Sammy Shelor
Best known for
Banjo
Sammy Shelor is the longtime leader of the Lonesome River Band and one of the most decorated bluegrass banjo players of his generation, with a hard-driving, melodic approach that traces back through three generations of Shelor family banjoists in southwestern Virginia.
- Born October 10, 1962 and raised in Meadows of Dan, Patrick County, Virginia; learned banjo from his grandfather, who had been taught by Charlie Poole.
- Performing in local bands by age 10; turned professional in the 1980s with the Virginia Squires.
- Joined the Lonesome River Band in 1990 and became co-manager with Ronnie Bowman in 1995, then sole bandleader after Bowman's departure in 2000.
- Won IBMA Banjo Player of the Year five times: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 2012.
- Won SPBGMA Banjo Performer of the Year four times: 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2014.
- Received the 2011 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.
- Inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
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The Lonesome River BandPlayed on recordings with The Lonesome River Band
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Larry RicePlayed on recordings with Larry Rice
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Ronnie BowmanPlayed on recordings with Ronnie Bowman
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Kenny SmithPlayed on recordings with Kenny Smith
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The Virginia SquiresPlayed on recordings with The Virginia Squires
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Alan BibeyPlayed on recording with Alan Bibey
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Alan JacksonPlayed on recording with Alan Jackson
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Josh WilliamsPlayed on recording with Josh Williams
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Wyatt RicePlayed on recording with Wyatt Rice