Norman Blake: The Full Story! "I'm a Blind Dog in a Meat Market!"

#SongbirdsFoundation #NormanBlake #VaultSessions Four years ago, we had the pleasure of setting down with Norman Blake and Joel McCormick for an interview. Norman told us before we started, that due to some health issues he wouldn't be able to play much, if any. We pulled ten of our most iconic acoustic guitars and this is a full version of what happened—as he put it, "I'm like a blind dog in a meat market!" The only parts that we cut or edited were long sections of tuning and dead air. So, we hope that you enjoy the show with one of the greatest pickers of all time! The Guitars: 1941 Martin D-45 1942 Martin Herringbone D-28 1924 Gibson F-5 Mandolin and L-5 Guitar (both signed by Lloyd Loar on March 31, 1924) 1947 Martin D-28 1937 Gibson Advanced Jumbo 1937 Martin 000-45 1934 Gibson Nick Lucas Special 1936 Martin D-18. Timestamps: 00:00:11 "Salty" 00:01:40 Where did you grow up? 00:02:16 Who were some of your major influences? 00:05:11 What was it like playing with some of your major influences 00:07:21 were there any licks that really inspired you while you were learning to play? 00:13:26 "High Dad in the Morning" 00:19:00 "Caperton Ferry, Ruins of Richmond, Valley Head" 00:24:08 What was it like working with Johnny Cash 00:39:38 "Yellow Barber" 00:42:37 "In My Father's Footsteps" 00:45:10 What was your first guitar? 00:48:18 Didn't you also make some music with Steve Earle? 00:50:26 "Lula Walls" 00:54:03 Joel, how did you meet Norman? 00:55:01 "Rock of Ages" 00:58:55 On having a stroke and not performing 01:00:45 "Farewell Francisco Madero" These sessions keep the music alive by helping the Songbirds Foundation raise money to buy guitars for kids…check out our website to find out more—songbirdsfoundation.org. SUBSCRIBE for more!