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1 of 1977 Skip DeVol

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Skip DeVol

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Name	DeVol, Skip
Othernames	Earl Lon DeVol
Role	Banjoist
Places of residence	Colorado
Titles & honors	American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame Class of 2012
Sphere Of Activity	It is safe to say that no individual in recent years has done more to propel the four-string banjo into the realm of mainstream entertainment than Skip DeVol. Sporting movie star looks, celebrity charisma and a unique and contemporary approach to banjo playing and entertainment, Skip DeVol was a true banjo star. Earl Lon "Skip" DeVol was born in Chicago in 1948. After teaching himself to play the ukulele, DeVol was introduced to the banjo in 1961 and quickly became skilled on both the plectrum as well as the five-string style. Balancing his banjo performing between Shakey's Pizza Parlors and folk groups such as The Vagabonds, by the end of the 1960s - with his name appearing along with Earl Scruggs' in the Vega catalog and Eddie Peabody declaring him to be his heir apparent, Skip DeVol truly was making his mark in the music business. After leading his own show band, The Sound Friendship, in the early 1970s, Skip moved to Las Vegas to join the Country Music USA show at the Landmark Hotel. However, it was milestone national television appearance on The Merv Griffin Show from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas which instantly elevated Skip DeVol to star status. DeVol soon found himself working in major Las Vegas showrooms with comedian Jerry Van Dyke, producing a groundbreaking banjo LP album called Ultrabanjo, and entertaining US servicemen in Vietnam as part of the USO. Flexibly adapting to changes in the entertainment industry throughout the 1980s and 90s, Skip DeVol segued seamlessly between regular national television appearances on Nashville Now to entertaining guests of major corporations to performing aboard luxury cruise ships. He toured with the Oak Ridge Boys, Pat Boone, Ray Price, Jimmy Dean, and George Burns and in the late 1990s began performing as a guest soloist with major symphony orchestras. Not unlike other stories of great public success, the private life of Skip DeVol was not without personal heartache. Following a particularly difficult chapter in 2003, Skip DeVol developed a heart condition which ended his performing career. On April 30th, 2011 banjoist Skip DeVol passed away at the age of 62. As his banjo star shone so brightly, the final years and ultimate passing of Skip DeVol seem all the more tragic. In contrast, in addition to professional triumphs - which were many, his true legacy will be seen in years to come through the contemporary banjo entertainers who will carry on - influenced by the significant contributions which Skip DeVol made to the art of entertaining with the banjo during an incredible career. Johnny Baier, American Banjo Museum, Executive Director

Related Records

1. 33 LP: Ultra Banjo! - Record, Phonograph

   2004.007-0001

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. Cassette: Skip DeVol World Class - Tape, Magnetic

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3. Fretted Instrument Guild of America ALL FRETS January/February 2012 Lee Floyd - Periodical

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4. Fretted Instrument Guild of America ALL FRETS May/June 2011 Mike Woitowicz - Periodical

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5. Fretted Instrument Guild of America ALL FRETS May/June 2012 John Mumford - Periodical

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6. Fretted Instrument Guild of America ALL FRETS May/June 2019 Tamora Wood - Periodical

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7. Fretted Instrument Guild of America ALL FRETS September/October 2008 Dr. Ron McLawhon - Periodical

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8. Fretted Instrument Guild of America FIGA News March/April 1974 Ann Pertoney - Periodical

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9. Fretted Instrument Guild of America FIGA News May/June 2000 L. J. and Del Brown - Periodical

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10. Fretted Instrument Guild of America January/February 1980 Amy Sharpe - Periodical

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11. Fretted Instrument Guild of America January/February 1985 Al Smith - Periodical

    2004.011-0017

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12. Fretted Instrument Guild of America March/April 1985 Skip DeVol - Periodical

    2004.011-0018

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. Magazine: International Banjo Magazine Summer 1983 Randy Morris - Periodical

    2010.010-0023

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14. Skip DeVol - Print, Photographic

    2004.007-0002

    Record Type: Photo