By Ted Silverman
Continued from July 2000

See also Ted's Frank Wakefield Concert Report
Photos: Copyright (C) 2000 Ted Silverman

T: He sort of pulls stuff from left field aswell. I mean he's going out to Paganini and Brazilian Choro Music.
F: As far as that right hand, far as getting certain notes out he really does it. Other than the feller who's talking to you I guess he's about my favorite mandolin player? Him and Jesse.

T: Have you had any chance to hang out with those guys lately?
F: Yeah! I did a workshop with Jesse. Then after that record…

T: The Mandolin Extravaganza?
F: Yeah.

T: That was a powerhouse album there. Youwork on it was great.
F: Uh huh. I did a workshop with Jesse and when he said to me, he asked me how to do something, I saud I'm really impressed you asked me 'cause you an Monroe are the people who really inspired me to play. I didn't even know what a mandolin was when I heard Jesse and Bill. And I said "I'm really honored that you asked me how to do something." And I was really 'cause, can you imagine somebody's responsible for you being the way you are and you sure appreciate it. You really appreciate it, don't you?

T: Most definitely.
F: And I'm really happy about how most students turn out to be real, real good and all these guys up herethey've learned a lot up here at Jim's place. That's a good feeling. That's as good as doing a show. You know you feel you've achieved something!

T: Right. You're passing on the legacy of what you know.
F: You got that right!

T: And that kind of spreads out exponentially. 'Cause they'll take it out and show a hundred more people.
F: That's right! One good thing about mandolin pickers like Monroe said, we have to take care of each other. You're a mandolin picker right?

T: Sure!
F: Bill said we ain't gonna let those banjo players drown us out. Let's take care of each other. So I sound good to me, eh?

T: I'm actually involved with an Internet community of mandolin players and I champion your cause quite a bit. In fact when we discussed the Extravaganza I was saying how distinct your style was. It was easy to pick out 'cause at times you thrown in some of those left field thoughts. You know things that aren't necessarily in the groove. And it shines for me. Your ideas stick out in the mix.
F: I remember when Rick (Skaggs) saved a space for me he said "I want you to set here." He likes my playing. But Rick always says to me "Skicky Raggs" - You know him right?

T: Right, right.
F: He always says if he sees me in the audience he'll holler out, "Folks, this is the world's greatest mandolin player." And he's inspired me. I wish he would have said, when he had his TV shows, "Hey, I'd like to have you on my TV show." But he always saves a special place for me. But he never did book me on none of his shows.

T: Maybe you can drop in on him? He's playing tomorrow night in San Francisco.
F: Oh, is he playing tomorrow night?

T: Yeah he's playing at the Last Day Saloon.
F: Is that right?? That sounds familiar.

T: It's been a rich month for bluegrass and mandolin players around here. But I consider you the icing on the cake.
F: Are you gonna go see him?

T: I don't have a ticket but I'm certainly gonna try.
F: If you do, tell him I said "Did he ever learn to play the mandolin?" Tell him you talked to me yesterday.

T: I'll do that.

(Concluded in the Febuary edition...)

1st Dec 2000