A New Backing Track For “Stony Mountain Twist”

This is a popular Bluegrass tune called “Stony Mountain Twist,” a song by Earl Taylor and The Stoney Mountain Boys, released on Rebel Records. Standard tuning (gDGBD). This song sounds a bit like “Salty Dog Blues” to me. I used a 1986 recording by 'J.D. Crowe and The New South' to make a backing track in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• Stony Mountain Twist PDF Tablature | TEF (by Michael Corcoran)
• Stony Mountain Twist (a video lesson by Tom Adams)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, fast)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, faster)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, normal)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, slower)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, very slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of A, woodshed)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, fast)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, faster)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, normal)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, slower)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, very slow)
• Stony Mountain Twist (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums, keyboard and piano. I have been very pleased with the quality achieved through using MIDI. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is only computer data that contains no music. The computer's sound card converts the MIDI data into actual sound, which I record in my backing tracks. Still, the finished quality is impressive for making backing tracks.

Dave Hum had a certain style that he used to make his backing tracts, which I have tried to emulate to make my own tracks. Dave never recorded Stony Mountain Twist, but I'm sure if he had been given more time on earth, he would have. His surreal YouTube banjo recordings are a continual source of musical inspiration for me. I thank God for Dave Hum.

In contrast to MIDI data, audio loops are actual recordings of musical instruments performed by various different musicians. I buy the ready made loops to incorporate into my songs. Just like Dave Hum did, I have my favorite Go-to loops that I like to use. My backing tracks pale in comparison to Dave's. Many songs, like John Henry, John Hardy and Stony Mountain Twist, Dave never recorded or made backing tracks for. By God's grace, I'm continuing the tradition that he started, making my own backing tracks. It is my joy to freely share them with others.

Thank you friend for reading my music blog.

J.D. Crowe

(August 27, 1937 – December 24, 2021)

A New Backing Track For “John Hardy”

This is a fun Traditional American tune titled, “John Hardy” or “Old John Hardy.” The song is based on the life of a West Virginian railroad worker living in McDowell County in the Spring of 1893. The song was first recorded and released by Eva Davis in 1924. It was covered by Mother Maybelle Carter, Brian Peters and other artists. The tune is played on the 5-string banjo in Standard tuning (gDGBD). I used a performance by Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. Enjoy!

• John Hardy Tablature | TEF (by Michael Corcoran in Standard tuning, key of G)
• John Hardy (a video lesson by Bill Nesbitt with tabs in the key of G)
• John Hardy (a video lesson by Jim Pankey in the key of G; additional licks)
• John Hardy (a video lesson by Mason Crone with tabs in the key of G)
• John Hardy (key of A, faster)
• John Hardy (key of A, normal)
• John Hardy (key of A, slower)
• John Hardy (key of A, slow)
• John Hardy (key of A, very slow)
• John Hardy (key of A, woodshed)
• John Hardy (key of G, faster)
• John Hardy (key of G, normal)
• John Hardy (key of G, slower)
• John Hardy (key of G, slow)
• John Hardy (key of G, very slow)
• John Hardy (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the drums, bass and piano. I'm using real audio loops for the tambourine and shakers.

The picture below shows Dave playing his “Ode” banjo made in Arkansas during the 1970's. His wife told me that Dave later sold this banjo. I love that 'Flying Eagle' inlay, which Jason Skinner and Sean Ray also have on their “Neat” brand banjos.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

A New Backing Track For “John Henry”

“John Henry” is the hero in a popular Traditional folk ballad. It describes his contest with a steam drill, in which John Henry crushed more rock than did the machine, but died “with his hammer in his hand.” Dave Hum didn't record this tune. I used a performance by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs in the key of D as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. The song is played in various tunings. Enjoy!

• John Henry Tabs In The Key Of G (by Ben Freed)
• John Henry (a video lesson in the key of G by Jim Pankey)
• John Henry (a video lesson with tabs by John Moore in the key of D)
• John Henry (a video lesson in the key of D by Jim Pankey; no beard version...lol)
• John Henry Tabs In The Key Of D (by Richard Van Patten)
• John Henry (key of A, faster)
• John Henry (key of A, normal)
• John Henry (key of A, slower)
• John Henry (key of A, slow)
• John Henry (key of A, very slow)
• John Henry (key of A, woodshed)
• John Henry (key of G, faster)
• John Henry (key of G, normal)
• John Henry (key of G, slower)
• John Henry (key of G, slow)
• John Henry (key of G, very slow)
• John Henry (key of G, woodshed)
• Check out this blast from the past of Roy Clark (1933-2018)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. Read audio loops were used for the shaker and tambourine. I use 'MixCraft Pro Studio software' to make all my backing tracks.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

