Bob Carlin was one of the best old-time banjo pickers in country music, unique in that he played in the old clawhammer style with a few personalized twists. But Carlin was also a noted folk-music expert who coordinated numerous field recordings. He also wrote and produced respected documentary albums and radio programs on numerous subjects related to American roots music, and started his own label, CarTunes Records.
Carlin was born in New York City; growing up during the folk revival, he was inspired by the banjo at age five when he saw Pete Seeger in concert. Later he began ...