Clear Fork Bluegrass Quartet
Founded in 1984, the Clear Fork Bluegrass Quartet has backed up legendary musicians Chubby Wise and Mac Wiseman. Paul Kovac, the band’s founder, learned guitar from his sister, played in a family band, and learned banjo from the many West Virginia and Kentucky transplant musicians living in Northeast Ohio. He has recorded and toured extensively, and has performed with many old-time and Bluegrass luminaries. Paul has played banjo as one of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, produced an instructional video for guitar with Hee Haw’s Roy Clark, and played in National Heritage Awardee Hazel Dickens’ band. He is considered a Master Artist by his home state as a recipient of the 2012 Ohio Arts Council’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grant. In addition to leading the band, Paul sings lead, plays guitar and mandolin.