Craig Smith
Musician · San Bernardino, California
Best known for
Banjo
Craig Smith is a California-born banjoist whose 1990s session work and tenures with Charlie Moore, Jim Eanes, the Country Gentlemen, and Laurie Lewis's Bluegrass Pals placed him among the most distinctive picking voices on a wave of major-label bluegrass records.
- Top session banjo player in bluegrass; did major-label studio work through the 1990s.
- Began with the California band Wild Hickory Nuts in 1976 before relocating east.
- Was Charlie Moore's last banjo player and recorded with Jim Eanes (1987–88), playing banjo, lead guitar, and harmony vocals.
- Played with The Country Gentlemen during his eastward career move.
- Founded the North Carolina band Summer Wages, whose self-titled debut came out on Rebel Records in 1983.
- Released a self-titled solo album on Rounder Records (CD 0357) in 1997.
- Joined Laurie Lewis's Bluegrass Pals in 1998.
- Known for a distinctive "bounce" in his picking that other banjoists have struggled to replicate.
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Ronnie BowmanPlayed on recordings with Ronnie Bowman
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Jerry DouglasPlayed on recordings with Jerry Douglas
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Laurie LewisPlayed on recordings with Laurie Lewis
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The Del McCoury BandPlayed on recordings with The Del McCoury Band
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Dan TyminskiPlayed on recording with Dan Tyminski
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Herschel SizemorePlayed on recording with Herschel Sizemore
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James KingPlayed on recording with James King
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Jim EanesPlayed on recording with Jim Eanes
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Laurie Lewis and the Right HandsPlayed on recording with Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands
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Pat EnrightPlayed on recording with Pat Enright