For many pre-pandemic years, Peghead Nation banjo instructor Bill Evans curated the California Banjo Extravaganza and took it on tour throughout Northern California, featuring Bill and two other banjo players, along with an all-star band that has included many familiar faces from the Peghead Nation instructor ranks. This year, Bill held down the banjo duties himself for the California Bluegrass Reunion tour, which featured a band that included Peghead Nation instructors Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with fiddle master Darol Anger and guitar master Jim Nunally.
In this video from the band’s soundcheck at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, California, Bill leads the band in the bluegrass classic “Roll On Buddy, Roll On.” It was a great show from six musicians at the top of their game.
Learn mandolin with Sharon Gilchrist in her Beginning Mandolin, Intermediate Bluegrass Mandolin, Bluegrass Mandolin Fingerboard Method, and Melodic Embellishment courses.
Learn mandolin with John Reischman in his course, Melodic Mandolin Tunes.
Learn fiddle with Chad Manning in his Beginning/Intermediate Fiddle and Bluegrass Fiddle courses, as well as Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle.
Learn banjo with Bill Evans in his Beginning Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, and Earl Scruggs: A Player’s Guide courses on Peghead Nation.
 |
John Reischman, Bill Evans, and Friends: “Suzanne’s Journey”John Reischman plays his tune “Suzanne’s Journey” at Great Lakes Music Camp 2023 with Bill Evans, Ethan Setiawan Jeremy Kittel, Hayes Griffin, and Todd Phillips. Read More |
 |
California Bluegrass Reunion: “Petersburg Gal”A powerhouse band packed with Peghead Nation instructors plays an original tune from Bill Evans. Read More |
 |
California Bluegrass Reunion: “Suzanne’s Journey”All-star band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play one of John’s new original tunes. Read More |
 |
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Chinquapin Hunting”A performance from a Peghead-packed band of Bill Evans, Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
 |
Ned Luberecki: “Take Five” | California Banjo ExtravaganzaA performance of the jazz classic by the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player of Year, with Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
 |
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Angeline the Baker”A performance from Bill Evans, Chris Coole, and Ned Luberecki, with a Peghead-packed band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
 |
Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Studebaker”Flatpicking master Kenny Smith plays one of his original tunes with Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors, along with bassist Max Schwartz and fiddler Nate Lee. Read More |
 |
Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Petersburg Gal”Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors play Bill Evans’ original tune with flatpicking guru Kenny Smith, bassist Max Schwartz, and fiddler Nate Lee at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse. Read More |
 |
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Train 45 / Reuben’s Train”A performance from Bill Evans, Joe Newberry, and Danny Barnes, with an all-star band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
 |
Banjo Extravaganza: “The Train That Carried My Girl from Town”A performance from the 2016 CA Banjo Extravaganza, with Bill Evans, Joe Newberry, and Danny Barnes, and an all-star band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More |
