Our favorite spoofs

It all started with "Mandolin for Dummies". Launched on April 1 (April Fool's Day) 2001, Mandolin for Dummies actually had several interested buyers on our message board before someone pointed out the obvious. So, here for your viewing pleasure (or disgust) is the official Hall of Shame for past Mandolin Cafe spoofs.

Evolution

Everyone that saw this had the same complaint: "you put the banjo player too far to the front!" This image was subsequently picked up and printed on t-shirts by Ken Cartwright Music.

American Gothic - the Lost Masterpiece

In April of 2001 the Chicago Art Institute stunned the art world with the finding of a rare new version of Grant Wood's famous masterpiece. Really.

Just Tune It

Nike announces bold move into the music industry with purchase of Mandolin Cafe. OK, so I like to make fun of banjo players (see above), but I make fun of mandolin players too. Like why can't we ever get them in tune?

Mandolin for Dummies

We had offers from about a half dozen people on my message board wanting to know where they could purchase these... on April 1 no less! "Learn mandolin in three easy lessons! As heard on O' Brother!"

Those weren't Beecher Bibles...

The real reason John Brown died. Those mandolins from the east were as bad as a Pacific Rim import! Click image for larger version or hit this link.

The Bill Monroe Movie

Read the fine print folks, read the fine print. Read the fine print again. It's April 1. This one didn't sit well with a few traditional bad attitudes.

Bass Pro Mandolins

Bass Pro Mandolins, our 2006 April Fools entry. And no one got angry at us this year!