Scotty Plummer
Encyclopedia
Scotty Plummer was a highly regarded banjo
player who made a name for himself as a youngster in both the United States
and Canada
and earned the title "Prince of Banjo". He also achieved some international fame through touring as a headline act with Liberace
in the mid 1970s.
Plummer played what is termed the plectrum
style of banjo
playing and used, amongst other instruments, a Vega Vox 4 plectrum banjo as well as a Jerry Reilly Bicentennial Electronic (manufactured around 1976), which used as its base a 1927 Gibson
Mastertone rim. He played this particular instrument, which was heavily ornamented in the casework and glowed beautifully under lights, for some of the shows he did with Liberace
. Another source also suggests that he played in the Eddie Peabody
style.
He also toured with country singer Eddy Arnold
and was also often a guest on TV specials, particularly the 1975 Disney production Welcome to the World, starring Lucie Arnaz
(when he was just 14 years old) and later in 1980, on Lucy Moves to NBC, starring Lucille Ball
, Bob Hope
, Gene Kelly
, Donald O'Connor
and a host of others.
Scotty Plummer was killed in a motorbike accident in the Bermudas in 1992, leaving behind his wife Denise and daughter Kylen.
He recorded an LP in 1974 released as Banjo on the Roof on the AVI label, also reissued on other labels.
Plummer was posthumously inducted into the National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame.
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
player who made a name for himself as a youngster in both the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and earned the title "Prince of Banjo". He also achieved some international fame through touring as a headline act with Liberace
Liberace
Wladziu Valentino Liberace , best known simply as Liberace, was a famous American pianist and vocalist.In a career that spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television and endorsements, Liberace became world-renowned...
in the mid 1970s.
Plummer played what is termed the plectrum
Plectrum
A plectrum is a small flat tool used to pluck or strum a stringed instrument. For hand-held instruments such as guitars and mandolins, the plectrum is often called a pick, and is a separate tool held in the player's hand...
style of banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
playing and used, amongst other instruments, a Vega Vox 4 plectrum banjo as well as a Jerry Reilly Bicentennial Electronic (manufactured around 1976), which used as its base a 1927 Gibson
Gibson
Gibson may refer to:* Gibson Amphitheatre* Gibson Appliance* Gibson Girl* Gibson Guitar Corporation* Gibson * Gibson Generating Station-Places:In the United States:* Gibson, Arkansas* Gibson, Georgia* Gibson, Iowa* Gibson, Louisiana...
Mastertone rim. He played this particular instrument, which was heavily ornamented in the casework and glowed beautifully under lights, for some of the shows he did with Liberace
Liberace
Wladziu Valentino Liberace , best known simply as Liberace, was a famous American pianist and vocalist.In a career that spanned four decades of concerts, recordings, motion pictures, television and endorsements, Liberace became world-renowned...
. Another source also suggests that he played in the Eddie Peabody
Eddie Peabody
Captain Edwin Ellsworth Peabody was an American musical entertainer. His career spanned five decades and he was perhaps the most famous plectrum banjo player ever...
style.
He also toured with country singer Eddy Arnold
Eddy Arnold
Richard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
and was also often a guest on TV specials, particularly the 1975 Disney production Welcome to the World, starring Lucie Arnaz
Lucie Arnaz
Lucie Désirée Arnaz is an American actress, singer, dancer and producer. She is the daughter of actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and is the sister of actor Desi Arnaz, Jr..- Early life :...
(when he was just 14 years old) and later in 1980, on Lucy Moves to NBC, starring Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
, Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
, Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly
Eugene Curran "Gene" Kelly was an American dancer, actor, singer, film director and producer, and choreographer...
, Donald O'Connor
Donald O'Connor
Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor was an American dancer, singer, and actor who came to fame in a series of movies in which he co-starred alternately with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule...
and a host of others.
Scotty Plummer was killed in a motorbike accident in the Bermudas in 1992, leaving behind his wife Denise and daughter Kylen.
He recorded an LP in 1974 released as Banjo on the Roof on the AVI label, also reissued on other labels.
Plummer was posthumously inducted into the National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame.