Mandolins and overalls

[pjlama]

I'm sorry but I need to know, what's the connection between overalls and playing mandolin?

[Crowder]

Two words: Mike Compton.

[pjlama]

But, why?

[JEStanek]

That's how he rolls. Mike's a real original guy. I would love to meet him and hang out. When I see someone in overalls with a t shirt and a mandolin, I think, "That guy like Mr. Compton."

Jamie

[Crowder]

But, why?

Oh, that? I dunno. I guess some guys like him enough to dress like him. Grown men, too.

[pjlama]

So that's really it? Mike Compton prefers overalls to pants, slacks, dungrees or jeans and out of adoration fans chose to wear overalls while engaged in mandolin activities, either participant or witness? That's kinda like finding out the meaning of life, 42.

[Paul Kotapish]

Mike wasn't the first bluegrass or old-time musician to wear overalls on a regular basis--it's been an alternative attire preference for many for decades. But wearing them has become a signature look for him, like they were for Stringbean years ago.

[pjlama]

Now we're getting somewhere.

[Richard Francis]

When Earl Scruggs hit the big time, banjo players noticed that he wore his banjo strap on his right shoulder. Pretty soon every banjo player who wanted to sound like Earl wore his banjo strap the same way. Finally someone asked Earl why he wore it that way. He replied that to put the strap on the other shoulder, he would have to take off his hat, and that would mess up his hair.

Sometimes the reason isn't what you think it is.

[Jim]

Overalls are pretty darn comfortable.

[Mike Snyder]

No matter how sophisticated bluegrass has become, it's got something in common with bib overalls. Rural roots. I was awearin' bibbers before I ever heard of Mike Compton. He is, however, how I learned about the finest brand of bibs ever sewn (or riveted). Pointer Brand. Hard to find retail, but available via the world wide web. Yee Haw!

[allenhopkins]

Paul Prestopino, accompanist for Peter, Paul & Mary and apostle of the Strad-O-Lin, wears overalls in a variety of colors when he performs, and also wears colorful, mismatched socks (a different color on each foot). Plays beautifully on guitar, mandolin, banjo and recorder. And he's from New Jersey.

[Chris Biorkman]

Overalls are pretty darn comfortable.

So are sweatpants and Ugg boots, but that doesn't make it right.

[Mike Snyder]

If it's good enough for Briscoe Darling, it's good enough for me.

[MikeEdgerton]

I know this will come as a shock but some of us have been wearing them since we were kids and that's a long time ago.

[Bigd18]

I see overalls on a daily basis. Its pretty common around here in SW VA. #Pointer's are not a novelty, its just everyday clothing. #I can go across town and get a pair of pointers (or carhardts, or liberty's) anytime, high back, low back, or new style. #I don't think Mike Compton is starting anything new. #On a side note, the more worn they are, the more comfortable.

And an additional side note. I remember when my dads eight track of Stringbean broke.

[pjlama]

I got you, overalls are fairly common for toddlers, I even used to wear them when I was a laborer so I wouldn't get dirt down my pants, but grown men playing music?

[Mike Snyder]

My dad grew up a dust bowl Okie poor as dirt. First time I came home in bibbers he gave me such a strange look. Far away and kinda sad. He had no wardrobe options when he was a kid. He wore bibs, and wore them until his ma couldn't patch 'em together any more. He wasn't happy to see the boy he sent off to college in them. Mandolin content; best reason for a tonegard, to keep your bib buttons from scratching your mando.

[Chris Biorkman]

I would think all the buttons would really do a number on a mandolin back.

[Mike Snyder]

What do you wear to a pickin', pj?

[pjlama]

Seriously, that's what I'm thinking. Lots of places to dent, ding and damage the instrument. I mean we're not talking banjos here, we're talking mandolins!

[pjlama]

t-shirt, pants optional.

[JamesPV]

Slightly off topic, but I've known more than one person who made an interesting use of the many pockets in a pair of overalls. They can be the basis of a bookkeeping system, with money received and money to be used for various purposes sequestered in designated pockets. I guess there could be mandolin content if you allocated a pocket to build up the fund for the next mando purchase, at that.

I haven't worn them for years, and when I did, keeping multiple sums of money straight was not a very pressing problem in my life. But I always admired the guys that used such a system, and being older and hard-working, they managed to have a lot more to keep track of than I did.

[mandroid]

Pete Townsend liked boiler suits.aka Coveralls.

[MikeEdgerton]

Some folks don't get real excited about what buttons and buckles do to mandolins, guitars, etc. If you're worried about the buttons get a tonegard and you have no worries. Overalls are just clothes, nothing special and no magic about. Compton dresses comfortably, if it's his schtick then so be it. He didn't invent the look but he may be the only mandolin player on the national scene that seems to wear them all the time. I wouldn't assume a mandolin player in overalls was trying to emulate anyone.