Mary Lucey of worldgrass trio TANASI told us about her love for her Jason Romero clawhammer banjo...
Mary Lucey: For my 30th birthday, my husband and bandmate, Billy, gifted me a gorgeous Jason Romero clawhammer banjo. Jason lives with his wife, Pharis, in Horsefly, British Columbia. They are incredible musicians and work together making exquisite banjos, with Pharis designing the intricate inlay work.
This one has a 12 inch walnut tone ring and the headstock is beautifully carved out.
I was pregnant when I first got it and between being a new mom, playing bass on the road, and going back to school to get a nursing degree, I didn’t really get to start digging into playing it much until our second son started kindergarten. It has been a beautiful muse for writing songs and keeping me calm when the rest of life seems in overdrive. I also have one of his gourd banjos!
TANASI's self-titled debut album is out now.
Photo by Steve Atkins
