Wernick bios, shorter versions

PETE WERNICK, “Dr. Banjo”, is renowned worldwide for his contributions to bluegrass music: the hot-picking force in several trend-setting bands including Hot Rize, respected author and teacher, songwriter, and long-term President of the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Pete’s first recordings were made in 1971 with northeast instrumental wizards Country Cooking. Founding Hot Rize in 1978 led to an enduring stint as a performing artist, appearing throughout the U.S. and three other continents, on national television and radio. His instructional videos and books include best-sellers in their respective fields, Bluegrass Banjo, Masters of the Five String Banjo, How to Make a Band Work, and many others. A pioneer in bluegrass music instruction, since 1980 Pete’s camps and clinics have inspired players nationwide and overseas.

Pete has been based in Niwot, Colorado since 1976, and tours and records with the traditional bluegrass band Long Road Home, with his wife Joan in a duet and in his bluegrass/traditional jazz combo Pete Wernick & FLEXIGRASS. The year 2010 marks his 40th since his first recordings, and will also see Hot Rize performing at several festivals and touring in Fall.

Pete Wernick, “Dr. Banjo”, is renowned worldwide for his contributions to bluegrass music: the hot-picking force in several trend-setting bands including Hot Rize and Country Cooking, respected author and teacher, and 15-year President of the International Bluegrass Music Association.

In a recording career starting in 1971, Pete has recorded dozens of original instrumentals and songs, including two bluegrass chart-topping hits, and is known for his soulful tradition-based style.

Since 1980, Pete has conducted over 100 instructional camps nationwide and overseas, and continues to refine his teaching methods. His instructional videos and books include bestsellers such as Bluegrass Jamming, Bluegrass Banjo, Branching Out on the Banjo, How to Make a Band Work, and many others. Pete maintains an extensive web site, DrBanjo.com, and currently performs with his bluegrass/classic jazz fusion group, Flexigrass, his singer/guitarist wife Joan (“Nondi”) in a bluegrass duet, Colorado bluegrass band Long Road Home, and occasional reunions with Hot Rize.

Pete Wernick (“Dr. Banjo”) has been described by Bluegrass Unlimited as “among the most creative and just plain fun musicians in (blue, new, jazz) grass.” His current band FLEXIGRASS follows two other significant Wernick-organized bands: groundbreaking bluegrass instrumental wizards Country Cooking (1970-76), and the internationally acclaimed Hot Rize (full-time 1978-90 and still occasionally performing). He’s also been mentor to thousands with his music camps, best-selling books and videos, and from 1986 to 2001, served as President of the International Bluegrass Music Association. Pete’s blazing innovations have crossed back and forth over the borders of bluegrass, but fans can always count on his love of tradition, taste, and tone.

Pete Wernick (“Dr. Banjo”) has been described by Bluegrass Unlimited as “among the most creative and just plain fun musicians in (blue, new, jazz) grass.” His current band FLEXIGRASS follows two other significant Wernick-organized bands: groundbreaking bluegrass instrumental wizards Country Cooking (1970-76), and the internationally acclaimed Hot Rize (full-time 1978-90 and still occasionally performing). He’s also been mentor to thousands with his music camps and bestselling books and videos. Pete’s blazing innovations have crossed back and forth over the borders of bluegrass, but fans can always count on his love of tradition, taste, and tone.