ABF History
The creation of the American Banjo Fraternity was the work of two men,
John Copeland and
George H. Collins. Copeland and Collins met through an ad that Collins had placed to seek
out banjo music. Resultant correspondence led to a meeting between the two men and the idea
of forming a banjo organization conceptualized. Copeland acted as Treasurer and Collins,
Secretary. He issued the first newsletter in September of 1948.
At that time the organization
was called the "Fraternity of Five String Banjoists of America." Membership grew and in Nov. of
1949 the Five Stringer began to appear on a regular basis. Collins and Copeland became
Executive Officers and members who had reached professional acclaim were elected officers.
Harry Denton of the Brooks and Denton team of publishers and performers became the first
President. The great classical banjoist Alfred Farland was Vice President and Fred McGrath,
Treasurer, Frank Morrow, Secretary.
At this time, no other formal banjo organization existed
but concurrently, a group of players from the NYC area held frequent informal banjo get-togethers.
Many of the Fraternity's members also attended these parties and eventually a joint effort
resulted in the first Fraternity Rally which was held in New Rochelle, N.Y. on October 2, 1949.
Alex MaGee organized a banjo concert in New Rochelle in November of 1949 and this event attracted
many enthusiasts and word spread about the new Fraternity. By 1950 membership had grown and
regular Rallies were being held in various geographical locations, mostly in the Northeast.
In 1953 notices began appearing advertising for the "Biggest and Best Rally Ever" to be held
in Lewistown, Pennsylvania at the Green Gables. The Lewistown site was chosen by George
Gerhart as it was a nice quiet place with reasonable prices and good meeting rooms. The
Fraternity members agreed and continued to met here until the Gables was forced to close
its doors in the Fall of 1991.
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