Andy Chase

According to this BanjoHangout.org post, Deering is going to be featured on Made In America. March 7, I believe the date is.

It should be an interesting show, but one thing that probably won't come up is the fact that the Deerings are Scientologists. (If you're unfamiliar, follow that link for edification lest I seem like some kind of intolerant kook.)

I'm so conflicted... the Deering Banjo Company makes some fine instruments, one of the only larger banjo companies whose instruments are truly made in the USA, and employees have pointed out on the Banjo Hangout that the owner's affiliation shouldn't reflect on the craftsmen who build the instruments. However, since they choose to ship tracts with their products it does reflect on the company as a whole.

All of which doesn't change the fact that I would like to own a Deering John Hartford model (the pop-off resonator version) someday... buying a used one will salve both my conscience and my wallet.

Tagged:

• banjo
• deering
• ratzenberger
• madeinamerica