Focus on: "Stringbean" Dave Akeman
Kentucky born Dave Akeman began playing the banjo early in life. At age seven he made his own banjo out of a shoebox and thread borrowed from his mother's sewing kit. At twelve he traded two prize bantams he raised for a real banjo. He was surrounded by music his whole life. Dave's dad played banjo for dances. He also learned from other musicians around his community. Dave himself earned a reputation playing for local dances in his early teens. At sixteen he won a talent contest and appeared on WLAP radio with Asa Martin's band. Martin dubbed him "Stringbean" on the first show. It seems Martin forgot Dave's name. Referring to his 6'2" thin physique he called him "Stringbean" on the spot. The name stuck. Martin continued to work with him and trained him in comedy.
In 1939 Stringbean played with Charlie Monroe's Kentucky Pardners and later formed a band, Stringbean and the Kentucky Wonders. After his success as a comedian Stringbean never wanted to return to just playing banjo. He continued to develop his comedic skills, working several skits together to make a show. Many of his songs had humorous lyrics like "Chewin' Chewin' Gum" and "Give Me Back my Five Dollars."
Stringbean is perhaps better known to many of us for his comedy than his music. He was an original member of the Hee Haw television show and appeared throughout the 50s on the Grand Ole Opry. He often worked as a duo with "Cousin Wilber" and "Grandpa Jones." String wore a nightshirt and jeans very low around his legs. The costume made him look like a very tall man with very short legs.
In 1939 Bill Monroe hired Stringbean as pitcher for his competitive baseball team, likely not knowing he could play banjo. Later he was hired to play banjo with Monroe and played with him from '43 to '45. He played clawhammer banjo with the Blue Grass Boys on the Opry, did comedy and continued to play baseball. The instrument is barely audible on recordings and was used mostly as a rhythm instrument. Stringbean released several albums including "Old Time Pickin' and Grinnin' with Stringbean" and "Old Time Banjo Picking and Singing."
Stringbean's life came to a tragic end. Returning from a show he and wife Estelle surprised burglars in their home on November 10, 1973. The intruders brutally murdered Stringbean then chased down Estelle and shot her too. Grandpa Jones found them the next day. Needless to say, their execution rocked the bluegrass/country music world. The killers were caught and brought to justice but friends and fans found little solace in this. A great talent's life was snuffed out for no reason.
You can remember Stringbean by searching for some of his videos on YouTube. He'll bring a smile to your face and you'll get to hear a little traditional banjo pickin.'
*Focus features musicians and groups from the past and contemporary performers. These musicians are selected because of their contributions to the preservation and enjoyment of acoustic music.
