The 2015 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass has been awarded to Danny Barnes, eclectic clawhammer and three-finger picker from Texas.
From his time with Bad Livers in the ’90s, through stints with Tim O’Brien, Bill Frisell, Jeff Austin, and alternative string bands of every kind and his own solo projects, Barnes has demonstrated a vision for the banjo unencumbered by preconceptions about how the instrument should be used in contemporary music.
In addition to the notoriety and honor of being selected by his peers in the banjo world for this accolade, the prize also bestows a $50,000 cash award to the recipient.
We expect to catch up with Danny in the next few days to discuss him receiving this prize. Look for that next week.
In the mean time, many congratulations for this high honor!
