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Current ExhibitsBLUEGRASS TIME
In high school Phil learned to play guitar and banjo from a friend who was taking lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and attended concert performances of Peggy, Pete, and Mike Seeger, Doc Watson, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, The New Lost City Ramblers, and other pivotal performers of the folk revival. During his senior year, a friend loaned him a bluegrass album and he was hooked. In college, he played solo coffeehouse gigs to earn spending money and to work on his instrumental and vocal chops. A visit to a picking session of Rochester bluegrass musicians Ronnie Knatt, Bill Dailey, and Jerry “JS” Schneider reinforced Phil’s growing interest in old-time Appalachian music and bluegrass. Phil graduated from the University of Rochester in 1966 with a degree in history. Unbeknownst to the university registrar (and his parents), he actually majored in bluegrass, with a minor in photography. In 1965, Phil made the pilgrimage to Cantrell’s Horse Farm in Fincastle, Virginia, to attend Carlton Haney’s Roanoke Blue Grass Festival, the first ever multi-day bluegrass festival. He brought his banjo and borrowed a camera, but ended up helping Ralph Rinzler document the sounds of the event while Ralph managed the backstage logistics. Since that time, Phil has been attending bluegrass events with an assortment of musical instruments and cameras, often torn between picking and picturing. As a bluegrass musician, Phil wanted to capture the intensity of live festival performances. Eventually, he was playing with bands on a regular basis, realized he had to make a choice between performing and documenting the performances of others, and chose to play music. Phil lives in Connecticut with his wife, Marcia Goodman, and children Jeremy and Kathrin. He teaches banjo and mandolin privately, in group workshops and camps, and performs regularly with bluegrass, old-time, and Americana groups. Visit his website: www.bluegrasstime.com. What others have to say about Phil Zimmerman’s book and exhibit: Ricky Skaggs These were historic meetings with some of the best musicians the world has ever known. And thank God that Phil Zimmerman was there with his mandolin and his camera…. You’ll love this great collection! David “Dawg” Grisman Phil Zimmerman has captured the spirit of bluegrass music and the exuberance of the musicians playing it… a fantastic job of conveying the fun, nuance and wit of this truly American art form — and for me, some great memories! Tony Rice A true photographic treasure to behold… My God, what precious memories! Dale Ann Bradley This book is a must have for all bluegrass music lovers, old and new! Tony Trischka This is a great collection of photos…. It’s all here! Marty Stuart I admire Phil Zimmerman’s work. He shoots with a knowing eye…. To see his 1970s and early 80s bluegrass experiences is a confirmation of the times, the people, and the music in motion…. There are lots of wonderful memories here. Carl Jackson …instantly placed me in a time capsule and flew me away to some of the best memories of my career. Butch Robins What a wonderful stroll “down memory lane.” Thanks for showing the future some of what we saw as we lived and felt those times. Peter Wernick …pictures that not only take me back in time, but also give a clear vision of the amazing spirit and diverse personalities of the bluegrass scene. Neil Rosenberg …many of the key musicians playing together at the early festivals – brings back some fine musical memories. Dan Hays These images bring forth their own kind of music and capture the joy, devotion, concentration, enjoyment, and fellowship that cannot be conveyed by sound alone.
PIONEERS OF BLUEGRASS EXHIBIT A new exhibit featuring artifacts from dozens of the iconic musicians who helped shape and disseminate bluegrass music in the first half of the 20th Century premiered at ROMP in June 2009. Many of the Pioneers were on hand for the opening. Be sure to visit the museum to view this exhibit sometime between now and June 15, 2010. |
Phil Zimmerman has been a performing musician since high school, and brought a musician’s sensibility to his career as a photographer. Born in Indiana, he grew up in Nebraska and Illinois listening to the WSM Farm Show as a toddler; the WLS Barn Dance in elementary school; and in high school, the late night clear channel beacons of what was then known as hillbilly music, KXEL, WWVA and WCKY. Television cowboys Uncle Tom Chase in Omaha, and singer/songwriter Bob Atcher in Chicago, as well as the “singing cowboy” movies of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers all contributed to his lifelong dedication to picking and singing.