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| Local News | Photos |
Lori Pegram had just fed her horse, Honey, and kicked off a pair of boots when the doorbell rang.
It was Jay Smith, right on time for his 7 p.m. banjo lesson. Finding a seat and putting his banjo in his lap, the South Tampa resident exhaled with a grin.
“Ready to try a tune?” Pegram asked.
“I think so,” said Smith, a Lubbock, Texas, native with the accent to prove it.
Surrounding him in Pegram’s unofficial home studio was an upright bass, fiddle and hammered dulcimer.
The instruments belong to Pegram and her husband, Randy. Otherwise known as Banjo Lulu and the Moose, the bluegrass-playing couple has performed at local venues, restaurants and festivals for years, sometimes as Blews Creek.
In moments, Smith was picking and Pegram was grinning.
He plucked the notes of “Boil Them Cabbage Down,” a traditional folk song, as she accompanied him on acoustic guitar.
She had told Smith they didn’t have to go through the whole thing, but something happened as the song progressed: The kind of thing that musicians intrinsically understand and non-musicians struggle to explain.
They didn’t say a word, but as they played, she began to hum.
Then she sang softly.
His fingers, at first seemingly hesitant on the fret board, relaxed and the notes flowed smoothly. They reached a more intricate segment and Smith’s mouth opened slightly, partly, it seemed, out of concentration, and partly, it seemed, out of wonder and pride.
He was getting it.
His head nodded slightly with the rhythm.
If Pegram sensed her student’s soaring confidence, she didn’t necessarily show it.
She smiles all the time.
‘She Overcomes’
Her lips even form a cheerful expression as her eyebrows show concern, like when she tells you that Randy Pegram, her longtime companion, musical partner and husband of two years, is recovering from an apparently successful bout against cancer that left him weak and at least temporarily unable to sing.
A civil engineer and bassist who once toured with the bluegrass band Sweetwater, Randy Pegram was diagnosed in March. As he struggled violently through treatments, the couple’s beloved horse, Frosty, died in the backyard.
“Talk about a bad month,” she said.
I first wrote about Lori five years ago, when she was still Lori Mulford. It was an assumedly straight-forward profile about someone new to the area trying to reignite a banjo-teaching career that was sparked not long after she picked up the instrument at age 18.
She cracked “Deliverance” jokes and spoke proudly of her native Scotch Plain, N.J. Not until the interview was practically over did she reveal what I never would have known.
Lori was a high school senior when she was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, which has impaired her hearing enough that she usually wears a hearing aid. The disease, which also causes vertigo and nausea, is incurable. Stress and intense weather trigger her symptoms.
While life has been good to the Pegrams since the story ran – they got married and she secured a full-time job as a sign-language interpreter for a deaf student at Caminiti Exceptional Center in Tampa – it also has delivered multiple wallops.
A few years ago, she, too, was diagnosed with cancer, but eventually beat it.
“She overcomes,” said neighbor and friend Mary Benson, who became my all-time favorite Tribune reader after answering a published plea for information about Lori last month.
Benson has known the Pegrams practically since they moved down the street from her several years ago.
That wasn’t surprising.
“She’s very talkative and bubbly,” Benson said of Lori. “They have a lot of things going on in their lives. They’re busy going places all the time.”
Despite Randy’s recent health scare, Benson said her friend still managed to smile.
“They got over it together,” she said. “Some people don’t make it together.”
Keep On Smiling
Inside the Pegrams’ comfortable home, a mandolin hangs on a wall across from a piano.
In a corner is a stringed instrument called a bouzouki.
Besides a minor flub on the last note of “Boil Them Cabbage Down,” Smith, 31, had gotten through the song better than expected.
He said the progress he has made since becoming Pegram’s student in March makes it worth the rush-hour drive to Quail Hollow, north of State Road 54 and just west of Interstate 75. Besides, he is a traveling research-and-development chef for Carrabba’s Italian Grill and she was willing to accommodate his schedule.
“I’ve come a long way” since March, Smith said. “This is my third instructor and she’s by far my favorite – very hands-on and shows you everything visually and plays it for you. She goes step-by-step, writes it out and sings it every which way.
“I just want to be able to play comfortably and with other people in a group setting. That’s what is unique about her. In bluegrass, the [musicians] kind of switch around playing the lead. No other instructors have showed me what I’m supposed to be doing while the others are playing.”
He described his instructor as kind, patient and passionate.
A banjo in her lap, she said the instrument is easy to learn.
“This is all it is,” she said, the fingers on her right hand dancing effortlessly across the strings.
Of course, the best figure skaters make their grueling sport look easy; tennis great Roger Federer never seems to sweat; and channeling explosive emotion seems as natural to Robert DeNiro as taking a deep breath.
She plucked “Greensleeves,” a decidedly non-traditional banjo tune.
Afterward, she said she and Randy were soon going to Sarasota for their anniversary. He was feeling better and there was a bluegrass event in the area that they might attend.
