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More tunes and tales than you
shake a stick at
Mass Street
Music
TAKE 5 Interview with Roy Book Binder
TAKE 5 with Roy:
1. How did your friendship with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tunas Jorma
Kaukonen (Roy teaches sometimes at Jormas Fur Peace Ranch) come about?
ROY: Back in the old days, back in the 60s, often when I played Hesitation Blues,
someone would yell out, JORMA!!I didnt know what they were talking
about.didnt know what a Jorma was. You see, I had no interest in Rock n Roll after
my childhood hero, Buddy Holly died I did see him and the Crickets perform 3 times
in the 50s.
Well, I did find out about Hot Tuna and the Jefferson Airplane doing Rev. Davis
music, and I was not thrilled that these hippies were invading my sacred
territory..About 15 years ago, I got a chance to open up for Jorma at a club in NY, and thats when I met him.
Jorma said he had all my records and that he especially loved the one I did with Jerry Douglas and the Bluegrass
pickers Bookeroo!, on RounderHe also said he always looked forward to my appearances on TNNs Nashville
Now television show. He suggested we get to know each other better and invited me to the Woodstock house that
weekend. The rest is history.
2. What is the most important thing you learned from your friendship and touring days with Reverend Gary
Davis?
ROY: Traveling with Reverend Davis was a life changing event for sure. Out of the Navy, a guitar lesson, and the
road.I never looked back. The Rev became more of a friend than a teacher and I learned so much from him. He
was like a wise grandfather.and I was closer to him than I was to my own father, who died while I was in the
service.
Mostly he taught me to enjoy my accomplishments, the people I met, and life. I do believe, like many, I used to dream
of what I didnt have and take for granted what I did.
3. Can you tell us something about the guitars/instruments youll be playing for your show here at Mass St.?
ROY: I only play pre-war American guitars. My favorite guitar, which will be with me on this tour, as it has been for the
past 3 years, is a S.S. STEWART, (Professional Model). This guitar was made for the SS Stewart Banjo company by
Gibson in 1931. During the 30s, Gibson made limited batches of guitars for a few distributors. Its really a Gibson L-
2..a 12 fret guitar thats light as a feather and an absolute joy to play. I only know of one other Gibson-made SS
Stewart in the collectible world. Its believed that 6 were made, some were tenor 4 string guitars.
4. Youre a renowned storyteller. Whats the key to telling a great story? I cant remember where I put my
coffee cup, much less retell a tale.
ROY: I never considered myself a Storyteller, until I was invited to perform at The National Storytelling Festival, in
Jonesborough, TN found out its the all star game of storytelling festivals. I just talk about my times on the road and
the people that Ive met, and people like hearing about it. Its always a little different, as one thing leads to another
and memories drift into my mind as I go along.
5. Can you tell us a little something about who Pink Anderson is?
ROY: I met Pink Anderson in the early 70s. He recorded a few 78s for Columbia Records in the late 20s. He spent
his entire life working Medicine Shows around the Mid-South. He was a comedian, guitar picker, and a bootlegger.
Pink was recorded in the early 60s but suffered a stroke and never got to play the major folk festivals as many old
timers did.
Before he passed, we did get him a few college gigs up North. He got great press coverage and reviews! It was very
exciting and Pink told us he made more money on that trip than he ever did! I asked him what folks back home will
say.he replied, They gonna bite their heads off!
He never knew the band Pink Floyd was named after him and Floyd Cousel (another Carolina blues cat) and Im sure
he never heard of them. To tell you the truth, I never heard their music or that of the Jefferson Airplane.
Note: Roy will be playing at Mass St. Music on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m., with his many cool books, CDs and
DVDS in tow. Tickets are $15. Cmon down.
-Anne
0
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