American Banjo Museum Quarterly Summer 2016 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced Inside . 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees J.D. Crowe Pat Terry, Jr. George Formby Deering Banjo Co. Alfred Greathouse Announced Five-String Four-String Historical Design & Instruction & Performance Performance Manufacture Education From The Director The American Banjo Museum in Four-String Performance, Five-String Oklahoma City is pleased to announce Performance, Historical, Education ABM Rings in the 2016 inductees into the American & Instruction, Design & Manufacture Summer with Banjo Museum Hall of Fame. and Promotion may be made by any Americana Fest member of the ABM association. Based The National Four-String Banjo Hall on these suggestions, nominations Banjos Around Town of Fame was established in 1998 are made by the Board of Directors to honor jazz age four-string banjo and are then forwarded to the voting ABM Membership pioneers as well as the contemporary body - which consists of the museum artists, educators, manufacturers and board, living members of the Hall of AmericanBanjo promoters who carried on the traditions Fame and lifetime members of the ABM Museum.com... of their predecessors. The American association. Like past recipients, Hall Reloaded Banjo Museum was, in its infancy, an of Fame honorees for 2016 have each extension of that Hall of Fame. In the displayed a lifelong commitment to the Better Know a years preceding 2014, the Hall of Fame banjo in one of five categories. The Board Member honored 71 individuals and entities American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame in the four-string banjo world whose inductees for 2016 are: ABM Gets Wild career accomplishments might have & Crazy otherwise gone unrecognized. As the J.D. CROWE - Five-String Performance - museum grew and evolved to embrace A second generation Bluegrass pioneer, Hall of Fame all types of banjos and playing styles, Kentucky’s J.D. Crowe absorbed and Celebration it became clear that the Hall of Fame interpolated the musical and cultural should evolve as well. As such, in 2013, nuances of his predecessors such as the ABM Board of Directors voted Earl Scruggs to become the driving to establish an annual performance force behind the new voice of Bluegrass category to honor all styles of five- in the 1970s. Firmly rooted in Bluegrass string banjo playing as well as opening traditions going back to his early days the other previously four-string banjo of performing with Jimmy Martin in exclusive non-performance categories the 1950s, Crowe went on to form the to all types of banjos. With this move Kentucky Mountain Boys and, later, J.D. the American Banjo Museum Hall of Crowe and the New South in the 1970s Fame was established. Suggestions and - with the musical support of icons for nomination in the categories of such as Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Continued on page 3 From the Director Players Directory represents another milestone in fulfillment of the museum’s mission. The weekend of September 8th through the 10th promises to again be the highlight of the ABM calendar as our 2016 Hall of Fame celebration takes place. From the opening night reception 9 East Sheridan Ave. to the final notes of the Banjo Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Fest concert on Saturday night, 405-604-2793 the weekend will come alive with www.AmericanBanjoMuseum.com music, entertainment, parties and jamming. All of our Hall of Fame MISSION inductees – J.D. Crowe, Pat Terry, The mission of the American Banjo Jr., Deering Banjos, George Formby Museum is to preserve and promote and Alfred Greathouse will be well GROWING AND GOING GREEN… the music and heritage of America’s represented (with Crowe, Terry and instrument: the banjo. the Deering Family planning to be It is with great pride that I am able on hand in person to accept their to be part of the growth and recent honors). Musical performances activity at the American Banjo throughout the weekend will STAFF Museum. Our growing staff has Johnny Baier, Executive Director highlight the musical diversity of done a remarkable job in creating the banjo with performances by Margie Smith-Robbins, Assistant new and exciting events (such as the Byron Berline Band, Cynthia Administrator our inaugural Americana Fest) Sayer, Pat Terry, Jr., Mark Johnson Dustin Pyeatt, Development & aimed at introducing the museum’s & Emory Lester, Gary “Biscuit” important mission to Oklahoma City Outreach Manager Davis, England’s Andy Eastwood and the surrounding region. A new and many others. Janet Raines, Sales & Marketing effort to establish an educational Sherril Mitchell, Reception curriculum which will be a “spot on” Ellie Mowery, Administrative Assistant Hall of Fame weekend visitors match to the needs of local school will have a chance to view our systems has also been a priority blockbuster exhibit, The Banjo