Pete Wernick

Peter Wernick, (born February 25, 1946) also known by many as “Dr. Banjo”, is a five-string banjo player who has been involved in the bluegrass music scene since the 1970's, writing several instruction books and videos on how to play the banjo. He's also known for his own musical style called Niwot music. He served from 1986-2001 as the first president of the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Biography

Peter Wernick was born in New York City and began playing the banjo at the age of fourteen. He pursued his university studies and eventually earned a Ph.D. in sociology. In 1970 he formed Country Cooking in Ithaca, New York together with Tony Trischka, Russ Barenberg, John Miller, and Nondi Leonard. They recorded two albums for Rounder Records, adding the talents of Kenny Kosek, Harry Gilmore, and Andy Statman.

In 1976, Wernick and his wife Nondi Leonard (now known as Joan Wernick), settled down in Niwot, Colorado and he began to develop Niwot music, consisting only of banjo, mandolin and bass.He performed with Charles Sawtelle, Tim O'Brien and Nick Forster, a combination that in January 1978, would become known as Hot Rize. Currently performing with the bluegrass/jazz combo Flexigrass, he also tours with his wife Joan (Dr. and Nurse Banjo) and with Hot Rize for an occasional reunion.

Wernick is a prominent teacher of bluegrass, having hosted music camps since 1980 and now conducting ten or more each year.

Wernick is also a notable survivor of the United Airlines Flight 232 air disaster. He composed an instrumental tune inspired by that flight, called "the Wild Ride".