She strummed the strings again and smiled.
That wasn’t surprising.
She smiles all the time.
Posted by Linda Seeley, Sevierville, Tennessee on 08/26 at 12:22 PM
Lori was my banjo teacher in Hollywood and I sure wish she was here in Tn because I haven’t found anyone like her to learn from.
Posted by marquita hampton, on 08/25 at 10:42 PM
Hi friend I just love your preview very much. And you look very pretty their playing and explaning your God given talent that He gave you,smile Jesus truly loves you and your dashing husband. I really miss you a lot and your beautiful smile. You are a good good friend. I will never forget you. You and your family are always in my prayers. Was that Randy? sining and playing the piano I like. Who’s? dog he’s cute. I enjoyed it. You like geeting me all worked up. HA HA HA.God loves you and your better half.
Posted by Dr. Jody Pianin, Wesley Chapel, FL on 08/25 at 01:07 PM
As Lori’s Audiologist, I have known that Lori plays the banjo but did not get the opportunity to actually hear her until now. She is so talented,hearing her play one would never know she has a hearing loss—she is an inspiration and proof that people who wear hearing aids can still enjoy music! She is a warm and gentle spirit as well.
Posted by vera harris, wesley chapel fl. on 08/25 at 11:16 AM
Lori is my golf buddie. I have known Lori and Randy for several years and they are the kind of people that you just enjoy being around,down to earth kind. They are a wonderful couple and never complain just pick up the pieces and go forward. They certainly have gone though alot together but being around them I feel that they help me become a stronger person. It is so good being around people like them..
Posted by Margo McConnell, Wesley Chapel on 08/25 at 10:29 AM
Great to see articles that celebrate the best and the brightest living right here in Pasco.
Lori is everything you say (and perhaps more).
Posted by Dennis Devine, San Antonio on 08/24 at 11:21 PM
LuLu is a monster banjo player and has played at the Pasco County Fair and San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival. A great talent!
Posted by Mary Lou Mistretta, Plantation, Florida on 08/24 at 08:56 PM
First of all, I want to thank Geoff for writing that story about Lori. I’ve been emailing Lori for a few years now on and off, even tho we stop, we always get back again somehow.
Lori is a wonderful person and we have shared some stories with each other.
Lori is a very amazing person and I am glad she is in my life so thanks Geoff again.
I was very impressed reading all this about Lori. Thanks again,
Mary Lou
Posted by Mary Lou Mistretta, Plantation, Florida on 08/24 at 08:48 PM
First of all, I want to thank Geoff for writing a beautiful story about Lori. I’ve been emailing Lori for quite a few years now on and off. We
always get back together somehow. Even tho we stop, I don’t think either one of us forgot the other.
I was very impressed to read all that about Lori, she really is an amazing woman.
Thanks for sharing this with all of us.
Mary Lou
Posted by Adrian Bryan, New Port Richey, Florida on 08/24 at 08:10 PM
I met Lori trying to find a banjo teacher, I’m very lucky that I found Lori. She is a wonderful person, full of energy, very giving and in my book the best banjo teacher a person could have. She brakes it down so its easy to understand and plays along with the student either with her banjo or a guitar. Her husband is also a great person, Lori and Rhandy have been through a lot but they always have a smile and a kind word. I feel very blessed that not only is Lori my banjo teacher but her and her husband Rhandy are my friends.
Posted by Karen and Peter Hanzel, Wesley Chapel on 08/24 at 01:14 PM
What a wonderful tribute to a superb lady! She is friendly, sweet, caring and talented. We know Lori (Lulu) through the Lexington Oaks Golf Course, we enjoy playing golf with both she and Randy; they are a great couple, always so considerate of each other. Also, we have had the opportunity to listen to both of them play banjo..what a treat that is! Bluegrass “rocks” when they play together.
Posted by Alex Karpinski, 37032 McMinn Ave. Dade City, Fl 33525 on 08/24 at 09:33 AM
I can vouch that Lori is everything that everyone else says. As a struggling “older” student, for me she has the patience of a saint putting up with me & giving me a sense of accomplishment. She even has my wife, Vivian, trying to get in on the act. Always the best to Lori & Randy.
Posted by Marietta Mabie, Palm Harbor on 08/23 at 07:28 AM
What a beautiful tribute to wonderful lady & friend. Our dear friends in Zephryhills knew Earl was looking for a banjo teacher so they sent him a clipping of one in Wesley Chapel. He immediately called Lori & asked if she thought she could teach a 78 year old to play the banjo, she said lets give it a try.That was the beginning of our friendship.
I’ve only known Lori for 4 years, but I can truthfully say she is the most loving, warm, caring & passionate person I have ever known. I love her & Randy dearly.