A New Backing Track For “Gentle On My Mind”

This is a classic 1966 song by John Hartford (1937-2001) titled, “Gentle On My Mind.” Buddy Emmons (1937-2015) played awesome pedal steel guitar on this live version of the song. Glenn Campbell (1936-2017) popularized the song in 1967 (the year I was born on March 5th). This tune is played on the 5-string banjo in Drop C tuning (gCGBD). I used this live performance by Glenn Campbell in 1999 at the Ryman Theater as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A. Here is another backing track that I found, which I also enjoy playing along with. Also, this one and this one. Enjoy!

• Gentle On My Mind (a video lesson by Eddie Collins in Drop C tuning - gCGBD)
• Gentle On My Mind PDF Tabs | TEF (by Chris Ragaisis in Standard tuning - gDGBD)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of A, faster)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of A, normal)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of A, slower)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of A, slow)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of A, very slow)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of A, woodshed)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of G, faster)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of G, normal)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of G, slower)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of G, slow)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of G, very slow)
• Gentle On My Mind (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums piano. I used real audio loops for the shakers and tambourine. I played my Cort model # AD810 OP (open pore) guitar at the end. I only spent $130 at Guitar Center in 2022 ago for my Cort guitar, but it is the best acoustic guitar I have ever owned. The instrument has a natural wood finish, not smothered in glossy lacquer, which I really like. Amazon also sells an electric model. I didn't buy the electric model; I just installed a sound hole pickup instead.

When recording just the guitar, I have to turn down the backing track volume because the guitar's body actually functions as a microphone and picks up sound, which gets into the recording. I use earphones when recording my Eastman 505CC mandolin through a Shure 57 microphone. When I am recording my non-electric mandolin live, I have to turn the backing track all the way down. But the earphones still allow me to hear the track, so I can play along with it to record. I keep the mandolin (or whatever instrument) within 1 foot of the microphone. That's how I record my songs.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

A New Backing Track For “Old Joe Clark”

“Old Joe Clark” is an Appalachian mountain folk song that was popular among U.S. soldiers from eastern Kentucky during World War I and afterwards. Its wild lyrics refer to a real person named Joseph Clark (1839-1885), a Kentucky mountaineer who was shot to death at age 47. The tune is played in Standard Open G tuning (gDGBD) on the 5-string banjo. Considering that everybody and their dog have recorded this song, I am surprised that Dave Hum (1966-2012) didn't record it, but I have no doubt if he had lived longer he would have got to it. I used a performance by Anthony Howell to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. This is a fun song to learn and play. Enjoy!

• Old Joe Clark PDF Tablature (by Jacob Underwood)
• Old Joe Clark (a video lesson by Ted Nesbitt, including backing tracks)
• Old Joe Clark (a video lesson by Jim Pankey)
• Old Joe Clark (a video lesson by Mason Crone)
• Old Joe Clark (a video lesson by Will Miskall)
• Old Joe Clark (a video lesson by Mike Hedding)
• Old Joe Clark (key of A, normal)
• Old Joe Clark (key of A, slower)
• Old Joe Clark (key of A, slow)
• Old Joe Clark (key of A, very slow)
• Old Joe Clark (key of A, woodshed)
• Old Joe Clark (key of G, normal)
• Old Joe Clark (key of G, slower)
• Old Joe Clark (key of G, slow)
• Old Joe Clark (key of G, very slow)
• Old Joe Clark (key of G, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MDI for the drums, bass and piano. Real audio loops for the tambourine, percussion, shakers and cymbals.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

A New Backing Track For “Dark Hollow”

This tune “Dark Hollow” is a popular Traditional folk song first recorded by folk singer-songwriter Bill Browning (1931-1977) and His Echo Valley Boys in 1958. I used this impressive performance in the key of B by the group 'High Carbon Steel' as a template to make my backing track's in the keys of C, G and A for your preference. Here's also another backing track I found in the key of G.

