Hank Smith started playing banjo when he was 16 in his hometown of Florence, SC after begging his parents to get him one for Christmas. Eighteen years later, he’s still at it and going strong. Smith attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and played in several bands of varying styles. Never one to limit himself to just one style of playing, he absorbed other musical influences such as jazz, rock, reggae, classical and of course, bluegrass. In 2002 he met Raleigh-based jam-grass band Barefoot Manner, and that started his tenure touring nationally and headlining their own festivals year after year. In 2004, Smith was a finalist in the Merlefest Bluegrass Banjo competition, and in 2005 he received an endorsement from Deering Banjos, who built him the custom instrument he plays currently. Today, Smith tours with The Kickin Grass Band, acoustic soul band The Morning After, and Blu Bop: A Tribute to the Music of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, among others. He also teaches banjo, guitar and mandolin at The Raleigh Music Academy. Smith will continue to push the boundaries of what the banjo can do and is currently in the process of writing a Concerto for Banjo with violinist Pattie Hopkins.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Sara Grey and Kieron Means will not perform as originally scheduled. We know you will enjoy Hank Smith solo to kick off this year’s Music of the Carolinas!
