• Smithsonian
    Institution
  • Travel
    With Us
  • Smithsonian
    Store
  • Smithsonian
    Channel
  • goSmithsonian
    Visitors Guide
  • Air & Space
    magazine

Smithsonian.com

  • Subscribe
  • History & Archaeology
  • Science
  • Ideas & Innovations
  • Arts & Culture
  • Travel & Food
  • At the Smithsonian
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Games
  • Shop
  • Art
  • Design
  • Fashion
  • Music & Film
  • Books
  • Art Meets Science
  • Arts & Culture

LISTEN: Stephen Wade’s Banjo Diary

The roots music expert’s latest album is finger-picking good

| | | Reddit | Digg | Stumble | Email |
  • By Leah Binkovitz
  • Smithsonian magazine, January 2013, Subscribe
 
Steven Wades new CD <i>Banjo Diary Lessons from Tradition</i>.
Steven Wade's new CD Banjo Diary Lessons from Tradition. (Smithsonian Folkways)

Audio Gallery

Sneak Preview: Banjo Diary: Lessons from Tradition by Stephen Wade


It’s hard to think of anyone who knows more about the banjo than Stephen Wade, the roots music expert who has played, studied and evangelized the instrument for five decades. He developed the one-man song-and-dance theatrical show Banjo Dancing (and performed it at the White House in 1979). On his debut CD for Smithsonian Folkways, Banjo Diary: Lessons from Tradition, released
in September, Wade passes on what he has learned from a lifetime of seeking out American music
at its roots, from his native Chicago to deep in the Appalachians.


It’s hard to think of anyone who knows more about the banjo than Stephen Wade, the roots music expert who has played, studied and evangelized the instrument for five decades. He developed the one-man song-and-dance theatrical show Banjo Dancing (and performed it at the White House in 1979). On his debut CD for Smithsonian Folkways, Banjo Diary: Lessons from Tradition, released
in September, Wade passes on what he has learned from a lifetime of seeking out American music
at its roots, from his native Chicago to deep in the Appalachians.

    Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.


Related topics: Folk


| | | Reddit | Digg | Stumble | Email |
 

Add New Comment


Name: (required)

Email: (required)

Comment:

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until Smithsonian.com has approved them. Smithsonian reserves the right not to post any comments that are unlawful, threatening, offensive, defamatory, invasive of a person's privacy, inappropriate, confidential or proprietary, political messages, product endorsements, or other content that might otherwise violate any laws or policies.

Comments (2)

I echo comment #1. What happened?

Posted by dawn wyman on January 11,2013 | 06:55 PM

After reading the Smithsonian magazine and the banjo article, I went to listen to the banjo. Guess what? Nothing. Thanks.

Posted by Tom Upton on December 31,2012 | 05:31 PM



Advertisement


Most Popular

  • Viewed
  • Emailed
  • Commented
  1. The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories
  2. The Saddest Movie in the World
  3. Best. Gumbo. Ever.
  4. Real Places Behind Famously Frightening Stories
  5. Most of What You Think You Know About Grammar is Wrong
  6. The Story Behind Banksy
  7. When Did Girls Start Wearing Pink?
  8. A Brief History of Chocolate
  9. Teller Reveals His Secrets
  10. When the Olympics Gave Out Medals for Art
  1. Creole Gumbo Recipe From Mrs. Elie
  2. The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories
  1. Most of What You Think You Know About Grammar is Wrong
  2. Hazel Scott’s Lifetime of High Notes

View All Most Popular »

Advertisement

Follow Us

Smithsonian Magazine
@SmithsonianMag
Follow Smithsonian Magazine on Twitter

Sign up for regular email updates from Smithsonian.com, including daily newsletters and special offers.

In The Magazine

February 2013

  • The First Americans
  • See for Yourself
  • The Dragon King
  • America’s Dinosaur Playground
  • Darwin In The House

View Table of Contents »






First Name
Last Name
Address 1
Address 2
City
State   Zip
Email


Travel with Smithsonian




Smithsonian Store

Framed Lincoln Tribute

This Framed Lincoln Tribute includes his photograph, an excerpt from his Gettysburg Address, two Lincoln postage stamps and four Lincoln pennies... $40



View full archiveRecent Issues


  • Feb 2013


  • Jan 2013


  • Dec 2012

Newsletter

Sign up for regular email updates from Smithsonian magazine, including free newsletters, special offers and current news updates.

Subscribe Now

About Us

Smithsonian.com expands on Smithsonian magazine's in-depth coverage of history, science, nature, the arts, travel, world culture and technology. Join us regularly as we take a dynamic and interactive approach to exploring modern and historic perspectives on the arts, sciences, nature, world culture and travel, including videos, blogs and a reader forum.

Explore our Brands

  • goSmithsonian.com
  • Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
  • Smithsonian Student Travel
  • Smithsonian Catalogue
  • Smithsonian Journeys
  • Smithsonian Channel
  • About Smithsonian
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • RSS
  • Topics
  • Member Services
  • Copyright
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ad Choices

Smithsonian Institution