Samantha Bumgarner

One of the pioneering figures of country music throughout the early half of the 20th century, Samantha Bumgarner was a world-class banjo and fiddle player, winning numerous contests at a time when most women weren't even allowed the opportunity. Invited in 1928 by renowned banjoist Bascom Lunsford to attend the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, NC, Bumgarner became a yearly staple, performing there until her death three decades later at the age of 80. Though she was more of a performer than a recording artist, Bumgarner did leave behind a dozen sought-after recordings made in 1924 with guitarist Eva Davis and released on Columbia that capture her undeniable prowess and mastery of the country banjo. ~ Steve Kurutz