A banjo player overcomes the PR disaster of the movie deliverance | Howard Goldthwaite | TEDxSMU
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ย. 2014
- This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Since the day his movie came out, banjo players have become social outcasts. But I’ve learned the importance of not giving in to society’s pressure when it comes to doing something you love, and what I’ve learned can be applied by anyone who needs courage to be true to themselves even if it might mean being unpopular.
Howard grew up in Fort Worth, went to school in Denton, and now lives in Dallas. So if you ever need to ask directions to anywhere in the metroplex, he’s your guy.
He spent many years as a Senior VP, Creative Director with Publicis, one of the world’s largest advertising networks. He has created award winning campaigns for several national consumer brands, and may have convinced you to buy something at one time or another. He now runs his own independent advertising creative service and consulting business.
He loves to write, and currently has seven books available on Amazon. His latest book, Words To Never Live By, has sold upwards of a dozen copies. You can follow his ideological propaganda on Twitter: @howardgoldthwai.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
The "dueling banjos" scene is an iconic piece of film history... Love that scene and it gave rise to my appreciation of the banjo, so most of us can look past subjective opinions.
Hearing Earl Scruggs live inspired me to take up banjo. Deliverance inspired me to take up archery.
Carl Mally Rotflmaololololololol ! Yes and it inspired me to wear a Chastity belt when camping ;-)
Hilarious!!!
Carl Mal
A HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
🏹🪕🏹🪕🏹🪕🏹🪕🏹🪕
Seriously, I think Deliverance was good for banjo players in that the movie introduced the happy sound of banjo music to many people.
WD4ED weather report crystal silence
I certainly don't see what they mean by a "PR disaster" - I loved it.
PR means Public Relations. The Relationship that the banjo has with the Public is a disaster, because nearly everyone who hears a banjo thinks of the movie, "Deliverance." I play banjo myself, and I can tell you from my experience that this is true.
The banjo player in the movie isn't as much of a role model, as say, Mozart for piano. There's a dark undertone to it.
You didn't watch the whole film did you?
I saw the whole film, but that was many years ago now and about the only thing I remember about it was how much I liked the music.
Deliverance did for the Banjo what Deliverance did for camping in the woods.
Something every true outdoorsman has been grateful to Deliverance for ever since-- much more peaceful forests now that every Tom, Dick, and Harry city slicker won't venture too far into them!
WMsandKFCisBackMOFOs And hog callin' contests.
growing up in the seventies, when I hear banjos, I think of watching Hee Haw with my grandparents, followed by the waltons, followed by the late show with Johnny Carson. After the 1100 news of course. Now the news starts at 10? wth??
Deliverance did for the banjo what Deliverance did for my ability to take anything Trey Gowdy says as serious as one should
Interesting history. The Deliverance version wasn't the original. Don Reno and Arthur Smith take that honor. It's a great song, a true bluegrass classic despite the jokes.
I have been playing guitar all my life and then I decided to pick up the banjo. I thought no problem. Big problem but in time I got it. These people are very talented. It was the hardest thing in music I ever tried.
"paddle faster, I hear banjos!" :)
Jason Dutchman ... Ahead or behind ?
Deliverance was terrifying, but honestly it HELPED the banjo. Young'ns who buy their banjos online miss out by not hanging out in independent music stores. The one where I bought my banjo and took my first lessons was already old when that movie came out. The proprietor, and the older sales reps from the manufacturers whose products he carries have all all said that their best sales years came after 3 movies: Bonnie and Clyde, Deliverance and Oh Brother Where Art Thou. Say what you want about the films, the banjo picking was amazing, and sales skyrocketed.
Thank you! Wonderful post.
I worked a few benefit shows with Herb Pedersen, Chris Hillman and John Jorgensen. Now Herb, that is a B@NJO PLAYER.
Greatest TEDx talk ever. God I love this guy.
The definition of a gentleman? Someone who knows how to play the bagpipes but doesn't.
I met this man's son when I was participating in a 24-hour play fest. Lots of talent in that family!
man I dont know about his banjo playing skills but his jokes really worked for me :D
Andy Griffith Show... the Darlings...Doug Dillard, on banjo. I met Doug and have been to parties at his Nashville home. Wonderful talent and kind, jovial man...
Look at all those beautiful people. pure inspiration!
As humorous and entertaining as this was; seeing the person in the wheelchair up on stage for the audience participation segment was awesome. This is what the banjo is for me; an all inclusive joy for everyone.
_Elvis never impersonated anybody_ Great moment in the talk...
He was a karate guy, he didn't impersonate one.
E impersonated Johny Cash....
Johnny Cash was just a bit less than 3 years older than Elvis, and Presley was actually being produced at Sun Records before Cash was. Johnny's first work for them was in 1955. They were very much contemporaries. In fact, in 1956, they were recorded as they jammed together, along with Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis! I'm not a huge, huge Elvis fan, but he was not trying to impersonate Cash.
