Thank You, Tony Trischka

I got my first banjo when I was 18, practiced nonstop for a few months until I could play a few rolls and maybe a couple tunes and I started going to a jam in New York City at a tiny bar called Jack Dempsey’s. I was in heaven!! But I wasn’t very good at playing banjo. One night, a super friendly older banjo player named Joel asked me if I was looking for a good banjo teacher, which I was. Next thing you know he’s writing out the name Tony Trischka and a phone number on a little piece of paper, and I am freaking out because Tony was already a hero!

I called him at 9 AM the next morning and soon after I started making trips to take lessons with Tony at his apartment on Riverside Drive in New York City. After one lesson I was so excited that I bolted out the door and he had to chase me down the stairwell because I had forgotten to pay him! I would take two hour lessons and go home and spend many more hours with the recordings, going over every detail. Tony’s style is so heavy on innovation and creativity, with compositions and ideas that are way ahead of their time, AND he has a Scruggs powered V8 engine where your right hand normally is - it always drives so hard! That combination of freedom and delivery is so inspiring, and he’s always been so generous with all of his original ideas.

I learned a ton about music in those sessions, but I also learned that beyond being a monumental banjo player/inspiration, Tony is one of the nicest, most uplifting humans I’ve ever encountered, and over the years those qualities have been just as influential as all the hot licks. He’s been a friend and mentor, and it’s no surprise that everyone on our scene treasures his music and his energy. People will remember your music, but even more so they will remember how you treated them. Tony is a natural at both, and that’s rare (and worthy of a long appreciation post!). This picture was taken a few weeks back at the amazing Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Much love, Tony!!