The American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame, formerly known as the National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame, recognizes musicians. bands, or companies that have made a distinct contribution to banjo performance, education, manufacturing, and towards promotion of the banjo. The hall of fame is a part of the American Banjo Museum located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
When the National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame Museum became the American Banjo Museum in 2009, its focus began to shift to be more inclusive of all banjos. Originally focusing on four-string banjo players, the hall of fame expanded in 2013 to recognize contributions from 5-string banjo players as well, allowing them to be recognized in "non-performance categories" and creating a category specific to 5-string banjo players. [1] The first 5-string banjoists were added to the hall of fame beginning in 2014. [1]
Inductees into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame in 2018 include Bela Fleck (5-string performance), Borgy Borgerson (4-string performance), Jim Henson (promotion), Hub Nitsche and the Banjo Newsletter (both instruction and education), and Eddie Collins (historical). [1] [2] The 2019 inductees include Alison Brown (five-string performance), Johnny Baier (4-string performance), Jimmy Mazzy (4-string performance), John Hartford (historical), Bob Snow (promotion), and Janet Davis (instruction and education). [1] [3]