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Buddy Wachter
Performance Hall of Fame 2001 Buddy Wachter is acknowledged as the most influential four-string banjoist of his generation. A passionate artist, he had the good fortune of having his early interest in music fostered by his family. He played the harmonica and sang before he was six, but he was especially fascinated with his uncle�s banjo. Buddy built his first banjos using cigar boxes and rubber bands. After receiving a real tenor banjo for his birthday and taking lessons, he began to study recordings and was excited and influenced by the playing of banjo stars Eddie Peabody, Harry Reser and Perry Bechtel. By age 14 he was also playing guitar and mandolin with a variety of local bands. Buddy�s uncle sent a recording of his playing to Paul Badger at the Vega Banjo Company; Badger then sent the tape to Eddie Peabody. A meeting with Peabody resulted and after performing at the California Banjo Spectacular in 1969 with other great banjoists, Buddy decided to also learn the plectrum banjo. Gradually establishing himself before the public, and always exploring new venues, Buddy next took up the study of swing as exemplified by Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and clarinetist Benny Goodman. Another opportunity presented itself in 1970 when 17 year old Buddy was hired to tour with the prestigious Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians. He spent the next two years playing banjo and guitar with the group as they toured the country performing for packed houses. In 1974 he began a five year stint playing banjo in a Shakey�s Pizza Parlor, a training venue that produced many professional fretted instrument players. He also played banjo and guitar throughout the Baltimore/Washington, DC area with a wide variety of ethnic, jazz and dance bands. His repertoire was expanding and his style was evolving. In 1981 Buddy was invited to Germany where he starred in his own special "Buddy Live!" A German record producer then arranged for a group of local musicians and Buddy to record "Banjo Special." It was a professional breakthrough for him and Buddy became a regular guest artist at concerts and festivals in Europe, the U.K. and the Netherlands. His reputation continued to grow in the U.S. as well with performances at banjo events and music festivals. By 1990 Buddy had developed a classical repertoire of over 30 various compositions and arrangements for banjo and symphony orchestra; he was determined to gain acceptance for the banjo in an orchestral setting. He devoted his energies to becoming a symphonic soloist and with tenacious efforts, he once again succeeded. In 1992 he played his first concert date with the Traverse City Symphony in Michigan. In 1993 he debuted at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic; Skitch Henderson conducted and Walter Cronkite narrated. The orchestra world took notice of Buddy Wachter, his banjo and his special performing library. As an artistic ambassador in The United States Information Service�s Arts America program since 1992, Buddy Wachter has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, the U.K., South America, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, India, Thailand, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Haiti, the Antarctic, the Andes, the Sahara, and the Himalayas. A masterful artist and extraordinary performer, he is still exploring the possibilities of the banjo to propel it into new and exciting venues.
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