Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Will Blackmon from Opelika, Alabama

What was it that first got you interested in playing the guitar, mandolin or banjo?
The banjo.

How long have you been playing and what’s your motivation to play?
We’ve been playing about two and a half years. Our motivation for playing has been the simple joy of creating music on an acoustic instrument by means of talent and practice.

What’s your goal when playing?
To someday start a family bluegrass band.

Are there any other instruments or genres of music that you enjoy playing?
Besides the banjo, guitar, and mandolin we enjoy playing fiddle, bass (both upright and acoustic/electric), ukulele, harmonica and appalachian dulcimer. Besides bluegrass we also enjoy folk/Americana music, classic country, and contemporary Christian music.

How long have you been a Gold Pick member?
About two and years.

Do you have a favorite technique? What is it?
We enjoy many playing styles and do not really have a favorite technique.

What type of gear or accessories have you found that work best for you?
Snark tuners and dunlap guitar picks work good for this.

If money was no object, what would be your dream instrument(s)?
A solid spruce/rosewood parlor guitar with a pickup or Collings mandolin.

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Practice music.

How did you find out about Banjo Ben?
Through a google search for online bluegrass lessons.

5 Likes

Congrats on being selected as gpotw! Wish you and your family great success in your musical adventures.

I’m very familiar with the Opelika area as we lived in Columbus, GA for many, many years. We have family (on my wife’s side) and friends in both Columbus, Opelika, and in between. Glad to see you on the site, and thanks for sharing a little bit of your story with us.

Hi Will congrats on being selected as this weeks Gold Picker

What Archie said!

Congrats on GPotW - one Will to another!

Congrats, Will!

Congrats Will! It’s good to meet you.

So happy for you Will!

Keep on a Pickin’!