Photo By: Blaine Jessee

I have played old time music since 1976, when I met and took a banjo class from my good friend “Cousin Ernie” Williams. In addition to clawhammer banjo, I also play old time fiddle, guitar and autoharp. I began participating in The Florida Folk Festival in White Springs by playing with Ed Flemming and Friends, then The Hyde Park Hysterical Society String Band and Mr. Ethnic’s Wednesday Night Fiddle Support Group. Since 1980, just after our community radio station went on the air, I've brought old time music to WMNF radio audiences. Tune into Mr. Ethnic's Old Time Music Show on the first Saturday of the month to hear some of the best vintage and contemporary old Time music. I'm a founding member of the folk-arts advocacy group, Friends of Florida Folk, and have been on the Board of Directors, as well as Secretary and Vice President. Also a founding member of the Florida Folklore Society, I've served on the Board of Directors. I'm a member of the Florida State Fiddler’s Association and the newly formed Florida Banjo Society. I've performed at festivals such as the “Rattlesnake Roundup” in San Antonio, FL, “Pioneer Days” at the Pioneer Florida Museum, the “Heart of Florida Folk Festival” in Dade City, and the “Fall Country Jamboree” in Barberville. I was extremely honored to open a concert with the Mr. Ethnic group for the original Red Clay Ramblers at a WMNF concert. Along with “Cousin Ernie”, I have been Co-Director of the Florida Old Time Music Championship since its inception. As such, I've brought some of the best master old time musicians to central Florida. I am also Co-Director of the Suwannee Old Time Music Weekend held at and sponsored by the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs.

Note* To listen to the archive of my show for one week afterward, you need to go to the Saturday Bluegrass page.