This man is so unbelievable. I must admit, I really don't _like_ the wild stuff he does, but I _am_ mesmerized and blown away by his ability to do it. Hard to believe my eyes and ears. I believe he's the most amazing stringed instrument player I've ever seen, and that includes all the rock guitarists, and yes, even Hendrix. UPDATE: When I said he was the most amazing stringed instrument player I had ever heard, I had not seen and heard Michael Cleveland yet. I now consider Mr. Fairchild to be #2 on the list, or tied with Michael at best. Nonetheless, when it comes to banjo pickers, Earl was, is and will forevermore be The Greatest.
@@BuckMcAntlerson …This was filmed in 1984 in Maggie Valley at the Stomping' Grounds for TNN (The Nashville Network) for the series, Fire on the Mountain. Bela Fleck, Tony Trischka were in the audience watching this taping. Bela Fleck has stated this was some of the most awe inspiring banjo playing that he ever witnessed. Noam Pikelny is also a fan of Raymond's banjo player. Not that Raymond ever needed any validation from those players…I just wanted to throw it out there for the record.
I’ve never heard of the guy before, but wow! what a performance. I love what he did with this tune on the banjo. It makes want to go grab mine and start playing. He is fantastic!
I met Raymond at a service station in Cherokee NC back in the 70's, had my banjo on my motorcycle, got Raymond to show me some licks on it. I didn't understand a thing he showed me, found out later he had developed his own style of picking and it was fast! I think Maggie Valley NC is named after his mom, he played in a band with his brothers back then , he has come a long ways!
Ripping on the banjo like no one else can seems to come more naturally to Mr. Fairchild than scratching his nose......Pretty darn awsome! Thanks for posting!
RIP, Raymond. Totally his own man and playing style (modified from Reno & Scruggs) from the Maggie Valley. A proud Cherokee too. One of a kind and he definitely will be (or certainly should be) remembered!
I met Raymond in 1977 when I was recording Ole Magnolia at Nick Greens studio there in Denton next to Newport. We talked and Raymond tole me if I ever needed a banjo track to give him a hollow and I thought that was nice commin from one of best Banjo player in the Nation. My friend Jimmy Martin did his last show with Raymond there in Maggie Valley and I was supposed to go but' I diden't make it but' wish I had now. I named my bluegrass band after Raymond and the Crowe Bros...CROW MOUNTAIN
'Better' or 'best' is just an opinion and everybody has one. IMHO, he's faster then Earl, yes. Better than Earl, no. Don Reno (Raymond's hero) was faster than Earl, too, but Earl's clean sound, impeccable timing and originality are unmatched, even today. Raymond's speed reminds me of Roy Clark's guitar playing. When he was young, Roy was so fast his fingers were a blur, but it doesn't make him better than, say, Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, or Jimi Hendrix.
That is a good ole Western North Carolina Man there , One of the best with a 5 String Banjo for sure. I met Raymond a few years back and a really nice person for sure.
if someone can show me anyone else that can play this song as good as raymond fairchild i would like to see it till then hes the best ive ever got to stand next to and hear even ralph stanley and earl scruggs said they never heard anything like him anywhere thats good enough for me
@MP60 I don't buy it. His three finger roll is as smooth as Earl's was back in the 40's, 50's and 60's. And the so-called "tricky' stuff really isn't that hard to do. I've been listening to banjo players since 1947 and his thumb runs and two finger runs, if you compare, I think was borrowed from Don Reno. Reno learned the "three-finger" style from Snuffy Jenkins and when he got out of the Army, Scruggs was on the radio with Bill Monroe, so Reno decided to come up with his own style.
Fairchild does more than shuck the corn. He ROASTS it!!!!
Rest in Peace Raymond, you will be remembered by the faithful
My dad met him when he was 18 and dad said he was already the best he'd ever heard. He also showed my dad anything he wanted to know.
This man is so unbelievable. I must admit, I really don't _like_ the wild stuff he does, but I _am_ mesmerized and blown away by his ability to do it. Hard to believe my eyes and ears.
I believe he's the most amazing stringed instrument player I've ever seen, and that includes all the rock guitarists, and yes, even Hendrix.
