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Comment by Ms Data on July 19, 2013 at 19:17

Not really. I play guitar. I had a mandolin many years ago and being that my mother was from Italy I learned a few of her favorite songs but that is about it. I can appreciate a fine instrument though and I know that the Paganoni name means very nice instruments.  And very expensive to collectors.  I know what you mean about giving things up . . . oh if I could have a few things back that I used to own!

Comment by Mike Botts on July 18, 2013 at 21:53

I wish I still had it to trade.  It was #8 in a series of 24 built by John Paganoni.  He was a friend of mine who used to live in Omaha, NE, where he was a full bird Colonel in the Air Force. He worked at SAC, and built mandolins in his spare time.  Doyle Lawson played #22 for a long time.  John kept #12 for himself.  Other friends of mine had # 5, and # 23, which was the twin of #22.  Mine was a sweet mando with a deep throaty and woody sound.  I bought it from a guy in Chicago in 1977 for $1,200.  Recently I saw that it had sold for $8,500.  I was a fool to ever sell it, and I miss it to this day.  The things we do when we're young and dumb.  Are you a mandolin player?

Comment by Ms Data on July 18, 2013 at 21:35

Mike!  That is one very sweet Mandolin!!!  I'd offer to trade you all of my knives for it but I have a feeling you'd just laugh hysterically.

Comment by Mike Botts on July 12, 2013 at 13:07

This photo was taken in Winfield, Kansas at The Walnut Valley Festival.  I started going to that in 1976, and then for 18 consecutive years.  After that, my wife and I would go once in a while.  She is a guitar player.  We would never miss a Doc Watson set.  Other regulars there were Hot Rize, and New Grass Revival.  We haven't been back there for a few years now.

Comment by Jon Duncan on July 12, 2013 at 12:35

Can't say I've heard a lot of Steve's stuff, the Rangers have pulled through Nashville a few times but I've never caught them. Hard to beat Bela Fleck on banjo though. I see a pic of Doc up there, he's one of my favorites, along with Bryan Sutton.

Comment by Mike Botts on July 12, 2013 at 10:20

Good to know.  I've been into Steve Martin's new stuff with the Steep Canyon Rangers lately.  He's an interesting banjo player.  Tony Trischka says Steve is his favorite.

Comment by Jon Duncan on July 12, 2013 at 9:18

A little old-time fiddle and a bit of guitar! Always good to meet a fellow picker!

Comment by Mike Botts on July 12, 2013 at 8:53

Hey Jon!  Great to know that someone on iKC knows who Sam Bush is.  Just for that, I'm gonna send you a friend request.  Do you play?

Comment by Jon Duncan on July 12, 2013 at 7:47

Great! Thought that was Sam Bush for a moment!

Comment by Mike Botts on July 11, 2013 at 21:39

Yeah.  I was 21 then.  Seems like yesterday though.