Freight Hoppers are at it again. - January 16, 2008
We've been working hard on the music and getting ready to head to Kansas and California in Feb. The show at the Jalopy Theater in NYC when great. Check out the Freight Hopper's
www.myspace.com/thefreighthoppers
to hear the band and take a look at our schedule.
Freight Hopper's first gig in 5 years - October 25, 2007
The Freight Hoppers performed at the annual Bryson City Chili Cook Off on the 25th of Oct. It was the first time David Bass and me had stood around a mic together in 5 or so years. Me and Isaac Deal got a chance to perform some of the songs we've been performing as a duo, but in a band format. It was a ton of fun and we even got to do a midnight repair on David's station wagon so he could get AnnaBeth (7months) and Jasper (7years) back home to mom.
Freight Hoppers Rise Again. - September 25, 2007
The Freight Hoppers rise again with new hearth and blood.
After a five year hiatus, the old-time stringband is re-surfacing to offer their high energy fiddle music to the masses.
David Bass and Frank Lee have collaberated with musicians Thomas Bailey and Isaac Deal to present Southern old-time stringband music as only the Freight Hoppers can. Since forming the Freight Hoppers in 1992, David and Frank have elevated old-time stringband music to new levels of appreciation all over the world. During the 1990's the Freight Hoppers pushed the boundaries between old-time & bluegrass, drawing a new generation to traditional music and paving the way for a number of traditional stringbands who followed. Five years ago David's heart transplant effectively brought an end to the Freight Hoppers' live performances. Banjoist Frank Lee explains, "The Freight Hoppers' sound has always been based on David's fiddle playing. Not only has he recovered, but with his new heart, David can now drink coffee! He couldn't before. If you've ever heard David fiddle, imagine him fiddling while caffeinated". The two original members are now joined by Thomas Bailey on guitar and Isaac Deal playing upright bass. Thomas' baritone vocal range and Isaac's high lead and tenor voice allow for a versatile offering of old-time songs and ballads. The Freight Hoppers are available for booking and are excited to once again present an old-time beat for your feet!
From Africa to Appalachia: Celebrating the History of the Banjo - September 11, 2007
I'm very happy to have the opportunity to perform twice during the upcoming seminar celebrating the African roots of the banjo. This is a private function held at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teachers. The Chocolate Drops will be there along with CeCe Conway, who will be presenting some great film footage she's collected during her career. I'm going to take a truck load of funky banjos.
Gourd banjo video - November 5, 2005
I put together another video with the help of Great Smoky Mountains tv.
http://greatsmokymountains.tv/lee.htm
Check it out. I'm playing 4 of the banjos I perform with. Two are gourds, one is a grain measure banjo and I also do a piece on the banjo I play that was made by Polo Burguiere in France.
Banjo instruction video now available on DVD - November 1, 2005