by Johnny Baier
If you are not already aware , it is with great sadness that I share the news that a great friend of the banjo , American Banjo Museum founder and benefactor , Jack Canine , passed away on Sunday , September 27 , 2020 . Although an entrepreneur who amassed great wealth , in the banjo world Jack Canine was simply one of us … he loved everything about the banjo - its joyful tempo and tone - and particularly the people who made it come to life with music . When he passed away after a very special eighty-seven year life , Jack Canine left behind many memories which were unique to the many people that he touched in so many different ways . Here are a few of mine …
While I had seen him at events , I didn ’ t meet Jack Canine until 1997 . Out of the blue he had called me to discuss my helping him find a new home for his personal collection of banjos , noting that his wife had recently passed away and he “ wanted to downsize …” His goal was to keep his collection intact by donating it to a museum which would put it on permanent display . Although I had no museum experience , Jack recognized a kindred spirit in me and invited me to his home in Indiana to see and assess his banjo collection . After a quick flight from Orlando to Indianapolis I was actually introduced to Jack Canine for the first time when we met at the airport .
During our two-day visit I was struck by how kind and normal Jack was , completely devoid of any outward signs of the financial wealth he had accumulated . He had a very nice home , but far from a mansion . His needs and tastes seemed quite simple and he was very confident and comfortable within his own skin . He did , however , take great pride in telling me how he had made his fortune , working – literally from the ground up …
8 ALL FRETS SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020