COCORE: The Colorado Coalition of Reason

Pete Wernick

Pete Wernick, PhD, Dr. Banjo

Bronx-born Pete Wernick earned a PhD in Sociology from Columbia University, while developing a career in bluegrass music on the side. As a teen, he taught himself to play “Scruggs-style” banjo, began to teach banjo, hosted a radio show for seven years, and organized bluegrass groups. After the release of a bestselling instruction book, Bluegrass Banjo, "Dr. Banjo" left his sociology research job at Cornell, and moved with his musican/teacher wife Joan to Colorado.

There he formed Hot Rize, a classic bluegrass band of the 80s, traveling the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia. The group performed frequently on national television, including Austin City Limits. In 1986 Wernick was elected president of the International Bluegrass Music Association, a position he held 15 years.

The Wernicks and their son, Will, survived a disastrous plane crash in 1989 that received extensive media coverage, including Life Magazine in which Pete declared himself a humanist and didn't see a supernatural factor in his survival.

Wernick, an atheist since 15, hosted monthly humanist meetings in Boulder from 1988-93, and wrote 40 articles for the newsletter of the Family of Humanists (FOH), of which he was president from 1997-2006. He coauthored the book Humanism For Kids, published by FOH in 1993, still the only book of its type. In 2007, two articles by Wernick were included in the groundbreaking secular parenting book, Parenting Beyond Belief, edited by Dale McGowan (Amacom Books), including one on raising a child in a secular/religious marriage. An unusual aspect of Pete’s life as a humanist is that he is happily married to a devout Catholic. They have been a couple for over 35 years. In 2005, the Wernicks performed on the David Letterman show, Pete featured with several banjo players including the legendary Earl Scruggs and actor/comedian Steve Martin. As of 2007, Wernick continues to travel the U.S. and occasionally overseas, to perform and teach, usually with Joan. He continues to produce music instruction videos and books, and hosts a dozen annual music camps coast to coast.

Pete Wernick's website is located at Dr Banjo