Typically when you think of banjo music, you think of Dixie, Country,and of course, the Blues. Banjo and the Blues have a very strong connection but the interesting thing is that the type of Blues played is influenced by various areas of the country. Each offers a unique soundeven though it all comes from the same instrument. The banjo is a veryspecial instrument that creates a sound like none other.

For about 300 years banjos and fiddles have been primary instruments of African American music. Ever since the late 1700s, blacks and whites alike have loved the banjo, and shared their tunes and styles. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the music began to change, reflecting its regional roots. For instance if you listen to banjo music in the Mississippi Delta it varies quite a bit from that heard in the Virginia Piedmont.

In the early 19th century black musicians were responsible for the way the banjo sounded. Gus Cannon, more commonly known as ?Banjo Joe? was a very popular player. His accompanist was often a man named Blind Blake. In 1927 ?Banjo Joe? made some records for the Paramount label. His techniques soon were celebrated. Among them were ?frailing?, a method still studied, slide banjo, and rolling.

These days you hear banjos in all types of music including square dance, swing, bluegrass, and others. The older music of the early 19th century was more down-home. It's reminiscent of close friends getting together to jam. The older music was more colorful with unusual beats and rhythm. Today, we still enjoy the banjo, but in general the sound is stiffer. Enthusiasts still miss Allen Shelton and some other old time players who really let it rip!