• Dark Hollow (Chuck Van Dyke explains how to play in G, with tabs at the end)
• Dark Hollow PDF Tablature | TEF (Bill Keith explains how to play in C; capo 5th fret)
• Dark Hollow PDF Tablature (by Jordan Layne Bourland)
• Dark Hollow (key of C, faster)
• Dark Hollow (key of C, normal)
• Dark Hollow (key of C, slower)
• Dark Hollow (key of C, slow)
• Dark Hollow (key of C, very slow)
• Dark Hollow (key of C, woodshed)
• Dark Hollow (key of G, faster)
• Dark Hollow (key of G, normal)
• Dark Hollow (key of G, slower)
• Dark Hollow (key of G, slow)
• Dark Hollow (key of G, very slow)
• Dark Hollow (key of G, woodshed)
• Dark Hollow (key of A, faster)
• Dark Hollow (key of A, normal)
• Dark Hollow (key of A, slower)
• Dark Hollow (key of A, slow)
• Dark Hollow (key of A, very slow)
• Dark Hollow (key of A, woodshed)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the drums, bass, piano and keyboard. I used real audio loops for the shakers and tambourine.

On A Personal Note Friend

Sadly, just like Dave Hum who died at age 46 from cancer (Myeloma) in 2012, so also did Bill Browning die at only age 45 of cancer in 1977. So heartbreaking! They died way too young. Life is short. Dear reader, I rarely preach to my guests, but for your eternal sake I humbly invite you to put your trust in the Savior Jesus Christ, who died on a cross 2,000 years ago to pay our debt of sin. Jesus was buried and three days later miraculously physically resurrected from the dead. This is 'THE GOSPEL,' which simply means “GOOD NEWS” (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). The inspired King James Bible says we are saved by simply believing the Gospel. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

In 1980, on a summer Sunday morning 45 years ago in Chicago, from a Baptist church pew I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior to become a born again Christian at age 13. THANK GOD! The indwelling Holy Spirit has been with me ever since (1st John 3:24).

If you'd like to go to Heaven friend, simply come to God as an admitted guilty sinner (Romans 3:23), and by faith receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that He is risen, and you will be instantly and forever born again by God's Holy Spirit. 1st Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Nothing more is required or allowed. Simply BELIEVE that Jesus did it all for you (John 20:31). Faith is the only righteous thing I can do. Thank you for letting me share my heart friend. I care.

I won't make this a habit to preach the Gospel in my blogs, but every once in a while I want to plead with my blog readers to prepare for eternity. Have you been born again? (John 3:1-7).

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)

Please Visit Anurakt Scheepers' YouTube Channel

I love this man's music. Like me, Anurakt is a big Dave Hum fan up in the Netherlands. We became friends last year. He so kindly sent me his backing tracks for his performances. Anurakt is a member of the Banjo Hangout if you'd like to contact him. He's a good man.

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines

Timour the Tartar (5-string banjo)

Here is Anurakt's YouTube channel where you can here his wonderful recordings. Something that amazes me about Anurakt is that he only uses one banjo, which is a Deering Goodtime Two (Fuller's Guitar's in Houston Texas regularly has discount special offers at events and holidays. Plus I read online that first time customers get a 10% discount, but don't hold me to that). The Deering Goodtime Two banjo doesn't have a tone ring, but it has a resonator, which helps to project sound better.

I am amazed how good all of Anurakt's video recordings sound, using just a student banjo. Who needs a $6,000 high end banjo? Anurakt proves (as does Dave Hum with his Epiphone Chinese-made banjo in half of his videos on YouTube) that the banjo player's skill and experience has the biggest impact on sound, and not so much the instrument itself.

When I record myself playing the banjo, I cannot hear a difference between my $4,436 Deering Calico (I bought it at a 15% discount for a Labor Day discount special in 2024 from Fuller's Guitars), versus my $1,099 Deering Goodtime Special (that I bought in 2024 from GearTree on Amazon). If I listened to recordings of both, I couldn't tell you which is which. The Calico definitely has a crack on the 4th string that the Goodtime Special lacks when playing live, and the Calico has more resonance, but I cannot hear those things in the recordings.

I love the bright clear maple neck on the Goodtime Special. It's my favorite banjo to play, go figure. But I don't regret buying my Deering Calico. I enjoy playing both. Like many banjo enthusiasts, I am always searching for "that" sound. Lord willing, I am considering getting a Huber VRB-3 with an ebony radiused neck and Flying Eagle inlay. From everything that I've heard in audio recordings and read from other banjo players, it's about as close to a prewar Gibson as you can get today. I've not had the opportunity to play many different banjos.

Anurakt inspires me what he does with a Goodtime Two banjo. He's an amazing musician and  a busker just like Dave Hum. I think you'll enjoy listening to his music.