Colby Green to attend Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy on
the Inaugural Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship

April 6, 2015
16-year-old  Colby Green of Cosby, Tennessee will attend the 10th Annual Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy in Pigeon Forge (May 1-3, 2015) on the first-ever scholarship under the Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program from the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.  Colby takes lessons from former Winfield champion Gary “Biscuit” Davis, and we hope that the SMBA experience will help him advance as a musician.  The Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy faculty includes Kristin Scott-Benson of the Grascals, Jason Burleson of Blue Highway, and former Blue Grass Boy Butch Robins.

The Johnny Lee Vincent Memorial Scholarship Program is named in memory of Mr. Johnny Vincent of Greentop, Missouri, a bluegrass pioneer and the father of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s first Bluegrass Star Award recipient, Rhonda Vincent, and bluegrass star Darrin Vincent.  Johnny and his family toured the world as the Sally Mountain Show, performing their special brand of bluegrass music. He was known for his unique banjo style and founded the Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Queen City, Missouri.  

The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation sincerely appreciates the support of Mr. Vincent’s family and friends, our other donors and volunteers, and all who attend our events and make it possible for us to help deserving young people like Colby Green.