Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Songs

Chord melody version

It must be an old song because it has much variety in titles, lyrics and even melody. This version based on Sherman Hammons of West Virginia has a sad feel.

Red Rocking Chair based on the playing of Sherman Hammons, banjo tuned eEABD or thereabouts...

I had the tab for this tune in a book from Lluis Gomez. The John Reischmann Banjo Book

North of the Carolina?s by Tony holt and the wildwood valley boys

I recorded and mixed 3 banjo tracks to create this banjo version of 'In the Cave'. This piece of music was written by the Finnish band Pepe Deluxe specifically to be played on the Great Stalacpipe Organ in the Luray Caverns in Virginia - (a recording of that is available on YouTube). While not a great piece of music, it is at once haunting and alluring. The structure of the piece is simple: a continuous 3 note arpeggio (adagio sostenuto), very similar to that found in Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, with a simple melody and sparse base line. It is in A minor and has a 12/8-time signature. Enjoy.

Cover of a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song

Cover of a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song.

Uploaded for the Old Time Tune of the Week for 8/15/25.

The source of Crook Brothers Breakdown is a 1964 recording of a group who were with the Grand Old Opry from its inception in the 1920's. They play fast, fast, fast! I play at 65% of their speed. You'll hear a bit of cello banjo accompaniment.

Played with fingerpicks on my 4-string banjo.

Just Like Heaven recorded 8/11/2025 using a backup track and myself on banjo and lyrics

Here's a 4-part Alabama tune from fiddler Ralph Whited. I guess my favorite part was his slide in the A part. We have wild turkeys every day at our place -- big birds who use their feet to scratch, scratch, scratch the dirt, and also in ash and weed piles.

One of my all time favorites. Let's get this music back on pop radio!

Just another cry for peace.

Just another take on the 'old outlaw' tunes.

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

An original tune

A song everyone knows is being explored on Tune of the Week and simultaneously recognizes our faithful BHO moderator, Bill Rogers. The second part of the song may or may not be known. I call it The Old Gray Mare or Stud, with apologies to Bill if necessary.

The current Tune of the Week honors the only Illinois female fiddler Stelle (or Stella) Elam who recorded ten tunes for the immense Dear Old Illinois compilation. The medley of three included in this medley are called Grotts, Jaybird, and Crooked Road. They've been arranged in double C tuning and use an AAB format, as she did for the most part.

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

Here's my attempt at Matt Brown's arrangement of Cold Frosty Morning, from his 2-finger Patreon/YouTube stuff.

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

From the fiddling of Stella Elam. Key of D (aDADE)

Stella Elam's version of Jaybird (in key of G) with banjo tuned gEADE.

Old time fiddle tune finger picked on a new 12" open back.

Written by myself and Zero

A song from an 1800's hymnal, being brought back to life, as the departed souls are promised to be in the last verse.

The tune was written by Bill Napier, the mandolin player in the Stanley Brothers' band. The musicians on the recording were Carter Stanley, guitar; Ralph Stanley, banjo; Bill Napier, mandolin; Curley Lambert, bass; Howdy Forrester, fiddle; and Benny Martin, fiddle.

spaghetti western theme

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

As played by WV fiddler Ellis Hall, here's a three-part tune that's been played all around by many well-known players. I'd like to hear James Bryan, but can't find his version. However, his partner, Carl Jones, plays it prettily on guitar and you can hear it on a link in this week's Tune of the Week.

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

A tune popular especially in Quebec, Rabbit Hop is a dance tune with some hopping heard in the B part.