Sammy Shelor Explained

Sammy Shelor
Landscape:yes
Birth Date:10 October 1962
Birth Place:Meadows of Dan, Virginia[1]
Genre:Bluegrass music
Occupation:Musician
Instruments:Banjo, guitar, 1941 Gibson TB-75 flathead banjo[2]
Years Active:1984–present
Associated Acts:Lonesome River Band

Sammy Shelor is an American banjoist in the bluegrass tradition. He is best known as leader of the Lonesome River Band and for his solo recordings, music instruction, and session work.

Biography

Early years

The Shelor Family has a long banjo tradition. Charlie Poole taught Shelor’s grandfather the banjo, and Shelor’s grandfather in turn taught Shelor.[3] When Shelor was four years old, growing up in southwestern Virginia, his grandfather fashioned a banjo for him from an old pressure cooker lid. His other grandfather promised to buy Shelor a real banjo if he learned to play two songs.[4] Sam met the challenge, his grandfather bought him a Ventura banjo, and by age 10 Shelor was performing in local bands.[5]

Shelor patterned his playing and career after J. D. Crowe, Earl Scruggs, and Sonny Osborne of The Osborne Brothers.

Shelor became a full time professional musician when he joined Richmond, Virginia-based The Heights Of Grass at age 19. That band eventually morphed into The Virginia Squires, featuring Rickie and Ronnie Simpkins. Shelor played six years with the band. The Virginia Squires reunited for one show in 2017.[6]

Lonesome River Band

Shelor joined the Lonesome River Band in 1990. When founder Tim Austin left in 1995, Shelor and Ronnie Bowman managed the band management. When Bowman left in 2000, Shelor became manager.[7]

Solo recording

In 1997, Shelor released a solo album Leading Roll on the Sugar Hill label. Guest artists included Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Alan O'Bryant.[8]

Awards

Shelor has received the following recognition:

Music instruction

Shelor and AcuTab have published books and instructional DVDs.

Instruments

Personal life

Shelor and his wife Jordyn have two children.[13]

Discography

Solo albums

Linda Lay and Sammy Shelor

With the Virginia Squires

With the Lonesome River Band

As producer

Also appears on

Music instruction

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sammy Shelor Talks about Life, Music, and Banjos. Appalachian Music and Culture. August 20, 2017. Bud Bennett. March 12, 2015.
  2. News: Daley. Katy. 20 Questions with Katy Daley – Sammy Shelor. August 20, 2017. Bluegrass Today. August 29, 2016.
  3. Web site: Lonesome River Band just keeps rolling. Relish. August 21, 2017. Eddie Huffman. November 30, 2016.
  4. Web site: Sammy Shelor's Banjo Leads to Letterman. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822015544/http://www.cmt.com/news/1674216/sammy-shelors-banjo-leads-to-letterman/. dead. August 22, 2017. CMT.com. August 21, 2017. Craig Shelburne. November 11, 2011.
  5. News: DiGiovann. Gary. IBMA Banjo Winner: Sammy Shelor. August 20, 2017. Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association. October 20, 2012.
  6. News: Thompson. Richard. The Virginia Squires get together once more. August 21, 2017. Bluegrass Today. September 20, 2016.
  7. Book: McGee, Marty. Jan 1, 2000. Traditional Musicians of the Central Blue Ridge. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers . 9780786408764. 1. August 20, 2017.
  8. Book: Bogdanov, Vladimir. Chris Woodstra. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. 2001. All Music Guide: The Definitive Guide to Popular Music. Hal Leonard Corporation. 9780879306274 . 1. registration. August 20, 2017.
  9. Web site: Rhonda Vincent, Dan Tyminski Rake in Top Bluegrass Honors at IBMA Awards. BMI. August 21, 2017. October 9, 2001.
  10. Web site: Hall of Fame. Virginia Folk Music Association . August 21, 2017.
  11. Web site: 2014 Award Winners. SPBGMA. August 21, 2017.
  12. Web site: The Sammy Shelor Truetone. Huber Banjos. August 20, 2017. January 16, 2017.
  13. News: Lawless. John. Welcome Samuel Ellis Shelor. August 20, 2017. Bluegrass Today. April 25, 2017.

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