Don Reno: The Banjo Innovator Who Brought Fire to Bluegrass

In the pantheon of bluegrass greats, Don Reno stands out as a fiery innovator, a virtuosic banjo picker, and a genre-crossing pioneer whose influence echoes far beyond the boundaries of traditional bluegrass. Though often mentioned in the same breath as Earl Scruggs, Reno carved his own path with a distinctive style, a bold musical voice, and a flair for showmanship that helped shape the sound and spirit of postwar American string band music.

From South Carolina Roots to Musical Greatness

Donald Wesley Reno was born on February 21, 1927, in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Raised in a musical family, Reno picked up the banjo at a young age, inspired by both traditional Appalachian music and early country recordings. By his teens, he was already a proficient guitarist and banjoist, performing on regional radio stations across the Southeast.

His early years were steeped in both hard-driving mountain music and the swing-inflected country sounds of the 1930s, which would become key ingredients in his unique style.

Banjo Style: A World Apart

While Earl Scruggs popularized the now-iconic three-finger roll banjo style, Don Reno went a different direction. His approach—sometimes referred to as the single-string style—was:

• Highly melodic and fast
• Closely tied to flatpicking guitar techniques
• Infused with jazz, blues, and swing elements
• Full of dazzling runs, chord inversions, and even double stops

Reno’s style often sounded more like a lead guitar than traditional banjo. His precision and creativity inspired generations of banjoists to push beyond the boundaries of bluegrass tradition.

Reno & Smiley: Harmony, Humor, and Hard-Driving Bluegrass

In the 1950s, Don Reno teamed up with guitarist and vocalist Red Smiley to form one of the most beloved duos in bluegrass history: Reno & Smiley and the Tennessee Cut-Ups.

Highlights of their partnership include:

• “I’m Using My Bible for a Road Map” (a gospel bluegrass classic)
• “Country Boy Rock and Roll” (one of the earliest bluegrass songs to embrace electric guitar and rockabilly spirit)
• “I Know You’re Married (But I Love You Still)”
• “Wall Around Your Heart”

Their sound combined tight duet harmonies, top-tier picking, and down-home humor—making them popular on both record and television, particularly in the Southeast.

Though their partnership ended in the mid-1960s, Reno continued to perform with his sons and other collaborators.

Versatility: Banjo, Guitar, and Beyond

While known for his banjo prowess, Don Reno was also an outstanding guitarist. In fact, he once turned down an invitation to join Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys because he had enlisted in the Army—Scruggs joined in his place.

Reno played lead guitar in a style similar to Merle Travis, full of syncopated picking and jazz inflections. His instrumental work on “Double Banjo Blues” (with Bill Harrell) and “Green Mountain Hop” showcases his adventurous spirit.

He also wasn’t afraid to experiment, incorporating:

• Electric guitar
• Drums
• Novelty numbers
• Gospel quartets

…into his repertoire well before such things were widely accepted in bluegrass circles.

Legacy and Honors

Don Reno passed away on October 16, 1984, but left behind a towering legacy. He was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame and remains a revered figure among banjo players, guitarists, and bluegrass historians.

His sons, particularly Ronnie Reno, have continued to preserve and perform his music, keeping the Reno legacy alive for new generations.

Reno’s influence can be heard in:

• The progressive banjo styles of Béla Fleck and Tony Trischka
• The flatpicking of Doc Watson and Dan Crary
• The boundary-pushing ethos of newgrass and jamgrass movements

Conclusion

Don Reno was a bluegrass original, a musical firebrand whose banjo blazed trails as fast as his fingers could move. He respected tradition, but he never let it confine him. With his unmatched technique, inventiveness, and charisma, he helped elevate the banjo from a rhythm instrument to a front-line voice in American music.

Whether ripping through a gospel number, trading licks on twin banjos, or redefining what string music could sound like, Don Reno proved that true innovation comes from deep roots and fearless curiosity.