Galway's Enda Scahill wins Steve Martin Banjo Prize

The Steve Martin Banjo Prize board announced the 2022 winners, which included Ireland's own Enda Scahill. The Galway-native is only the second ever Irish winner of the award. The other winner is Bill Evans from New Mexico.

The award was started in 2010 by comedian and banjo player Steve Martin. The prize out half a million dollars in the banjo community over a decade, with a 50K award given annually to a master of bluegrass and banjo. Past winners include Rhiannon Giddens, Noam Pikelny, Jens Kruger and Kristin Scott Benson. Since 2019, the award has shifted to include all styles of four and five string banjo.

Enda Scahill is one of Ireland's most prominent tenor banjoists. He is a 4-time All-Ireland Champion and was described as having "a freshness and finesse bordering on magical" by the Wall Street Journal. He is the founder and host of podcast Inside the Banjoverse, which focuses on the musical journeys of some of roots music's most celebrated artists. He also wrote the top selling tenor banjo tutorial series on the market, The Irish Banjo Tutor Vol I and II. 

Scahill has performed and recorded with many high profile musicians including The Chieftains, Ricky Skaggs, Frankie Gavin and Stockton's Wing. He was also a member of The Brock McGuire Band.

Also awarded the prize was Bill Evans, who has been playing the 5-string banjo for over 45 years. He is a performer, teacher, writer, and composer of both traditional and progressive bluegrass banjo styles. Evans stands out in his expertise in 19t hand early 20th century minstrel and classic banjo styles. Evans is the creator of DVD/CD The Banjo In America, and author instructional books including Banjo for Dummies.