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I've been playing banjo professionally since 1976 and am thankful for the many great experiences I've had playing bluegrass and the many folks that I've met along the way. I am lucky to count among my mentors and teachers such great players as Tony Trischka, Bill Keith, Alan Munde, J. D. Crowe and Sonny Osborne.

I teach private lessons to students at all levels out of my home in Albany, CA and present workshops literally all across the world. I have two solo CDs available, "Native and Fine" (1995) on Rounder and "Bill Evans Plays Banjo" (2001) on my own Native and Fine Records label. I also appear on CDs by Dry Branch Fire Squad, Suzanne Thomas, the Bluegrass Intentions and Due West. My latest CD is with fiddler Megan Lynch, titled "let's do something.." (2009).

I spend a lot of time touring and teaching workshops with Megan these days. I usually post schedule updates via my BHO blog but my complete tour schedule can also be accessed at www.nativeandfine.com under the "Schedule" link.

I love teaching, whether it's groups or individual folks. Chris Pandolfi (Infamous String Dusters), Greg Liszt (Bruce Springsteen, Crooked Still), Eric Yates (Hot Buttered Rum Band) and Jayme Stone are among some of the professional players that I've helped over the years. I've produced three instructional DVDs for AcuTab Publications. "Power Picking Vol. 1: Up The Neck Backup for Bluegrass Banjo" and "Power Picknig Vol. 3: Playing Banjo Backup in a Bluegrass Band" focus on backup skills while "Bluegrass Banjo Master Class: Power Pickin' Vol. 4" discusses right and left hand technique, playing licks and presents exercises that explore the fingerboard. Each project is around two to two and one half hours in length with an accompanying tab booklet.

I've also just finished "Absolute Beginners: Banjo" for Music Sales Corporation and "Parking Lot PIckers Songbook, Banjo Edition" for Mel Bay Publications. The first volume is a complete beginners guide, taking folks from when they first purchase a banjo through to playing roll patterns against several different chord progressions. The Mel Bay songbook features words and music (melody in notation as well as banjo tab) for over 225 bluegrass and old-time favorites. This set has two CDs that accompany the book, where you can hear me play a typical backup for every tune in the Songbook!

My latest book "Banjo for Dummies" from Wiley Publications - the yellow and black book publishers - was published in the summer of 2007. I'm extremely excited about this project. This book offers instruction in clawhammer, minstrel & classic styles as well as bluegrass, with sections on Scruggs, melodic and single-string banjo. There is also a buyer's guide, a guide to camps and festivals and much, much more -there's also a 94 track CD that comes with the book.

In addition to all of this, I co-direct the NashCamp Fall Banjo Retreat, an annual banjo camp each October in the Nashville, TN area. Featuring none other than the Chief, Sonny Osborne himself, this camp offers three days of great accommodations, wonderful gourmet food and great instruction from year to year from such players as Tony Trischka, Alan Munde, Ned Luberecki, Ron Block, Rob McCoury, J. D. Crowe, Charlie Cushman, and many others. The 2009 is scheduled for October 16-18.

I live in Albany, California (near Berkeley) with my wife Kathy, who is a public school teacher, and my daughter Corey, who is an oustanding drummer. My son Jesse attends Landmark College in Putney, Vermont. We have a very precocious Australian Shepherd named Julie and a very mellow cat named Gizmo.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support of banjo music. Keep on picking!

Sincerely,

Bill Evans