Wade Mainer, Country Music Pioneer Dies

[Dave A. Burley]

Wade Mainer, a five string banjo player with a country band passed away last night. He was 104 years old. Played the Grand Ole Opry only one time and that was in 2002. The well known Clyde Moody was one time part of the Western Mountaineers, which Wade called his band. He performed at his 102nd birthday party and lived an active life after he turned 100 years old. He was one of the first banjo players to change from clawhammer style to finger picking style on the banjo I have many memories of Wade and his brother, J.E., when I was growing up and listening to country music which Wade considered himself before Bill Monroe started calling it bluegrass. Condolences to his widow and his quite large family. Rest in peace, Wade.
Dave A. Burley

[Dave A. Burley]

Here is a link to Cybergrass which tells quite a bit about Wade Mainer.

http://www.cybergrass.com/node/303

Thanks,
Dave A. Burley

[Jack Harper]

while on a family visit to flint in july this year, i drove over to mr mainer's and parked on the street as he and 2 of his sons were coming out the of garage.i came up from mississippi, but had seen pictures of wade many years ago and recognized him from those old pix.they ask if i was lost and i said i was on my way to find wade mainer's house, when they said come on in, the coffee is on. we had a very good visit,when they ask how i knew about wade i told them that eddie stubbs had sent me one night while listening to wsm. as the boys(old guys like me)were showing me bits of history, pictures,articles and records.wade would say, don't bore this guy, he came to visit.he don't wanna see that junk!it's just old junk, besides eddie stubbs sent him.wade would get up and put on his hat and say, well boy's we best get to work,i took that as thanks for droppin' in, and headed on down the road.quite a charachter.i'm sure glad i went on over that saturday morning.
jack............

[robert kramer]

Wade Mainer obit New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/arts/ ... ?ref=music