George is inducted into American Banjo Museum
Although some of his films were released in
the USA, George never performed on
American soil.
Legend has it that he turned down an
invitation to play Carnegie Hall, and it was
probably his 'Lancashireness' that led him to
believe he wouldn't be popular in the States.
All the more testament to his enduring appeal therefore, that George was
honoured by the American Banjo Museum on September 9th when they inducted
him into their Hall of Fame at an award ceremony in Downtown Oklahoma City.
George was given the honour for his historic importance in popularising the
ukulele-banjo, and in a packed function room at the top of a 50-storey skyscraper
with views that would put Blackpool Tower to shame, a mini video documentary
presented George's life to the assembled banjo players and enthusiasts who had
come from all corners of the US.
The video, which had been compiled with assistance
from Peter Pollard and Lewis Clifton, was heartily
applauded by all present and then Andy Eastwood,
who had been flown over from Britain especially for
the event, took to the stage and performed Leaning
On A Lamp-Post, complete with the usual blistering
uke solo, backed by Florida pianist Randy Morris.
The audience, many of whom were aware of Formby
but had not had the pleasure of seeing his style
performed live before, were enraptured, and applause
engulfed the room before the song was even over.
The icing on the cake was when George's niece Gina
Hequembourg (Ella Formby's daughter) made a
touching speech on behalf of the Formby family and
accepted a magnificent bronze award in the shape of a banjoist.
The following day the celebrations continued at the Hudiburg- Chevrolet Theater
in Midwest City, where a concert was held featuring various popular performers
from the banjo world, and Andy Eastwood had the honour of closing the show with
a 25 minute banjo- uke set.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Johnny Baier and all his team at the superb American
Banjo Museum for honouring our George and helping keep his memory alive
across the Pond
Although some of his films
were released in the USA,
George never performed on
American soil.
Legend has it that he turned
down an invitation to play
Carnegie Hall, and it was
probably his 'Lancashireness'
that led him to believe he wouldn't be popular in the States.
All the more testament to his enduring appeal therefore, that George was
honoured by the American Banjo Museum on September 9th when they
inducted him into their Hall of Fame at an award ceremony in Downtown
Oklahoma City.
George was given the honour for his
historic importance in popularising the
ukulele-banjo, and in a packed function
room at the top of a 50-storey
skyscraper with views that would put
Blackpool Tower to shame, a mini video
documentary presented George's life to
the assembled banjo players and
enthusiasts who had come from all
corners of the US.
The video, which had been compiled
with assistance from Peter Pollard and
Lewis Clifton, was heartily applauded
by all present and then Andy
Eastwood, who had been flown over
from Britain especially for the event,
took to the stage and performed
Leaning On A Lamp-Post, complete
with the usual blistering uke solo, backed by Florida pianist Randy Morris.
The audience, many of whom were aware of Formby but had not had the
pleasure of seeing his style performed live before, were enraptured, and
applause engulfed the room before the song was even over.
The icing on the cake was when
George's niece Gina Hequembourg
(Ella Formby's daughter) made a
touching speech on behalf of the
Formby family and accepted a
magnificent bronze award in the shape
of a banjoist.
The following day the celebrations
continued at the Hudiburg- Chevrolet
Theater in Midwest City, where a
concert was held featuring various
popular performers from the banjo
world, and Andy Eastwood had the
honour of closing the show with a 25
minute banjo- uke set.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Johnny Baier and all his team at the superb
American Banjo Museum for honouring our George and helping keep his
memory alive across the Pond
Inducted into Banjo Museum