OUR MEMBERS

OUR MEMBERS ARCHIVE

Tres. John Hummon

John started his banjo playing career at Ohio State University in 1947. In the spring semester, he attended a Friday night street dance on campus and had a life changing experience. In those days Ohio State was comprised of about 24,000 students. 20,000 of those were former GI’s and the rest; all 4000 of them were women. So unless you were a major operator, you didn’t stand much of a chance getting a dance much less a date.

When the band took a break, a young guy with a tenor banjo sat on the edge of the bandstand and played “Five Foot Two”. He had women swarming all over him and at that point John had a revelation. Hmmmm he thought, this guy had a great gimmick. So John decided right then and there that he was going to learn to play one of those "babe magnets".

Next morning, bright and early, John was pounding the pavement in Columbus, looking for a pawn shop that might have a Tenor Banjo hanging in the window. Low and behold he found one. It was a May Bell (the same name as one of the girls at the dance!). John jumped at the chance to buy this beautiful instrument that would guarantee him more women than he could ever imagine and maybe even a shot at good old May Belle. The Banjo was $20.00 and the pawn shop owner was so glad to get rid of it he gave John an instruction book on Guitar Tuned Banjo for free. John returned to his residence and after two hours of banging away on his “Babe Magnet” his roommates threatened him with everything short of death if he kept it up. Not one to be put off by threats, John started practicing in the local park. Due to John’s continuous practice, Columbus, Ohio, no longer had a problem with pigeons; it was apparent that they, like the roommates were not thrilled with John’s mastery of the Banjo and moved to New York. But John kept up his practice and by the time the squirrels had left for quieter homesteads John had women flocking to hear him. His social life had really exploded and he was the toast of the town. He received the key to the city for the environmentally safe extermination of the pigeons and the squirrels.

After college John started working with the Chrysler Corporation. Lee Iacocca heard of John’s prowess on the Banjo and decided to use this fantastic talent to the corporation’s best interest. Lee sent John to Switzerland, Australia (twice), Italy, Turkey (twice) and England. Due to John’s diligence all those countries agreed to stop manufacturing autos and buy Chryslers, on the condition that John cease and desist his banjo playing. Some countries took a little more convincing, thus the two trips to both Australia and Turkey!
In England, shortly before being said goodbye to by the Queen, John upgraded his banjo to a German “Framus” Banjo. The German government gave him the banjo with the promise to move back to the US. John’s reputation had preceded him as he had played for many parties and gatherings throughout the "free world". It is rumored that John's banjo was in part, responsible for the fall of the Berlin Wall. Not John, mind you , just his banjo!

John retired in 1984, and with his wife Ruth, (we wonder what ever happened to old May Belle??) moved to Florida, where they lived on a 40 ft. Trawler named “Double Eagle”. They resided on the “Double Eagle” for 11 years, then sold the boat and bought a home in Placida, Florida. In 1999 John met Paul Jacques and Bud Nelson and was able to finally get some banjo lessons. (Wow, just think…it only took him 52 years.. and they say Rome wasn’t built in a day!!) Well to make a long story short, John joined the Gulf Coast Banjo Society and thru his association with the Society met Ken Hubbard who sold John a great old Gibson Mastertone. Ken figured .. something had to help!!

Before hooking up with the Banjo Society, John had never played with a band before and considers it an honor to play with the Gulf Coast Banjo Society. He holds down a special chair and is the leader of the “Back Row Boys”.

All kidding aside, John is our Vice – President and is one of the finest gentlemen you will ever have the pleasure to meet. He works tirelessly to set up and co-ordinate our twice a year dinner dances and never ever takes a bow for all the work he does.

John you are a much appreciated member of the band, and we can not thank you enough for all you do..And thanks for keeping the "back row boys"in line!!