Sammy Shelor, banjoist extraordinaire and leader of the indomitable Lonesome River Band, was surprised last week when he was presented with the Key to the City of Martinsville, VA.
Shelor was performing with some buddies of his at Mtn’ Jax Restaurant & Pub in Martinsville, and following the show by Jason Harris and Friends, Mayor Danny Turner made an unexpected visit to the stage.
Turner presented Sammy with a key on a plaque with text that reads…
Presented to Sammy Shelor in appreciation of your talents as Ambassador for Bluegrass Music, this 29th day of January, 2016.
Sammy reports that he was taken aback by the recognition, but perfectly delighted to receive it.
“I am so honored to have received the Key to the City from Mayor Danny Turner. I spent a lot of time in Martinsville when I was growing up as it was the nearest larger city to Stuart, Virginia where I spent my school years. I enjoyed many first experiences there such as my first movie theater and fast food. I played a lot of music in the area as a teenager and it holds a lot of great memories. Thanks to Danny Turner and Rick Martin for making this possible!”
Congratulations Sammy, and well done Mayor Turner!
