John Hickman (1942 to 2021) was the banjo half of one of bluegrass’s longest partnerships. From 1976 until his death he played beside fiddler Byron Berline, in Sundance, the L.A. Fiddle Band, Berline Crary Hickman, California, and the Byron Berline Band. His only solo album, Don’t Mean Maybe, came out in 1978. He also played on film soundtracks and on The Dukes of Hazzard.
Why Hickman matters
Hickman played Scruggs-based banjo that could keep up with Berline’s fiddle and Dan Crary’s guitar at full speed. Berline Crary Hickman showed how far a three-piece instrumental bluegrass group could go. For a picker, his records are a lesson in how to drive a fiddle tune and still leave room for the fiddle.
Life and career
Hickman was born on October 7, 1942, in Columbus, Ohio, and started banjo at 13. He began with an Ohio band, Sid Campbell and the Country Cut-ups. In 1962 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1968 he played with Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys.
In 1969 he moved to California for a job in the lumber business. He formed the Hickman Brothers with his brother George and played banjo on movie soundtracks and The Dukes of Hazzard. In 1976 he began working with fiddler Byron Berline, a partnership that lasted the rest of his life. They played in Sundance, the L.A. Fiddle Band, and, with guitarist Dan Crary, Berline Crary Hickman, which made several albums for Sugar Hill in the 1980s. He also played with Berline in the band California. In 1978 he was also in the L.A. band Corn Bred and released Don’t Mean Maybe on Rounder.
In 1995 Hickman moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma, with Berline. He played in the Byron Berline Band and did repair work at Berline’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop. In 2001 he added steel guitar to his work with the band. He died on May 11, 2021, at 78.
Playing style
Hickman played Scruggs-based banjo with his own bluesy licks. Banjo teachers still show “Hickman style” licks, such as his intro to Train 45. In a trio with fiddle and guitar, his banjo had to carry both rhythm and lead.
Influences and legacy
Hickman played beside Byron Berline for 45 years and Dan Crary for decades. He worked with Earl Taylor early on. His style still shows up in banjo lessons.
Signature tunes and songs
Train 45 Turkey Knob Sally Goodin Liberty, with Byron Berline.
Essential recordings
Don’t Mean Maybe (Rounder, 1978) Berline Crary Hickman (Sugar Hill, 1981) Night Run, Berline Crary Hickman (Sugar Hill, 1984) Double Trouble, with Byron Berline (Sugar Hill, 1986)
Watch and listen
Hickman and Byron Berline play Liberty live in Grass Valley, California, in 1987.
Here he plays Train 45.
What to learn from Hickman
Learn Liberty with a fiddler, the way Hickman played it with Berline. Take turns on the melody, and play backup when the fiddle leads. The technique to steal is his Train 45 intro, a bluesy lick that has its own name among banjo teachers. Work it out slow, then use it to kick off any fast tune in G.
Sources
John Hickman (musician), Wikipedia Hickman, John, BluegrassBios.com
Related players
See the banjo players hub and the bluegrass banjo guide for more pickers. Hickman played with Byron Berline and Dan Crary for decades.