Whenever this question comes up (as I’m sure it has for a large proportion of us here), the first two names I always here are Earl Scruggs and Don Reno. Now, there is no doubt that these are two of the most influential and best banjo players ever, and I truely love both of them, Scruggs for his straightforward approach, and Reno for his more electic style. But, right now, I’d have to say my favorite is Don Stover. I just love that arch-top sound. Even though his (available) recorded output is relatively small, I’ve heard enough to know that he stands next to the aforementioned giants, plus he’ll even clawhammer once in a while. And while I’m asking, what are some of your favorite banjo performances?
Earl Scruggs - Home Sweet Home
Don Reno - Green Mountain Hop
Don Stover - White Oak Breakdown
Walter Koken - Banjonique
Stephen Wade - Baptist Shout
Tony Trischka. He was Bela Fleck’s teacher, and did an album of duets with him a couple years back. One of my favorite performances of his is “Twelve Days at Sea,” which was on one of his mid-1970s albums.
I’m also fond of Courtney Johnson, the original banjo player for the New Grass Revival, before Bela Fleck took over his chair in the early 1980s.
Bela Fleck’s okay, too, I guess. I really prefer his early stuff…DRIVE is a great record…before he got into all those electronic harmonicas and drums with keyboards on 'em and hanging around with Branford Marsalis and shit like that.
Seriously, the banjo can make a most beautiful sound when played by someone who knows what they’re doing. I’ve always been partial to Roy Clark, though I know he is not the best one out there. Too much Hee Haw in my formative days, I suppose.
Easy. David Lindley. Almost impossible to find banjo recordings from him. He’s mostly well known for his steel guitar work with Jackson Browne, especially “Running on Empty.” WOnderful musician.
Alison Browne. If you don’t know her, you MUST check her out, either on Fair Warning or on one of the QUintet records.
Bela Fleck technique, but with better melodic sense.
And the guy from “Clawgrass.”
I tend to like Clawhammer style, or frailing, more than Scruggs style.
I never really paid much attention to Kermit’s banjo playing, but I do remember a 20/20 (60 min?) Barbara Walters interview with Steve Martin. He was playing a gold plated Florentine Gibson Mastertone, and I especially remember his beautiful execution of the 2-3 2-3 second string hammer-on, not, suprisingly enough in Foggy Mountain Breakdown, but in some other song whose name escapes me just now
panzermanpanzerman: where would one find David Lindley playing banjo?
Roger Sprung
He is the best! Bluegrass, Irish tunes, even pop tunes are great when played by Roger Sprung. He used to be on the Folkways label. Anyone else know of him?
You have never heard of him? Well, that is not surprising. Clint is a man I had a relationship with many years ago. He was witty and charming and…but, I digress.
My heavens, the man could make his fingers dance! On the banjo, I mean. He could play that instrument like no one else I have ever seen or heard. Why he never became famous is more than I can figure out.
Q: What’s the difference between a banjo and a Harley-Davidson?
A: You can tune a Harley.
Q: If you go to the top of the Empire State Building and drop an accordion and a banjo at the same time, which one hits the ground first?
