John Henry- Steam Drill

Hi,

Here's the steam drill (click to enlarge) racing to beat John Henry. To the right of the steam drill is Captain Dabney, who organized the race- man vs. machine; John Henry vs. steam drill.

Behind them is the mechanic with a wrench who struggles to keep the steam drill going.

In the final painting you can see the steam coming out of the drill (this was taken several days ago).

Richard

John Henry Close-Up Left corner

Hi,

Here is the left-corner with ther lyrics (click to enlarge).

It simply shows John Henry with his hammer and the lyrics.

More to come,

Richard

John Henry Close-Up Right side

Hi,

On the left is a close-up (Click to enlarge) of my painting of John Henry. It shows John Henry with his shaker racing the steam drill (the steam drill is on the other side of the canvas).

Behind him a crowd has gathered. Several people in the background hold steels- the steel rod that John Henry is pounding into the solid rock.

The shaker turns the steel after every blow with the sledgehammer.

A family is gathered on the left side to watch.

More on John Henry to come,
Richard

John Henry: Preview

Hi,

I just finished my painting of John Henry (click to enlarge). Here is a close-up of the center of the painting showing John Henry dying with a hammer in his hand. Behind him is the Oak Mountain tunnel in Alabama.

John Garst, John Henry researcher, helped me with details. John is writting a book about John Henry.

This is a large and complex painting with around 40 characters and 6 scenes- 2 of them hidden in the rock wall.

This is just one scene.

More on John Henry to come,

Richard

New Painting/Daily Country Bluegrass Trivia

Hi,

On the left is my new Bluegrass Series painting (Clixck to enlarge)

Today's country/bluegrass trivia questions are about my painting-a song about a river that recorded by Bill Monroe in 1936 with his brother Charlie- it begins, "I asked my love to take a walk..."

1) What is the title of the song about a river that the Monroes sang in 1936?
2) When was the song first collected?
3) Although the song seems to be a love ballad "in our home we'll happy be.." it's really what type of ballad?
4) When did Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys re-record the song?

Later today I'll post more close-up images,

C U,

Richard

Bluegrass Messengers Vids

Hi,

My youtube video project is still going strong. Mainly I'm focused on providing new arrangements of traditional songs and my "Learning to Play" series where I show you how to play traditional songs.

I've started using Facebook to network and have around 4,000 friends. I'm doing a daily Country/Bluegrass trivia which I'll start adding here if people want to participate.

This is the latest set of videos on YouTube:

Blackberry Blosssom: Bluegrass Messengers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS4RxlcpJQ4

Glory To The Meeting House: Bluegrass Messengers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw6OwfSaEM8

Duck Chewed Tobacco: Bluegrass Messengers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw6x6udPZtg

Big Sandy River: Bluegrass Messengers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5qxb2sGPWQ

These are important versions because they are lyric versions of traditonally instrumental tunes. Hopefully other people will pick-up these versions and use them,

That's all for now,

Richard

Pretty Polly

Hi,

On the left is my painting of Pretty Polly (Click to enlarge). It features Pretty Polly, BF Shelton playing the banjo and one of the final scenes.

I've done a video of me playing the song; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASJjrxxCNmc

Recently got ther video of our band playing the old-time banjo version with Cari Norris:
Bluegrass Messengers Pretty Polly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV8fnwYm58I

They are completely different versions. Cari Norris learned her version from her grandmother Lily May Ledford of the Coon Creek Girls. My version features the lyrics found in my painting.

I want to thank Austin Wilder (who did the vid with Cari) and also Richard Blasi who has done about 20 videos for me now, for their gr8 work.

I'm planning on doing at least 50 videos and maybe more in the next few months. Mine are usually done in one take. I'm doing mostly learn to play videos now.

Hope you enjoy them,

Richard