American Banjo Museum Quarterly Winter 2018 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced Inside . 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced Bela Fleck Borgy Borgerson Eddie Collins Jim Henson The Banjo Newsletter Five-String Four-String Historical Promotion Instruction & Performance Performance Education From the Director Each year since 1998 has afforded for nomination in the categories of ABM Membership the American Banjo Museum the Four-String Performance, Five-String opportunity to honor the best of the best Performance, Historical, Education & Back to our Roots in our banjo world with their induction Instruction, Design & Manufacture and into the American Banjo Museum Hall Promotion may be made at any time by Sowell Family of Fame. Originally established as any member of the ABM association. Donates Banjo The National Four-String Banjo Hall of Based on these suggestions, nominations Ukulele to ABM Fame, early honorees were jazz age are made by the Board of Directors and four-string banjo pioneers as well as are then forwarded to the voting body Better Know a the contemporary artists, educators, consisting of the museum board, living Board Member manufacturers and promoters who members of the Hall of Fame and lifetime carried on the traditions of their members of the ABM association. Like More than a Candy predecessors. The Museum itself past recipients, Hall of Fame honorees Cane Christmas was, in its infancy, an extension of the for 2018 have each displayed lifelong Hall of Fame. In the years preceding commitments to the banjo in one of Upcoming Events 2014, more than 70 individuals and five categories. The American Banjo entities in the four-string banjo world Museum Hall of Fame inductees for whose career accomplishments might 2018 are: have otherwise been forgotten were recognized by the Hall of Fame. As BELA FLECK - Five-String time passed and the Museum grew to Performance - Widely acknowledged embrace all types of banjos and playing today as one of the world's most styles, it became clear that the Hall of innovative and technically proficient Fame should evolve as well. As such, in banjo players, Fleck, like many banjoists 2013, the ABM Board of Directors voted of his generation, was inspired by Earl to establish an annual performance Scruggs’ appearance on the Beverly category to honor all styles of five- Hillbillies. A serious banjo student from string banjo playing as well as opening the start, Fleck became firmly grounded the other previously four-string banjo in banjo tradition prior to exploring new exclusive non-performance categories musical territory with innovative groups to all types of banjos. With this move such as the Newgrass Revival and the the American Banjo Museum Hall of Flecktones. His solo endeavors have Fame was established. Suggestions Continued on page 3 From the Director Center and Oklahoma Humanities, Back to Our Roots proved to be a milestone event, introducing the history of the banjo to a new and diverse local audience. In house, finishing touches were being added to our new LEARNING LOUNGE – a new educational component in the museum allowing visitors 9 East Sheridan Ave. a “hands on” banjo experience Oklahoma City, OK 73104 with video instruction by the likes 405-604-2793 of Tony Trischka, Jens Kruger, www.AmericanBanjoMuseum.com John McEuen, Gary Davis, Bob Carlin and others. Yes, a busy and MISSION fulfilling 2017 indeed – thanks to The mission of the American the ABM staff, board, volunteers Banjo Museum is to preserve Grateful reflection and new and ever-growing list of supporters. and promote the banjo while adventures… With time only for a grateful glance expanding appreciation and backward, we move on to 2018 understanding of its history and What a year 2017 was for the with exciting new things on the music. American Banjo Museum! After horizon - not the least of which will closing our incredibly popular be our new Philadelphia Mummers STAFF Banjo World of Steve Martin – Struttin’ Their Stuff exhibit set to open in Spring. Tracing the history Johnny Baier, Executive Director exhibit following its receiving the of the colorful Philadelphia string Margie Smith-Robbins, Assistant Outstanding Exhibit of the Year band traditions, the highlight of the Administrator recognition from the Oklahoma Museums Association, we opened exhibit will be numerous examples Janet Raines, Sales & Marketing the new Roy Clark – America’s of the flamboyant costumes worn Sherril Mitchell, Reception Super Picker exhibit with a visit during the famous New Year’s Day Ellie Mowery, Administrative from Roy Clark himself! Signature Mummers Parade. Looking forward Assistant events such as our Mardi Gras to this - and everything else that party and Americana Fest family the new year has in store, we know BOARD OF DIRECTORS event set the stage for the highlight 2018 with be another great year Dr. Bob Alexius, Austin, TX of our year, BANJO FEST in early for the American Banjo Museum… Lester Cowden, Jr., Oklahoma