Bob Black

(banjo - 9/20/1974-9/19/1976)
Indian Springs, 1975, photo by Mick Larie. Click for full version.

Born: 6/14/1949

As a Blue Grass Boy: Bob Black played banjo for Bill Monroe for two years, touring Europe and Japan with the band, and recording the "Weary Traveler" album. Bill once said of him, "I believe Bob Black is the best at playing the old-time fiddle numbers of any banjo player."

Recording Sessions: 3/10/1975, 3/11/1975, 3/12/1975, 5/4/1976

Before and After: After leaving the band, Bob played for several years with Buck White and the Down Home Folks. He appears on a number of Kenny Baker's solo albums, including the classic "Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe". He and his wife Kristie currently perform as a duo and with their band Banjoy. Bob also performs with the Burlington Street Bluegrass Band, and has performed and recorded with Perfect Strangers and Cagley, Black, Schaefer, and Njoes.

Further Reading: Bob's 2005 book, Come Hither To Go Yonder, describes his time with Monroe.

Links: Banjoy.com: Bob Black's official website
Interview by Jim Moss, 1997