
Gary Cobus of St. Michael, MN is the banjo player and sings for the group.
Gary started listening
to bluegrass music by way of the “Beverly Hillbillies” TV show in the 1960s and
liked the sound of the banjo.
He started learning to play his brother’s acoustic guitar in 1968, and in 1976, he
bought his first banjo.
Gary attended college from 1976 to 1981 at the University of Wisconsin –
Platteville, where he had many opportunities to play with other bluegrass
musicians.
Following college, he lived in Austin, TX for many years, where he began playing electric bass and performed in rock
& roll and blues bands.
In 1996, Gary moved to Minnesota where he immediately became involved with the
Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association and today, he is the
President of the organization. Gary and his wife, Janet, who is a singer and
rhythm guitarist, have played with the
Seldom Herd Bluegrass band for several years.
Gary also plays upright bass in a church group, “Inspiration” at St. Michael
Catholic Church in St. Michael.