J. D. Crowe Banjo Scholarship Grant

The J. D. Crowe Banjo Scholarship, established by the IBMA Foundation, honors the legacy of renowned bluegrass musician J. D. Crowe. Funded by a generous $20,000 donation from Arthur Hancock III, this scholarship aims to support aspiring banjo players pursuing their education at the collegiate level. Eligible candidates must showcase high performance skills on the banjo and demonstrate a commitment to the bluegrass music industry, ensuring Crowe's influence continues for future generations.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.
D. Crowe Banjo Scholarship. Longtime friend and fellow Kentucky bluegrass musician Arthur Hancock III has made the initial $20,000 donation to create the fund and endow the scholarship for the benefit of banjo players for generations to come. Hancock’s son, Arthur Hancock IV, a member of the IBMA Foundation board of directors, was instrumental in creating the scholarship in Crowe’s memory.
Legendary banjo stylist and Bluegrass Hall of Fame member J. D. Crowe (1937-2021) was one of the most influential banjo players in the history of bluegrass music. Originally from Lexington, Kentucky and inspired by the banjo playing of Earl Scruggs, he began performing as a teenager first with Esco Hankins, Benny Williams, Curly Parker and Pee Wee Lambert before joining Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys in 1954. After a 1955 stint with Mac Wiseman, J. D. re-joined Martin’s band in 1956. In 1961 Crowe formed the Kentucky Mountain Boys, changing the band name to J. D. Crowe & the New South in 1971. He received a Grammy award in 1983 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 2012. J. D. had a profound influence on a number of his band members over the years, including Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Doyle Lawson, Keith Whitley, Jimmy Gaudreau, Gene Johnson, Don Rigsby, Ron Stewart, Phil Leadbetter, Rickey Wasson and many more. He was also a member of the landmark Bluegrass Album Band with Lawson, Rice, Douglas, Bobby Hicks, Todd Phillips, and later, Vassar Clements and Mark Schatz.

Eligibility

Individuals planning to study the banjo on the college level or play the banjo in a college-level bluegrass ensemble. Applicants must already demonstrate a high level of performance skills on the five-string banjo and plan to become involved in the bluegrass music industry on a professional level.