For those who don't know why Jim was laughing, Steve Arkin was in the room next door to where Jim's is, and as you can see briefly at the beginning Jim was play some melodic licks, which, of course, he doesn't do a whole lot. Steve came in and said, "Who was playing that?" "Was that you, Jim?" That shows that you can't catch Jim playing melodic stuff.
This man is a living legend. I sure wish the yahoos in the background would quit talking and just enjoy Jim's pickin'. What a blessing it was to see him perform in person.
Christopher Longhorn I know exactly what you're saying, I've watch this several times and all the way through it I keep wanting to scream shut the hell up
So, some behind the scenes info, this was "backstage" at Banjo Camp North Fall Edition. It's a bunch of the instructors including Jim & Eric all admiring his banjo. I recognize Rich Stillman in the background but can't place the voice of the guy off camera. Just lucky there was someone there to capture this meeting of the minds.
Most of the guys in the video are banjo virtuosos in their own right. It’s just a group of peers cutting up. I’m honestly happy to see a video like this instead of just a straight up performance like what you normally see.
Got to talk to his wife over the phone, just as nice as he was. Jim was a great businessman, husband, and a super inspirational banjoist. My favorite song of his has got to be Hide head Blues
Jim, great banjo player, Eric the Legend....! His Duelling banjos and that legendary 2 piece flange pre-war started the largest 2nd generation Bluegrass revival in history. Sad to hear Eric has recently went to rest. A Legend.
Actually, Steve was playing some licks in the other room in a class and Jim was answering them from where we were. After the class Steve came in and asked "Who was playing that?" That's why Jim laughed so hard.
What would really be amazing if someone could detail the evolution of Eric's banjo. What ever happened to the first neck that banjo had with all the inlay.
If Jim Mills is testing out a banjo just keep quiet. You may never get the opportunity again to hear this genius at work in such an intimate setting. Frustrating!
You people are the most soulless creatures on the face of this earth. Who cares if they’re talking. It’s a banjo camp. You don’t have to sit and listen intently while he plays like you’re listening to a sermon from Jesus Christ himself. And who’s to say that Jim didn’t play more once the camera wasn’t recording?
@Robin18us the short answer is "Gibson." It's a pre-war that (I'm told) started out as a guitar banjo, and has had modifications (including a new neck, obviously) over the years.
And one of the old Walt Pittman style fifth string capos. Great inlay on the neck and peghead. A nice addition to the old Gibson "bowtie" inlays. No way someone could fence that banjer. Too personal. I like that.
This is a rare case of a flathead being setup just right!!! They can have that in your face sound like archy but deliver the sweetest notes! A archtop kinda seems to fumble over itself time to time if ya know what I’m saying haha
For those who don't know why Jim was laughing, Steve Arkin was in the room next door to where Jim's is, and as you can see briefly at the beginning Jim was play some melodic licks, which, of course, he doesn't do a whole lot. Steve came in and said, "Who was playing that?" "Was that you, Jim?" That shows that you can't catch Jim playing melodic stuff.
This man is a living legend. I sure wish the yahoos in the background would quit talking and just enjoy Jim's pickin'. What a blessing it was to see him perform in person.
Jim is a legend! The fools in the background need to shut up sit down and listen to one of the absolute best banjo pickers around!
Fools psh
How dare Jim joke around with a buddy, while sharing about a legendary banjo...and people also enjoy the joking and kidding, while listening 🤷♂️
Too anyone watching this. If your around Jim mills please do not talk when he has a banjo in his hands.
Christopher Longhorn I know exactly what you're saying, I've watch this several times and all the way through it I keep wanting to scream shut the hell up
So, some behind the scenes info, this was "backstage" at Banjo Camp North Fall Edition. It's a bunch of the instructors including Jim & Eric all admiring his banjo. I recognize Rich Stillman in the background but can't place the voice of the guy off camera. Just lucky there was someone there to capture this meeting of the minds.
It's not a concert dude, you don't talk when you're hanging out?
Most of the guys in the video are banjo virtuosos in their own right. It’s just a group of peers cutting up. I’m honestly happy to see a video like this instead of just a straight up performance like what you normally see.
RIP JIM WILL MISS YOU.❤❤
Meeting Jim was on my bucket list... RIP Jim.
Same… RIP
Got to talk to his wife over the phone, just as nice as he was. Jim was a great businessman, husband, and a super inspirational banjoist. My favorite song of his has got to be Hide head Blues
R.I.P. Jim Mills…
way too young.
Saw (and heard) this man while he was backing Skaggs 11 years ago in Frisco, Texas.
UNBELIEVABLE!!🤠
Jim, great banjo player, Eric the Legend....! His Duelling banjos and that legendary 2 piece flange pre-war started the largest 2nd generation Bluegrass revival in history. Sad to hear Eric has recently went to rest. A Legend.
Actually, Steve was playing some licks in the other room in a class and Jim was answering them from where we were. After the class Steve came in and asked "Who was playing that?" That's why Jim laughed so hard.
Was it Steve Arkin?
He was photo bombing his playing with those comments and he knew he was because Eric was there
aint no one better than jim mills right thar son!
Jim Mills: a master at work. Gosh he picks great!
RIP Eric Weissberg
What would really be amazing if someone could detail the evolution of Eric's banjo. What ever happened to the first neck that banjo had with all the inlay.
If Jim Mills is testing out a banjo just keep quiet. You may never get the opportunity again to hear this genius at work in such an intimate setting. Frustrating!
You people are the most soulless creatures on the face of this earth. Who cares if they’re talking. It’s a banjo camp. You don’t have to sit and listen intently while he plays like you’re listening to a sermon from Jesus Christ himself. And who’s to say that Jim didn’t play more once the camera wasn’t recording?
I'd like to learn to play the banjo as good as Jim he plays great.
That, right there, will blow your hair back. What a banjo! What a banjo player in Jim Miils.
@Robin18us the short answer is "Gibson." It's a pre-war that (I'm told) started out as a guitar banjo, and has had modifications (including a new neck, obviously) over the years.
Doesn't get much better than this! Iconic banjo and two of the best players around, shame Eric didn't play some tho
Does anyone have a video of Eric playing this banjo?
'Reuben', he and Earl made it look so easy.
And one of the old Walt Pittman style fifth string capos. Great inlay on the neck and peghead. A nice addition to the old Gibson "bowtie" inlays. No way someone could fence that banjer. Too personal. I like that.
Thanks for sharing this . Great stuff
Love to get a hold of this banjo (Y)
jimmy is the man
the fuckin michael jordan of banjos is in the house!!!!
No shit 😂
How Much do u think a neck like this would cost cause I have a pre war banjo that needs a new one
I think Frank Neat makes them for $1200 or so. I'm sure you could customize it for more.
Godlike
What's the song he's playing at 2:06? I've heard it so many times. I'm pretty sure it's an Earl Scruggs tune.
Reuben
The song he adds into it is "Mama Blues"
Not nessecerally. If you listen to Jims "Take the D Train" record he uses it after the bits of Reuben.
Omg
Too bad we didn’t get to see Eric playing.
Jim Mills is a totally good guy!
kinda sounds like a archtop don't it?
This is a rare case of a flathead being setup just right!!! They can have that in your face sound like archy but deliver the sweetest notes! A archtop kinda seems to fumble over itself time to time if ya know what I’m saying haha
Holy hell.