Banjo News on Steve


http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5169

News: Dr. Banjo Joins Steve Martin in the Recording Studio!
BMNN wrote: on Aug. 03, 2008:
Pete Wernick, aka Dr. Banjo, informs us that he has recently been in the studio with friend and fellow banjo picker Steve Martin.

Pete says, "Steve's composed a slew of good banjo tunes, in a wide variety of styles both 3-finger and clawhammer, and finally decided it was time to do a record. He called me in as part of the production team, led by John McEuen, with Tony Trischka helping out as well. I got to play on a couple of tunes, including one I co-wrote with Steve."

Pete continues saying, "The musicians included Russ Barenberg, Matt Flinner, David Amram, and Brittany Haas, with the recording done at Bennett Studios in NJ, engineered by Tony Bennett's son Dae. No title or label or release date yet, but it will be a very interesting and tuneful record."

Pete also joined Hot Rize for their 30th Anniversary performances. Hot Rize performed in two shows celebrating the 30th anniversary of the band's formation: Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado on June 22 and the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in Oak Hill, NY on July 19. (Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers were even invited to take the stage, too.).

Pete says, "It amazes and gratifies me that 30 years after we started, we still get a chance to make this music that's so special to me. The fans have treated us really well and we've tried to rise to the occasion. As for the Trailblazer stuff, I'm not sure how that has gone, as I always miss that part."

Pete also joined Peter Rowan, Mike Bub & Jody Stecher for July shows at the Big Horn Mountain Festival and the Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival. On August 2nd, Pete teamed up with old Country Cooking buddy Tony Trischka at the Podunk Festival in Hartford, CT as part of a "Banjo Spectacular" with other banjo notables including Alan Munde, Bill Keith, and Ron Block. Later, Pete & Joan will join up with Don Rigsby at the Johnny Keenan Festival in Longford, Ireland September 27-28. The travel season finishes in early October with one more Hot Rize anniversary show at the mega-fest Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

Visit the calendar at DrBanjo.com for all the details!
- posted by sookeyjane 8/12/2008 04:52:00 PM PERMALINK 0 COMMENTS