| Banjo Boyd |
Boyd's love of music began at a very young age. Growing up in Texas, surrounded by family,
and friends of the family, who both loved music and played various instruments, Boyd soon
found that he possessed more than just a love of music.
As a child, Boyd quickly learned to play ukulele, graduating to the guitar during the turn of his
teenage years. He later became interested in the banjo. Against the advice of his Grandfather,
Boyd attempted to learn Scruggs-style picking on his first banjo: a 4-string tenor banjo!
In 1973, a long-time friend of the family placed a 5-string banjo in Boyd's hands. His heart
skipped a couple of beats. You might say it was "love at first sight." Quickly adapting to the
"five," Boyd began to attend Bluegrass festivals in Texas and Oklahoma, honing his skills by
playing with, and learning from, other musicians. He went on to win Championship trophies in
both states between 1976 and 1979.
and friends of the family, who both loved music and played various instruments, Boyd soon
found that he possessed more than just a love of music.
As a child, Boyd quickly learned to play ukulele, graduating to the guitar during the turn of his
teenage years. He later became interested in the banjo. Against the advice of his Grandfather,
Boyd attempted to learn Scruggs-style picking on his first banjo: a 4-string tenor banjo!
In 1973, a long-time friend of the family placed a 5-string banjo in Boyd's hands. His heart
skipped a couple of beats. You might say it was "love at first sight." Quickly adapting to the
"five," Boyd began to attend Bluegrass festivals in Texas and Oklahoma, honing his skills by
playing with, and learning from, other musicians. He went on to win Championship trophies in
both states between 1976 and 1979.
Boyd and a long-time friend, Gary Moreland, from his hometown of Honey Grove, Texas,
performed a live bluegrass show for several consecutive weekends on radio station KFYN in
Bonham, Texas. They eventually formed a progressive country band during the late '70s, which
performed at night clubs, rodeo dances, and civic events throughout the area.
After a short time of playing country music in Texas dancehalls with his five-string banjo, Boyd's
interest turned to the instrument his Grandfather played: the Hawaiian "lap-steel" guitar. Sitting
the lap steel on a stand to make it look similar to a pedal steel guitar, Boyd played various
venues over the next few years until he purchased his first 10-string pedal steel guitar. At a
seminar in Dallas, Boyd met Jeff Newman (Jeffran College of Pedal Steel Guitar) and
subsequently traveled to Nashville on three different occasions to study under Jeff and the
"World's Foremost Steel Guitarist," Buddy Emmons.
In 1989, Boyd, his wife Debbie, and their son, Kevin, moved to Paris, Texas, which is their
home today. Kevin is an accomplished drummer and plays with his own band, Post Oak
Savanah. After thirteen years of constant weekend performances, Boyd now enjoys playing
banjo, dobro and steel guitar at churches, local "opry" houses, recording sessions, and public
events around the area.
performed a live bluegrass show for several consecutive weekends on radio station KFYN in
Bonham, Texas. They eventually formed a progressive country band during the late '70s, which
performed at night clubs, rodeo dances, and civic events throughout the area.
After a short time of playing country music in Texas dancehalls with his five-string banjo, Boyd's
interest turned to the instrument his Grandfather played: the Hawaiian "lap-steel" guitar. Sitting
the lap steel on a stand to make it look similar to a pedal steel guitar, Boyd played various
venues over the next few years until he purchased his first 10-string pedal steel guitar. At a
seminar in Dallas, Boyd met Jeff Newman (Jeffran College of Pedal Steel Guitar) and
subsequently traveled to Nashville on three different occasions to study under Jeff and the
"World's Foremost Steel Guitarist," Buddy Emmons.
In 1989, Boyd, his wife Debbie, and their son, Kevin, moved to Paris, Texas, which is their
home today. Kevin is an accomplished drummer and plays with his own band, Post Oak
Savanah. After thirteen years of constant weekend performances, Boyd now enjoys playing
banjo, dobro and steel guitar at churches, local "opry" houses, recording sessions, and public
events around the area.
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