Richie Stearns

Richie Stearns is an iconic clawhammer banjo player, singer, and president of the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, celebrated for his hypnotic, rhythm-driven style. Over his storied career, he has toured globally and performed alongside legendary artists including Pete Seeger, Bela Fleck, David Byrne, Joan Baez, and Natalie Merchant. A pillar of the Ithaca old-time music scene, Richie brings a lifetime of genre-bending innovation, collaborative mastery, and deep-rooted folk traditions to his performances and teaching.