If you got into bluegrass in the 1970s, you probably first became aware of Pete Wernick as half of the twin banjo tag team (along with Tony Trischka) from the New York State band Country Cooking. Or maybe you bought one of the first copies of his best-selling instruction book “Bluegrass Banjo” from Oak Publications. (Remember those flexi-discs?) … Read More
Here I am, 71 as of Feb. 25, and still picking the five. The “new Granada” I got in 1988 is 29 years old this year — older than Earl’s was in the 40s and 50s — and sounding nice with a calfskin head I’ve had on it since fall.… Read More
This article features his days at New York’s Ivy League school.… Read More
Pete won IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2010. Friend and bandmate Tim O’Brien presented the award, and what follows is his presentation speech.… Read More
Pete receives a touching letter from a Grade School Music Teacher.… Read More
Two essays by Pete are part of the new book Parenting Beyond Belief, edited by Dale McGowan, on Amacom Books. These writings, concerning secular parenting, are Pete?s first on non-musical topics to be published by a major publisher. Articles include Parenting in a Secular/Religious Marriage and Building the Secular Community – However Slowly. Other contributing authors include Richard Dawkins, Julia Sweeney, Penn Jillette and Margaret Downey. … Read More
This article appeared in the Fall 2006 issue of Michigan Sociological Review. by Joe Verschaeve You may have seen this guy in one of the many performance halls that he has played across the globe. Maybe you caught the episode … Read More
The following appeared in The Denver Post, November 13, 2005. “Dr. Banjo” Pete Wernick left an ivory-tower job for a rural musical style more in tune with his spirit.… Read More
The following article by Michael Roberts appeared in the September 15, 2005 issue of Westword.com. Here is a print-friendly PDF. Local twanger Pete Wernick is ready for the national spotlight. “When you get to the highest levels of the entertainment … Read More
