Workshop appearances from the Merle Watson Memorial Festival feature the banjo styles of Doc Watson (North Carolina); Kirk Sutphin and Greg Hooven (Mt. Airy and Galax); and Etta Baker and Joe and Odell Thompson (African-American). Mike's own interpretations of classic old-time tunes make this a comprehensive lesson for all players.

Eighteen songs including: "Molly Dear," "Snowdrop," "French Waltz," "Reuben's Train," "Tom Dooley," "Willie Moore," "Frosty Morn," "Old Joe Clark," "John Brown's Dream," "Backstep Cindy," "Old Corn Likker," "Marching Jaybird, "Soldier's Joy," "Needle Case," "Baptist Shout," "White House Blues."

Review:

". . . one of the most significant videos to be released to date on old-time banjo playing and old-time music in general. The key elements to the success of the project are the very broad scope of styles considered within the label "old-time," and the easy-going confidence and expertise displayed by host Mike Seeger in molding this dizzying array of musicians and playing techniques into a coherent presentation. . . . Homespun Tapes and Smithsonian/Folkways are to be congratulated on pooling their talents to create a product that works equally well as both an instructional and educational resource. For these reasons, (this video) should endure as an important documentary of old-time music and could be considered essential viewing for most of us who are interested in old-time banjo and the history of old-time music." - Bill Evans, Old-Time Herald