My grandma's dog named Battle died last Wednesday. He's been with me and my brother since we were young. He was put down because his liver disease was causing him pain. You never forget how their claws sound on a hardwood floor when they rush to greet you coming through the front door.
Was watching all your fretless videos yesterday. Got in a terrible car wreck last night. Love that I’m able to wake up and watch a new fretless tune when I’m feeling so down. Thank you Clifton.
Because most "country" is sung by younger generation that (for the most part) don't really have the good instruments around to do it, and don't really care either. They all like rap better.
So hey Cliff , true story. I roll up at the filling station yesterday with this tune on repeat and while refueling my rig this smoking hot 💣 🐚 of a young lady pulls up and while refilling her vehicle asks me with a giggle and smile who is singing this song " Old Blue " ? She proceeds to tell me her dog is named Blue and never heard the song before. Needless to say you got a new subscriber out of it brother.... 🔥
It's funny how all that stuff works... :) The universe can be a beautiful place if you know how to look... but they say that you can't play the blues if you ain't had the blues, right?! ;)
Hi Clifton . I enjoy your work immensely. Not a fan of banjo at all till I saw your work on YT. I am in Australia and i know a few different verses of this song and I have no idea how that has happened. Your music is very special even in your home country and is not popularly heard here. "Shouldered my gun an tooted my horn Gonna find possum in the new ground corn Old blue died and he died so hard Buried his bones in my backyard."
That’s a really good song! I can see the children hanging around the cabin porch listening to Pa playing this between the other stories and songs in the evening.
You just can’t get a more Lovely bending of strings than a fret less banjer! Kind Thanks Clifton and a Very Merry Christmas to You and Yours! A Wonderful classic Old Blue! Banjo Hicks, my favorite! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
It's not for us. Our grandkids, and their grandkids after them. They will be the ones who will thank our ghosts for these living memories. Don't believe me? Well I guess you've never watched some old Alan Lomax footage and felt so grateful like I have. Thanks from the future, Clif.
I am obsessed with this tune! Thank you so much, Clifton, for your incredible musicianship and all you do - As a fellow musician, it is endlessly inspiring. That minstrel banjo is a true work of art, too!
Hey Clifton. I'm new to your page and I've been binge watching all your previous episodes. Absolutely love the traditional style you play! I'm hooked!!!
That is one of the best songs I've ever heard on banjo, regardless the style...SO impressed! It just...fits. Curious where you found that instrument too...the old minstrel banjos are just beautiful.
Is there a deliberate reason for winding a drone string over top of the peg? Okay, I'm gonna write the lyrics down mostly for my reference, because I like how Clifton sings it and I don't like what I'm finding online. had an ol dog and his name was blue come on blue you good dog you all them pretty gals gather round we didnt have a penny to go around me an ol blue went out on the hunt he treed a possum in a hollow stump you know from that he's a good ol dog come on blue you good dog you me an ol blue went huntin again he treed a possum out on a limb you know from that he's a good ol dog come on blue you good dog you grabbed a possum and put him in a sack said excuse me blue til i get back (dog-banjo thing) ol blue died and i dug his grave dug his grave with a silver spade every night i call his name come back blue you good dog you That's it... I do like a verse he didn't sing - When old Blue died, he died so hard He shook the ground in my back yard We lowered him down with a golden chain And every link we called his name
It's common on early banjos for the 4th and 5th strings to be spaced a little too closely. This can cause the bass string to rattle against the thumb peg, as well as other issues. Owners of such banjos often wind the 5th string like this because it helps.
Love the low muted sound of this banjo. The scale looks longer than usual. 27-28" scale? Where did they put the bridge for the minstrel banjos? In the middle or like a bit lower towards the tailpiece? Thanks.
Thanks Clifton for this one;) Say, ive been searching for this video you uploaded a long time ago, George Gibson playing Wild Bill Jones on a porch. I used to listen to that all the time. If you took it down on purpose you had a reason i guess...
You can get one cheap at a Pawn Shop/Used Instruments store...It's like buying a New Car or a Wedding Ring ...it's not worth it to buy new instruments either...
My grandma's dog named Battle died last Wednesday. He's been with me and my brother since we were young. He was put down because his liver disease was causing him pain.
You never forget how their claws sound on a hardwood floor when they rush to greet you coming through the front door.
I'm sorry to hear that. I know he's with God now, and when you die you're going to the same place.
Im 70 and remember my dad singing this song to us.
Damn that instrument is just made for this song they go together like coffee and sunrise.
Was watching all your fretless videos yesterday. Got in a terrible car wreck last night. Love that I’m able to wake up and watch a new fretless tune when I’m feeling so down. Thank you Clifton.
