Born in South Carolina 89 Years Ago Today, the World-Class Banjo Player and ‘Hee Haw’ Star Who Recorded With Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Neil Young

Born in South Carolina 89 Years Ago Today, the World-Class Banjo Player and ‘Hee Haw’ Star Who Recorded With Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Neil Young

Bobby Thompson, July 5, 1937 - May 18, 2005 (Photo courtesy of The Sieker Band) Country music runs on the blood, sweat and tears of session musicians, whose contributions to the genre too often go unsung. Bobby Thompson is one such example. Getting his start with formative bluegrass duo Jim & Jesse, Thompson would later lend his innovative picking style to works by George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton—just to name a few. Today, we’re h…