OUR MEMBERS

OUR MEMBERS ARCHIVE

Mr. Bill Lowe

It seems that every time we read a bio about one of our members, the story goes something like this. He started playing at a pretty young age and quit for "x" amount of years. Then sometime right around or just after retirement he picked up the banjo again and started playing again, this time in ernest. Well Bill fits right into this scenario. Born and raised in Colorado one would think that Bill would be a Country Music buff, sitting around playing a lap guitar or ripping it up on a National Resonator. Well you would be wrong, not only does Bill love playing Dixieland and Ragtime on the Tenor Banjo, but he is becoming quite a collector as well. His love of Tenor Banjos has grown over the years as has his collection of around 35 mint condition banjo's. The number 35 is only an estimate as it changes on a regular basis. Bill has banjo's ranging from Janey's to a magnificent B&D Silver Bell, Ne Plus Ultra #9. In Latin "Ne Plus Ultra" means " The Ultimate". There are probably only 3 or 4 of these banjos in the US, back in the 1920's these sold for $900.00. A considerable price when one considers the average school teacher made $100. per month.

He recently became the proud owner of a beautiful Vega Vox formerly owned by our own Mike Currao. Bill has banjo's made by Dale Small, Richelieu, the amazing Rene Karnes, and many others.

But enough about Bill's banjo's, ever wonder what he does on his days away from the band? Well if you can get up early enough ( that would be just before day break) and the tide is right, you may just find Bill fishing under the bridge by his house in Punta Gorda Isles. There you will find an entire school of Snook he has trained to live under the bridge and eat this terrible lure that he throws at them every day. Word is that the snook are so tired of seeing the same lure that they draw straws to see which one will eat it just to stop Bill from continually throwing it at them. Although he occasionally butchers a legal snook he normally practices catch and release. ( Thus the talk amongst the snook about seeing the same lure ever day!) Recently Bill had the opportunity to fish with Bill Dance. Bill Dance is a very well known Bass Fisherman and has won numerous nationally recognized big money bass tournaments. He has a number of TV shows on ESPN and OLN Networks.

Now picture the poor snook, it's 0530 and they're being bombarded by not one but two of the same old lure's. The first snook to be released went back to the school and passed the word that it was the Bill and Bill show and the rest of the school didn't stand a chance.

In all seriousness, Bill is serving his second term as President of the Gufl Coast Banjo Society and has shown great leadership and progressive thinking about the direction of the band over the next year. He has discussed doing small concerts for the musical departments of some of the local schools to try to instill some interest in the banjo among the younger members of the community. This will probably come to fruition next school year. Thank you for all your support and encouragement Bill. You make us proud to have you as our President.