Looking for must-hear banjo players? Start here! • Acoustic Tuesday 297
If you need more banjo in your life, this list was hand-picked for you.
This episode is all about the brilliant banjo players that inspire countless guitar journeys, including my own—and hopefully yours!
But first, a little storytime. I remember back when I was a fledgling in the world of bluegrass and folk music at the Old Town School of Folk. I stumbled upon my first bluegrass CD, an Earl Scruggs album. Let me tell you, that album shook my world and cast a profound influence on my guitar journey. It set me on a path of exploration into the rich and vibrant landscape of this bluegrass and folk.
Today, I’m excited to share with you some banjo wizards, divided into three sections.
First, we have “The Classics”, the legends who shaped the bluegrass scene: Earl Scruggs, Sonny Osborne, and J.D. Crowe. Their work is timeless and continues to influence musicians around the world.
Then, we’ll delve into the realm of “Old-Time Players”, featuring the likes of Rhiannon Giddens, Nora Brown, and Chris Coole. They’re keeping the traditional banjo sound aliave, fusing it with their unique styles and creating something truly mesmerizing.
Lastly, we can’t forget the “Must-Know Players”, contemporary artists who have reinvented the banjo wheel in many ways. Here, we have Riley Baugus, Ken Perlman, and Abigail Washburn, whose sounds are vital to any banjo or guitar enthusiast.
Listening to banjo players is an incredibly enriching experience. Not only does it help you appreciate the roots of American folk music, but it also broadens your musical horizons, contributing to both your banjo and guitar skills.
Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5PslyeC5Bx1a6fq1VnNJls?si=1f6c2cee1cb94666
Submit your guitarsenal at the link below!
https://airtable.com/shrpAVAi9HUGVUW8b
Featured in this episode…
– Walking the Floor with Chris Podcast
– Fretboard Journal
– Folkway Music
– Jody Carroll
– Acoustic Shoppe
– Candy Rat Records
– Adrian Bellue
– Michael Watts
Really glad to see many of the ones who made your list. Great to see Danny Barnes there. Man, that guy writes cool songs!
Here are a few others who you might want to check.
Matt Menefee (Mountain Heart, Wood Box Heroes, Mumford & Sons)
Pete Warnock (“Dr. Banjo,” of Hot Rize)
Barry Abernathy (Appalachian Roadshow, founding member of Mountain Heart – you have got to see him)
Cory Walker (East Nash Grass)
C. W. “Tommy” Thompson (Red Clay Ramblers)
Alex Genova (Fireside Collective)
Ben Eldridge (The Seldom Scene)
Doug Dillard (The Dillards, a.k.a the Darlings on the Andy Griffith Show)
Rob McCoury
Jerry Garcia (Old and In the Way – Jerry who?)
Scott Vestal (designer/developer of Stealth banjos)
And I don’t think you had any representatives of the Celtic genre. My favorite was Andy M. Stewart (He was a great triplet picker, and Oh, what a voice. Trivia – the accordianist seated next to Rhianna Giddens at the 7:40 mark is Andy’s Silly Wizard bandmate, Phil Cunningham, MBE.) Check out this video – although the video fidelity is poor, you’ll get an idea of how well he could mix triplets into a lead where he doubles Phil’s older brother Johnny around the 4:10 mark. https://youtu.be/DY2wUGLFx8Y?t=251.
Sadly, both Johnny and Andy died way too young.
I found this nice documentary on Tommy Thompson. May he never be forgotten.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOONIiWzDdU
I can’t believe I did not include Mike Munford on my list. He’s top notch. I know him best from his work with Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, where I’ve seen him many times. I’ll see them again in about 2 weeks!
I just watched Rainbow Quest in which Pete Seeger hosted Roscoe Holcomb. The man is old time amazing. He plays the banjo and the guitar. I think he should make your list.
Roy Clark
How About Leroy Troy
What about STEVE MARTIN ? …………. He put out one of my all time favorite CDs featuring the banjo.
Great list of banjo players. Over at The Great Courses, you can pick up a terrific course on the history of the banjo, with Rhiannon Giddens teaching! https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/the-banjo-music-history-and-heritage?pfm=NewReleases&pos=1
Dock Boggs; he was recorded during the late twenties and two of his songs are included in Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk music (1952). He was rediscovered during the folk music revival in the 1960’s and was recorded on the Folkways Records label. Dock Boggs played with an unusual “up-picking” technique.
Also, Dom Flemons, Steve Martin and the Steve Martin Banjo Prize.
Grandpa Jones great claw picker. Was on HeeHaw.
Hi Tony,
If you never heard of Tim Allen, I encourage you to listen to a CD he cut called Ontario Banjo.
Roy
Banjo picker, Greg Cahill, leader of the band, “Special Consensus.” 🙂
I’m surprised Steve Marin didn’t make your list.
How can you leave out Steve Martin :).
No Béla Fleck?
Oops – posted that before even watching the episode, just reading the article.
Béla Fleck first out of the gate. Love it!
I would suggest adding to your list: Pete Seeger and Eric Darling (non-bluegrass) and John McCuen. I must say, Tony, you have led me (kind of kicking and screaming) to an appreciation of bluegrass that I never had before: I grew up with Flatt & Scruggs and Reno & Smiley and HATED it. But I have learned to appreciate it, mostly due to your introducing Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings and Sam Bush. Thanx for that!
Hey Tony — check out Colton Crawford – banjo player with Dead South.
I can’t believe Billy Failing isn’t on your list. Sure, he’s overshadowed by the guitarist, but he’s a great player and crucial to Billy Strings’ band, as are the other band members but you’re focusing on banjo here.