Hall of Fame Celebration

2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

One of our favorite duties during any given year is the honoring of new inductees to the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame. Originally established in Guthrie, Oklahoma in 1998, during the 15 years that followed more than 70 individuals and entities in the four-string banjo world whose career accomplishments might have otherwise gone unrecognized were honored by the Hall of Fame. In its infancy, the American Banjo Museum itself was an extension of the Hall of Fame, bestowing annual honors upon jazz age four-string banjo pioneers as well as the contemporary artists, educators, manufacturers, and promoters who carried on the traditions of their predecessors.

However, as time passed and the American Banjo Museum grew to embrace all types of banjos and playing styles, it became clear that the Hall of Fame must evolve as well. As such, in 2013, the ABM Board of Directors voted to establish an annual performance category to honor all styles of five-string banjo playing as well as opening the other previously four-string banjo exclusive non- performance categories to all types of banjos. With this move the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame was established.

With each passing year, the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame grows in acceptance and stature among the worldwide banjo community. The inclusive nature of its mission is seen through its honoring of a diverse body of banjo notables. From iconic names such as Earl Scruggs, Steve Martin, Alison Brown, and Belá Fleck to little known – yet equally important – contributors to the art or industry of the banjo, the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame continues to recognize those who have shaped the banjo’s colorful past, exciting present and unlimited future. Like past recipients, honorees for 2024 have each displayed a lifelong commitment to the banjo in one of five categories. The American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame inductees for 2024 are:

KRISTIN SCOTT BENSON - Five-String Performance - A five-time International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year and recipient of the 2018 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, Benson is widely recognized as the first woman to take a place as a sideman in a top-tier Bluegrass band. Since 2008 her association with the Grammy-nominated group, The Grascals, Kristin has exhibited impeccable taste, timing, and tone on stage, in the studio, and as part of national media appearances including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox & Friends, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and CBS’ The Talk, among others. The band has also performed for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as accumulating nearly 200 performances on the Grand Ole Opry.

KEN AOKI - Four-String Performance - From his earliest musical aspirations, Japan’s Ken Aoki held a passion for the banjo and its place in American pop culture during the 1920s and 30s. Although (or perhaps because) he was removed from the direct influence of a similar generation of younger American banjoists during the 1980s and 90s, Ken was forced to work on his own, developing both amazing technical skill as well as world-class musicianship on the plectrum and tenor banjos as well as the guitar. With an immense repertoire ranging from difficult Harry Reser solos and other banjo standards to jazz, classics, Broadway and pop, Ken Aoki stands out as an amazing international banjo phenomenon.

DR. RALPH STANLEY - Historical - Despite little musical influence as a child, legendary bluegrass artist, Ralph Stanley, was internationally known for his unique, innovative style of singing and banjo playing. Born and raised in Virginia, his mother bought his first banjo and began teaching him how to play “clawhammer” style when he was 15. Stanley’s musical career didn’t kick into full swing until after he returned from a stint in the US Army in 1945 when he joined his guitar-playing older brother, Carter Stanley, and started a band called Clinch Mountain Boys. The duo caught the eye of a Columbia Records executive who signed them on as the Stanley Brothers. The duo continued to perform until 1966 when Ralph’s brother passed away. As a soloist, Stanley’s career prospered. He was inducted into the International Music Hall of Honor in 1992, and the Grand Ole Opry in 2000, the same year in which his work was featured in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou - for which he won a 2002 Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

NED LUBERECKI - Promotion - A multi-facetted banjo force, Ned Luberecki divides his time between performance, instruction, and banjo promotion – all for the betterment of the worldwide banjo community. The 2018 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, Ned currently performs with Becky Buller and tours as Nedski and Mojo (with Stephen Mougin of the Sam Bush Band). As an instructor, in addition to offering private lessons - both in person and via the internet, Luberecki is a mainstay at major banjo camps around the world. However, his most widespread impact just may be his weekly hosting of the SirusXM radio program Bluegrass Junction.

BILL EVANS - Instruction & Education - San Francisco based composer, educator, performer and author, Bill Evans holds the distinction of skillfully playing every type of banjo - from its earliest roots in the West African akonting to the modern Bluegrass banjo. Holding a master’s degree in music from the University of California at Berkeley, Evans educates and enlightens thousands of people annually with his Banjo In America concert program in which he plays multiple banjos while presenting musical examples from the 17th century, through the minstrel, classic and jazz eras to the banjo’s modern day voice in Bluegrass, folk and world music. Additionally, Evans hosts the annual Nashcamp Bluegrass camp which brings top professional performers together with aspiring banjo students.

Kristin Scott Benson, Ken Aoki, Dr. Ralph Stanley (posthumous), Ned Luberecki and Bill Evans will be inducted into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame during the weekend of October 10 thru 12, 2024 as part of the annual BANJO FEST weekend in Oklahoma City. The Hall of Fame inductions will be a highlight of a full weekend of performances, jamming, workshops, and socializing. Full details will be announced in early summer. Until then, please save the dates, plan to be with us in Oklahoma City in October and join us in congratulating this year’s American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame honorees!

Save the Date: October 10-12, 2024

Hall of Fame Celebration – BANJO FEST – October 10-12, 2024