Bluegrass Banjo: Todd Sams has lived in Athens Ohio most of his life. He has been playing banjo and guitar for the past 36 years. He is a past Bluegrass Banjo Vandalia winner and was a 2 time Ohio State champion and 2 time Indiana State banjo champion in the late 80'/early 90's. Todd won the coveted Bob Evans Band contest with four different bands in that same time period. He has played the past 8 years with the Rarely Herd. Prior to that, he played with Jordan Run, Retro Grass and many short-lived bands. Todd has played banjo with Tony, Larry and Wyatt Rice and with the Tim O'Brien Band, and has recorded with The Rarely Herd, Clay Hess, Wyatt Rice, Johnny Staats, James Price, Randy Thomas, and Retro Grass