Banknotes was formed by a group of Wilkes County musicians who were friends with MerleFest co-founder Bill Young, who passed away in 1992. The group includes R.G. Absher, Randy Gambill, Billy Gee, Tony Joines, Mike Palmer, Jeff Pardue. Donnie Story and Wes Tuttle. These members represent some of the best musical talent Wilkes has to offer. And, all Banknotes' members have been involved in MerleFest since it began in 1988. They've played on numerous stages during the festival and have also worked in a capacity of roles from stagehands, stage managers and even as emcees. Each member of the group knew Young--a retired banker and virtuoso in the Chet Atkins- style of guitar playing personally and participated in various jam sessions at his home in Wilkesboro. Banknotes performs a mixture of Americana music, which includes bluegrass, Celtic and thumb and finger-style guitar playing.
Josh grew up in Madison County, North Carolina surrounded by the music and stories of his ancestors. He is a highly accomplished old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician playing close to 20 instruments. His fiddling was featured in the movie “Songcatcher,” both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has performed in all 50 states, throughout Europe, and Japan gracing such stages as Carnegie Hall and The Grand Ole Opry. He was nominated for a GRAMMY for his 2009 release with David Holt, entitled “Cutting Loose.”
Wayne Henderson’s top-notch finger-picking is a source of great pleasure and pride to his friends, family and neighbors in Grayson County, Virginia. His guitar playing has also been enjoyed at Carnegie Hall, in three national tours of Masters of the Steel-String Guitar, and in seven nations in Asia. In addition to his reputation as a guitarist, Henderson is a luthier of great renown. He is a recipient of a 1995 National Heritage Award presented by the National Endowment for the Arts. He produces about 20 instruments a year, mostly guitars; he is almost as well-known for the mandolins he has made. Good friend Doc Watson owned a Henderson guitar as well as a mandolin. He said, “That Henderson mandolin is as good as any I’ve had my hands on. And that’s saying a lot, because I’ve picked up some good ones.” Some of Henderson’s instruments are intricately decorated but are most respected for their volume, tone, and resonance. Blues guitarist John Cephas said that Wayne Henderson “is probably the most masterful guitar maker in this whole United States.” There is a waiting list for Henderson’s guitars made up of the famous (and not-so-famous).
