California Banjo Extravaganza: “The Train That Carried My Girl from Town”
Bill Evans, Joe Newberry, and Danny Barnes play a three-banjo version of the popular bluegrass song.
Peghead Nation banjo instructor Bill Evans hosted the 2016 California Banjo Extravaganza with guests Joe Newberry and Danny Barnes, headlining six concerts and holding a Banjo Mini-Camp.
During the tour’s stop at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley, California, Bill, Joe, and Danny took a few minutes to play this three-banjo version of “The Train That Carried My Girl from Town” in the Freight’s lobby. Later in the evening, they played the song with the Extravaganza’s all-star band, including Peghead Nation instructors Chad Manning and Sharon Gilchrist, along with mandolin great John Reischman and guitar master Jim Nunally. You can see that version of the song here on Peghead Nation as well.
The song dates back to the early 1900’s, with Piedmont blues songwriter and musician Frank Hutchinson recording the track in 1926. Influential versions by Ola Belle Reed, Doc Watson, and Wade Mainer followed, and the song has been a popular selection in bluegrass and old-time circles since.
Learn banjo with Bill Evans in his Beginning Banjo and Bluegrass Banjo courses on Peghead Nation.
Related Back Room Posts
 |
Charlie Torch: “Red Rocking Chair”Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Chad Manning plays a traditional song with his band that includes siblings Jasper and Jayda Manning, Tyler Stengall, and Mark Schatz. Read More |
 |
Peghead Nation’s 10th Anniversary | We Want to Hear from YouWe’d love to hear what you’ve learned on Peghead Nation. Record a video of your playing and share it with us on our social media channels to help celebrate our 10th! Read More |
 |
Sam Bush: “In Tall Buildings”Peghead Nation's Contemporary Bluegrass Banjo instructor Wes Corbett joins Sam Bush on a classic John Hartford song. Read More |
 |
Joy Kills Sorrow: “Such Great Heights”Peghead Nation welcomes our two newest instructors, Zoe Guigueno and Wes Corbett, who played together in the influential stringband Joy Kills Sorrow. Read More |
 |
Mr Sun: “Blackbird” | Peghead Nation ExclusiveThe virtuosic four-piece that includes Peghead instructors Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy showcases their playful arrangement of a Beatles classic. Read More |
 |
Mr Sun: ”Farewell Trion”The virtuosic string band plays an old-time favorite during the Wintergrass Festival. Read More |
 |
Hawktail: “Antilopen”Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas plays a Swedish fiddle tune with her powerhouse garage band. Read More |
 |
Garrison, Gordy, Hargreaves, Walsh: “Sports”Watch a video of an original song from “Bluegrass and the Abstract Truth,” with mandolin from Peghead Nation instructor Joe K. Walsh, and illustration by our banjo instructor Danny Barnes. Read More |
 |
Andrew Marlin with Eli West, Christian Sedelmyer, Clint Mullican: “Wooden Spoon Over by the Sink”Andrew Marlin and his band plays an original tune from his instrumental album, “Buried in a Cape,” backstage at Terrapin Crossroads. Read More |
 |
Hawktail: “Annbjørg”Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas and her progressive acoustic band play an original tune from their new album, “Formations.” Read More |
