GEORGE HANSON

photo by Rick Gardner

George Hanson, a veteran Texas performer, is the newest member of The Lonestar Bluegrass Band joining the group in December of 2005.  George and Chris Hirsch have known each other for about 30 years and have jammed together many times.  He brings a welcome new sound to the group with his fine bluegrass vocals and solid bass playing.

Born in 1946 in Logansport, Louisiana, George's family soon moved to Texas.  At a very young age he began memorizing the songs he heard on the radio, especially Hank Williams, Senior.  In his early 20s, George began performing solo at various venues and eventually met some bluegrass musicians in southeast Texas. With George Franklin, Dick Joiner, and Phil Rosenbaum, he performed for many years with the very popular band.....SALTGRASS.  The band's popularity led to a performance on the Grand Ol' Opry in 1981.  Saltgrass also won Best Bluegrass Band at many band contests including the large bluegrass festival and band contest in Hugo, Oklahoma.  Saltgrass opened shows for Ricky Skaggs, Steve Warner, Billy Joe Royal, and other top acts and has been a festival favorite for many years. 

George took some time off from music in the 1990s and has come out of his temporary retirement with a renewed vigor to join his old friends in The Lonestar Bluegrass Band.  The future of the band is exciting and bright thanks to our new family member.....George Hanson!

SALTGRASS

SALTGRASS at The Grand Ol' Opry, 1981

Email George at ghans@ev1.net