When bluegrass fans first heard the solid, tasteful banjo backup on Bill Monroe’s “Close By” and “Put My Little Shoes Away” back in 1954, they might have jumped for joy for it was indeed a Carolina boy providing that crisp banjo sound! Jim Smoak was that Carolina boy -- “fresh off the farm at 18” as he says, touring with the legendary Bill Monroe. Today Jim Smoak brings us a wonderful sampler of his masterful talent as a songwriter and banjoist. Whether it is the sincerity of a tribute to the great Jim McReynolds (of Jim & Jesse fame) or the jaunty cleverness of “Pickin’ In The Pokey,” Jim Smoak performs with energy and clarity. When you hear his “knocking the banjo in overdrive” on “Going Back To Harlan” you’ll know “that’s a Carolina boy!” “Mighty Powerful,” Bill Monroe would say! www.jimsmaok.com