Oh, yeah, that "Pistol Packin' Moma" CD with Don Reno on banjo and
Chubby Wise on fiddle is just incredible. I still don't have Frank's
latest CD but I'm getting it. He plays some Beethoven on it. I've had
a couple lessons with him and just had a blast both times. Hearing him
play that Loar at close range is a real treat. He's a musical genius
for sure. Those double stop things where he skips strings are one of
his innovations.

One of my favorite tunes of his is "El Niño" off the Don't Lie To Me
CD. And the slidey break on the song "Don't Lie to Me" gets me
everytime I hear it. I listen to him whenever I need to break out of
the same old stuff I've been playing--gives me permission to get out
there musically. I've certainly taken a bunch of his ideas/phrases for
use in my own playing.

One of the funniest stories I've ever heard was when he came home
after being on the road for a long time. He had twin daughters and he
couldn't tell them apart. When he got home, one was sitting on the
porch. He asked her, "Which one are you?" She replied in true
Wakefield form, "I'm the other one." I don't know if that's a true
story, but it's a good one.


On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 7:44 PM, Mike Hoffmann <[email protected]> wrote:
> Frank, as far as I have experienced is one of the most honest, down to earth
> people I have ever met.  He also works and has worked very hard to be a
> tremendous mandolin player.  On top of that, he is quite eccentric.  In my
> opinion, the complete package.  When I first met Frank in 2003 I was not a
> big fan of his live band.  The band he is playing with now is tremendous and
> is made up of local upstate New York guys.
>
> Come to think of it, I have never heard Frank say something mean about
> somebody I asked about from Red Allen to Sticky Raggs.  He may say things
> like, "he drinks/drank a lot" about an old friend, but on top of that he
> will tell you ten reasons why he likes the guy.
>
> Also, after a few lessons with Frank I definitely couldn't "mutt the
> custard" but Frank invited a friend and I up on stage with him and took the
> time to work out stuff with us to fit into the show!  Not every bluegrass
> star will do that.
>
> For some really great Frank check out "Don't Lie to Me" the Greenbriar Boys
> "Better Late than Never" and Frank Wakefield and the Good Ole Boys "Pistol
> Packin' Mama"
>
> Mike H
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Taterbugmando" group.
> To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> [email protected].
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en.
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Taterbugmando" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to 
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at 
http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en.

Reply via email to