That’s terrible, I hope you get better fast man
Hope you are doing okay
A terrible wreck is a terrible thing. Wishing you a full physical and mental recovery.
Bless your heart. I hope you recover quickly and feel better every day!
thats god telling u banjos are the devil
These fretless banjos have such a nostalgic melancholy sound to them. 😢
I don't see why it isn't in more country or folk.
Because most "country" is sung by younger generation that (for the most part) don't really have the good instruments around to do it, and don't really care either. They all like rap better.
this guy is gonna end up becoming a legend
Edit: he already is.
Love that youre keeping this piece of American heritage alive
They'll have to kill me to stop me.
Your version is nothing short of badass
I like that slide action. I don't hear many songs with slides like that.
I could hear that old hound dog baying and barking as you played. Great tune and playing!
I love the deep tone of that banjo!
So hey Cliff , true story. I roll up at the filling station yesterday with this tune on repeat and while refueling my rig this smoking hot 💣 🐚 of a young lady pulls up and while refilling her vehicle asks me with a giggle and smile who is singing this song " Old Blue " ? She proceeds to tell me her dog is named Blue and never heard the song before. Needless to say you got a new subscriber out of it brother.... 🔥
From a time when a man's two biggest worries were providing for his family and how good his hunting dogs were....Times sure have changed.
It's funny how all that stuff works... :) The universe can be a beautiful place if you know how to look... but they say that you can't play the blues if you ain't had the blues, right?! ;)
That banjo was built when my house was new. It was used as a stop in the underground railroad.
Hi Clifton . I enjoy your work immensely. Not a fan of banjo at all till I saw your work on YT.
I am in Australia and i know a few different verses of this song and I have no idea how that has happened. Your music is very special even in your home country and is not popularly heard here.
"Shouldered my gun an tooted my horn
Gonna find possum in the new ground corn
Old blue died and he died so hard
Buried his bones in my backyard."
When you invade the Appalachians and the woods start speaking in banjo.
That banjo screams the blues.
At least it does in my house.
Hey thanks for your service to America. Keep make great music for all to enjoy.
RIP BLUE
A minstrel banjo was not on my Christmas list until about two minutes ago...
Galen, I have a few vintage and new banjos in stock, including an original 1860s minstrel. Feel free to email me at clifhicks@gmail.com to inquire.
Banjo!
KEEP IT ALIVE BROTHER
Yea man, I’ve been waiting for this one to come back ‘round
Have to agree. Nothing short of badass and the real deal. Thank you!!!
I can hear the dog howl in the banjo. What a masterpiece. Thank you
Only an idiot wouldn't absolutely love
Clifton Hicks and his
banjo 🪕
Great treat to start off the day for both myself and My Bluetick Hound Named Mississippi Dog. We appreciate ya Clif.
One of these days I need to learn that playing style. I just play Scruggs style bluegrass but I love this kind of music too. 🎶
One of my all time favorites. Sounds great on this banjo.
Brother you hit those pockets so nicely and make those notes sing.
I’m always happy to see your uploads.
On a fretless no less.
I’ve never had the opportunity but I imagine it makes those slides just a little smoother.
Never had a dog name blue but sure was my bb guns name. Keep'm coming Cliff
That’s a really good song! I can see the children hanging around the cabin porch listening to Pa playing this between the other stories and songs in the evening.
Dam Cliff that's a good one.
Nate from Pennsylvania
Heck ya I heard that dog baying.
Your enjoyment is infectious ,thankyou
Thank you for that picking. I needed a good old song to lift me up. Blessings
Now this brings back memories! ❤
Every song, every time, you move me sir🤘☺
Greetingz 🌠 🙋♂️Neat stuff,unique sound🐕🐶
Dog Will Hunt! I love what you do for the music community man, still in amazement of your version of "The Cuckoo", great stuff!
This jam is like a Samurai duel soundtrack. Verily impressive.
Beautiful sad song,
Never got used to losing a dog.
That's so cool! Great job Cliff!
lol yeah
Love it, one of my favourite songs
My kids and I love this version of this song
Awesome!!
dreamy
Ah Clif another classic video brother!!! Love it man! (td4dotnet)
I read that SOG recon sang that song at wakes for lost brothers.
I love your fretless banjo videos, I need to do a version of this song!
Whew!!
You just can’t get a more Lovely bending of strings than a fret less banjer! Kind Thanks Clifton and a Very Merry Christmas to You and Yours! A Wonderful classic Old Blue! Banjo Hicks, my favorite! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
If you take measurements on that banjo, I would sure love to get a copy!
Sounding great Clifton!
It's not for us. Our grandkids, and their grandkids after them. They will be the ones who will thank our ghosts for these living memories.
Don't believe me? Well I guess you've never watched some old Alan Lomax footage and felt so grateful like I have.
