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clintonrossdavis
The most Kentuckinest trip a Kentuckian ever did K The most Kentuckinest trip a Kentuckian ever did Kentucky. Miss this place all the time and all the things ya just can’t find in California.
Yesterday, in the middle of my gig, I was surprise Yesterday, in the middle of my gig, I was surprised and honored to receive the commission of Kentucky Colonel from my banjo student, fellow Kentuckian, and unbeknownst to me, Colonel Sammy Knight. “The Kentucky Colonelcy is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.” It is issued by the Governor upon the recommendation of other Colonels “in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to our community, state, and nation.” Ever since I was a kid I’ve seen fellow Kentuckians I admire awarded these - sometimes even other musicians - and would imagine how cool it would be to be a colonel one day. Early on in my Friday gig, I recognized Sammy in the audience and couldn’t help but notice his formal dress, complete with western bow tie and regal walking cane, but I didn’t think twice about it. Towards the end of my set he walked up to the stage and told me he’d been given permission from the venue’s management to make an announcement, and then he made my day! Thank you Sammy for nominating me for my study, performance, and teaching of Kentucky music, and for the surprise presentation! This now officially extends my title to Col. Dr. Clinton Davis.
Arizona is pretty awesome. Just back from a week o Arizona is pretty awesome. Just back from a week of hikes, friends, gigs, and honky-tonkin. And I got a new fiddle ta boot. Come hear me play it in San Diego at @grandolebbqflinnsprings this Friday 6-8 with my stringband.
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Looking forward to a return to Prescott, AZ next w Looking forward to a return to Prescott, AZ next week. And, I’ll still be holding things down in San Diego with my monthly residencies at @blackcatbar619 and @grandolebbqflinnsprings
From now til Friday 3/25 everything on my Bandcamp From now til Friday 3/25 everything on my Bandcamp store is 20% off! This includes my newest solo album, the album I made with stringband Skillet Licorice, and the guitar instructional DVD I created for Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop. Find the link in my bio, and use the discount code “madeyoulook” . . . . . . #oldtime #bluegrass #folk #folkmusic #traditionalmusic #banjo #banjolessons #clawhammer #dropthumbsnotbombs #vegabanjos #deeringbanjos #scruggs #fiddletunes #guitar #guitarist #jellyrollmorton #ragtimeguitar #jazzguitar #nolamusic #guitarlessons #acousticguitar #guitarsolo #guitarsdaily #ragtime #ragtimeguitar #blue #bluesmusic #bluesguitar #countryblues #onlineguitarlessons
May 5th in San Diego my stringband will be opening May 5th in San Diego my stringband will be opening for Grammy-winning Cajun fiddle legend Michael Doucet with Tom Rigney & Flambeau at the opening concert for this year’s @gatorbythebay.
Made a mono 45rpm lathe-cut record with stringband Made a mono 45rpm lathe-cut record with stringband megaband Skillet Licorice and Echo Mountain at @impossiblerailroadtradingpost . Pretty wild. Sounds like a Lomax recording
Join me in congratulating my student Nicholas who Join me in congratulating my student Nicholas who was recently accepted into the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts on banjo! Here’s a clip from his audition tape, playing Hobart Smith’s “Cindy.” . . . . . . . #oldtime #bluegrass #folk #folkmusic #traditionalmusic #banjo #banjomusic #banjoplayer #banjolessons #clawhammerbanjo #clawhammer #frailing #dropthumbsnotbombs #vegabanjos #deeringbanjos #scruggs #banjoteacher
Got an @sdmusicawards nomination for my album! Als Got an @sdmusicawards nomination for my album! Also proud to have performed on the albums of fellow nominees @enterthebluesky , @thecedarshakers , and @outlawronhouston . . . . . . . #oldtime #bluegrass #folk #folkmusic #traditionalmusic #banjo #banjomusic #banjoplayer #banjolessons #clawhammerbanjo #clawhammer #frailing #dropthumbsnotbombs #vegabanjos #deeringbanjos #scruggs #fiddle #fiddletunes #fiddler #fiddlemusic #fiddletune
Amos Johnson Rag. Amos Johnson was an early 20th-c Amos Johnson Rag. Amos Johnson was an early 20th-century black guitar player from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. I'm not aware of any recordings of Johnson, but this tune circulated amongst other guitarists in the region. Mose Rager learned it directly from Johnson, and then shared it with Merle Travis, who later arranged and recorded the tune, retitled as "Guitar Rag." Tennessee guitarist Sam McGee also played the tune though he also learned it from an intermediate source, and not from Johnson directly. For online lessons visit the linktree in my bio. . . . . . . . . . #guitar #guitarist #merletravis #thumbpick #thumbpicking #guitarsolo #fingerstyle #fingerstyleguitar #guitarteacher #onlinelessons
Leake County Two-Step. Shot in the orchards of Tor Leake County Two-Step. Shot in the orchards of Tornillo, Texas during some downtime at @sonicranch recording studio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #banjo #banjomusic #banjoplayer #banjolessons #clawhammerbanjo #clawhammer #frailing #fiddletunes #melodicbanjo #dropthumbsnotbomb #bluegrass #bluegrassmusic #bluegrassbanjo
Just wrapped a beautiful week of producing a colle Just wrapped a beautiful week of producing a collection of songs from @stephen.el.rey at the amazing creative monastery that is @sonicranch . It’s been a week of intense focus, patient work, and great fulfillment, tucked away in a pecan orchard under El Paso sunsets and dark night skies while freight trains whine in the distance. I am so proud to be a part of this work and excited for my friend to share it with the world. Many thanks to the ranch crew and engineer @mauropcastro . We couldn’t have done it without you!
@deeringbanjos has included my album “If I Live @deeringbanjos has included my album “If I Live and I Don’t Get Killed” on a list of their favorite banjo albums of 2021. Happy to be on this list of heavy hitters. Available for purchase in my bio linktree. . . . . . . . . #oldtime #bluegrass #folk #folkmusic #traditionalmusic #banjo #banjomusic #banjoplayer #banjolessons #clawhammerbanjo #clawhammer #frailing #dropthumbsnotbombs #vegabanjos #deeringbanjos
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Farewell Portland. This was a nice moment. Farewell Portland. This was a nice moment.
Morgan Sexton's "Last of Callahan" played on my be Morgan Sexton's "Last of Callahan" played on my beautiful Mike Ramsey banjo. I found this instrument at @mozepics in La Mesa, California and had not heard Mike's name before. I bought the banjo, brought it home, and googled Mike's name to see he had passed on just the day before. Wherever you are Mike, thanks for making this beautiful-sounding instrument. . . . . . . . . . . #oldtime #bluegrass #folk #folkmusic #traditionalmusic #banjo #banjomusic #banjoplayer #banjolessons #clawhammerbanjo #clawhammer #frailing #dropthumbsnotbombs
First dates of 2022 are coming up. Excited for my First dates of 2022 are coming up. Excited for my first time at @portland_oldtime_gathering ! Art by @kaiser.claude
2021 is winding down. Here’s just a few moments 2021 is winding down. Here’s just a few moments from the year that I’m grateful for and people I’m grateful to have shared them with.
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Recent Posts

  • I am now a Kentucky Colonel
  • 2022 California Festival Dates
  • Album Accolades
  • 2022 Portland Old Time Gathering
  • New Album Available Now!
  • Opening for Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms
  • Video Premiere on The Bluegrass Situation
  • Los Angeles, CA – 09/06/21 – The Y.A.R.D.
  • Big Sur, CA – 09/03/21 – Fernwood Resort
  • Nevada City, CA – 08/29/21 – Golden Era

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