Mike Munford is a banjo player from the Baltimore area who has worked with some of the best in bluegrass: Peter Rowan, the Tony Rice Unit, the Rice Brothers, the Lynn Morris Band, and Mark Newton. In 2009 he joined Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, and in 2013 he won the IBMA banjo award.
Why Munford matters
Munford spent decades as a sideman for top singers and pickers, then helped make Dirty Kitchen a multiple winner of IBMA instrumental awards. His IBMA banjo award came in 2013, after a long career.
Life and career
Munford was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Baltimore. He started banjo at 15. Over the years he played with Peter Rowan, the Tony Rice Unit, the Rice Brothers, the Lynn Morris Band, Mark Newton, and many others in the Mid-Atlantic scene.
In 2009 he joined Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen with Solivan, guitarist Chris Luquette, and bassist Jeremy Middleton. The band became a multiple winner of IBMA instrumental awards. In 2013 Munford won the IBMA award for banjo.
Playing style
Munford plays in a modern band, and Dirty Kitchen’s original instrumentals, like Scorchin’ the Gravy, give him room to stretch. He also plays traditional tunes like Cattle in the Cane.
Influences and legacy
Munford came up in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. bluegrass scene. He played beside Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Lynn Morris, Frank Solivan, and Chris Luquette.
Signature tunes and songs
Line Drive Scorchin’ the Gravy Cattle in the Cane.
Awards and honors
IBMA Banjo Player of the Year (2013)
Watch and listen
Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen play Line Drive in 2019, with Munford on banjo.
Munford talks and plays on Deering Live.
What to learn from Munford
Learn Cattle in the Cane, a traditional tune he plays in his Annapolis Opry video. The technique to steal is versatility, since Munford has played in both traditional and modern bands. Take one tune and play it as plain Scruggs, then add one melodic run and one single-string phrase.
Sources
Munford, Mike, BluegrassBios.com Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen International Bluegrass Music Awards, Wikipedia
Related players
See the banjo players hub and the bluegrass banjo guide for more pickers. Munford played with Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, and Lynn Morris, and with Chris Luquette in Dirty Kitchen.