Pat Moylan -- Banjo -- The Shingle Shakers
My career with the banjo started in the 60s with the hootinanny craze. I grew up playing the violin/fiddle. My dad was fiddle player well versed in Irish jigs and reels. I was fortunate to obtain a 1927 Gibson Mastertone Plectrum and took lessons for three years from Mel Bay's Studio here in Kirkwood, Missouri. I joined the St. Louis Banjo Club in 1966 and became their Secretary/Treasurer in the 70’s. Just this year I was elected President of the club which now has grown to about 60 members. We meet twice a month on Thursday night and we are always open to new members. Several of our members play professionally and are an inspiration to the others.
I met Steve Pendleton through his dad, Rusty, who has been in the St. Louis Banjo Club as long as I have and has been a mentor to me for over 30 years. I was setting up a gig in Grand Rivers, Kentucky with Rusty Pendleton and Tom Wilkes, when Rusty asked if his son, Steve would be able to sit in with us. As they say, the rest is history. I was invited to sit in with the Shingle Shakers playing at the Fair Saint Louis. After that I invited the Shingle Shakers to come to Grand Rivers, Kentucky to play for the Hunters Moon Festival in October 2004 and they brought back Jazz to that old river town. They want the Shakers back again.
I feel privileged to be able to join such a great bunch of musicians doing what they love to do most.