Vigo County Historical Society

Banjo song modern treasure

When the museum volunteers give the fall third-grade tours, one of the things we try to teach the students is that history is never-ending and that something that we do today might be found in the museum in the future. Today’s Historical Treasure is a very good example of that.

Ren Wright and his wife Sara moved to Terre Haute from Sullivan so that Ren could attend Indiana State University. After his graduation, they stayed in Terre Haute where Ren worked 25 years for the E.H. Bindley & Co.

Currently they own Wright Properties Inc.

About 15 years ago Ren started playing a banjo. He chose the banjo because it looked fun and he loved the nostalgic music which came form its most popular era--the 1920s and 30s.

Music has taken up quite a lot of Ren and Sara’s spare time. They volunteer their talent for special music at their church, at the Paul Dresser house during the Herb Faire and at Fowler Park. Ren also has been director of the Shrine’s Banjo Band for the past 12 years.

Professionally, Ren with his banjo and Sara at the piano entertained for 2 1/2 years at the Black Angus Restaurant.

Ren and Sara Research the music they perform. Their repertoire includes songs from 1866 to today. They also collect Paul Dresser music.

Their love and talent for music spilled over to their children. John and Mark play the guitar and Julie plays the piano.

At a banjo convention they attended in Memphis, the atmosphere of the city and on Beale Street prompted Ren to write a song. He said that the inspiration was so strong that it didn’t take long to write the words and music. He then submitted it to the International Banjo Magazine which printed it in the January ‘95 issue.

I have had the privilege of hearing Ren and Sara sing and play this song and it has become one of my favorites. It has a bluesy feeling, a toe-tapping rhythm with words that tell a story about the life and music of a banjo man from Indiana.

A framed copy of his song, "Banjo Man Blues" is our Historical Treasure this week. It can be found hanging in the back hall near the museum’s office. Just "listen to the rhythm of the Banjo Man."