Dear Friends,

We are proud to announce that following the hugely successful 2007, 2008, 2009 2010 Banjo ‘1000’, and  2011 (five year anniversary) Banjo ‘5’ showcase events here at Eagle Music Shop, this year we are celebrating  Eagle Music’s sales of over two thousand and twelve Deering Banjos! The ‘Banjo 2012’ Event on Saturday November 3rd 2012.

Please click here to buy Banjo ’2012′ event tickets

 Please click here to see pictures of last year’s Banjo ‘5’ anniversary event

It is also our Sixth Consecutive Year as the World’s Number One Dealership for the USA Deering Banjo Company.

We are looking forward to another fantastic day of music, jam sessions, on-stage afternoon workshops and an on-stage evening concert performance from the world renowned Kruger Brothers. (Support act to be confirmed) Also an opportunity to browse what will be probably be the largest selection of modern and vintage banjos ever to be displayed for public viewing in the world!!!

Please join us at our Banjo 2012 event, where you will have the opportunity to personally meet five of the USA’s greatest icons in the banjo and American music world  …Greg Deering, Janet Deering, Jens Kruger ‘Banjo’, Uwe Kruger ‘Guitar’ and Joel Landsberg ‘Bass’

Greg and Janet Deering founded the Deering Banjo Company over thirty years ago, a company that is now considered by the world’s greatest exponents of the banjo to be ‘The Worlds Greatest American Banjo Company’.

Jens Kruger the ‘Carolina King’ is without question one of the greatest five-string banjo players of all times. Uwe Kruger is a master Guitarist / vocalist and Joel Landsberg is one of the finest Bass players in the business. The Kruger Brothers now living in North Carolina, USA, are the hottest USA based band, having taken the world bluegrass and folk scene by storm for the past decade and a half.

The Kruger Brothers will play our on sight venue ‘The North Light Gallery’ on Saturday afternoon for an On-stage-Workshop and an evening Showcase Concert on November 3^rd as part of their official 2012 European tour.

Our special guests, Greg and Janet Deering will give an on stage afternoon workshop ‘The Banjo in Modern Times’ … Greg & Janet will also be available throughout the day to check out your personal banjo.

We look forward to seeing you here,

from

Steve, Rachel  and the Eagle Music Team

Ticket Details for ‘Banjo 2012’

Tickets can be purchased as follows

• At Eagle Music Shop, call +44 (0)1484 661460
• At www.eaglemusicshop.com
• Or send a cheque or PO to Eagle Music Shop

If you have paid for a ticket online, simply give your name at the door

on the day. Your numbered ticket will be checked on the list and you

will be given your ticket for the event.

Ticket Prices

• Daytime Only – 10.30am until 6.00pm – £15.00
• Evening Only – 7.30pm until Close ‘The Krüger Brothers in Concert’ – £30.00
• Full Day and ‘Kruger Brothers Concert Ticket’ -10.30am until Close – £38.00

Full Timetable for the event – to be announced

Irish Tenor Banjo icon Barney McKenna aged 72, passed away unexpectedly at his Dublin home on Thursday morning, 5^th April 2012. Within days of the world losing bluegrass banjo legend Earl Scruggs the world has now lost the most influential Irish Tenor Banjo player of modern times. Barney was a founding member of the famous Dubliners folk band, and the last original member still performing and touring with the band in 2012. Barney’s on stage banjo solos are world renown, audiances at the Dubliners concerts would call out for Barney to perform his solos the world over, and when he played his banjo solos he was infectious! Barney was also a fine player and a master of the one row ‘D’ melodeon.

As an enthusiastic Irish tenor banjo player myself, I can say that I have had the pleasure over the years of watching Barney perform with the Dubliners, I met him at the Irish Music awards and most recently in September 2011 at the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford, Ireland . He was a wonderful human being, genuinely expressing his kind thoughts  and feelings for everyone in his presence, always keen to talk ‘banjo’ and pass on his experience.

After his ‘Greengrass meets Bluegrass’ performance with the Carter Brothers at the tenth anniversary of The Johnny Kennan Banjo Festival, my wife Joan and I spent some quality time with Barney. He played banjo for us,  told us jokes and stories, he was on great form at the festival. I have attached some photograghs in memory of Barney, we loved him and shall miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with Tina and his family, may he rest in peace.

