Saanich musician inducted into banjo hall of fame

Saanich musician Fred (Borgy) Borgerson was inducted into the American Banjo Hall of Fame during a gala ceremony in Oklahoma City on Friday.

Borgerson, 92, did not attend the ceremony but was entered into the American Banjo Museum alongside some very esteemed company — banjo icon Bela Fleck, Muppet Show founder Jim Henson and Eddie Collins of Art Mooney’s Orchestra. Borgerson was feted for his skill at four-string performance throughout a 70-year career that saw him play a key role as an entertainer at Expo 67 in Montreal.

Borgerson was a child prodigy on tenor banjo in his native Saskatchewan before moving in 1945 to Youbou, where he worked in the logging industry. Borgerson has been a popular attraction with various groups around the world and in Victoria, and has been a fixture at Hermann’s Jazz Club.