Historic American Music - Lost Radio Rounders - News

Department Of Useless Information

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Hour by hour, minute by minute, and second by second, millions of humans (and a few thousand monkeys) are typing on computer keyboards attempting to fill the internet with the useless information that makes this modern world go round.

Until recently, Michael and I haven’t been doing our fair share in this endeavor, but we have just posted the actual set lists for most of our 2010 shows on this website. No one needs this information, but if want to find it go to the bottom of our “Calendar” page and click “show past dates”…or you could do something productive instead.

-Tom

The Loar LM 400 VS A-style mandolin

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Well, well, well, here it is. I've been very excited about this new model from The Loar for some time, and mine has finally arrived. I've done a bunch of gigs with it already and I am very enamored of this little machine. As your probably aware, Tom and I endorse products by The Loar, and the hand-carved mandolins are top quality instruments available at a ridiculously affordable price. The F-style mandolins (like my LM 600 VS) are fancier models but I've always had a soft spot for the classic teardrop look, and this particular mandolin incorporates features of The Loar's top end model, the LM 700 VS, but with the simpler A-style body.

Please do come out and hear it some time!

Another "Instrument" For Michael

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Over the past three and a half years, my musical partner Mr. Eck has played mandolin, guitar, dobro, banjo, uke and more. Add to the list another new instrument...the crow call. This is because we recently began playing an old-time song called "The Story The Crow Told Me". Head to our video page to see Michael playing his new "instrument".

-Tom

New Video Page

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Ah, technology! It's a blessing and a curse. For the blessing, check out our new video page! Just click "Video" on the menu bar.

Tom's Taylor Twelve

Sun, 09 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Many of you are aware that Lost Radio Rounders are official endorsers of musical instruments by The Loar, but those good folks do not make a 12-string guitar.

I have had more than a few instruments come into my life and then leave because they weren't quite right, but my Taylor twelve is here to stay. It's tough to make a great sounding twelve that stays in tune and plays well up the neck, but the folks at Taylor nailed it with this one. I bought it used in 2002, and I can't imagine how the original owner was ever able to part with it.

-Tom

"Acoustic Roadshow"

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The new Lost Radio Rounders CD is called "Acoustic Roadshow". It is a live CD recorded as part of the Third Sunday at Three concert series in Gloversville. It features 13 tracks and our first recordings of Tom playing his McNally Strumstick (the strumstick is a modern take on the Appalachian dulcimer).

Songs range from serious (Hard Trials) to silly (The Man Who Rode The Mule Around The World), and you can get your copy of "Acoustic Roadshow" the next time you see us live.

Michael's Banjo Gets "Customized'

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

You may have already read about Pete Seeger coming to visit with us before our show at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, NY. What Michael did not mention is that he asked Mr. Seeger to autograph his banjo head. Of course he obliged, he's a friendly fella!

-Tom

Michael's New CD

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Some of you only know my musical partner Michael Eck as a member of Lost Radio Rounders and Ramblin Jug Stompers, but Michael is an accomplished singer/songwriter as well.

His new release "In My Shoes" is a treat, full of smartly written originals and one well chosen cover tune. Head to www.michaeleck.com for all the details. Lost radio rounders will be taking a small break while he promotes this new CD, but we'll be back before you know it!

-Tom

Here is Michael performing "one more raindrop" at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Pete's Blessing

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

You might remember from these occasional updates that last year Tom and I did a story on Pete Seeger’s banjo and 12-string guitar for Fretboard Journal magazine. And we also do a show called “American Favorite Ballads: Songs From Folkways,” that features the music of Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly.

Well, on Friday night (Abe Lincoln’s 201^st birthday), we were in Beacon (Pete’s hometown) preparing to do our “Lincoln and Liberty!” program at the beautiful Howland Cultural Center, when in walks Pete.

He explained that he had a Clearwater event he needed to be at for the evening, but that he wanted to stop by and see us on the way; and to tell us that he is happy that Lost Radio Rounders are carrying the torch for Historic American Music.

“It’s so important that you are doing this,” he said.

He then told us wonderful stories about Lincoln and personal stories about Folkways founder Moe Asch, and how he got into the recording biz.

It was a magical moment for us, and we feel that we have received Pete’s blessing, and we thank him – beyond words – for that.

He truly is a national musical treasure.

-Michael

Lost Radio T-shirts

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Some might suggest that t-shirts don't fit our "old school' image.
To them we say: "Who cares? We like t-shirts!"

These t-shirts feature the "listening man" that you have seen on this very website. Get one next time you see us!