Steve Noon, Owner, Eagle Music

Remembering Earl, by Steve Noon

We are all deeply saddened at Eagle Music to hear of the passing of Earl Scruggs, a banjo legend within his own lifetime. We  shall remember Earl with love and affection through his music and the inspiration that he left behind not only for us, but for the banjo generations to follow. Earl passed away peacefully on March 28th 2012, aged 88 Our thoughts are with Earl’s family and loved ones that he leaves behind. We copy you in here with the notes and tributes to Earl, sent to us from our friends at the Deering Banjo Company USA.

Remembering Earl, by Janet Deering

Earl was a life changing individual whose music touched so many people, myself included. Were it not for the popularity of Earl’s banjo style Greg and I would not have succeeded in starting our fledgling banjo company in 1975. The love of Flat and Scruggs banjo music put food on our table while we hand crafted bluegrass banjos for people all over the world.  Almost all of our early customers played Earl’s three finger style of banjo and their enthusiasm for the banjo made it possible for our family business to grow and prosper.

I have had the privilege of meeting Earl Scruggs at the IBMA show in Nashville several times. He was a genuinely respectful and warm hearted person.  He always treated Greg and myself as friends even though we made Deering banjos, while he had endorsed an older brand for many years. We have Earl Scruggs to thank for our livelihood and for his part in inspiring  the magic of bluegrass music that people enjoy playing every day.   His music is a part of the fabric of America and his memory will live on in our hearts.

Janet Deering
Deering Banjo Company
CEO

Remembering Earl, by Barry Hunn
As I write this today, most of you have probably heard that banjo legend Earl Scruggs passed away this week.

Earl Scruggs is considered by many to be the world’s most influential banjo player.   I have never met anyone who listened to Earl Scruggs play “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” who was not moved by his expression and emotive power.  Earl was an innovator.  Earl was an entertainer.  Earl wrote banjo pieces that carry the same timeless appeal of some of the greatest classical composers.

But above these great attributes, Earl created magic.  I can’t think of any other description that so accurately describes the energetic passion that flowed from Earl Scruggs when he played the five string banjo.   This is the measure of the great masters; “Communicating” more than the notes being played.

When banjo dealer, John Drummond of Banjo.com, met Earl many years ago, he asked the master if he still practiced every day.  Earl thought for a moment, and said, “no…but I probably should.”  This down-to-earth, humble, gentleman was as surprised by his success as his audiences were enthralled by his performance.

From the theme of the T.V. show  “The Beverley Hillbillies” ,  to “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” (the theme to the movie Bonnie and Clyde), “Earl’s Breakdown”,  to the “Flint Hill Special” and all of the songs in between, Earl’s songs and performances touched millions and millions of lives around the world.  Millions of young people have looked to “what Earl did” when learning to play the banjo and millions of experienced players still look to “what Earl did” to refine their technique in an attempt to capture some of the “magic” created by this humble master.

It is a rare individual whose art touches so many lives and Earl Scruggs will go down in history as an artist who defined an instrument and one of the greatest banjoists who ever lived.

From all of us at the Deering Banjo Company, we offer our most sincere condolences to the Scruggs family. To Earl Scruggs, for a lifetime of inspiration, joy, guidance, giving and grace, and for playing the banjo in your unique and beautiful way …Thank you.

We are pleased to inform our customers that the Take It Away instrument purchase scheme is being extended to include under 18 year olds.

Using the scheme, for a 10 per cent deposit our customers can obtain up to £2,000 of interest-free credit, payable over nine months.

The scheme - run by the Arts Council and partnered by the MIA – was restricted only to people aged 18-25 from April this year, but will now be extended to anyone purchasing an instrument for someone under 18 years old. Please call us on 01484 661460 to discuss your purchase.

What this means is … if you have a young person in your family that is under the age of 18, as a parent (All applicants will still need to be over 18, a UK resident and working at least 16 hours per week in order to be eligible, and approval will be subject to a credit check, as at present.) you can take out the Take it Away Scheme for an instrument or musical goods up to the value of £2,000 In this case, the individual will need to sign and complete a customer declaration confirming that the recipient of the instrument is under 18 years of age. 

Customers will only be able to apply for a Take it away ‘Under 18s’ loan in-store. Take it away ‘Under 18s’ will not be available via mail order.

Take it Away has been running since July 2007, and since then has helped more than 58,000 people purchase musical instruments and accessories.