UPDATE:
When I said he was the most amazing stringed instrument player I had ever heard, I had not seen and heard Michael Cleveland yet.
I now consider Mr. Fairchild to be #2 on the list, or tied with Michael at best.
Nonetheless, when it comes to banjo pickers, Earl was, is and will forevermore be The Greatest.
Might wanna look up Noam Pikelny.
@@BuckMcAntlerson …This was filmed in 1984 in Maggie Valley at the Stomping' Grounds for TNN (The Nashville Network) for the series, Fire on the Mountain. Bela Fleck, Tony Trischka were in the audience watching this taping. Bela Fleck has stated this was some of the most awe inspiring banjo playing that he ever witnessed. Noam Pikelny is also a fan of Raymond's banjo player. Not that Raymond ever needed any validation from those players…I just wanted to throw it out there for the record.
Insane technique, touch and timing. Expression on his face like he just killed a guy. What a performance.
He did. 😂
I’ve never heard of the guy before, but wow! what a performance. I love what he did with this tune on the banjo. It makes want to go grab mine and start playing. He is fantastic!
Has there ever been a better exponent of banjo than Raymond? Has to be one of the greatest of all time; if not the greatest.
I met Raymond at a service station in Cherokee NC back in the 70's, had my banjo on my motorcycle, got Raymond to show me some licks on it. I didn't understand a thing he showed me, found out later he had developed his own style of picking and it was fast! I think Maggie Valley NC is named after his mom, he played in a band with his brothers back then , he has come a long ways!
That solo in middle........wait! That solo everywhere!!!
Raymond was a true master of the banjo, used to love getting to chat with him at the Opry house, RIP my friend.
Ripping on the banjo like no one else can seems to come more naturally to Mr. Fairchild than scratching his nose......Pretty darn awsome!
Thanks for posting!
Raymond Fairchild RIPS it UP! A true original. Daring and Iconoclastic. Hats OFF.
RIP, Raymond. Totally his own man and playing style (modified from Reno & Scruggs) from the Maggie Valley. A proud Cherokee too. One of a kind and he definitely will be (or certainly should be) remembered!
It's fast and after abt two or three songs like this I'm through listening to this stuff for a while.
Raymond's hero was Don Reno, and this piece is filled with Reno style licks.
Met him once at his bluegrass festival in Cherokee N.C. he was extremely nice.
I met Raymond in 1977 when I was recording Ole Magnolia at Nick Greens studio there in Denton next to Newport. We talked and Raymond tole me if I ever needed a banjo track to give him a hollow and I thought that was nice commin from one of best Banjo player in the Nation. My friend Jimmy Martin did his last show with Raymond there in Maggie Valley and I was supposed to go but' I diden't make it but' wish I had now. I named my bluegrass band after Raymond and the Crowe Bros...CROW MOUNTAIN
One of the very best ,Go man Go..
Damn that is awesome he can not be beat...................
'Better' or 'best' is just an opinion and everybody has one. IMHO, he's faster then Earl, yes. Better than Earl, no. Don Reno (Raymond's hero) was faster than Earl, too, but Earl's clean sound, impeccable timing and originality are unmatched, even today. Raymond's speed reminds me of Roy Clark's guitar playing. When he was young, Roy was so fast his fingers were a blur, but it doesn't make him better than, say, Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, or Jimi Hendrix.
they all are the best just different. Love Earl and Sonny
I dont kno but it's at The Stomping Ground in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
The banjo needs a cigarette when Raymond is done picking on it...
So fast like a heavy metal guitarist! Incredible! How is possible?
My congratulations to him...
Quite a player..banjo sounds great.r
Raymonds timing is about the best I've ever seen on video and in person.
I would have to disagree with that comment. He plays it like Raymond Fairchild!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing this wonderful video with us! GREAT!
Best that's ever been
This man really raised the bar for banjo players. Outstanding !!!!!!!
Sorry to say I've never heard of him.
Excelente performance, são bons de mais. maneco - Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil.
Never heard of guy before unbelievable!!!
My favorite
On top of excellent tone, timing and taste - good single string work!
Damn, I am very impressed. This man makes 5 string pickin look damn near effortless.
