ROY LANHAM

Roy Lanham was born in Corbin, Kentucky in 1923.
Best known as guitarist for the Sons of the Pioneers from 1961 through 1986, he also led the Whippoorwills for many years and performed as a solo artist, recording albums of country-jazz guitar instrumentals under his own name in the late 50s and early 60s.
As a teenager, he was hired by pop vocalist Gene Austin. Lanham played in a jazzy style influenced by Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt, but distinguished by his development of a four-part harmony chord melody approach.
Roy's playing on The Delmore Brothers' 40's boogie records reveals his ability to drive a band with his solid rhythm, and his spectacular lead guitar playing foreshadowed rock'n'roll.
Later, he would play on recordings by Hank Penny, the Delmore Brothers, Johnny and Dorsey Burnette, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, Bonnie Guitar, The Browns, The Fleetwoods, Chet Atkins, and many others.
Roy's solo instrumental records are essential Country Jazz listening.

Listen to Roy Lanham's Jazzmaster pickin' on "A Smooth One"