Please click on this link for more details

We are delighted to be appointed the Northern UK Dealership for Gold Tone, Florida, USA.

We now have in stock a comprehensive range of Gold Tone traditional instruments that includes Tenor Guitars, Lap Steel guitars, Bouzouki family and of course Gold Tone Bluegrass, Open Back, Long Neck, Electric and compact Travel Banjos.

Gold Tone are an American based company in Titusville Florida, USA where they have a dedicated factory that custom build, finally assemble parts and set-up instruments that are manufactured in various world factory locations that include Korea, China and others. After final inspection and set up, Gold Tone products are shipped worldwide from their USA location. Gold Tone’s use of  factories in say China (where they have their own technicians on site) means that they can offer exceptional value for money relative to build quality. Each Gold Tone instrument has a serial number and carries a lifetime transferable guarantee against parts and workmanship.

Gold Tone was voted at the USA’s NAMM show 2011 NAMM “Best in Show – Companies to Watch”

Check out the MBT+ a super metal bodied Tenor Guitar with onboard electrics that we can supply tuned to CGDA, Chicago DGBE or Irish GDAE!

Please follow this link for a Gold Tone Set Up Factory Tour

Below are pictured 16 various Gold Tone products to show the variety of the range … Please Click On the Title which will link to more information and the Specification of the product …

The  Gold Tone MBT+ Metal Bodied Electro Acoustic Tenor Guitar …

The  Gold Tone TG-18 Solid Spruce Top Tenor Guitar …

The  Gold Tone LS-6 Vintage Era Lap Steel Guitar …

The  Gold Tone BZ-500 Solid Top Flat Back Bouzouki …

The  Gold Tone ‘Plucky’ Travel or Childrens  Size 5-String Banjo …

The  Gold Tone ‘Bob Carlin’ Signature Model 12″ Pot Open Back Banjo …

The  Gold Tone WL-250LN Long Neck White Ladye Tone Ring Banjo …

The  Gold Tone IT-250 ‘Short Scale’ Irish Tenor Banjo …

The  Gold Tone OB-250 Orange Blossom Pro Banjo …

The  Gold Tone OB-250 Orage Blossom LEFTY Pro Banjo …

The  Gold Tone EBM-5 Electric 5-String Banjo …

The  Gold Tone WL-250 White Ladye Tone Ring Open Back 5-String Banjo …

The  Gold Tone TB-250 Deluxe White Ladye Travel 5-String Banjo …

The  Gold Tone BG-150F Bluegrass 5-String Banjo …

The  Gold Tone BG-250F Bluegrass 5-String Banjo …

The  Gold Tone Banjitar 6-String Guitar Banjo …

More Information on Gold Tone USA …

 Gold Tone Banjos, located in Titusville, Florida was founded by Wayne and Robyn Rogers in 1993. Active folk musicians in the 70′s and 80′s, they opened Strings N’ Things Music Center in 1978. In 1993 Wayne designed the original TB-100 Travel Banjo and began manufacturing and distributing the “Traveler”  mail order. After a wonderful review by Banjo Newsletter, the TB-100 became very much in demand. As the company grew, new innovations were combined with proven vintage designs. Dealers and customers continued to request quality banjos in a reasonable price range and soon Gold Tone’s collection included 5 strings, 6 strings, Banjitars, Mando Banjos, 4 strings, Weissenborns, metal bodies, resonator guitars and mandolins.

At Gold Tone, they are committed to providing you with a quality instrument at an affordable price. That means quality parts, professional design, tight fitting assembly, and an expert set up by real musicians.Waynecontinually strives for “MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK”  in every design and all price points. Every instrument receives Gold Tone’s 12 point set-up, before shipment and verifies Gold Tone’s commitment to great tone, superb playability, and your musical satisfaction! Compare and you’ll find out why thousands of musicians are playing Gold Tone.

In addition to over 130 Gold Tone instrument models, here at Eagle Music we can supply Gold Tone parts and accessories, we also offer restorations, and do professional instrument set-ups in our on-sight workshop.

Gold Tone Build Quality Instruments

Gold Tone instruments are handcrafted with carefully selected woods, excellent finishes, quality hardware, and tight-fitting parts.

The Johnny Keenan 10th Anniversary Banjo Festival, Thursday September 22nd through to Sunday the 25th with Deering Banjos & Eagle Music.

