ART RYERSON

       Art Ryerson (1913-2004) was 13 years old, in Columbus Ohio, when his parents purchased banjo lessons for him from a door-to-door salesman. He progressed quickly from the banjo to the guitar and was soon playing and teaching professionally in the Columbus area. Art was a studio musician and was in such demand that they referred to him as the "first-call banjoist" for a banjo recording session. He was recorded hundreds of times. He appeared on commercials, movie scores and speciality records like the "Banjo Barons."
        In 1975, he was invited by the US State Department to visit Russia as part of the Louis Armstrong Commemorative Tour. He  performed at Radio City Music Hall as a featured soloist.