Mike Sumner, from Interlochen, Michigan, won the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, twice, in 2001 and 2007. He has played banjo in Dale Ann Bradley’s band in two stints, and he teaches at banjo camps.
Why Sumner matters
Sumner is one of nine players who have won Winfield’s banjo title more than once. He has brought that playing to a touring band and to students at camps like the Midwest Banjo Camp.
Life and career
Sumner won the Winfield banjo contest in 2001 and again in 2007, both times entered from Interlochen, Michigan. He stepped into the banjo chair in Dale Ann Bradley’s band after Terry Baucom left it. Later he returned to her band when Richard Cifersky went home to Slovakia.
Playing style
Sumner plays Scruggs-based banjo. His tune Winds of Winfield nods to the contest where he made his name.
Signature tunes and songs
Winds of Winfield.
Awards and honors
National Bluegrass Banjo Championship, Walnut Valley Festival, first place (2001) National Bluegrass Banjo Championship, Walnut Valley Festival, first place (2007)
Watch and listen
Sumner plays and teaches at the Midwest Banjo Camp in 2019.
What to learn from Sumner
Pick a contest-style tune and play it for a friend as if you were on stage at Winfield. The technique to steal is consistency: clean, even playing from start to finish.
Sources
Walnut Valley Festival winners archive, alphabetical (PDF) Mike Sumner archives, Bluegrass Today
Related players
See the banjo players hub and the bluegrass banjo guide for more pickers. Sumner followed Terry Baucom in Dale Ann Bradley’s band and won Winfield the year after Matt Menefee.