Wade Mainer
April 21, 1907 – September 12, 2011
At 104 years old, Wade Mainer was one of the last of bluegrass’ founding fathers. He has been cited by no less than Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, and Bill Monroe as an influence on THEM. Born and raised in the poverty of the Blue Ridge mountains, Mainer took up the banjo at local square dances where he’d pick up the bands’ instruments while they were on break in order to practice. By the mid ’30s, he was making his first records as part of the Mountaineers. Mainer left the group during the late ’30s and formed Sons of the Mountaineers which included Clyde Moody on guitar. The group eventually signed to Bluebird Records who released their 1939 hit, “Sparkling Blue Eyes.” During the late ’30s/early ’40s, Mainer cut some 165 records for RCA Victor – both solo and as part of other groups, making him one of the most prolific musicians of the era. It should be noted that the Sons of the Mountaineers were instrumental in transitioning old-time music into bluegrass, and that Mainer’s unique two-finger style of banjo picking begat the technique of three-finger utilized in modern bluegrass. In 1953, Mainer decided to retire from music in order to commit his life to Christianity. He and his wife moved to Flint, Michigan where he spent the rest of his working life at General Motors. He returned to music during the early ’60s when he was convinced to lend his skills to several gospel and religious themed records. In 2008, Mainer celebrated his 101st birthday with a special concert. Wade Mainer passed away peacefully on September 12, 2011.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.