“A Celebration of Irish Traditional and American Bluegrass Music”

This year it’s the 10th anniversary of The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, Longford Ireland. Greg and Janet Deering will be flying in from California as guests of honour and Greg Deering will present a Banjo Workshop Masterclass. Steve and Joan Noon of Eagle Music are delighted to accompany Greg and Janet and represent Deering Banjos Europe at the festival.

There will be a Deering Banjos Trade Stand in the main concert venue throughout the duration of this world class festival where you will be able to see and try out the largest selection of American built Deering 5-string and 4-string tenor banjos ever seen in Ireland! The display will include Deering, Tenbrooks, Vega, Goodtime and Goodtime ‘Leader’ banjos built by the great American Banjo Company. All the banjos on display will be offered for sale and sold at very special ‘Johnny Keenan’ celebration prices!

Find the Deering & Eagle Music trade stand at:-

THE LONGFORD ARMS HOTEL, MAIN STREET, LONGFORD, IRELAND.

There will be instrument teaching workshops and concerts throughout the festival …

The world class line up of artists include Tony Trischka, Gerry O’Connor, Four Men and a Dog, Leroy Troy, Pete and Joan Wernick, Steve Cooney and Mairtin O’Connor, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band …and many more world class artists

Here is the link to the festival for more information:-

http://www.johnnykeenan.com/

Please Click on this Link to Buy Steve Kaufman Tickets

A brilliant chance to meet and learn from the USAs #1 Flatpicking Guitarist and ace Mandolin Picker in an afternoon of workshops. We are delighted to announce that the 2011 event will take place here at Eagle Music, on Sunday September 25th 2011 commencing at 11.30am.

Steve Kaufman is the worlds only Three Times Winner of the Winfield USA National Flatpicking  Championships!!! Since 1990 Steve has gained the reputation of being the ‘Worlds Guitar Instructor’ Also an awesome mandolin picker, Steve has written numerous instruction books, recorded many DVDs and CDs as well as owning and operating The Palace Theatre in downtown Maryville, USA, The area’s premier acoustic venue.

Limited places …Please telephone 01484 661460 to purchase tickets for the workshop or
click on this link  to buy tickets online

Please click on this link to visit the Steve Kaufman website
http://www.flatpik.com/home.html

Steve Kaufman biography…

Steve Kaufman was born into a musical family in 1957. His father was a jazz piano player and his mother was a classically trained pianist. Music was always around. At four Steve started plinking at the piano and did so for several years. He then moved on to the electric guitar at 10 for a few years and put it away.

Next came the cello in 5th grade for a few years. After this Steve picked up the acoustic guitar again and blazed right through a “Folk Guitar” method book. When finished he thought if this is as hard as it gets it’s not for him. Then his younger brother, Will, started playing the banjo and his instructor told him he needed a rhythm guitar player to help with his timing. So Steve then picked up his guitar again and got into the bluegrass rhythm. One day Will brought home a Flatt and Scruggs LP, which featured Doc Watson on guitar, and Steve was hooked on flatpicking.

Steve practiced hard with his newfound love of music, sometimes up to 8 hours a day. At age 18 he entered the National Flatpicking Championships in Winfield, KS and made the top 10. The following year was a wash. In 1977, Steve took 2nd place to Mark O’Connor and in 1978, at 21 years old, he returned to win the championship. Then after being barred for 5 years he returned on the 6th year to win the 1984 championships again. Winfield bars the winner for 5 years and they can come back on the 6th year but in 1986 they decided to open up the contest to everyone and not bar the past years champs. Steve returned to win his goal. He became the winner and the first and, at this writing, the only Three Time Winner of the National Flatpicking Championships. He is also noted to have 3 consecutive wins in the Nationals because he was barred all the years he did not enter.

Steve continues to work hard in the world of music. He began producing books and videos in 1989 after teaching private lessons for close to 20 years. His catalog of instructional materials is close to 82 items. His listening CDs and Videos number over 18. Steve began touring the world conducting seminars, workshops, clinics and concerts in 1990 and after 5 years he and his wife, Donna, began “Steve Kaufman’s Flatpicking Camp.” Every other year they have added more camps into their agenda and now under the title “Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamps” they host a two Flatpicking Kamps, Fingerpicking Kamp, Old Time Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Old Time Fiddle, Bluegrass Fiddle, two Bass Kamps,  Songwriting Kamp, Vocals Kamp, Mountain Dulcimer Kamp, Celtic Harp, Resophinic Guitar and Mandolin Kamp as well.

