Third Annual David Tinkoff Award Winner Steve Hanes
Uncle David Tinkoff		Steve Hanes

Past President of Valley Grass and banjo player extraordinaire, Steve Hanes was the very deserving recipient of the 2008 David Tinkoff Award. 

Steve has been involved in bluegrass in the Ottawa area for many years.  As a member of the Board of Directors (1993-2003), he served at various times as President, Webmaster, Concert Organizer/ Promoter, Secretary and Treasurer, often single-handedly keeping our Association afloat during times when there were no other volunteers.  Among his many accomplishments, Steve designed and created the Valley Grass website, probably the first site in Canada devoted to bluegrass music, and one that served as a template for future bluegrass websites. 

As a musician, Steve has played in top bluegrass bands such as Maple Hill and 40 West, touring Ontario and the northern United States.  His dedication to bluegrass is apparent not only in his talent as a musician, but also in his keen willingness to help others - he is a tremendous resource for musicians, he is approachable, and he is happy to help anyone, especially novice players.  He certainly offered me a wealth of advice about playing bluegrass music and performing on stage, and I know many other musicians who can say the same.  Along with Bill Henry, Steve founded The Mountin' Weasels, a band conceived to provide a forum for up-and-coming musicians at various levels to perform.  

– Nick Strachan