How does one describe this month’s featured member? Let’s start by saying, way back in 1952; a movie came out staring John Wayne. It was entitled “The Quiet Man”. It was about a big quiet Irishman that moved back to Ireland from America. He didn’t say much, but he accomplished an awful lot. This month’s featured member is a lot like Sean Thornton (John Wayne). He’s a guy you see around quite often, not saying much, strumming his banjo, and enjoying every minute of the day. Jack Canine is an honored member of the Gulf Coast Banjo Society as well as the Murat Shrine Band, the Hoosier Banjo Band and also the Bonita Village Band in Bonita Springs, Florida. How he has time to run his business “The Banjo Corp” is a mystery. Somehow between actively playing in all those bands, dividing his time between Florida and Indiana, and running an internationally known corporation he has seen fit to do a few other little things in his “spare time”.

Does it sound like this man has a full plate??? You bet he does. So in his “free time” he will make every effort to attend every Banjo convention he possibly can, and not only those in the US, he has attended conferences all over Europe and as far away as New Zealand. During many of his trips he started collecting fine, vintage banjos, and one day found that he had more than just a few.

In 1997 Jack lost his wife of 40 years, and decided that it was time to share his banjo collection with the world. So Jack and a partner founded and funded the National Four String Banjo Hall of Fame in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Some of you may be interested to know that not only has Jack donated his very valuable collection of mint condition vintage banjos to the hall but owns the building and pays the salary of those that work there. Presently there are about 100 banjos in the Hall of Fame, most, if not all, of them donated by Jack. He presently holds the position of President of the Museum Board of Directors.

According to a story recently published, Jack has been having some problems with his Arthritis. So after about an hour of playing his fingers start giving him a bit of trouble. According to the story Jack says “I still manage. I am limited to about twenty minutes; however, with one pill I can go up to two hours, and with two pills, I have made it up to three hours.” Well Jack, keep taking those pills, and keep playing. You have done more for the Banjo world than any 10 people and we are proud beyond words that you are a member of the Gulf Coast Banjo Society. Thank you and God Bless……………….