They have grown into the largest Kamps of their kind in the world with students traveling from around the world to Maryville, Tennessee. Steve and Donna have received the Gold Award from a reader’s poll in Acoustic Guitar Magazine for running the “Best Workshops, Seminars and Camps” every year since 2002.

Since 1990 Steve has developed the reputation of being the “World’s Guitar Instructor.”

Steve stays busy being a husband and father, running his Kamps, tour schedule, writing books and recording videos and CDs as well as owning and operating The Palace Theater in downtown Maryville – the area’s premier acoustic venue as well as an espresso bar.

Banjo Classes Update: The next Six Week ‘Absolute Beginners’ Banjo lessons course will commence at 5.15pm on Tuesday evening, 23rd August 2011 at Eagle Music Shop.

Please call 01484 661460 for details and to book on this course. Maximum of eight students per course.

As part of our complete service here at Eagle Music Shop, please check out our in-house absolute beginners and intermediate group lessons for Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin, Guitar etc. We can also arrange one-to-one intermediate to advanced lessons for most of the instruments that we retail. Our dedicated EMS teaching staff have many years of experience teaching, playing music, and performing live on stage. We have four experienced musical instrument teachers within our resident staff. We can also put you in touch with a number of excellent musical instrument teachers that are not part of our Eagle Music staff, but work in close harmony with Eagle Music.

The benefits to EMS students are as follows:

• A fast track to getting you on the correct route to playing your chosen instrument
• Specialist advise on instrument care, maintenance and general instrument set-up
• Specialist advise on the choice of instruments and advanced tuition material
• Specialist advise on musical styles
• Special discounts on musical instruments and spares purchased from Eagle Music Shop

Please telephone 01484 661460 or email info@eaglemusicshop.com for more information about Eagle Music lessons and teachers.

Happy Pickin,
Steve Noon
EMS
January 2011

Eagle Music School is registered and in association with Music Teachers UK

‘It’s Never Too Late To Learn’

The next Six Week Banjo lessons course will commence at 5.15pm on Tuesday evening, May 3rd at Eagle Music Shop. Please call 01484 661460 for details and to book on this course. Maximum of eight students per course.

Fees: £10.00 per hour, with special discounts to students on musical products and tuition material.

If you want to learn to play 5-string Banjo …we can’t guarantee that you will ever be able to play as great as Jens Kruger! But what we can guarantee is that you will be set out on the correct route to playing 5-string banjo and enjoying your music. With specialist help from our teachers, dedication and practice, every student will rise to his or her own level of musical ability and competence.

The new Kruger Brothers CD is now on sale at Eagle Music, plus The Jens Kruger Banjo Masterclass DVD.

First copies of these two great releases were available at The Eagle Music Banjo 5 Event.

Composed in 2010, the Appalachian Concerto is a work for banjo, bass, guitar, and string quartet. Innovative, challenging, and beautiful, the piece takes the ensemble playing the Kruger Brothers are famous for to an entirely new level of musicianship. Click here to read more and buy this amazing new CD. You can watch clips of live performances from this CD here at The Eagle Music Shop Banjo 5 Event.

Also, just over a year after the event itself, we are pleased to offer the Jens Kruger Banjo Masterclass, recorded at The Eagle Music Banjo 5 Event in 2010.

Jens Krüger ‘The Carolina King’ is without question one of the greatest five string banjo players of all time. Jens plays with verve, great passion, and amazing dexterity. He is in perfect harmony with, and the master of his instrument …The Banjo. Click here to read more and buy this amazing new DVD.

We are pleased to present several video clips of the Kruger Brothers Concert at the Eagle Banjo 5 Event recorded on Saturday May 28th. Jens, Uwe and Joel once again mesmerized the audience with a stunning display of musical brilliance. Many thanks to Jens, Uwe, Joel and Phil for another heartfelt performance, we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Please take a look at the clips below, we’d be happy to hear your comments.

This special Eagle Music event featured five of the USA’s greatest icons in the Banjo and American Music World  …Greg Deering, Janet Deering, Jens Kruger (Banjo), Uwe Kruger (Guitar), and Joel Landsberg (Bass). This evening concert by The Kruger Brothers followed a warm performance by Jon Strong after a fantastic day with jamming sessions and a Deering Banjos workshop hosted by Greg & Janet Deering.