Clawhammer Question & Answer

While still a teenager I worked a summer for the forest service through a youth program called the "Youth Conservation Corps". I was stationed in Utah's Uinta Mountains where I worked with Ray Purdee, who introduced me to clawhammer banjo. I'd been playing some bluegrass style banjo, but soon became a convert. I taped every tune Ray could remember and then spent the next year with those tapes (and the John Burke book) teaching myself to frail.

I've not bumped into Ray Purdee since then, but owe him a debt of gratitude I'll never be able to repay!

If anyone knows Ray, please have him contact me, I'd enjoy visiting with him again!










Thanks... Mike