Chris "C-Bob" Elliott is a professional banjo instructor and performer in Lyons, Colo. He is the banjo player, vocalist and songwriter with Spring Creek on Rebel Records. He has had the privilege of playing on stage with many of his bluegrass heroes including Tony Trischka, Pete Wernick, Alan Munde, Sally Van Meter, Matt Flinner, Gene Libbea, Brad Lee Folk, Michael Cleveland, and others. Elliott is the 2007 RockyGrass Banjo Champion; he plays an Alan Munde Signature Series Staghorn by Stelling.
Elliott often searches for opportunities to share his enthusiasm for bluegrass, and especially enjoys initiating younger audiences into the bluegrass fold. "I'm into the idea of playing for general audiences where people might be exposed to traditional bluegrass for the first time," he says. "When I first saw younger people playing bluegrass, I thought, 'Wow, this could be really cool.' If more young people are exposed to bluegrass at the right time, they'll like it too."
Elliott, originally from Huffman, Tex., traces his lineage to a long line of rural musicians and is also the grandson of a prominent Kentucky fiddle builder. With a sharp ear for arranging harmonies, his original instrumentals give Spring Creek a dynamic and unique edge. Elliott studied banjo with Alan Munde for three years at South Plains College in Levelland, Tex., and now works closely with Pete Wernick in Colorado, and considers both men to be important mentors. He has worked as Wernick's assistant at the famous Dr. Banjo Jam Camp, conducted numerous workshops, and teaches individual banjo lessons at the Olde Town Pickin' Parlor in Arvada, Colo.
Elliott sees teaching as an opportunity to give back to the music he has been playing since he was a teenager. "I've learned so many valuable lessons from wiser, more experienced musicians over the years," he explains. "Teaching allows me to share these gifts and to continue the cycle of the bluegrass tradition by 'paying it forward' throughout my 14 years of playing music."
Elliott's teaching method is based on creating a non-intimidating, friendly, patient environment for the student. He works to gauge each student's needs and personal learning style, and focuses on giving encouragement as well as tips and techniques. "It's so easy for beginners to get discouraged on the banjo," he says. "The important thing is to make it simple and fun so that the joy of bluegrass comes through early on." Elliott's intuitive sense of student mastery gives him the ability to modify each session toward the student's short-term goals.
Elliott feels strongly that students should have a firm grasp on the common bluegrass banjo method so that they can participate in jam sessions, which are the underpinning of the bluegrass community. "It's my responsibility to instill enough confidence and competency for the student to play in a jam regardless of whether they go on to aspire to higher musical goals," he says. "I've learned it's important to build the foundation of the house before you think about putting in the custom whirlpool bath. In this case, you have to walk in the footsteps of the masters before you can even think of developing your own style. And part of walking on that path is playing with other folks in a jam session."
Elliott believes that teaching is important to his personal growth as a professional, performer and musician. For him, teaching is a symbiotic relationship that never fails to bring growth to both parties involved. "The more I teach, the more I learn about teaching and about playing," he says. "I will always teach to become a better, stronger player myself." He plans to incorporate teaching into every facet and phase of his career, with the long-term goal of creating his own instructional books and workshop series.
"Chris is one of those rare and wonderful players who surprises the listener with imagination and strength of tone, all the while offering up the best of traditional three-finger banjo, completing the perfect picture of bluegrass banjo playing."
Sally Van Meter
"Chris Elliott was one of the best banjo students I had during my tenure at South Plains College. He was a fast and diligent learner. His career after his time at school has proven that the music he has to offer is much appreciated by the bluegrass world."
Alan Munde