Here’s a story from Kansas City that won’t do much to repair the image of banjo players as hayseed yokels.
It appears that two friends were engaged in a heated argument this past Monday night about the relative merits of two bands. As these things are wont to do, outrage ensued, and one friend came after the other with a frying pan and a knife.
The quick-thinking, would-be victim responded with what was at hand – literally in hand – and smacked his attacker upside the head with his banjo. The protagonist was treated and released from a local hospital, and promptly arrested for assault.
Police report that a marijuana pipe was found at the scene, and that “the smell of alcohol was prevalent.” Who’da thunk it?
It’s a blow for sanity in a mixed-up world. But before you start getting ideas, just remember: banjos don’t stop fights… people stop fights.