Virginia born bluegrass banjo player and vocalist moved to Baltimore in the mid-50s and eventually became known as ‘The Banjo Baron of Baltimore.’ He joined Earl Taylor’s Stoney Mountain Boys who were a full-time house band at Lindy’s 79 Club on Cross Street. The group released a single on Rebel Records, and an album on United Artists. In 1959 they became the first bluegrass group to perform at Carnegie Hall.
Hensley joined the Country Gentlemen for a brief stint in early ‘60s. In 1964 he recorded the classic solo album “5-String Banjo Today” for Capitol Records, and formed the Dukes of Bluegrass.
Hensley’s 1969 LP “Pickin’ on New Grass” featured Russ Hooper on dobro. The album was a Recordings Inc. production that was engineered by George Massenburg. Walter and his group played at the Cub Hill Inn, Pete’s Lounge on Harford Road, Rogers Forge Glen, Church Lane Hall, and many one-nighter shows…
Hensley’s 1974 LP “3 Days from Home” featured the Dukes of Bluegrass with a lineup of Hensley (banjo), with Jim Hensley (lead guitar), Dee Gunter (rhythm), Frankie Short (mandolin), and Jerry Yeager (bass).
Other members of the Dukes over the years included Danny Curtis (mandolin)… Curtis later with Grass on the Ridge, Foggy Bottom, Dean Sapp’s Harford Express…
A late-‘80s lineup featured Hensley, Gunter, Tim Kidd (fiddle), and Clarence Stacy (bass).
In the early ‘90s Walt Hensley relocated to southern Pennsylvania. He performed and recorded with James Reams & the Barnstormers.
In 2006 he released the solo CD “From the Hills.”
Albums by Walter Hensley:
1964(LP) Capitol 2149 5-String Banjo Today
1969(LP) Rebel 1488 Pickin’ on New Grass
1974(LP) Revonah 912 3 Days from Home
2006(CD) From the Hills
Albums with James Reams & the Barnstormers:
2003(CD) Copper Creek James Reams, Walter Hensley & the Barons of Bluegrass
200*(CD) MoutainRedbird 005 Wild Card
