Van Colbert. photo credit; Dennis Crider
Van Colbert was born in Willow Springs on February 7, 1955 in the cab of a pickup truck; the third of eight children (seven boys and one girl) to Joseph Trueth Colbert and Vernerica May Easley Colbert.
Van got his first banjo for Christmas when he was thirteen; an old silvertone his dad bought at Nicks pawn shop in West Plains, Missouri for forty dollars. “Dad taught me a few chords in standard C twining and a two finger roll”. The first tune Van learned was Green Corn. Hearing Grandpa Jones at a show in West Plains when Van was seventeen inspired him to learn claw hammer style. Van’s father and brothers played music together all through childhood. Van still plays in a string band with his brothers, The Colbert Brothers Stringband, at small festivals locally and statewide. He is a member of the Davis Creek Rounders and performed on the Winter’s Bone soundtrack and is a member of Blackberry Winter.
photo credit; S. Denton
Van was a founding member of the Bolshevik Brothers Stringband along with Bohemian Bob and Little Leon Trotsky (?).
Van was awarded Masters Status by the Missouri Folk Arts program 3 years, and taught old-time banjo in their Traditional Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program.
“I love to sing and play and will as long as I walk upon this planet. God willing.”
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A great banjo player and a heck of a guy too!!!..Onless you make”im mad
Van’s father was Joseph Truett Colbert, Sr. His mother’s name is Vernieca May Easley Colbert. I know–I married his oldest brother 40 years ago!
How do I get in touch with you? I am a banjo player also living in Dallas County, MO.
I would love to talk to you about the banjo.
love the winters bone sound track.would be great if band came to scotland for celtic connections!
would be great if band could do a gig at celtic connections in scotland !
Hi Uncle Van! I sure am proud of you! Love, Truett
I Have been to a many a Blue Grass fest from Ark,to Ky to Mo. and I can tell you people here and Now that Ive never heard anyone who can play the Banjo quite like Van Colbert He is a musical tunes smith when it comes to the Banjo………Big K …OUT!!!!!
Gotta agree with Big K ! Van Colbert has his own unique and entertaining way of singing and playing the banjo that one just needs to experience for one’s self! You won’t be disappointed!! Happy Trails Van and keep bringing us more of your God given talents! See ya soon in Ole St.Louie!
I sure liked getting the note from you and the other members of the BWB and liked meeting you too at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC. I hope you saw the good photo of you, Marideth and My nephew, Willis Underwood. You play a killer banjo!!!!!
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Van, On Oct 1 you’ll be playing in Licking and I can’t wait to hear the whole group. Love your DC. My favorite song is “50 Miles of Elbow Room”. That’s a request for the concert. Ellen Renolds
Can’t believe you sang “50 Miles” just for me. Thanks. Blackberry Winter sounded fabulous last Sat at Licking. We have had nothing but raving comments on the whole concert. You all have someting really good going and thank you for sharing with us. Ellen Reynolds
Van is one heck of banjo player. His whole are really good musicians. I think one of my folks still have a old recording of Van, my dad Don and Tim Bierman in Rolla as the Wolf Creek Possum Poachers. Let me know about the fret less banjo van.
Que9 guapos todos, que9 oraegnilis a1y que9 bien posan y desfilan! Algunos ya tienen claredsimo que de mayores quieren ser astronautas bfalguien sabe si hay becas de los fondos mineros para la NASA???