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Stringbean


David Akeman (June 17, 1915–November 10, 1973), better known as Stringbean, was an American country music banjo player and comedy musician best known for his role on the hit television show, Hee Haw. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Akeman and his wife were murdered by burglars at their rural Tennessee home in 1973. Biography Early life and career Born in Annville, Jackson County, Kentucky, Akeman came from a musical family and was taught to play banjo by his father. He acquired his first real banjo when he was 12 years old in exchange for a pair of prize bantam chickens. He began playing local dances and developing a reputation on the instrument, but could not earn a living as a musician. Instead, Akeman worked for the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, building roads and planting trees. Later he entered a talent contest that was being judged by singer-guitarist-musical saw player Asa Martin, and won. Afterward, he was invited to join Martin's band. During one performance, Martin forgot Akeman's name and introduced him to the crowd as String Beans. With his tall, thin build, the nickname stuck and he eventually was known by that moniker. At first, Akeman only played banjo in the group, but when another performer failed to turn up for a show, he was pressed into service as a singer and comic, and the act caught on. From that day forward, Akeman divided his time between comedy and music. He also appeared on WLAP-AM in Lexington, Kentucky, and played with variou...

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