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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSTRINGBEAN(b David Akeman, 17 June '15, Annville KY; d 10 Nov. '73, Nashville TN) One of country music's best-loved comedians and instrumentalists. Son of a fine banjo player; worked on a farm, played with various bands in his spare time; joined Cy Rogers' Lonesome Pine Fiddlers on Radio WLAP, Lexington KY '35-8 and began working on comic routines, called Stringbean on account of lanky appearance and ability to play almost any stringed instrument. Joined Charlie Monroe's Kentucky Partners on Radio WBIG, Greenville NC '39-41; moved to Nashville and appeared on Grand Ole Opry with Bill Monroe '42-5; then formed his own band, Stringbean and his Kentucky Wonders, specialising in banjo playing in the trad. style of Uncle Dave Macon. A regular on the Opry for almost 30 years; also appeared on WSM's Prince Albert Show, Ozark Jubilee '55, with Merv Griffin '66, Porter Wagoner '67-8, Flatt & Scruggs and TV's Hee-Haw '69-73. He and his wife were murdered on returning home from the Opry by burglars surprised in their house. LPs incl. Old Time Banjo Picking And Singing '60, Salute To Uncle Dave Macon '66, Back In The Hills Of Kentucky '68 on Starday; Me And My Old Crow '70 on Nugget. |