Playing Since: 1969
Experience Level: Purty Good

Interests:
[Teaching] [Jamming] [Socializing] [Helping]

Occupation: Retired

Gender: Male
Age: 80

My Instruments:
5 string banjo--frpm a Yates Skillet Headite... to original 5-string Recording King. My current favorite is an older one piece flange #5 replica

Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Steve Huber, Dick Smith, Barry Abernathy

Classified Rating: (+19)
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Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 3/15/2010
Last Visit 10/7/2022

Started banjo in Grad School, U of Colo, 1968. Was City Manager, then Organizational Development/training professional, now recently re-eduacated and trained as a Drug and Alcohol Addictions Counselor, I first started collecting banjos as an investment in the early 1970's. Created an identity as "Banjo Bob" mostly in Colorado in 1980's. First band in Petoskey, MI in the early 1970's. Longest stint--"Better Than Nothing Band", Traverse City, MI, 1979-1986. Have gigged since, but lately have been letting skills decay badly. Covid?? Originated music business, Banjo Bob's Music, in 1990, and Banjo Bob and Uncle Kit's Old Town Picking Parlor in Arvada, CO @ 1992. Have learned tons about older pro-level and vintage bluegrass instruments over the years, and have bought and sold around the world. I have owned several prewar flatheads, dozens of archtop and sub-Mastertone -level Gibsons, at least one each quality Stelling, Deering, etc and many high-quality "parts" banjos with the best old rims and about every tonering ever created. Have visited most makers around the country, and truly appreciate them all. I love great wood, great inlay art, and especially great tone. Okay--my picture with the REAL Gibson Banjo Bass is a bit old--@30 years ago I owned this, but like so many cool things I sold it. Drat.