Roni Stoneman

Veronica 'Roni' Stoneman (born June 25, 1938) is an American bluegrass musician and banjo player from a legendary musical family, the Stoneman Family. She became a pioneering figure in bluegrass music during an era when the genre was heavily male-dominated. Roni was the first woman to win a Grammy Award in a bluegrass category, achieving a historic milestone in country and bluegrass music. Beyond her Grammy achievement, she is widely recognized as an exceptional banjo player whose technical skill and spirited performances helped establish her reputation in a traditionally male-centric field. In addition to her recording career, Roni became known to millions of television viewers as a regular cast member on the country music television program 'Hee Haw,' where she performed regularly and became a beloved figure in American country entertainment. Her contributions to bluegrass music and her role in opening doors for women in the genre have made her an important figure in country music history. The Stoneman family's legacy, with Roni as one of its most prominent members, remains influential in bluegrass circles.