Hank Smith learned banjo first in his hometown of Florence, SC, where early influences included everything from the Lonesome River Band to Béla Fleck And The Flecktones. Monthly jam sessions allowed him to explore the full range of the instrument. Upon graduating college and eventually graduate school, he was able to take on the instrument full time. Hank toured with Raleigh, NC, based jamgrass quintet, Barefoot Manner, as well as local bluegrass favorites, The Kickin’ Grass Band. Now he and longtime friend and bandmate Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw front the progressive bluegrass band Hank, Pattie & The Current.