Person Record

Images

1 of 1977 Pat Terry Sr.

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Metadata

Name

Terry Sr., Pat

Othernames

Pat Theriault, Sr.

Role

Banjoist

Titles & honors

American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame Class of 2006

Sphere Of Activity

In the contemporary world of commercial music, the term "successful professional tenor banjoist" can be applied to a very small number of people. After a literal lifetime of commitment to his instrument, his music, and his audience, Pat Terry Jr. is one such individual.

Born Patrick Theriault, Jr. near Boston in 1951, Pat's musical destiny seemed predisposed, as his father was already a nationally known professional banjo player. Such obvious fate does, however, often need a nudge. So when Pat Sr. would leave the house, it was with strict orders to his young son that he not touch the banjo. The spot-on reverse psychology worked and within a few years Pat Jr. was accomplished enough to join his dad on stage for the finale of his act.

Although a professional pairing of father and son seemed a logical direction, Pat Sr. knew the importance of his son making a name for himself. By the age of 10, Pat Jr. was appearing as a soloist on Boston area radio and television programs. In 1962, as his dad appeared at Radio City Music Hall in New York, an 11-year old Patrick Theriault Jr. appeared on the nationally televised Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour on CBS.

Having proven himself on his own - while picking up lessons in banjo playing, showmanship and showbiz from his dad along the way, by the early 1960s Pat Sr. and Jr. could be seen performing regularly at theme parks, stage shows, civic events, and fairs throughout the northeast region. When the father and son united for the first of many appearances at the fabled Radio City Music Hall during the 1968 season, a career highlight resulted which burned the indelible image of Pat Terry Sr. and Jr. - working as a duo - into the mind of the public.

On his own, a 1970 vacation to Los Angeles proved serendipitous for Pat Jr. Ostensibly there to relax, a visit to Disneyland in Anaheim, California would ultimately result in the professional association which would define the remainder of his musical career. Beginning in summer of 1970, Pat performed regularly at Disneyland aboard the Mark Twain riverboat as part of the Banjo Kings. Pat Sr. soon joined his son at Disneyland and in October of 1971 the duo was asked to head east to be part of entertainment history as they welcomed guests on opening day of the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.

During the decade which followed, Pat and his father were arguably the busiest banjo players in the world. In addition to playing five days per week in the Magic Kingdom, they performed at countless convention shows in the Orlando area during the evening hours. In 1974 Pat Jr. also joined the first cast of the Hoop Dee Doo Review, playing two nights per week as part of the Disney show which currently holds the distinction of being the longest running nightly musical show in history.

Between performances, Pat conceived the idea of a diverse and encompassing banjo publication, the result being International Banjo magazine - a newsstand quality periodical published from 1980 to 1984. Along with his Terry Tapes instructional recordings and publications, International Banjo reflects Pat Terry Jr.'s ongoing commitment to the banjo world - a dedication which extends far beyond the performance stage.

After Pat Sr.'s retirement in 1982, Pat. Jr. stayed on with Disney, performing at Epcot Center as part of The Pearly Kings & Queens while continuing his regular two night per week stand at the Hoop Dee Doo Review. In 2002, after decades with the show, Pat Terry Jr. was asked to become the principal banjoist at the Hoop Dee Doo Review where - after over 8500 performances - he continues to delight guests of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney employees - know within the company as Cast Members - are encouraged to Dream, Create and Inspire within the course of their work. To recognize Cast Members who fulfill these ideals at the highest level, in 2011 the Walt Disney Legacy Award was established. In the award's inaugural year, Pat Terry Jr. experienced a true career highlight as one of the first recipients of the Walt Disney Company's highest, most meaningful and prestigious honor - the Walt Disney Legacy Award.

When describing Pat Terry Jr., the adage, "Like father, like son" is certainly appropriate. He has admirably carried on his father's high musical and entertainment standards, doing his family's legacy proud in the process. But there is more. True to his father's wishes, through a career spanning half a century, Pat Terry Jr. truly has made a name for himself, creating his own unique chapter in four-string banjo history. Johnny Baier, American Banjo Museum Executive Director