Thanks from the future, Clif.
❤👍
Clifton Hicks; Bravo on your banjo playing and your great singing. I sussed to your channel here, and will share on the twit.
That headstock is so cool
I'm from N.C. and have never heard of any "Little Texas" in this state. But no matter -- good picking!
Alamance County.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Funny because my people (part of 'em) come from down near Liberty. Thanks for the lead.
That’s some good picking!
I am obsessed with this tune! Thank you so much, Clifton, for your incredible musicianship and all you do - As a fellow musician, it is endlessly inspiring. That minstrel banjo is a true work of art, too!
This is 🔥🔥 great music
That was awesome
Thanks for keeping your melungeon music alive. : )
Love it man
Please do a lesson, I need to learn this for my dog Blue. The Alan Lomax version is a good listen also
sweet job
THANX CLIFTON...FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS TUNE WAS A "CITIFIED VERSION" BY THE BYRDS...LOVE THOSE FINGER SLIDES...CARRY ON CLIFTON CARRY ON ✌
Hey Clifton. I'm new to your page and I've been binge watching all your previous episodes. Absolutely love the traditional style you play! I'm hooked!!!
Bet you five dollars he’s a good dawg too
probably the best picker ever!
Love it Cliff.
That is one of the best songs I've ever heard on banjo, regardless the style...SO impressed! It just...fits. Curious where you found that instrument too...the old minstrel banjos are just beautiful.
I am really loving this! Your timing is so great and love the sound of that banjo.
👍👍.....
Nice!
Where do you advertise when you have a banjo for sale?
Charles, I have a few vintage and new banjos in stock right now. Feel free to email me at clifhicks@gmail.com for price list.
Excellent sounding banjo 😊
Excellent playing 😊
Classic song..
Is there a deliberate reason for winding a drone string over top of the peg? Okay, I'm gonna write the lyrics down mostly for my reference, because I like how Clifton sings it and I don't like what I'm finding online.
had an ol dog and his name was blue
come on blue you good dog you
all them pretty gals gather round
we didnt have a penny to go around
me an ol blue went out on the hunt
he treed a possum in a hollow stump
you know from that he's a good ol dog
come on blue you good dog you
me an ol blue went huntin again
he treed a possum out on a limb
you know from that he's a good ol dog
come on blue you good dog you
grabbed a possum and put him in a sack
said excuse me blue til i get back
(dog-banjo thing)
ol blue died and i dug his grave
dug his grave with a silver spade
every night i call his name
come back blue you good dog you
That's it... I do like a verse he didn't sing -
When old Blue died, he died so hard
He shook the ground in my back yard
We lowered him down with a golden chain
And every link we called his name
It's common on early banjos for the 4th and 5th strings to be spaced a little too closely. This can cause the bass string to rattle against the thumb peg, as well as other issues. Owners of such banjos often wind the 5th string like this because it helps.
🥰
Beautiful. Thank you
That was incredibly entertaining. Lol
Love it!
Seen the hound in background. Nice tune sir
I have the brown collection of folk songs and was looking for the music to this. (I know Grandpa Jones wasn't the same)
I offer the tab for my version at Patreon.com/CliftonHicks
I wonder if Ole Leather stocking ever had a dog...
🤓🙋♂️❤👍
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Would sure like a tab for Old Blue!
Coming soon.
I assume that's supposed to sound like a baying hound? Well done.
fuck yeah clif! i've been waiting for you to post this song
great!
beautiful
Whatasong :) so awesome
Love the low muted sound of this banjo. The scale looks longer than usual. 27-28" scale? Where did they put the bridge for the minstrel banjos? In the middle or like a bit lower towards the tailpiece? Thanks.
I think they put them anyplace they wanted.
Awesome! Where can I get a banjo like this? Do you have one for sale or know anybody wants to sell one?
Email him, he has a few for sale.
clifhicks@gmail.com
I love the Byrds version of this song. From the Dr Byrds & Mr Hyde album.
Nice one quality piece.
Is yourdog a gundog she looks sweet
Thanks Clifton for this one;) Say, ive been searching for this video you uploaded a long time ago, George Gibson playing Wild Bill Jones on a porch. I used to listen to that all the time. If you took it down on purpose you had a reason i guess...
Hey Clifton, I'm looking for a good budget banjo. Im about toi just go to guitar enter and get the cheapest open-back banjo they have. Thoughts?
Gold Tone AC1.
You can get one cheap at a Pawn Shop/Used Instruments store...It's like buying a New Car or a Wedding Ring ...it's not worth it to buy new instruments either...
Hi Clifton. What kind of banjo is this? I am looking to get into
This instrument
This is a William Boucher Jr banjo.
You can find replicas out there.