Banjos with Pop Music Songs.

Greetings folks again and so great and fun to be here. Well, straight to the point: What in the world does a 'banjo' have to do with popular and great music?

I am a bluegrass, 5-string banjo player and have been for many years. Over that time, I've been able to entertain with it as well as see its' potential to add a bit of spice to a recording IF used properly. Most people associate this instrument within a certain genre, namely from the southeastern USA in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, etc. and for all intensive purposes, I can see how that would happen as the instrument and its' music have been an integral part of those states 'raison d'etre'. But, let's take a quick look at some past monster hits that have featured this instrument and added a little 'something' to make them hits to begin with:

We all know the supergroup "The Eagles" and what would the song "Take' It Easy" be without the banjo at the end of it? That was played by Bernie Leadon, an accomplished musician in his own right, and is considered a classic break. Just try to imagine that song WITHOUT the banjo at the end...I know, it's not fair to try and imagine as our minds have accepted the song as it is, but see if you can hum or think of it without the banjo.

Also, I seem to recall a "Foo Fighters" song (pardon me, just don't know the title...) where in the beginning of the song, the player seems to have it tuned to a lower key like "D" or maybe an "E" -- a low, deep sound just to intro the piece, and not really featured. Nice beginning though and almost everyone has heard of the "Foo Fighters".

From my Canadian point of view, there was a group called "The Stampeders" from Alberta who had a big hit with "Sweet City Woman" way back. And, it starts with a strummed banjo, in "G", going to "A-minor", a quick "D", and back to "G". Great strumming, great sound, and a perfect fit. Maybe you recall?

And HERE'S one we ALL remember -- the immortal "Dueling Banjos" from the hit movie "Deliverance" (1972). This song stayed on the charts for weeks back then and is always asked for at house parties and gatherings where someone brings a banjo in ("Hey!! Play 'Dueling Banjos!' ").

Anyone know who "Steve Martin" is? Yep, the famous comedian is an accomplished 5-string banjo player (actually just saw him and his group on "The View" a while back) and the banjo has been Martin's musical passion as well a faithful sidekick to his on-stage act (maybe you recall his Saturday Night Live performance --- think it was SNL --- with the arrow prop on his head and playing the banjo at the same time). I never cared much for his style of humour but always appreciated his banjo playing and he's kinda big in showbiz, isn't he?

For all of us "older folks", there was the fabulously funny, immortal comedy of "The Beverly Hillbillies", back in the 60's. Remember HOW it started? Pure bluegrass, 5-string banjo and 'ol Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs would show up on the show periodically. Such fun, VERY funny show, and classic comedy.

And these days within the jazz, indie, and reggae sounds, you have the fabulous "Bela Fleck and the Flectones" (think they are still active). The frontman is the marvellous Bela Fleck, who for years was a monster within the bluegrass music industry and uses his modified banjo to anchor the sound of the Flecktones these days. Bela is an incredible musician and is a whiz on the flat-picked guitar as well. His unique banjo style in his latest group evolved from his training within bluegrass as he was never afraid to step outside the confines of traditional picking and shows complete confidence and innovative playing when needed. Check him out for some early and recent tunes -- I am sure you'll be amazed at what this guy can do.

And who can ever forget those constantly-partying and fun-loving "Irish Rovers" of the 70's and 80's? Will Millar played the banjo and while the banjo was mostly in the background and used for embellishment and support only, the bye's from the Emerald Isle still managed to capture a massive following with 'silly' hits on the radio and a TV show as well. Just so happened that they had a banjo in the group, strummed mostly and with that Irish feel. Hmmm...THEY were pretty popular too, weren't they?...

I know there's probably more (even today's country music has a snippet of banjo in a lot of pieces) but I just wanted to highlight the past obvious examples and to encourage all inspiring musicians to at least mess a bit with this instrument in their work, and...see what happens! Sure helped out those examples listed here to become what they are!

Thanks all and stay tuned!

Oh and BTW: Thanks to "Tim" (see comments) for pointing out a few mis-cues here in my hub. Hopefully NOW I got it right!