Testimonial Statements
About Round Peak Banjos
"Kevin Fore has immersed himself in the Round Peak STYLE of old-time music and his banjos and music are 100% proof of this. The fretless gold fleck Formica banjo that Kevin has built for me contains the sound and material sensibilities of a Kyle Creed style banjo. It is very exciting to see a banjo player and banjo maker that truly understands the tradition down to the most minute detail. It is hard to separate Kevin's banjo making and playing, and to me this is what adds the sincere richness that his banjos embody."
Jeff Menzies, Ontario, Canada
"The fretless 'Fred Cockerham' banjo that Kevin Fore made for me looks as great as it plays. And equally important it sounds just as great. And that’s not only my opinion but also those of two great banjo players, Kirk Stuphin, who kindly introduced me to Kevin, and Jeremy Stephens, both of whom test played it. I call it the 'Fred Cockerham' because it is constructed exactly the way Kyle Creed made Fred’s banjo at least 44 years ago. Kyle took an old rim and fashioned a neck that featured a slotted headstock with four tuning pegs and a gold-flecked white Formica fingerboard.
I got an old Supertone rim from Jim Lloyd and took it to Kirk who cleaned it up…no small task. In the meantime, Kevin, using an old piece of walnut, shaped the neck, and used a piece of white, gold-flecked Formica for the fingerboard as well as to top surface of the headstock. Kevin bought new brackets and tailpiece and made a classic wood truss rod. Lastly he set the banjo up so that the strings weren’t close to the fingerboard, as were the strings on Fred’s, but still played easily. Bottom line: it is a really nice looking banjo that gives just the sound I wanted."
Charlie Faurot, Midlothian, Virginia, October 2008
"Your banjo sounds like a full concert."
John Flory, Olympia, Washington, proud owner/player of Round Peak Banjo #0016FL, December 2008
"Since I received my Kevin Fore banjo in August 2008, my other banjos are feeling neglected. For playability, volume, and the all-important rich tone that I look for in banjos, my Fore has quickly become my favorite five string."
Dale Morris, Wolfe Bros. String Band, Elk Creek, Virginia, November 2008
About Round Peak Music: The Tradition Continues
"From the first notes of the the Surry County National Anthem, Sally Ann, you know this is going to be good. Kevin Fore has brought together a stellar group of Round Peak musicians centered around his fine banjo playing. It is proof that the tradition is in good hands."
David Holt
"The Friday afternoon of this year's Mount Airy Fiddlers' Convention, I passed by the tent where Kirk Sutphin was playing fiddle accompanied by a banjo player. Kirk called out, 'Charlie you ought to hear my friend, Kevin Fore. He plays just like Kyle Creed.' I did and, after a couple of tunes, said, 'He sounds more like Kyle than Kyle did.' I began asking for songs that I knew Kyle had played and songs I never had heard Kyle play. All came back with the powerful, clear and not over-worked sound that Kyle had. During one pause, conversation drifted to the banjo Kevin was playing..One of the best sounding banjos I've heard, it was made by Kevin and patterned after the open-backed banjos Kyle used to make.
Kevin has surrounded himself on this CD with masters of the storied Round Peak style, including key members of Kyle Creed's '60s and '70s Camp Creek Boys, Benton Flippen, Verlin Clifton, Katie Golding, and Bobby Patterson, exceptional current practioners Kirk Sutphin, Eddie Bond, Mac Snow, Chester McMillian and Galax musicians James and Joey Burris. One listen to the CD quells any doubts that Round Peak music is as great as ever."
Charlie Faurot, Midlothian, Virginia, August 2008
"This is the best recording to hit the old-time music scene since the June Apple album featuring Tommy Jarrell, Kyle Creed, Bobby Patterson and Audine Lineberry, that was released in 1972. This CD will be a 'must have' for old-time music lovers."
Trish Fore, Lowgap, North Carolina