My dear friend raymond damn love him like a brother
That is a good ole Western North Carolina Man there , One of the best with a 5 String Banjo for sure.
I met Raymond a few years back and a really nice person for sure.
Raymond still plays this very Banjo .
That is one crazy banjo player!
Love the time spent with my friends. "Charlie "
Superb
best version i've heard
R.I.P! Always here!!!
I loved! Si senor! Yes sirrrrr!!
The man on the 5 string cannot be beat
Best hands down
great banjo picking if he goes any faster his banjo is going to catch onfire
Rest in Peace banjo man
That is absolutely incredible O.O
Some one needs to give him a ticket for speeding !!! Damn Raymond can play !!!
Thats amazing. I'm a big fan of the Crowe Brothers.
raymond fait vibrer mon coeur.....hasta luégo
Should have his name included more often with the legends!
banjo superstar
amazing!
That's abolutely amazing.
if someone can show me anyone else that can play this song as good as raymond fairchild i would like to see it till then hes the best ive ever got to stand next to and hear even ralph stanley and earl scruggs said they never heard anything like him anywhere thats good enough for me
Amazing!
Great! ... this looks like the show called "Fire on the Mountain" which was hosted by
(David Holt) several years ago.
Good Lord he's like Scruggs and Fleck mixed together.
Super 👌
Beautifully played :)
DAYUM! How can this guy have any fingers left? That's SSSSMMMMOOOKKIN'!
damnnn!!! That man can pick!
Sheeeyit that was good pickin' on the Mississippi Boat Paddle!
Love that whole closed position malarkey from 44s in - nice work.
OMG that's crazy!!
The best best best..........
A lot of Don Reno influence in that single- string picking.
amazing playing. i always think of WACKY RACES when i hear this type of playin
masterpiece
"Jethro, get away from the barbecue, Jethro, get the hell away from that thing!"
Awesome!!!!
Ok i probably got a little exited or sipped a bit to mush shine when i wrote that last post and after listening again id have to agree with you. P&L
lord lord what timing and neck work!
5/5
The only thing in common with Earl's playing is the speed, the key, and the name of the tune.
The King
that's the best in a nut shell
Raymond Fairchild is to the banjo as Brother Oswald is to the dobro
heed stan the hair on a woild cat.... areckin.
I agree
He is the greatest banjo picker.With all due respect to Earl.....Fairchild has his own unique way.
If Chuck Norris played the Banjo, they would call him Raymond Fairchild!
One lonely folk don't like shuckin' the corn with the one and only Raymond Fairchild.
WOW! What a picker.
Well they'd stop chasing us if you'd turn off that damn getaway music!
@MP60 I don't buy it. His three finger roll is as smooth as Earl's was back in the 40's, 50's and 60's. And the so-called "tricky' stuff really isn't that hard to do. I've been listening to banjo players since 1947 and his thumb runs and two finger runs, if you compare, I think was borrowed from Don Reno. Reno learned the "three-finger" style from Snuffy Jenkins and when he got out of the Army, Scruggs was on the radio with Bill Monroe, so Reno decided to come up with his own style.
I'd like to have that banjo after the strings cool off
0:43 WOW!!!!
❤
@mickdeeqwk You said that right!
There are many mandolin-like single-string style playing.
That man has the Fastest Thumb I ever heard.
Just wondering, did Raymond ever play banjo with Roy Clark or Earl Scrugss on the same program?
He could use that banjer for a weed eater after destroying that instrumental like that..Wow!
PLay it everyday! It's easier than it sounds! And listen to a lot of bluegrass. But I can tell you do already lol
;-)
True enough, but if you have to cite a technical influence, at least with this tune, it'd be Don rather than Earl. It's very Reno-esque.
For him it is.
More like how Don Reno wanted to. His technique here is based on Don's playing, not Earl's. Earl's playing was much smoother...no choppiness at all.
Earl cannot shit were fairchild play's son
Earl is slow as well you no
There's not choppiness here, either. I think it's time to move on from Scruggs and realize there are other and better banjo players out there.
Wow : )
you can see raymond every saturday night at his parlor in Maggie Valley NC that is if he aint passed