Elvis impersonated Forrest Gump! :)
acemcjack, Elvis died before the movie was produced. What are you implying?
I love the banjo.
I never though bad about the banjo after Deliverance. I grew up hearing banjo music from time to time. When I think of the banjo I think of Grandpa jones. Look him up.
The All Go Hungry Hash House. My favorite GJ tune. Look it up
Richard Pehtown, mighty fine! Thank you.
I enjoyed this, thanks!
Just a fabulous person and musician!! LOVE the Banjo!
It was never "Deliverance" ... it was "Dueling Banjos" He's not a Banjo Player. Unskilled but sincere.
I thought the acronym for Banjo was going to be "be amazing, not just ordinary"...or something like that. Oh well, his is cool too!
very nice and charismatic speaker, keep it up! god bless ya
It takes true talent to pick a banjo.
Banjo players are awesome.
Except it doesnt and he is terrible. Constantly off time. It's almost as atrocious to the ears as the banjos sound itself.
Adrian Soul can you play the banjo?
Adrian Soul No I think the banjo sounds cool
Adrian Soul the banjo is harder to master than the guitar
Is not the film's fault or the instrument itself. Is rather I think, the style of music they use it on. I love the sound of banjo in samba pagode!
I've noticed that in art museums that have a Musical Instruments section, the Japanese Shamisen will be described as a type of "lute" instead of a banjo.
Excellent... really wonderful 😂👍
Wonderful!!!
Deliverance did for the banjo what this vid did for TEDx
"A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo but doesn't."
Got to love ted
Both "Bonnie & Clyde" and "Deliverance" introduced bluegrass to a huge world-wide market.
And it did the world alot of good.
And “oh brother, where art thou?”
It was one of most atrocious highkick line I've even seen.
Jean-Dominic Lapointe especially Asian girl in middle andother two on her left and right haha they just didn't have clue 😂😂
LOVE this Guy!
Steve Martin is a banjo picking genius get him to play King Tut, and The Who had a banjo in their song Squeeze Box, Daddy's got a squeeze box momma can't sleep at night.
Steve Martin is a cleaner picker than this guy.
After this, I am searching for some banjo songs. I really feel like listening to this sickness.
I haven't seen the movie deliverance but I saw the clip of the banjo duel :) I didn't leave for my class because I wanted to watch the duel to the end...so I loved it.
"This guy sure has a pretty mouth!"
The absolute best impersonation ever interpre-ted. i just can't say. but would it matter. i think i'll go eat worms.
And you Howard Golthwaite!
Strange how people always applaud when someone stops playing a banjo. Or is it?
I've been playing banjo for about 7 years, I've slayed with the banjo, lord knows my face hasn't done me any favors
Ok, what is the movie called again?
A good bit of fun. Thanks.
This is the guy that played the banjo on the porch in the movie. That explains the title.
How cool was this??? VERY COOL & fun.
Dont call me maybe 🎶 😂
Dude is a riot😄
I'll fly away is the first song and Earl's breakdown.
Great Stuff!
I love banjo so much I got one.
100% worthy of a ted-->X
No please not one more. Just couldn't finish it. Deliverance didn't ruin the banjo for Howard. Great players did.
Think I just about lost it when the lad in the wheelchair got on stage to do the can-can XD
I typed banjo into youtube and that scene is the first thing that came up! 🤣
I played in a Bluegrass band for years,,, we never learned ''dueling banjos''' (or 'Feuding Banjos' as it was called before the movie) ... so when it was requested we could honestly say 'we don't know it', instead of 'we are not playing it'
Good tactic. Like not knowing polkas. I played in a polka band for years, I remember far too many of them.. but funny I can't remember them when asked. Great workout though, must say that.
Tim Leary! what a talent!
Thanks to the movie the Banjo as well as the soundtrack for Deliverance were both hugely successful and it did spark many aspiring banjo players in the 1970's. Deliverance was a box office success in the United States, becoming the fifth-highest grossing film of 1972 after grossing a domestic total of over $46 million and earning three Academy Award nominations and five Golden Globe nominations.
Here in England the Banjo isn't the bug deal it is in parts of the USA. I'm from Liverpool in the 50's with professional family in Classical and Jazz and actually had the joy to meet 3 of the Beatles as family friends so that obviously was my musical roots. As a kid my exposure to American Bluegrass and the Banjo came first from the Beverly Hillbillies and later the great film Deliverance and I am very grateful to both.
It’s a free county... For now! Lmao that was my favorite part
I always loved the music in Deliverance and Earl Scruggs' tune for it. I think the banjo's popularity did take a hit when musical tastes changed from the banjo in the rhythm section of dance bands in the 1920's to guitar in the 30's, and similarly, the string bass taking over for the tuba during that time. Bluegrass music resurged after Deliverance and the banjo became more of a virtuoso instrument with players like Danny Gatton, and Bela Fleck.
