drifty - Posted - 04/02/2026:  04:56:53

Who are the hottest young banjo players in Bluegrass now and who are they working with?

Edited by - drifty on 04/02/2026 05:05:44

Owen - Posted - 04/02/2026:  07:33:44

New to me, but apparently not new to the genre (?) .... and I know of one dirty old man that thinks she's reasonably hot.   

chuckv97 - Posted - 04/02/2026:  08:17:46

Mason Crone sounds pretty good

RB3 - Posted - 04/02/2026:  08:27:39

Below is a link to an article in Bluegrass Today about one. According to the article, a lot of "dirty old Bluegrass women" think he's hot. His name is Ettore Buzzini.



When Bluegrass Today includes a recording from a new artist featured in one of their articles, I like to listen to it. Most of the time, I'm disappointed because I usually find the melodies to be undistinguished. I was pleasantly surprised when I listened to Buzzini's recording. After I read the full article, I discovered that he had appropriated the melody from a piece of music by Franz Liszt titled "Réminiscences de Norma".  This seems to me to be a better strategy than re-purposing "Wild Bill Jones" for every new Bluegrass composition.

Flowers from “banjo heartthrob” Ettore Buzzini

KirbyInKentucky - Posted - 04/02/2026:  08:36:25

drifty I'm studying the greats of bluegrass in the past, but look up recent banjo awards and check out prize winners or finalists. Such as:

freshgrassfestival.com/north-a...inalists/



Shout out to @Bluegrasskid on banjohangout, Jordan from my hometown who was a finalist in that award I linked.

Edited by - KirbyInKentucky on 04/02/2026 08:37:46

drifty - Posted - 04/02/2026:  09:14:18

Thanks for the replies, links and tips. I guess I shouldn't have used the term "hottest" in my OP. I meant in terms of talent and popularity rather than their looks.

Realbluegrassfan - Posted - 04/02/2026:  09:46:06

I am a fan of Jesse Meador of Kentucky Just Us. Lincoln Hensley is another reasonably young star that I like.

The Old Timer - Posted - 04/02/2026:  09:54:50

I'm very impressed with a couple of "new to me" pickers.

Gibson Davis has been working in a few bands getting notice over the last few years. Very sharp picker.

The other is 13-14 year old new banjo picker with Kody Norris Show. I can't remember his name, but this young feller is gettin' it done!

There's a young man in Connecticut who has come along rapidly since he attended Banjo Camp North. VERY solid Scruggs man. Playing in a local band called Hosmer Mountain Boys. His name is Simon Brogie. Good singer, and also plays rhythm guitar like Lester Flatt with thumb and finger pick. He makes a few appearances now and then with his own band where he plays guitar -- can't remember their name right now.

Owen - Posted - 04/02/2026:  10:28:26

quote:

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Originally posted by drifty

Thanks for the replies, links and tips. I guess I shouldn't have used the term "hottest" in my OP. I meant in terms of talent and popularity rather than their looks.

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In a thread from 2025, guys that I expect know a lot more about music/banjo than do I, had these things to say:  "Her playing is solid, clean, innovative. /  I think Sarah Stewart’s banjo playing is superb. It’s subtle, understated and rhythmically perfect. It’s refreshing to hear a banjo player who doesn’t play a freaky, gratuitous ego break, but who plays exactly what the material calls for. Some of the our well-known banjo stars could learn something from her. /  She is amazing [...] Best I've seen in a long time, very talented. " /  etc.

1sImpleman - Posted - 04/02/2026:  13:24:55

Jim Hensley with Kody Norris.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 04/02/2026:  13:54:13

If I recall correctly, Eddie Alcock was playing with Monroe at age 19. So there’s a standard. And he could sing.

Tractor1 - Posted - 04/02/2026:  14:16:08

the old ways of measuring things are gone--no more of it just being 2 magazines with their charts and festival spreads--no more album sale counts from a few companies--I really could not say with confidence --but yes being eye candy adds likes to an already great performance--It might settle down--as a good thing--in the long run
my opinion I ask no agreement

Tractor1 - Posted - 04/02/2026:  14:18:56

we have an abundance already --but that is not saying more will do harm

Tractor1 - Posted - 04/02/2026:  14:20:40

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

If I recall correctly, Eddie Alcock was playing with Monroe at age 19. So there’s a standard. And he could sing.

