The Banjo Guru

David Holt is a four-time Grammy Award winner is not only a musician; he is also a storyteller, historian, television host and entertainer. He has dedicated his adult life to preserving traditional American music and stories through performance on the ten acoustic instruments he plays. He has been a guest on Hee Haw, Nashville Now, at the Grand Ole Opry, and you can even see him playing in the popular film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” starring George Clooney.

In 1968, David Holt started his musical journey in the Appalachian Mountains. He wanted to become an old-time banjo player, so he visited remote mountain communities in Kentucky and North Carolina to learn with traditional musicians. He met hundreds of mountaineers with folk music knowledge including banjoist Wade Mainer and washboard player Susie Brunson. In his career David has performed and recorded with many of his mentors such as, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, and Earl Scruggs. Today he tours solo, with Doc Watson, and with his band The Lightning Bolts.