The Left Handed Capricorns Old-Time String Band

Home What is Old-Time Music? Music Samples To Order\Contact Links
 
Gary at the Deer Creek Fiddlers Convention.  circa 2000  

Gary Walton

Fiddle, Banjo, Vocals, Autoharp

From the Carryin' On CD liner notes:

Good things are bound to sprout when you put the left handed Capricorns together.  It didn't take long for our music to get into a groove once the three of us started playing.  And true to our Capricorn nature, hard work and patience has proved to be a successful recipe for our band.

Where it all begins.....  I first met Ron through a referral from Baltimore Bluegrass.  I was teaching myself clawhammer banjo and needed to ask someone if I was on the right track.  Ron was definitely the person to ask.  Ron saw my enthusiasm for music and started teaching me.  It's funny, I once saw a picture of a banjo player teaching a young kid how to play.  I remember telling myself, "Wouldn't that be great if you could meet someone that would show you how to play, someone that loved the music and wanted to share it with others."  That thought became a reality after meeting Ron.  I could tell immediately he was a very accomplished and talented musician and teacher.  Ron also tried to empower me with music around every corner.  He'd tell me. "Gary, I'm just showing you how to teach yourself!"  Something clicked because now there's not a day goes by where I'm not singing or playing tunes.

After playing with Ron for a year, it was obvious that we needed another member.  I asked an old friend to come down and play with us.  Kevin grew up a couple of houses down from me and actually used to be my babysitter!  I knew he had been in an Irish band so I figured this might interest him.  Sure enough, we all started getting together on a regular basis, working up tunes.  At that point, Ron and I had found fiddles and were incorporating them into our sound.  It was quite a treat to be playing with Kevin.  He didn't know it, but he was one of my early musical influences.  I remember when I was younger, there was a whole group of kids from the neighborhood sitting in Kevin's front lawn while he played the guitar.  We sat there listening and enjoying all the sounds he could produce that summer afternoon.  I never forgot the feeling I had then from the music.  Now, almost 20 years later, I'm playing in a band with him.  Can you believe it???

Some kind of whirlwind all this music has been!!!  I never could have guessed I'd be recording an album five years ago.  I'm  sure my family couldn't either.  They've been so wonderfully supportive with all my musical efforts. My parents raised me to believe I could accomplish anything I put my mind to and sure enough, they were right!  While I was still living at home, I figured I'd give them one last treat.  I brought my fiddle into the house and learned how to play!  Coincidentally, they always seemed to leave when I wanted to practice, but eventually things got better.  Summer came and I could practice in the woods instead!  The fact that they still love me as much as they do, even after my gift of the fiddle means  they deserve a great big thanks from me!!!

I would also like to thank the Theodoropoulos family for providing a very classy place for our band to play.  Our appearances at the York Inn gave us a wonderful and relaxed atmosphere to share the music that means so much to us.  Pete has been a positive catalyst in the area by organizing and promoting live performances at their restaurant.  I also want to mention Steve, who took me to my first festival, where my interest in the banjo and fiddle was first ignited.

I need to acknowledge and thank one last group of people.  I teach at Forest Lakes Elementary School in Forest Hill, Maryland.  The voices you hear on the last cut of the album came from the class I taught this past year.  I recorded our fourth grade class singing at the end of the year and with such a degree of confidence and enthusiasm in their voices, you'd think it was a group of songbirds at sunrise!!!  Their voices are so true and natural!!  Thanks, guys, for singing with me all year!!!  Ron & Kevin are also pleased that you are taking part in our project.

When I first met Ron he told me.  "I'll get you started, but I can't commit to anything permanent."  Four years later we're recording an album!  I don't think he could resist the magic three left handed Capricorns can make!!!