Don Reno Biography

Donald Wesley Reno better known as Don Reno was a country musician (retrospectively considered a bluegrass musician). Although known primarily for his banjo work, Reno was also quite talented on the guitar, and was nicknamed "King of the Flat-Picking Guitarists". He is best known for his collaborations with Arthur Lee "Red" Smiley as leaders of the Tennessee Cut-ups from 1951 to 1964, and from 1971 until Smiley's death in 1972. At that time Reno continued the band with Bill Harrell. From 1964 until 1971 Reno performed with Benny Martin. He should not be confused with his son, Don Wayne Reno, who is also a bluegrass musician.

Reno was born February 21, 1927 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but grew up on a farm in Haywood County, North Carolina. His father, Zebulon Reno, gave him his first guitar at age 9, and by age 12 Reno was playing on local radio.

Don Reno died in 1984. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1992.