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Ohliger’s one-man show, a bit like a musical Mark Twain traveling with a museum of vintage instruments, was sponsored by the California Arts Council for a dozen years. Through the arts council, Ohliger entertained thousands in museums, schools, fairs, and festivals, performing  in a concert series and as a “working musicologist.”

A virtuoso four stringed banjo stylist who can dazzle audiences with a 1920’s hot-jazz style, he’s equally adept at ballads crooned by lads to their sweethearts in the days before radio. Much of this music was played on mandolin banjos, ukele banjos, or five stringed banjos long before the bluegrass was invented. Ohliger plays all of these, plus banjo-like instruments brought to America by African slaves.

“These instruments were made before the industrial revolution brought metal, with stuff found around the village, like dried gords and goatskins,” Ohliger explains.

With a blend of humor and song, Ohliger always entertains. But, it’s the revelations about our culture that the museum curators and teachers appreciate.

“He’s like a time traveler,” says Emma Moore, director of public programs at Sacramento’s Crocker Museum.  “Zooming to the future with instruments and songs our great grandparents enjoyed.”

Ohliger has found his biggest audiences far from home, but he’s no stranger in NorCal. Like a “Where’s Waldo” cartoon, he’ popped up in the strangest of places:  At the age of 12, he played banjo on local San Francisco television. In the 70s, he performed, barefooted, in local hippie bands. Most recently, he’s played guitar with various swing ensembles – usually in tandem with his equally talented wife, Pamela Kather.

But, when Ohliger enters a phone booth (much like Clark Kent) and emerges, wearing spats, sporting a fancy vest, and tipping his jaunty bowler hat, he adopts an entirely new persona –  “The Banjo-ologist.” 

“Looking back, it’s hard to believe how it all happened,” Ohliger admits. “It’s kind of me, but not really me. I have to admit … I kind of like who that guy (the banjo-ologist) is.”

Apparently, so does Mel Bay records, the legendary record label known for first introducing Tommy Emmanuel (and other legends) to America.

Mel Bay has signed Ohliger to release an in-concert DVD as a companion piece to the PBS documentary about his life.

On October 9, Ohliger will film one DVD segment before lucky live audience members in the Birdhouse theater near Forrest Ranch. Though he’ll appear as his barefoot self, singing original songs and wearing his Gordy-in-the-canyon casual outfit, he’ll transform into his alter-ego, “The Banjo-ologist” for the second half of the show. Seating will be limited, and will only available by making a pledge to KIXE … or by advance ticket sales through the Birdhouse. (www.birdhouseconcerts.com )

The Banjo-ologist special pledge program will air on KIXE on August YY at ### p.m. 

For more information   www.banjoman.info