Tom Nowlin banjo player

Webmaster: How did you become interested in bluegrass music?

Tom: I grew up listening to bluegrass, and it made a definite impression on me.
My father was a minister, and to save money, he used to cut our hair. He'd do it on Saturday nights, and while we were getting our hair cut, we'd listen to The Grand Old Opry on the radio. I especially enjoyed listening to Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, String Bean, and Grandpa Jones. On Saturday evening, I looked forward to the Flatt and Scruggs TV Show. I used to sit up close and try to see what
Earl was doing with his hands.

Webmaster: When did you start playing banjo?

Tom: When I was 13, a family came to our church. The dad played the banjo, two finger style. He had an old Kay banjo, and loaned it to me for a few weeks. I plucked around on it until I could pick out “Wildwood Flower.” I used $40 from my paper route to buy a Silvertone from Sears and Roebuck. I began buying Flatt and Scruggs records. I played them at half speed until I could pick out the notes and melodies they were playing. After about a year, I traded in the Silvertone for a Gibson. That was 1964.

Webmaster: Who are your role models in bluegrass?

Tom: Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe and J.D. Crowe. I was able to see Flatt and Scruggs three times, while I was growing up. I was always fascinated by Earl Scruggs’ playing. His banjo had that “popping sound” that I liked.

Webmaster: Tell us about the banjo you play now.

Tom: I have a 1964 Gibson RB-250 with bow tie inlays. After playing it for 40 years, I finally had a chance to buy a Gibson Granada 2003, from Curtis McPeake. It sounds like I always wanted a banjo to sound.