Last summer I wrote a post about Andy Boarman, “The Banjo Man of West Virginia.” My father-in-law knew Andy in Hedgesville and often wondered about the local barber who moonlighted as a player and builder of banjos and was rumored to have an impressive list of friends in the bluegrass world with whom he’d sit in whenever they came to town. Libby Files of Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band came across my post and was kind enough to put me in touch with Darrell Sanders – Stoney Creek’s own banjo man, formerly of Bill Harrell and The Virginians, and a former student of Andy’s. My good friend and great banjo player, Scott Linford, helped me come up with some questions for Darrell about Andy, his unique style, and his lasting influence.
How did Andy come to play in his “classical” style? Did he name it “classical”?
Yes, Andy called his style “classical”. His mother played the banjo and began teaching Andy when he was young. Later, he spent time with his mother’s brother in Virginia who was a classically trained banjo player who could read music. Andy learned the classical style from him but played by ear. Andy played without picks as classical players did, but used steel strings and a resonator banjo like bluegrass players.
Some of the tunes on “Mountain State Music” sound like parlor guitar pieces. Did Andy play much guitar?
No.
What were the banjos he made like? Open-back, resonator, mountain style? Fretless or fretted? All of the above?
Andy made very nice bluegrass style banjos. He refurbished existing banjos and also made his own Dixie Grand line of banjos. Continue reading