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I know Eddie would have found humor in his new name--

The Old Timer - Posted - 04/02/2026:  14:28:48

Jim Hensley! Thanks Phil! He's a good 'un.

chuckv97 - Posted - 04/02/2026:  15:12:22

I think Carl Jackson went with Jim & Jesse at 16 yrs auld or so

drifty - Posted - 04/03/2026:  05:29:17

Thanks for all the replies and great suggestions. At 80 I don't hit the festival circuit like I used to. Sometimes playing with bands and sometimes not, I'd go all over to see all my heroes who lit the fire under me 65 or so years ago. Many of them are gone now and I was wondering who is out there lighting them up these days. I have already looked up some the players mentioned and am impressed. Thanks again.

TB327 - Posted - 04/10/2026:  13:21:45

jordan riehm is right here in bowling green ky

HarleyQ - Posted - 04/10/2026:  20:24:47

youtube.com/watch?v=2NdqgUtsnfU

Backwoods Bluegrass Band
Ron Stewart's wife playing the Banjo.

HarleyQ - Posted - 04/11/2026:  19:23:03

quote:

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Originally posted by HarleyQ

youtube.com/watch?v=2NdqgUtsnfU



Backwoods Bluegrass Band

Ron Stewart's wife playing the Banjo.

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Her name is Sarah Stewart. I couldn't think of it last night. She is smooth as they come.

The Old Timer - Posted - 04/12/2026:  09:21:04

Good clean picking by Sarah S.

AmyFlowerPower - Posted - 04/16/2026:  12:15:58

Luciya Sullivan out of Chicago!!

Brian Murphy - Posted - 04/16/2026:  14:59:09

A young banjo player I have watched develop is Molly Johnson of Pumpkintown, South Carolina. She plays with a group of three young ladies called The Wilder Flower.  Her playing is so clean and tasteful, and it fits perfectly with the band, which is based on great vocals and harmonies.  I'm sure she can shred it also, but I really appreciate how she uses the banjo to make every song better.  And her bandmate (Madeline Dierauf) is one to watch as well.  She does play banjo, but is a fiend on the fiddle.  Oh, and she's a Rhodes Scholar to boot.  

gottasmilealot - Posted - 04/16/2026:  18:53:17

Izaak Atlas Schwartz. 15 years old playing at a professional level in Pennsylvania.
youtube.com/@izaakatlasschwart...Z662_lPiu

saltcreek - Posted - 04/17/2026:  05:50:11

David Carroll is a tremendous player.

KimD - Posted - 04/17/2026:  07:21:52

Another vote for Izaak Schwartz in Pennsylvania. He is just releasing his first album. He is an incredible musician - not only on banjo (mainly 3-finger - but clawhammer too), also guitar, mandolin, mt. dulcimer, piano and organ. His younger brother Leopold is no slouch either! Look up a clip of them playing with Heaven McCoury and the Travelin' McCourys on stage.

tommy frederico - Posted - 04/17/2026:  15:35:01

We just had the pleasure of hosting Ettore Buzzini at the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown this past weekend and that guy is on fire! Pay attention to him, he's fascinating and so fun to have on the stage and in the pickin' circles. I look forward to watching his career and talent soar!

bosborne - Posted - 04/17/2026:  17:52:35

quote:

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Originally posted by drifty

Who are the hottest young banjo players in Bluegrass now and who are they working with?

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I like to listen to Billy Failing, who plays with Billy Strings.

myfavefive - Posted - 04/17/2026:  21:10:32

I've seen Gibson Davis with a few bands this past year (Missy Raines, Wyatt Ellis and Rick Faris) and he's extremely solid, tasteful, creative and can fit right in with any working pro band. He stands a good chance of being IBMA banjo player of the year before too long