I didn't know Earl had any music in the movie. The Dueling Banjo's Music was written by Arthur Smith who lived around the Charlotte, NC area and was born in SC. He use to have a regional show around the Carolina's and Virginia. When Deliverance came out they didn't get permission to use his music and he sued and won the lawsuit. In the movie the Banjo Boy never played any music. They had a player positioned behind him who did some chords/picking of the banjo. A few years ago the boy who "played" the banjo was working at the Walmart in Clayton, Ga. near where a lot of the movie was filmed.
Call me maybe...I love how he sarcasticly calls it rock n roll
The fact that he did not play well, but got up there anyway, should have clued most of the commenter 's in. He was talking about being a good person, not a good banjo player. To have some dignity for yourself. Go back and LISTEN to HIM TALK!!!
Frances Lambert I agree completely, it's amazing how most comments are negative and completely focused on the wrong thing here
Mark Green Yes, and not just here. I have kept count of how many people LOVE to disparage people, idea's, others religious beliefs, etc, etc ad nauseam!!! Most folks know how to talk (and write) without swearing, but, most people who disparage others, rest in anonymity because they can't talk without sounding like a teenager, swearing behind mom and dad. If I wasn't a lady and sure of myself, I would chew them out for being so childish!!!
Whatever. Hardly prophetic was it? What he did say (which was brief) is so cliche that the only reason he must've gotten up there was to get a large audience to hear him play banjo. Badly
The message is correct - to add to my previous comment
THIS MAN IS A COVETER AND AN IDOLATOR.
Glorified Truth I dont think you're wrong but you might want to explain such a statement a little more in depth?
Can't for the life of me can I figure out why it is called "Dueling Banjos" when there is only one banjo!
He looks like my local mechanic, who is a good friend of mine...
I hear a surge of tourism happened in northern Georgia after Deliverance came out, particularly single male campers. It must have been Banjo enthusiasm....
One of my favorite banjo tunes is 'Misty' by Ray Stevens.
This guy’s the Earl Scruggs 🪕 of TED presenters 😄
The first couple jokes were good...
The "banjo kid" was Anderson Cooper's first role.
HA!
This video made me feel like the Earl Scruggs of Ted youtubers
I can relate to this guy at 2:03 . That was hilarious
Saw the Movie, have the Soundtrack-LP. Nothing bad with Deliverance or the Contribution for the Banjo.
I like you already...don't fret. The banjo is one of the most difficult instrument to play. Fooey on them!!
You know the difference between a banjo, and a trampoline?............... You take off your shoes, to jump on a trampoline.....
banjo = viola, when it comes to jokes. =)
The dancers are thinking: "How much longer do we have to do this...?"
goddamn, a 15 minute video and the banjo playing is just the last 3 minutes? i want my time back.
Steve Martin blows this guy away in both comedy and banjo playing.
Has Steve Martin done a clever TED talk using the banjo as a foil for an inspirational message? Noooooooo....
They would book Steve Martin in a heartbeat if he was interested. He obviously has better things to do. By the way, I'm hardly alone. The thumbs down are at 40% of the thumbs up. Not too favorable.
Agreed. Recent his special with Martin Short he plays for a short while and waaaaaaaay better.
Steve Martin is a professional banjo player. If course he is better. That's like comparing anybody who gets up there with a guitar to Jimi Hendrix or Keith Richard's. Give the dude a break.
Andy from the office made it cool 😂
'A Gentleman is someone who knows how to play the piano-accordion, but doesn't.'
I play banjo and I love deliverance. And i can play it well and i play it often. And he ain't unpopular he is on Ted, now bring out the cousins
Did I hear a bit of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in his last few chords? I think I did.
He's so funny!
Yep.
ask me ha ha guitar 6 and 12 or mandolin ?
I've just ordered my first banjo in Britain. I am already dreading a lifetime of people throwing the Deliverance chords 🤦♂️
even Rocco's modern life referenced deliverance
the Hindenburg wasn't a blimp.
Timing needs work.
I think The Beverly Hillbillies did wonders for the banjo.
This guy is funny.
oh please, one day I picked up a banjo at guitar center (not a banjo player) and I played that line, Immediately someone followed and we played the dueling banjos until laughter broke our flow. We were friends for a little bit, that guy and I
Until he told you what a purdy mouth you've got?
That also happened to me at a Guitar Center! I was there to go in and tune their banjos (like usual) and I started to claw out the tune (I play clawhammer) and this 50 year old comes outta nowhere playing it on a guitar. We started jammin out and everyone in the store was stompin and clappin!
Honestly just wanna hear you play banjo man
Volume is too low.
YIKES AT THE ENDING
never saw deliverance ,banjo is awesome.
could have wished for some tighter picking though.
And then there is Steve Martin!
and Glen Campbell's little girl...she is the picker in the video for Rascal Flatts "Banjo"...love that song... :))
:Stop picking on the banjo!" I see what you did there lol Fantastic message but wish you would have played the dueling song.
I wanted him to play the battle of New Orleans.