Uncle Dave Macon - Way Down the Old Plank Road free for downloading

This is how it should be !....

Love it! I used to play this song on the dulcimer, and I had never heard it played-- I thought.  I got the song from a songbook compiled by Mike Seeger.  But hearing this I realize that I must have heard it; I knew to punch the "Won't" in the chorus, and that wasn't written on the sheet music. Wish I had had a chance to see Uncle Dave play.  He was a wild man. 

I dare you to try and play this video without turning the volume up or tapping your feet.

It reminds me of: Funk Getting Ready To Roll

I am glad you mentioned that, I thought he should have been included also, only a brief still pic was all I saw of him, and no mention, I think. He should have been in there!

From what I've read, Dave Macon grew up in a tavern with many black employees who he was close with. I believe he learned to play the banjo from them since at the time the banjo was used mainly by black singers. His use of the N word is just typical of his time.

This song is almost 100 years old and I can totally relate to it. That's how you know good music.

I this music is great. I have heard of Uncle Dave Macon for many years,but until I got a PC I had no idea what I was missing. I do have a question. How was that rat a tat tat sound made?

One of the listeners here pondered how the 'rat a tat' sound was made during the recording of this song, so I posed the question to Uncle Dave Macon's official biographer, Dr. Michael Doubler.  "That's from the April 14, 1926 recording session on the Vocalion label.  Sam McGee is the accompanist, and the sound you’re hearing is Sam rapping his knuckles or slapping the palm of his hand on the flat front of his Martin guitar, or even hitting the back of the guitar body, as Uncle Dave plays lead on the banjo.   A great example of old time music performance style! "

Thanks very much, Rev1981! Uncle Dave Macon's version of this tune is fantastic!

PBS recently did a special on the banjo and for some reason never mentioned Uncle Dave Macon, the greatest banjo player of all time.

Now that's how it's done folks!!!!

glory hallelujah!!!

I was turned on to Uncle Dave back in 1971 when I was 23 by my friend Ray who was from Beaumont, Texas. With me being from the Bronx, New York time stood still the first time I heard his music. Now that I'm 69 and forming a blues band I'm so happy for the culture he gifted me with. He also taught me that to be a progressive musician you cannot ever forget the roots of the music your are playing. Uncle Dave proved once again that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Maybe that's one of the reasons my home town of New York City is called the Big Apple and why people in New York City got hooked on country music:- years ago!

This song is the best!!