Author Archives: Bud Bennett

Banjo Masters Oral History Project: Hank Smith

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Bud Bennett

A few years ago just before the Carolina in the Fall festival (the third week in September), I stumbled upon some recordings by Hank Smith. I don’t remember how I found them, but I do remember sitting here listening to … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Bud Bennett

  http://   A few years ago, I was listening to an album I randomly picked out to play by a band called The Sparrow Quartet.  I knew it was a project that old-time banjoist, Abigail Washburn had put together, … Continue reading →

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Geoff Stelling- Master Banjo Luthier

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Bud Bennett

More and more, the word “luthier” seems to be one that people don’t know the meaning of.  Basically, a luthier is a person who makes musical instruments (and these days one might be hard pressed to name more than a few people … Continue reading →

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Rex McGee- Banjo Playing Enigma

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Bud Bennett

I first became aware of Rex McGee somewhere in the early 1990s at the first Merlefest that I ever attended.  At the time the festival was pretty small but it was packed to the gills with music and workshops.  These … Continue reading →

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Banjo Masters Interview Series- Previews

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Bud Bennett

There are a lot of things I like about our Banjo Masters interview series. One of the first things that come to mind about that is how I really enjoy picking who to interview.  My thought on that subject has always … Continue reading →

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Night Noises

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Bud Bennett

Last night after work I met my wife out in the country for dinner.  We met at our cabin in the mountains of Floyd County and ate at the picnic table outside since it was a cool evening.  As we sat there, … Continue reading →

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Banjo Construction Photos- Form vs. Function

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Bud Bennett

I like banjos. There….I said it.  I guarantee that is a true statement too.  I like to play them, I like to hear them, I like to learn about them and I just plain like to look at them sometimes. … Continue reading →

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John Bullard Interview

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Bud Bennett

For those who want to jump right to the interview-  Part 1…… Part 2 As a banjo player, I have always been attracted to music that is a little out of the mainstream.  For several years I played banjo in a … Continue reading →

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Banjo Masters Interview Series

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Bud Bennett

For the past two years, our Archives department has been conducting interviews of master banjo players and builders.  As of now we have published interviews of Butch Robins, Sammy Shelor, Jens Kruger, and Tom Nechville.  This is a fascinating and … Continue reading →

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New Interview- Tom Nechville- Banjo Building’s Mad Scientist

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Bud Bennett

  Tom Nechville- Banjo Building’s Mad Scientist https://vimeo.com/173492693 A few years ago when I came up with the idea to interview various banjo masters, I intended to focus on both players and builders that I felt were innovative, influential, and … Continue reading →

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