Dangem Banjo Camp: a great success

Camp attenders on Sunday 1 March (John Dowling with black-headed banjo)

Thanks to Derek Lockhart of Dangem Bluegrass, who reports on Ireland's first banjo camp, held last weekend at Corrs Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim:

The Camp was attended by twenty-two keen banjo devotees in the end; we only should have had twenty, but bad math on my part... We also had a waiting list of seventeen people waiting in the wings.


The Camp itself was a outstanding success. John Dowling is not only a master of playing the banjo but the master of teaching the banjo; I think everyone involved benefited from his patience and skill as a tutor. The Broken String Band entertained us - the students plus invited guests made up of friends and family and those who unfortunately we could not accommodate this time round. It is safe to say that - all things being equal - we will be running Dangem Banjo Camp 2010.

For a good dose of the atmosphere at the Camp, see 'Duelling Banjo' played by John Dowling and the Broken String Band on YouTube.