P.Roehling "When this thread first went through the BANJO-L mailing list several years ago"

Dan'l responds: pure B.S. -- I signed my post like you asked, and this particular thread has never gone through any other list at any other time. This is 2006.

I'm not whoever posted before, years ago, ON BANJO-L or any other online forum. This recent thread posed a reasonable challenge to (a possibly) revisionist history. That kind of history may wash in California and Europe, but not so easily on this side of the States, where the banjo became a banjo. Ulf could explain the basis for his being so fixated on African origins if he chose to respond. He may have an honest reason and I can be convinced. In fact at this point I hope to be convinced - I've read his articles on the subject before posing the challenge. Frankly it's not looking too good that he is unable to respond.

He does have you to respond for him, but your friends are right - you are a grouch. You have a chip on your shoulder as big as Montana. I signed my name (and you were right to expect that) yet you take it as another insult. Why?

I never claimed that Africa wasn't a source, I never claimed that Africa wasn't a source, I never claimed that Africa wasn't a source, I never claimed that Africa wasn't a source...I need to state that as many times as you've tried to link me to racism, and you've never apologized to me.

What is so wrong about bringing forward a legitimate record (you have the same books I do) that demonstrates the 5-string banjo is as much the result of Yankee ingenuity (black Americans too) as it is the result of an African gourd tradition?

Apparently you and a few others here have already decided, years ago, the right answers for anything on the topic of banjo. You feel justified in literally slamming any other views whatsoever. And yet, this is still considered a forum - go figure.

I realize the drone string thing was infuriating for you but I don't know why it was, unless deep down you knew it made sense - what we call a drone isn't really a drone. It was never meant as an attack and I don't know how you could see it that way.

So, Pete, go and buy that Akonting from Elderly. You or one of your award-winning students should be able to play it expertly within a few minutes. You said it's played in the same downstroke style as a banjo.

- Dan Wykes