Walt Koken facts for kids

Walt Koken (born October 9, 1946, Columbia, Missouri) is a talented American musician. He plays the banjo using a special style called claw-hammer, and he also plays the fiddle and sings. In 2016, he received a special award, the Heritage Award, from the Nashville Old-Time String Band Association. Walt Koken was a big part of bringing back old-time music in the 1960s, and he continues to be a leader and teacher in this music community today.

About Walt Koken

His Family Background

A detail from a Koken barber's chair

Walt Koken's mother, Helen Hawkins Koken Pickel, was a classical pianist and a kindergarten teacher. His family on his mother's side was English, while the Koken family came from Germany. Walt's father, John C. Koken, was a math professor. The Koken family arrived in New Orleans in 1850. They then traveled up the Mississippi River to St. Louis.

The Koken family was also known for their business. By 1892, the Koken Barber’s Supply Company of St. Louis had patents for important barber chairs. One was for the first reclining Koken chair. Another was for the first hydraulic lift chair. In 1915, Walter F. Koken received a patent for the first electric barber’s chair.

Walt's Musical Journey

Walt Koken started playing the banjo when he was 13 years old. He shared how he began: "In 1959, my brother had broken his arm. He heard that playing guitar might help him get strength back. He got his old guitar and started strumming it. I thought that was really neat. One day he came to me and said, 'Why don't you get a banjo, and we'll make some money?'"

Since 1965, Walt Koken has played in many different bands. Some of these include the Busted Toe Mudthumpers and the Muskrat Ramblers. He also played with the Fat City String Band. A very famous group he was part of was the Highwoods Stringband. He also played in The Cacklin’ Hens and Roosters Too!.

Today, Walt plays fiddle-banjo duets with his partner, Clare Milliner. They also play together with Kellie Allen, Pete Peterson, and Hilary Dirlam. Their old-time string band is called Orpheus Supertones. In 2011, Walt and Clare finished a big project together. They created a book called The Milliner-Koken Collection of American Fiddle Tunes.

Walt Koken's Music Albums

Walt Koken has released many albums, both with bands and as a solo artist. Here are some of his recordings:

• The Original Fat City String Band (1999)
• The Highwoods Stringband, Feed Your Babies Onions (1994)
• Highwoods Stringband Live! (2004)
• Clare Milliner & Walt Koken, Just Tunes (2003)
• Orpheus Supertones, Bound to Have a Little Fun (2004)
• Orpheus Supertones, When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland (2006)
• Orpheus Supertones, Going to Town (2011)
• Walt Koken, Finger Lakes Ramble (1998)
• Walt Koken, Banjonique (1994)
• Walt Koken, Hei-Wa Hoedown (1995)
• Walt Koken, Sittin’ in the Catbird’s Seat (2012)
• Walt Koken, Slo-Mo Banjo DVD (2016)