Sammy Shelor

Sammy Shelor is an American banjoist in the bluegrass tradition.

He is best known as leader of the Lonesome River Band and for his solo recordings, music instruction, and session work.

The Shelor Family has a long banjo tradition.

Charlie Poole taught Shelor’s grandfather the banjo, and Shelor’s grandfather in turn taught Shelor.

When Shelor was four years old, growing up in southwestern Virginia, his grandfather fashioned a banjo for him from an old pressure cooker lid.

His other grandfather promised to buy Shelor a real banjo if he learned to play two songs.

Sam met the challenge, his grandfather bought him a Ventura banjo, and by age 10 Shelor was performing in local bands.

Shelor patterned his playing and career after J. D. Crowe, Earl Scruggs, and Sonny Osborne of The Osborne Brothers.

Shelor became a full time professional musician when he joined Richmond, Virginia-based The Heights Of Grass at age 19.

That band eventually morphed into The Virginia Squires, featuring Rickie and Ronnie Simpkins.

Shelor played six years with the band.

Shelor joined the Lonesome River Band in 1990.

When founder Tim Austin left in 1995, Shelor and Ronnie Bowman managed the band management.

In 1997, Shelor released a solo album Leading Roll on the Sugar Hill label.

Guest artists included Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Alan O'Bryant.

Shelor has received the following recognition:

Shelor and AcuTab have published books and instructional DVDs.

Shelor and his wife Jordyn have two children.

When Bowman left in 2000, Shelor became manager.

The Virginia Squires reunited for one show in 2017.