project which is set to be offered World of Steve Martin. Since BOARD OF DIRECTORS for the 2016-17 school year. And, opening in February, the exhibit has in the midst of it all, the museum Dr. Bob Alexius, Austin, TX been responsible for a dramatic has made major strides in going increase in attendance. By Jack Canine, North Ft. Myers, FL “green” with new, energy-efficient Lester Cowden, Jr., Oklahoma City, allowing us to tell his story, Steve LED lighting in all galleries as well Martin has helped to introduce the OK as enhanced energy efficiency in museum to thousands of visitors Roger Hale, Coeur D’Alene, ID the building’s HVAC systems. and new friends online. And the Jens Kruger, N. Wilkesboro, NC Wild and Crazy guy’s reaction The horizon holds equal promise Donald Lewis, Whitney, TX to this response??? "Absolutely as we put the finishing touches on Fantastic!” Jack Murphy, Oklahoma City, OK our new website while preparing to Brian Newsom, Milford, MI roll out another new project in the This year’s Hall of Fame weekend Doug Parsons, Waynesville, OH Banjo Players Directory. Sponsored celebration will mark the American Paul Poirier, Seekonk, MA by a generous gift from Paul and Banjo Museum’s seventh year Danny Rubio, Kenner, LA Theresa Poirier (in memory of in our Bricktown location. While Emile “Pete” DeBlois), the Banjo Devin Tower, Ormond Beach, FL steeped in cliché, the statement Players Directory is a project aimed “If you haven’t seen the American at cataloging banjo players of all Banjo Museum lately, you haven’t playing styles and skill levels. The seen it at all” couldn’t be more database may be viewed in person true. Make your plans to join us at the museum or on the internet in September for the Hall of Fame (www.banjoplayersdirectory.com). celebration and see for yourself! Although in its infancy, the Banjo 2 AMERICAN BANJO MUSEUM Hall of Fame Company, and Alfred Greathouse 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced will be inducted into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame Continued from page 1 during gala ceremonies to be held Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas and from his father and, at the age on Friday, September 9th, 2016 in Doyle Lawson - went on to write his of 12, purchased his first banjo Oklahoma City. The following day, own chapter in Bluegrass history. and learned to play the music of informal performances as well as a the Kingston Trio. Deering went very special BANJO FEST evening PAT TERRY, JR. - Four-String on to make his first banjo as an concert will feature performances Performance - Carrying on the industrial arts major at San Diego by Andy Eastwood, Cynthia Sayer, tradition of his father, Pat Terry, State College and, in 1970, joined Mark Johnson & Emory Lester, Jr. began his professional banjo other enterprising young college Gary Davis, Pat Terry, Jr., Randy career in the mid 1960s partnering students at the American Dream Morris and many others will take with his dad as “Pat Terry and Co-Op doing instrument repairs place at the ABM as well as the Son”. The duo performed at Radio and building banjos. The American Hudiburg Chevrolet Performing City Music Hall, Disneyland, dream became the theme of Greg’s Arts Center at Rose State College. Disney World, Sea World, Busch life when he and Janet started the Gardens and Universal Studios. Deering Banjo Company in 1975. During their visit, Hall of Fame Pat Jr. was the editor and publisher Today, over 40 years later, the weekend guests will enjoy recent of International Banjo magazine Deering Banjo Company has seen additions to ABM exhibits including and hosted several large festivals many a milestone including the a new blockbuster exhibit, The (including the FIGA convention) launch of the Goodtime Series in Banjo World of Steve Martin which in Orlando. He currently insures 1997. In its 40 years of existence, features instruments from Martin’s his family’s proud banjo heritage Deering has delivered hand-built personal collection as well as through his nightly performance as American instruments to over entertaining video clips and an part of the Hoop Dee Doo Revue at 100,000 musicians… one banjo at enlightening interview with the Wild the Walt Disney World Resort. a time. and Crazy Guy himself. GEORGE FORMBY - Historical ALFRED GREATHOUSE - All American Banjo Museum Hall of - From his humble beginning Instruction & Education - Fame weekend events are open to carrying on the traditions of his Although current technology the public. For tickets and more info father as music hall performer affords the availability of many visit: www.americanbanjomuseum. in Blackpool, England, George education and instruction options com or call 405-604-2793. Formby elevated himself to the for today’s aspiring four-string highest level of recognition and banjoist, in the days prior to home respect in the British entertainment video and the internet, the writing, industry.