Im sure happy to hear he is home and all went well. I can tell from your video that you can think about what to make for supper while your pickin (compliment). I will have to check out this contest if I can find a link. I’ve been away for about 16 months and just finding my way around.
What keeps you going
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Thanks Doug! He is the happiest, toughest little boy I’ve ever seen. He figured out how to climb out of his crib last week. Took a 4 foot fall to the floor flat on his back. He whimpered for about 10 seconds and then was smiling again.
Here’s Ben’s contest announcement.
And here’s my entry.
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I am going further with praise for Mr. Clark - AKA… the Bach of Banjo. Ben is all that @Archie said and… I’ll add… an INNOVATOR of quality Virtual Music Lesson format. He clearly loves what he does and dare I say… could rest on his laurels, like his old site… but Ben has motivation and passion - two fundamental aspects of Continuous Improvement. A great example is the new website, video swap, his live broadcasts, this forum and even FEEDBACK to all of us.
He goes out of his way to have us feel valued, important and even like part of a virtual family.
Best of all, Ben (and I will now include Jake after sharing a fine conversation with him yesterday)… both of them have a great moral, inner compass to treat us as they would like to be treated. The Golden Rule is lived each day here…
They are attentive to our questions / concerns and never speak down at us. Instead, they make time to share their talents with us… and this trait spills over to many of the fine folk Regulars like @Archie and all the rest (you regulars know who you are) - where we all follow their fine lead.
This creates the perfect supportive culture for all of us to learn and grow… but it all starts with Ben’s stewardship and vision! This is why I am a proud and fortunate to be a LIFER!
God Bless Ben, Jake, Archie, Mark, Dave, Bob, Steve V. and all of YOU. May we all inspire and grow to be good today and even better tomorrow - together.
Thanks for reading what I have to share on how I BELIEVE in the inspiration of this site. I can’t wait to now continue down my Banjo path… and begin my Mandolin journey here!
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Haha. He sounds like he’s a tough guy ( I would still be whimpering). Thanks for the links. Where else does this kind of thing happen?!? Nice job on all those instruments and congrats on the win!
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Bob, Did you really have to take us “THERE”?
Fiber… that was a good one! 
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Mark this is great! Very good job!
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Congrats Mark,
That was AWESOME.
For winning’s sake - and for the rest of us… and LISTENING’S sake… YOU did great!
Man… and the news of your boy was just… well… let’s just say you DESERVED the win - with your work ethics (son and multi-track) - as well as your undeniable talent.
Dare I start something here… wouldn’t it be cool if SOMEDAY, Ben had his own private (site members and/or site affiliation guests too - by Ben invite only) student get-together. Maybe call it Banjo Ben Clark’s Student JAMboree.
OK… so I don’t know a good name for it - but you guys get the idea?
Essentially, a way for us all to meet and to connect… and maybe even pick a tune… or watch others like Ben, Mark, Archie and all the other ARTISTS (yes, I specifically use that term) have some jam sessions, clinics and fellowship.
That would be the coolest thing!
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All y’all keep me going…plus the fact that people pay me to do this:
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hahaha - Which “cousin” is this?
Is that a Kilt - WHAT?
Thank God for that blurry spot!
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I was going to make a comment - but just couldn’t find a way to “go there” without worry of having a flag registered… haha.
I’m not so sure we shouldn’t be earning our FLAG Badge… but yes… agreed!
uhh ohh what have archie set in motion now 
are you gonna teach bagpipes
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I’ll glad to support you Ben. Don’t like the idea of you out there busking for a living. Girl Scouts beating you up and taking your tips and all.
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Wow! I’m really grateful for all of those kind words, Will. Even at 15 months, my boy is already a cool kid. He LOVES music, and I may be imagining it, but he seems to have rhythm. He likes to bounce to music, so I’m hoping I have a little musician on my hands.
I’m digging your get together idea. Kinda reminds me of the old Saturn car homecomings that company used to have with all of their Saturn owners. Only ours will be louder… and funner. 
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Wildwood Flower seems a popular tune to bounce along to.
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Hey, I know both of those tunes. I’ll have to try 'em out.
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You can add a little bounce to your pickin too
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Hilarious! Your a brave man to wear a kilt on the internet.
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The fact that I’ve never been satisfied with just listening to music. I have always imagined myself playing the stuff I listen to. In my teenage years I was addicted to Jimi Hendrix, not because the music was popular, but because his music was different. To me his music took more talent to learn than a lot of other stuff I could have chose to try and learn. Bluegrass is a lot like that to me, it is different and difficult therefore I like it
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