City, September. With Hall of Fame thanks to you! OK recipients including John McEuen, Johnny Baier, Executive Director Juston Givens, Oklahoma City, OK Roy Clark, Tony Trischka and Paul Jens Kruger, N. Wilkesboro, NC Erickson now spreading the word Donald Lewis, Whitney, TX that Oklahoma City is the new Michael Mason, O'Fallon, MO center of the banjo universe, the John Mumford, Centennial, CO crowning jewel of the BANJO FEST Jack Murphy, Oklahoma City, OK weekend was a stunning concert headlined by the internationally Krewe de Banjo Brian Newsom, Milford, MI at the known, Kruger Brothers. After Doug Parsons, Waynesville, OH catching our breath, we focused American Banjo Museum's Paul Poirier, Seekonk, MA on a very special November 1st Mardi Gras Party Danny Rubio, New Orleans, LA outreach program entitled, Back to Saturday, February 10 Our Roots, featuring Dom Flemons 6-9 pm (founder of the Carolina Chocolate MUSIC ● FOOD Drops) and Dr. Harold Aldridge CASH BAR (member of the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame). Partnering on that Call 405-604-2793 to event with the Oklahoma History purchase tickets 2 AMERICAN BANJO MUSEUM Hall of Fame product and record reviews. Since 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced 1993, BNL has been published Continued from page 1 by its founder's sons Donald and seen him successfully introduce carries on his legacy, introduced Spencer, who serve as editor and the banjo into genres such as - and continues to expose – the business manager, respectively. modern jazz and world music, banjo to a mainstream audience in The International Bluegrass Music with a certain high point being the the most entertaining and positive Association (IBMA) awarded Hub 2011 premier of his Concerto For manner possible. In addition to Nitchie its Print Media Person Banjo performed with the Nashville the inclusion of Kermit’s banjo of the Year award in 1992 and Symphony Orchestra. along with other banjo icons such Banjo Newsletter its Distinguished as Roy Clark and Steve Martin on Achievement Award in 2008. BORGY BORGERSON - Four- countless memorable episodes String Performance - Now in of The Muppet Show, Kermit’s Bela Fleck, Borgy Borgerson, Eddie his 92nd year, Borgy Borgerson soulful rendition of The Rainbow Collins, Jim Henson and the Banjo is often referred to as a living Connection from The Muppet Newsletter will be inducted into the entertainment legend in his native Movie has become nothing short of American Banjo Museum Hall of Canada. Beginning in the early a modern day banjo anthem. (Photo Fame during gala ceremonies to be 1940s, Borgerson was a fixture Courtesy of The Jim Henson Company) held on Friday, September 7, 2018 on the Canadian radio, nightclub in Oklahoma City as part of the and concert scene. The 1970s THE BANJO NEWSLETTER American Banjo Museum’s BANJO saw Borgy’s peak of success as a - Instruction & Education - FEST weekend. In addition to the headline performer at the EXPO ‘67 Founded in 1973 by Hubbard "Hub" Hall of Fame gala, BANJO FEST world’s fair. From that point forward Nitchie, Banjo Newsletter covers will include informal performances, - leading his own Dixieland jazz a wide range of banjo topics, jamming, parties and a very special bands or delighting audiences with including features on banjo players, BANJO FEST concert. With details his engaging solo style at Toronto banjo techniques (predominantly of this fun-filled weekend still in the night spots such as Diamond Lil’s, the three-finger or Scruggs style works, save the dates of September Borgerson remains an “in demand” and the clawhammer playing style), 6- 8, 2018 for BANJO FEST 2018 banjoist and entertainer. beginning banjo, music theory, in Oklahoma City. banjo set-up and accessories, EDDIE COLLINS - Historical - A Sam Stone journeyman musician and Detroit ABM Membership Todd VanBebber celebrity, the impact Eddie Collins’ The American Banjo Museum Budd Walker 40 plus year banjo career was felt wishes to recognize and thank David Weibel nationally. Playing at a virtuoso new members and those that have level on both banjo and guitar as renewed their membership the Couple Membership the instruments each came of age fourth quarter of 2017. Robert & Janice Bicknaver in the 1920s and 30s, Eddie Collins’ Jim & Alicia Bottorff Individual Membership Glen Phillip Cartwright career hit high gear when he joined Robert Alexius Neil L. Duresky Art Mooney’s Orchestra in 1948. Scott Anderson Russ & Diane Morton James Beaver Touring nationally on the heels of Bill & Marilyn North C. Graham Burton their million selling hit recordings Michael & Jane Sigmon such as Four Leaf Clover and Baby Raymond James Cisneros Face, Collins’ years with Art Mooney Doris Clark Family Membership postured him to return to Detroit a George Donaldson Julie Marehwa Matt Fleury musical hero – an admirable status Glenn N. Snyder Wallace Gibson Barbara J. Thomas which he enjoyed until his sudden Mark Greathouse Linda Thompson passing in 1972.