Marietta
Posted by Curtiss White, Boynton Beach, Florida on 08/22 at 11:29 PM
Lori is one of the dearest people that I’ve ever met. Always smiling and very talented. It was always a joy when Lori would “sit in” with any group I was preforming with. I’ve met some of her students that have become really good musicians. I was never aware of her hearing impairment. All my best to her and thanks for the article Geoff. She is worthy of this a much, much more.
Posted by mary benson, wesley chapel.fl on 08/22 at 07:18 PM
GREAT STORY GEOFF, DONE WITH SENSITIVITY!! THANK YOU.
Posted by John h. tribble, lutz, fl on 08/22 at 01:52 PM
I, too, am a great fan of Lori - and a past student. Before meeting her, I had tried a number of banjo teachers who were great artists but not very good at teaching the instrument. Lori is both!! Being a teacher of hearing impaired students enhances her natural ability to teach someone like me who is totally tone deaf - I even talk off-key. I am currently between banjos - my beginner one won’t do, and I am still looking for a better one, but I fully intend on taking more lessons from this amazing woman. I know! I know, Lori…“cut the excuses John.”
Glad to hear Randy is doing better, Lori, and hope to be back in the near future…You are truly great.
John Tribble
Posted by John Pisz (South Florida Bluegrass), North Lauderdale, Fl. on 08/22 at 01:29 PM
At the risk of sounding repetitious, I’d have to say Ditto! about all the other writer’s comments concerning Lori and Randy- never a more caring, yet tougher duo do my wife Yvonne and I know. I still play my banjo using what she taught me, and can count on one hand the times I’ve seen her smile absent. Wish you and Randy were still one the East Coast- maybe see you at Riverhawk?! All the best.
Posted by Cindy Shaw, Red Horse Farm, NE Pasco County on 08/22 at 09:27 AM
What a wonderful tribute to an amazing woman. Thank you, Geoff, for sharing Lori with so many other people. Randy and my husband work together, which is how I was able to meet Lori. We are both horse freaks and ride together whenever our schedules allow. Lori is interducing me to the banjo (well, naturally!) and I couldn’t be more excited. Lori’s energy warms the world, her spirit reaches out to all things. She truly is beautiful, both outside and in.
Posted by Ken Fletcher, Wesley Chapel on 08/22 at 09:23 AM
I first met Lori and Randy at the golf course. Over the next several months I gave them both golf lessons and enjoyed every minute of it. Lori and I both laughed at Randy,s engineer mind, wanting to know exactly why each swing change was made and what it would achieve. Lori and I shared many horse stories. I feel honered to call them both friends.
Posted by Jamie Mahoney, Longwood,Florida on 08/22 at 09:23 AM
Lori was always a very unique person.One of my very best friends from high school.Hope to see her one day soon in Florida.Loved the article.I learned so much about her that I didn’t know.
Posted by JUlie Goldstein, on 08/22 at 08:49 AM
I met Lori way back at the Stype Brothers Banjo shop when I started lessons with another Banjo teacher. We soon became close friends and as they say…the rest is history. One of the most honest, caring, warm, loving, giving, and compassionate people that has been placed on this planet….. and oh yes, an amazing musician. We miss you here on the East Coast.
Posted by Charlene Wyns, Ocala, FL on 08/22 at 08:46 AM
Lori is nothing less than amazing in every way. I love her dearly as my best friend. Only practiced 5 hours a day? Being there in those college years ……I am sure it was longer 
, and the only other thing I can reveal about those days and still, is that she has always been an inspiration. Thank you for publishing this well deserved article.
Posted by Jean Chin, Basking Ridge, NJ on 08/22 at 08:15 AM
Lori “Bo Derek” you have always been a special part of my life ever since our teen years working together at Qualco Products! This is the part of life that makes it all worth while, when someone besides myself sees the beauty on the inside not just the outside of a special woman. I’m proud of you now and always. Keep pickin’ and I too can see your smile from here in NJ! Love ya,
Jean
Posted by Erika Gilbert, Lakeland, FL. on 08/22 at 08:10 AM
I am very fortunate to have met Lori. She is a wonderful person and a good friend. Not only to me but is now Honey’s best friend. Thank You Lori, for giving Honey such a great loving home! Happy Trails!
Posted by Carol Bresnahan, Southwest Ranches, FL on 08/21 at 11:58 PM
I am honored to say that Lori is one of my dearest friends. She has been through so much & has told me she feels that she can’t complain because there are people out their who have been through far more than her. She is a sincere, loving & giving person who I have been blessed to know and a heck of great horse buddy too. Watching Lori & Randy play their instruments together has allways been a special treat. If you haven’t heard her play and get the opportunity you don’t want to miss it! She is truly inspirational!
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Posted by Maggie LaLone, Tampa,Fla on 09/29 at 05:54 PM
What a great story. Lori is truly a wonderful person with so many different talents. I am blessed to call her a good friend. To hear her play is amazing. When she is signing it is so beautiful. Lori you are amazing.