The American Banjo Museum gives museum goers an immersion into the history of America’s instrument, but, within each display case, each instrument has a deeper history. Now, American Banjo Museum Executive Director, Johnny Baier, is bringing these instruments, their makers and their sound to life with a special historical presentation and performance series.

Throughout the year, Baier will choose an instrument or maker from the museum’s collection and give a lecture on the history behind the instruments and the instrument’s makers. Then, he’ll play historically significant banjos from that maker.

The video below was recorded in April 2016 with a focus on the story of Bacon banjos. Jimmy Overton of Enid, OK, posted on the American Banjo Museum Facebook page after one of the lectures, “Boy was I surprised by the level of knowledge and the passion Mr. Baier has for what he does. Thank you…not only worth the price of admission, but also the drive from Enid. I’ll be coming back for future events until I wear my welcome out.”

The next presentation will be Saturday, June 4th, 2016 at 3 pm. Watch the American Banjo Museum's event page for future dates.