Twenty-four years ago, the BRC founder recruited a group of Bluegrass musicians to perform at an inaugural autumn Pumpkin Festival in a nearby farming village. All tips were donated to the local Children`s Hospital, and thus began what is now nearly a quarter century of jam sessions supporting the Children’s Miracle Network.
Since then, the band has performed benefits at multiple venues in mid Missouri including saloons, street festivals, and gala dinners. On special holiday occasions, our vocal trio sings at the bedsides of hospitalized children. For the last decade, the `Gainor & Friends` pickers and singers have been graciously based at a family-friendly brewpub in our university town where we perform every Sunday for the brunch hour patrons. This last week, our total tip collections for the Children’s Hospital surpassed $25K in donations. 
At the brewpub, curious children come up to the bandstand to study the musicians and dance to the upbeat music and song. The bandleader allows the youngsters to strum his banjo while smiling parents take photos and videos. The youngsters are then asked to raise their right hand and take the “Banjo Kid Pledge” which is as follows: I promise to always do what my mom and dad say.
Parents beam and the music goes on. Lucky us- what could be more fun on a Sunday afternoon?
t the gala opening reception, however, The Narwal garnered a ribbon and was promptly purchased by a local blacksmith who forges metal sculptures for Art League shows.
When this antique and unmarked banjo first appeared in the BRC workshop, it was a forlorn grime covered instrument with a detached fretboard, fractured or missing mother of pearl inlays, and a yellow brown calfskin head that had dried into parched shoe leather.
