Biography
DeWitt "Snuffy" Jenkins, a trailblazer on the bluegrass banjo, entered the world on October 27, 1908, in Harris, North Carolina. As the youngest among ten musically gifted siblings, he first took up the fiddle during childhood, yet his diminutive size prevented proper bowing, leading him instead to pluck the strings in mandolin fashion. Eventually shifting focus to the guitar, he formed a trio by 1927 alongside banjoists Smith Hammett and Rex Brooks. Adopting their distinctive three-finger approach, Jenkins made the banjo his main instrument over time, refining his abilities through performances at square dances across western North Carolina. During this period, he took the young Earl Scruggs under his wing. Though Jenkins' playing connected the rough-hewn, traditional picking methods with smoother modern techniques, Scruggs quickly exceeded his mentor by developing a refined, graceful contemporary style.
In spring 1937, Jenkins moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where he soon became part of a string ensemble broadcasting on local station WIS. The ensemble, which would later be known as the Hired Hands, persisted through numerous personnel shifts for more than fifty years. Fiddler Homer "Pappy" Sherrill, formerly of the Blue Sky Boys, joined the group in 1939, becoming a long-term musical partner to Jenkins. The Hired Hands added lead guitarist Julian "Greasy" Medlin and bassist Ira Dimmery in 1947, with second guitarist Bill Rey arriving in 1955. This particular five-member configuration produced the ensemble's initial recordings in 1962; these tracks appeared on Folklyric in 1970 before being reissued by Arhoolie under the title Pioneer of the Bluegrass Banjo. Additionally, Jenkins and Sherrill issued an album on Rounder in 1971 and recorded further material for Old Homestead in 1989. Jenkins passed away on April 30, 1990.
In spring 1937, Jenkins moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where he soon became part of a string ensemble broadcasting on local station WIS. The ensemble, which would later be known as the Hired Hands, persisted through numerous personnel shifts for more than fifty years. Fiddler Homer "Pappy" Sherrill, formerly of the Blue Sky Boys, joined the group in 1939, becoming a long-term musical partner to Jenkins. The Hired Hands added lead guitarist Julian "Greasy" Medlin and bassist Ira Dimmery in 1947, with second guitarist Bill Rey arriving in 1955. This particular five-member configuration produced the ensemble's initial recordings in 1962; these tracks appeared on Folklyric in 1970 before being reissued by Arhoolie under the title Pioneer of the Bluegrass Banjo. Additionally, Jenkins and Sherrill issued an album on Rounder in 1971 and recorded further material for Old Homestead in 1989. Jenkins passed away on April 30, 1990.
Albums
