybe 10 years after this that still ranks as about my favourite concert ever. Amazing performers, all of them.
Wild! This mandolin has found its way into my life ~2008 at Gruhn when our paths' crossed. Really makes my day to find a video of it out there from it's younger years. If you read this, hope life is treating you well and thanks for sharing this video years ago! Cheers from a2, MI! :)
John and Andy, so good to hear and see you both...I remember you both so well....Happy Spring....Jack p.s. John, I still remember you sitting at the teaching desk in my studio at Fretted Instruments School back then. You were so much fun to know and to listen to....Jack
Andy, great recording of you both. I remember John & You so well...All is well with Me and I moved out of NYC and now live and teach via Zoom in Hampton NJ....Happy Spring....Jack
I wouldn't believe that kids could have this level of skill if i weren't hearing it myself. I only found Nickel Creek a decade or so ago, but I'm so glad they are still together
I've been waiting for years for these recordings to be available on YT so firstly I can't thank you enough. I was given John Burke's Old Time Banjo instruction book when I started attempting to learn banjo > 30 years ago & must have played the floppy record 1000's of times & also recorded them to cassette tape. Unfortunately that book & record were mislaid over the years & so a few years ago I acquired another copy (it cost a lot of money to import a 2nd hand copy from the US) but sadly the record was missing. The cassette tape then chewed up so all I had left were my memories of the wonderful tunes. I never really mastered many of the songs from the book - it's not an easy book for a beginner by any means (in fact Mac from Annie & Mac once posted a half tongue-in-cheek warning on his channel to avoid it) but it's still an amazing collection of old songs & so I cherish my copy. The 4 recordings you've uploaded are some of my favourites & I was equally overwhelmed to finally hear you guys talk about what you achieved all those years ago. Is there any chance of uploading any of the others from the record e.g. Turkey in the Straw, Sally in the Garden, Mississippi Sawyer & Arkansas Traveller in particular?
Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed this project!!!! Not sure what the future may hold in terms of uploading the tunes you mentioned from the lp though. Maybe that can happen as well.
Thank you Andy. Funny how the first things I came across on my Old-Time journey are still the best nearly 40 years later. In 1985 I quite literally had the Fuzzy Mountain String Band album and John Burke's little floppy. That's it. Thank you. thank you.
I am still learning tunes from the 1968 Amsco book with the floppy record. My first taste of Old Time Fiddle tunes. I still can't play as fast but I'm still working on it. Now I have some new inspiration to re-learn some old tunes. Glad you are both well. Now we are the old timers.
Chris Thile and I are the same age and 1995 is the year I learned to play guitar. These guys were better than I ever be already this year...it boggles the mind! I sure enjoy this clip!
I remember one day when I was four years old, when we went to one of Nickel Creek's concerts, but my older sister and I were too young, so we had to stay out in the van with my mom while my dad and four oldest siblings went inside. I grew up listening to Nickel Creek, but never realized for several years, just what I missed that day.
I remember losing to these kids back in around ‘92, a small festival in Arizona. They were competing under the name “Seldom Clean,” but it was this line-up, and they beat the pants off everybody that day.
