Hello past or new visitors:
In addition to my books and newspaper/ magazine journalism, here you’ll find sections on my bluegrass music and theatre work.
My latest: I’m currently working on the first biography of Ralph Rinzler (1934-1994), ace multi-instrumentalist bluegrass/old-timey musician, perceptive folklorist and more …
… a major figure in the Folk Revival and the Bluegrass Festival movement, founding producer of the Festival of American Folk Life and founding director of the Smithsonian Division of Folklife & Cultural Studies.
He mentored a young Bob Dylan, toured with rising-star Joan Baez, brought Cajun music to a national stage, helped preserve important regional folk arts & crafts, revived the career of Bill Monroe and discovered Doc Watson.
And those were only a few of the passages in the remarkable life of Ralph Rinzler …
Please come back for updates on this exciting (and, believe me, daunting!) project.
[For more on my bluegrass performing and writing about its vibrant, tradition-rooted history, please visit my Bluegrass section.]
Not too long ago, I had the great happiness of attending a supper party with bluegrass/old-timey music jamming. An old friend, banjo innovator/virtuoso Tony Trischka, was also a guest. So was an old friend of his — actor, comedian, playwright and also marvelous banjo picker Steve Martin.
I’ve long enjoyed Steve’s creative work, including his music. Of course, it was great fun to chat and pick with him & Tony.
They’re both as genuine and down-to-earth as people as is their music.
Richard D. Smith 