Biography

Bluegrass musician. Born July 7, 1934. Full name: James Benjamin Smoak. Banjo player. Band affiliations include the Louisiana Honeydrippers and the Cumberlands. Author of several banjo instruction books.

Interview Summary

1973 July 8
Printed transcript only. Audio recording not available.
Banjo player Jim Smoak talks about his career as a bluegrass musician. Discussion includes his childhood and early musical influences; experiences learning to play the banjo; the decision to pursue a music career; the early years of his career, including work for Bill Monroe and Jimmy Dickens; working on the Martha White shows; his move to Louisiana in the early 1960s and joining the Louisiana Honeydrippers; forming the Cumberlands band; pursuing new directions in his career; and comments on the growing popularity of bluegrass.