sweeneymusic.bsky.social
@sweeneymusic.bsky.social
WARNING

If you receive a birthday from me DELETE IT. My email was hacked
December 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
One of my daily goals is to perform a random act of kindness each day.
I am on their speed dial. I was born with O Negative Blood. It makes me the universal donor.
A pint of blood can save three lives. Giving is important no matter how big or how small. It is that simple.
December 20, 2025 at 7:18 PM
youtu.be/OM0h13sWuxA?...

I enjoy creating arrangements with musical friends.

In 1989 or 1990 I recorded an instrumental Christmas album called It's Christmas Time In The City.

I hope you enjoy

#edsweeneymusic #Christmas #guitar #hammerdulcimer #oboe
Silver Bells by Ed Sweeney and friends
YouTube video by Ed Sweeney
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I love making musical arrangements with friends.
Carol Keig and I made and recorded this arrangement of Jolly Old St. Nicholas when I lived in California. We had met at the Eel River Music Camp. We became instant friends.

youtu.be/C_cDh8LrrzY?...
#edsweeneymusic #Christmas #dulcimer #banjo
Jolly Old St Nicholas by Ed Sweeney on 5 String Banjo & Carol Keig on Appalachian dulcimer
YouTube video by Ed Sweeney
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Yang Wei was over the house for dinner in 2005 or 2006.

This was one of the first pieces we started playing together. It is an unlikely combination of Pipa and 5-String Banjo, and we both felt it worked.

youtu.be/5uK8yaINCM0?...

#edsweeney #banjo #Christmas
O Come O Come Emmanuel by Ed Sweeney & Yang Wei. 5 String Banjo & Pipa
YouTube video by Ed Sweeney
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Fall 2025 - Season 44
Saturday, September 13th at 7pm
Ed Sweeney at Stone Soup Coffeehouse
stonesoupcoffeehouse.org
Stone Soup Coffee House is at The Music Mansion, 88 Meeting Street, Providence, RI Opening the evening will be Andy and Judy.
I hope to see many friends.
September 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
5 String Banjo and Guitar Fall Classes start next week at the Blackstone River Theatre.

I am teaching 5 String Banjo Classes on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Guitar Class is on Thursday Evenings.

Contact the Blackstone River Theatre brtri.org/classes/
September 2, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The view outside my front door right now!
August 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
On August 30th (this Saturday) I will be appearing at the Rhode Island Banjo Festival. It is being held at Nick-A-Nee's, 75 South Street, Providence, RI.

It starts at 3 PM (when the bar opens of course!) and goes to 10 PM. Admission is free, rain or shine!

#edsweeneymusic
August 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I am excited to be playing at The Rhode Island Banjo Festival which is less than two weeks away. Rain or Shine. I am looking forward to hearing Bird & Augur, Folk the Empire, Carolyn Shapiro, Ken Perlman, Andrew Pauls and Kate Mick.

For more information go to:

stonesoupcoffeehouse.org
August 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This morning I went to the Rhode Island Blood Center to donate. My body produces O Negative Blood. It makes me a Universal Donor.
Over the years I have given a total of 86 pints. One of my personal goals is to do a random act of kindness every day. Donating blood is one of them.
August 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Visiting one of my happy places todat
August 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
edsweeneymusic.com/blogs/liner-...

I grew up with make believe and imagination. I hope you enjoy.

@edsweeneymusic.com
Guilty Pleasures
Confession: I used to read and collect comic books. I don’t remember exactly when comic books entered my life. I guess I started when I was nine or te...
edsweeneymusic.com
July 23, 2025 at 6:12 PM
On August 30th I am appearing with many other banjo players for Rhode Island's first Banjo Fest.

This should be fun.

You can find the details at:

stonesoupcoffeehouse.org
or
edsweeneymusic.com

I hope to see old friends as well as make new ones.
July 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
youtu.be/4gGt3Pj7q3E?...

Yang Wei brought me to Taiwan to perform a series of concerts together in a series of concert in July of 2014. My trip to Taiwan was amazing. .

This video is Yang Wei and I warming up in an art studio.

The following year we released a CD.

@edsweeneymusic.com
Old Six Beats by Ed Sweeney (Banjo) & Yang Wei (Pipa) in Taiwan 2014
YouTube video by Ed Sweeney
youtu.be
March 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Exactly two years ago today (March 15th) I was waking up from 7 hours of Open Heart Surgery. I was on a heart/lung machine for 70 - 90 minutes.
My new valve is good for 3,650 to 5,500 days under normal circumstances. I have used 730 so far!
What an adventure!
March 15, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Classes for Old Timey Banjo and Guitar at the Blackstone River Theatre start at the end of March and continue through May.

You can see the lesson schedule on my website
edsweeneymusic.com/lessons-teac...

Sign up for classes at the Blackstone River Theatre website
brtri.org/classes/
March 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I try to walk along the bike path every morning. This has been an amazing week. I saw signs of spring.

I watched two Bald Eagles fly over the canal. Almost stepped on a Garter Snake, a sure sign of spring. I also saw the remnants of Winter.

My goal is to see the changes each day brings.
March 9, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Yesterday I received this sweatshirt from the RI Blood Center.
I never think of myself as a hero. Donating blood is something I can do to help others.
One of my goals is to perform a random act of kindness each day.
I must admit....I like the sweatshirt!
February 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
youtu.be/hqo0XL460IM?...

My friend Mary King wrote this song during the pandemic a few years ago. It is a song that is always relevant

The unfortunate inspirations for this song have come back. I guess it never went away.

#MaryKing #edsweeneymusic #cathyclaspertorch
The Immigrant Song by Mary King with Cathy Clasper-Torch and Ed Sweeney
YouTube video by Ed Sweeney
youtu.be
February 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
youtu.be/hBPTDryx1_8?...

Ten years ago I performed in Taiwan with my friend 楊惟 Yang Wei.

As Yang 楊惟 Yang Wei and I ended our concert with this song I was moved by everyone in the audience humming this beautiful melody along with us.

#whatliesahead @edsweeneymusic #guitar #pipa
Bang Chhun-Hong (Longing for a Spring Breeze)
YouTube video by Ed Sweeney - Topic
youtu.be
January 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM