Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2025.013.002 |
Object Name |
Banjo |
Description |
This Gibson banjo belonged to Clarence Tom Ashley (September 29, 1895 - June 2, 1967), a musician from Mountain City, Tennessee. Clarence began making music at medicine shows and local fiddler's conventions as early as 1911. He was active as both a solo recording artist and a member of various string bands in the early twentieth century, from the mid-1920s until approximately 1943. Ashley appeared in the 1928-1929 Johnson City Sessions with Byrd Moore and his Hot Shots. Following a serious hand injury, there was a gap of time in which Clarence stopped making music altogether. However, in the early 1960s, he was encouraged by friends and local musicians to try making music again. This banjo is remembered by Clarence's grandson, Joe, to have been a gift from Clarence's long-time musical partner and collaborator Ralph Rinzler. Clarence would go on to become an important voice in the revival of regional folk music in the 1960s. Clarence is featured on important recordings from significant events during the American folk music revival, including shows at Carnegie Hall, the Newport Folk Festival, and the Chicago Folk Festival. Ashley's name is engraved in the headstock of the banjo. This banjo was donated inside of a protective Gibson banjo case. The case was purchased years after the banjo's construction purely for the purposes of carefully storing the banjo. The case is black in color with a blue interior. This collection of artifacts (2025.013) was donated by Joe D. Ashley, Clarence Tom Ashley's grandson. The banjo is housed within the case, and it is incredibly bottom heavy. Please do not remove from shelves without a spotter and transportation plan. Please handle with care. |
Date |
c. 1960 |
Material |
wood, metal |
Made |
Gibson |