to design and build the Marie Canine Cancer Center in memory of his late wife . Opening in 2009 , the facility brought world-class cancer treatment to the relatively remote area . Jack also provided funding for nearby Wabash College and the building of the Marie Canine Plaza in downtown Crawfordsville , all while quietly supporting countless local and national charitable organizations .
Although I mentioned Jack ’ s lifestyle being quite basic , avoiding most of the trappings associated with wealth , one indulgence which he really enjoyed was his private jet . A regular mission of the aircraft was to transport Jack and certain board members to and from Oklahoma for regular meetings and events at the museum . After making countless trips to and from the airport , picking up Jack and his passengers , in 2009 I actually got to ride in the plane for the first time when Jack and I traveled to Los Angeles to inspect the Tsumura collection which we were considering purchasing . When I boarded the plane , Jack showed me how to position the movable seats . When I commented , “… same as on my plane ,” after a brief pause , Jack , in an uncharacteristic reaction , belly-laughed out loud … a very memorable moment .
As the idea had been on my mind since taking on the director ’ s role , I was very pleased when in 2012 Jack determined that we could not truly fulfill our mission with our exclusive focus on four-string jazz age tenor and plectrum banjos ( no matter how much we liked them ourselves ). So a new chapter in the museum ’ s evolution began when I was yet again entrusted to conceive , research and script the major expansion project which saw us acquire iconic and historically significant instruments and artifacts from all major periods of banjo evolution in the United States . With this direction a more inclusive name seemed in order and the American Banjo Museum was christened . And , with our collection now representing all types of banjos and playing styles , it was Jack ’ s influence which also saw our hall of fame expand to embrace the entire spectrum of banjo music and history as well . In 2014 , with Earl Scruggs as our inaugural five-string inductee , the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame as we know it today was established .
The intervening years have seen the museum grow in stature and acceptance in the worldwide banjo community thanks to the vision , wisdom and means of Jack Canine . While I know what the world sees when they walk into our beautiful museum , very few know how we came to be . Simply put , the American Banjo Museum would not exist were it not for Jack Canine . From a personal perspective , he changed my life through his trust and belief and , while we didn ’ t always agree on everything , our occasional differences were always rooted in what was best for the museum . Although he was a man of great wealth and generosity , I am proud to say that I never asked him to conceptualize and fund any of the amazing things we ’ ve been able to accomplish . That said I was thrilled when he came up great and sensible ideas – and asked me to be a major part of fulfilling his vision for the American Banjo Museum none the less .
ALL FRETS SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 11