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  When it comes to playing guitar I can play many different styles, but what is unique to me is finger-picking. Really I'd want to call it Thumb-picking more rooted in the style of Merle Travis. Merle was the first to popularize that style of playing later progressed by the great Chet Atkins. I like to play some of chet's style also, but just love the aggressive "thump" in Merle's playing. Most of my generation are unaware how legendary Merle Travis was. He wrote a huge list of country hits from post-war to the mid 50's. The most popular "Sixteen Tons" went on to be covered by Ernie Ford selling millions. People are suprised to know he co-invented the solid body electric guitar and originated the style of headstock with all the keys on one side. So next time you see someone playing a fender stratocaster remember Leo Fender got the idea from the design Bigsby and Merle Travis patented! Doc Watson even named his son Merle as many others in that generation were named in his honor. Now as far as myspace goes I grew up on Gun's N' Roses and Metallica and grew into Bluegrass and Old-Time Mountain Music. So between all that my mind is like an experiment in musical insanity! I am so thankful now to have a solid sense of direction with where I want to go with my talents. The truth is I could be playing anything anywhere today, but decided to stay home and learn all I can from my family about music and other traditions native to Eastern Kentucky. There is such a large world of music to get lost in so my advice is to listen to something meaningful at least. As I became interested in old time fiddle music I seemingly fell with my guitar and landed with John Hartford on my right side and Bobby Taylor to my left along with J.P. Fraley and Betty Vornbrock on the outer edges. The next thing I knew I had the fiddle bug in me so I took on the king of instruments with full speed. After a couple years I had learned over a hundred old time fiddle tunes and made many friends in the process! I started out observing J.P. Fraley and Bobby Taylor's differences and at home I was learning from a Kenny Baker video and records of others. I also came across some cd's Mark Wilson had sent my grandpaw a few years before which were practically destined for me to have considering they were: "Traditional Fiddle Music of Kentucky Volume 1", "Roger Cooper - Going Back to Old Kentcky", "Ed Haley - Forked Deer", "Snake Chapman - Up Chapman's Holler" and "Lonnie Robertson - Lonnie's Breakdown". Now that was the best pile of tunes a young fiddler in appalachia could run into and I am still learning from them today. Thanks Mark! I bet you had no idea. Later I found another mighty influential cd of fiddle tunes at a pawn shop for $5.00 titled "The Robichaud Brothers - The Slippery Stick" and that became probably the busiest fiddlin' I'd ever heard at the time and never had I heard a better tone captured naturally. My favorite style of fiddle is somewhere between old-time and the northern maritime drive Gerry Robichaud supplies. Of course you never stop learning so it's hard telling what I'll take on in the future. As of August 1st, 2004 I am under an apprenticeship with Roger Cooper learning Lewis County tunes and much more about living the life of a musician and preserving what I can for others who may come along later in my life. Next year I plan on getting serious about recording and archiving many things hoping to produce something profitable in the real world. I am also considering giving lessons and starting a small business with a main goal of encouraging acoustic music in general. I've been playing with Wiley Dew for several years now and we are becoming a respected trio in Kentucky. Together We all get the chance to showcase our talents. I mainly play the upright bass in the band, but during our shows I get the opprotunity to demonstrated my guitar skills and always start the show with a good fiddle tune! The three of us are such good friends also so we are a band that should last many more years to come. I also take time to play upright bass in a small bluegrass gospel group at the local rest homes which makes me feel great to be entertaining the elderly and at the same time lifting up the name of Jesus. I am so thankful for the many blessings and the grace of God gives me confidence in my ability to inspire people. I enjoy meeting other musicians even if they can only play a couple songs. Just their love for the music tickles me. I'll basically play for anyone who will really listen close! If anyone reading this has anything you'd like to share with me please a message! I'm real interested in old recordings (like 78rpm records and tape reels), old fiddle players (and their fiddles!) and Just about anything related to music and the area I live in. Anything you'd want to share with me will be greatly appreciated and cherished. Thank you for taking an interest in me and reading what I have written. Hope to see you wherever the pickers are jammin' & havin' good, clean fun! -Michael Garvin |
