OUR MEMBERS

OUR MEMBERS ARCHIVE

Mr. Ken Shank, Phd.

Ken started his musical career with a "two dollar tenor" banjo but soon switched to a plectrum. It was a B&D Silver Bell. Ken took lessons from George Patrick, a musician considered to be one of the most outstanding Dixieland players in the Midwest.

Ken's first paid performance was with the Golden Orioles, at the Blue Moon Club, in Milwaukee Wisconsin, at age 16! After that auspicious debut, numerous jobs followed with various"wedding bands" in the Milwaukee, Racine, and Waukesha area.

Ken started his trade as a machinist at the Unit Crane and Powershovel Corp. in Milwaukee. Unfortunately, he was assigned to the night shift so his gigs were limited. Then on December 7th, Pearl Harbor was attacked and Ken's world changed drastically. He enlisted the the Navy and trained at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. Seas duty followed on a transport, The President Tyler. Then a destroyer, The USS Waters. Some Shore duty at Pearl, then an assignment to the cruiser USS Helena. Everything was great until the Helena was torpedoed and sunk. Ken was picked up and spent the next 18 months in various hospitals recovering from his injuries.

After the war Ken decided that working as a machinist was no longer an option so it was off to college for a BS in Education, a MS in Technical Education, and finally a Doctorate in Higher Education. He spent the next 40 years were spent between Racine, Wisconsin, and Buffalo, NY, as an Industrial Arts Teacher and supervisor. While in Buffalo, he joined the Buffalo Banjo Band, this was in 1970. He also played with a number of other groups, such as "The Ragtimers", "The Two Tymers" and the "Riverboat Boys".

Following his retirement from the State University College at Buffalo, Ken worked for the Government (USAID), as Project Director, Consultant, or Project Team Member. During this time he was assigned to an office in Zimbabwe, Africa, yes, Ken found a Dixieland group in Africa !!!!! They played mostly in hotels frequented by tourists. He also was assigned to projects in the Philippines, Egypt, Nepal, and Korea. Finding Dixieland bands in those countries was a bit more difficult.

Ken says," Playing the banjo has been a satisfying activity all through the years. I met so many wonderful people, made so many friends, and found self-expression and relaxing hours through music." "I might have chosen the bagpipes, but that would have driven the neighbors nuts".

Ken is a valued member of the Gulf Coast Banjo Society and has a front row seat. His Jimmy Durante impersonations always bring down the house, and his banjo playing is wonderful. His attitude and demeanor make him a great guy to be around and we sure appreciate his musical and singing abilities. Thanks Ken...