Todd Taylor, one of the newest and upcoming stars in the bluegrass scene, has been hailed as the most talented banjo player in the business. The four-time Grammy nominee has recently been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the record for “fastest banjo player”. He secured this record after playing “Dueling Banjos” at a speed of 210 beats per minute.
Among other honors, Todd Taylor has also been credited as the first person to bring a 5-string banjo as a solo instrument to the Rock -N-Roll World Wide Top-40 Countdown with Rick Dee's, with his remake of “Freebird” from the album "Something Different". He has also been named “Artist of the Year” twice by the independent bluegrass radio station, Blades of Blue.
He has performed a wide range of shows and venues from the legendary Grand Ole Opry to Live with Regis & Kathie Lee. Recently he performed at the 2009 MDA Telethon with Jerry Lewis, a cause he feels passionate about, having a rare muscle disorder himself.
Dubbed with nickname the “Banjo man”, Todd Taylor continues to rise with his undeniable banjo skills as one of the most influential bluegrass musicians today, and he shows no signs of stopping yet.
Kaitlin Southron
October 2009
