Brian Anderson practices the banjo frequently at parks in Rancho Cordova and around the Sacramento Area.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Keep an eye and an ear on the parks in Rancho Cordova and you might come across Brian Anderson, 65, playing his banjo. 

Anderson has been playing the banjo since he was a high school senior. When he was 19 years old, Anderson got a call from the leader of Gloryland Gospel Band, who asked Anderson if he would he be interested in auditioning since their banjo player had just left.

“I went with Gloryland for a year,” Anderson said. “I left home and was traveling around the western U.S. doing concerts.”

In 2004, Anderson decided to compete in the Rocky Grass Banjo Championship in Colorado.

“(That year), I competed and came in third-place,” Anderson said. “In 2005, I competed and came in second-place, and 2006, I competed and finally won it. It took three years to do it.”

Anderson also won the national championship in Winfield, Kansas in 2005.

“It was amazing,” Anderson said. “It was probably the highlight of my musical career, if you want to call it that.”

Brian Anderson performing at an event at a Placer County home. “It’s very melodic,” said his bass player Jesse Guerra. “He does things that a lot of banjo players don’t do.”

Larry Henderson, who lives in Jamestown a few miles from Sonora, plays the banjo and guitar. Henderson said that he met Anderson around 2007 when he saw him playing the banjo in front of the Sonora Walmart.

“(Anderson) is probably the most incredible banjo player I’ve ever seen, on television or in person, or whatever, that’s how good he is,” Henderson said. “Holy mackerel! This guy can really just about do anything on the instrument.” 

They became friends and played gigs together. For several years, they rehearsed songs at Anderson’s house in Sonora.

Later, Anderson got married and started a family; he put the banjo aside for about 20 years. When the family didn’t need as much “support and direction and time” as before, Anderson pulled the banjo out from under the bed and began playing again. 

Anderson often plays with bass player Jesse Guerra, who lives in Colfax. They met in January at the California Bluegrass Association, the Great 48, in Bakersfield, an event that hosts four days of nonstop jamming workshops. They became friends and have been playing together since.

“We’ve probably got over 20 plus songs we’ve practiced,” Guerra said. “I understand his playing style and I try to support it with my bass playing. He’s one of the most advanced banjo players I’ve ever seen.”

The banjo player plays in the parks as often as he can.

“Whenever I have some time and I don’t have to be somewhere else,” Anderson said, “I like to take it along with me and get a few minutes of practice.”

Anderson is a Christian and shares pastor duties at The Bridge Church, which meets in alternate months at a home in Rancho Cordova and a home in Natomas.

The musician can be found on YouTube under Brian Anderson or @BrianBanjoMan. For more information, call Anderson at 916-860-9173.