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Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2017
Strange Book, I came to it by way of his oral history videos on You Tube, which I consider better than this book.It is long on name dropping, or should I say name listings, pages and pages of names of people known only in the world of bluegrass.This book is 221 pages, but could be condensed into about 20, and should be:Loved his dad, mama was a non player (absent), loved and hated Bill Monroe, loved Homer Israel, Snuffy Jenkins, et al. Abandoned his wife and son for a life of a touring musician. Spent that life in an LSD, peyote, mescaline mental fidget spinner state playing banjo. Burn Out, Rehab, got a degree, did real estate, married again, reconciled with Bill Monroe. Thought Earl Scruggs was a poser. Became a mentor to Japanese banjo people. Lived snarky ever after.Would I want to meet this guy? NoWould I search out his musical output? No
Jeanne Walters
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2016
This was one of the best books I have read lately!
Suncityan
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, wasn't what I though when buying. It had many subplots and accurate descriptions of many different characters and situations. Just the ticket for a beginning banjo player - me.
BEVERLY HATFIELD
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2015
LOVE IT
Steve Wilkinson
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2015
Great read about our music.
Gadgetman
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2015
I have not got round to reading this book but have seen Butch on Banjo Hangout so know what to expect. Butch Robins was banjo picker for Bill Monroe and in this book gives an insight into what went on when playing for Mr Monroe.
Jay Kreider
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2015
Great book! Great insights! I appreciate being able to learn from Butch Robbin's experiences. Proofreading of the spelling/punctuation in the book could have been better.
Dan W. Proctor
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2007
The first professional job I had playing Bluegrass was with Charlie Moore way back in 1972 and Butch was his banjo picker.I can say without a doubt that what Butch says about Charlie is true right down the line.I found my self shaking my head yes to all the things I had experienced while working with Mr. Moore that Butch wrote about.A lot of people don't seem to like all he stuff about drinking,drugs and the flaws in their heros--truth be known Butch's book only scathes the surface of what you could write about many of the band learders and side men of professional music of whatever genre. Not all are that way,thats true,but many more than you may think. I had no problem with the way Butch writes nor was spelling a problem. The whole thing is the information he delivers. I was also glad to see that Butch has come a long way to burying his demons.I will be coming out within the next 18 months or so with my own book that will cover more of Charlie Moore as my time was 1772-74,78. Plus, there will be a lot about many other lesser bands, musicans and personal insights on Bluegrass in General.I am looking forward to reading Butch's new book.
M. J. Keyes
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2004
I bought this book because at one time I barely knew Butch Robins and wanted to see what he had to say. I came away with a profound respect for him and a much greater understanding of the music he devoted his life to. And, Oh Yeah, I learned a lot about Bill Monroe, bluegrass music, and the hard life of a musician on the road.Butch Robins is an exceptionally bright, driven, flawed human being who has managed to come to a peaceful resolution of his interesting (in the Chinese curse sense) life and this book is the product of that journey. I remember him as a talented and creative musician from whom music effortlessly flowed. He is that, of course, but is also a minor hero of mine after reading how he dealt with his demons.I will be the first to admit that Butch is no Marcel Proust, but his writing is compelling and his (at times) stream of concsciousness approach to his biography grabbed me emotionally and helped me understand why I love the music so much.If you are interested in one man's view on Bill Monroe, this is the best version of Monroe's character I have ever read. You have to read the whole book to get the complete picture as Butch is of several minds on the subject to say the least.I will enjoy this book again after I examine my own feelings on growing up in the 60s and 70s, my love of bluegrass music, and the effects the honesty in this book.MIke Keyesmikeyes@charter.net
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