Childhood and Early Musical Career
He was born John Arden Ferguson in Burbank, California, in the San Fernando Valley. He grew up in the Van Nuys and Canoga Park sections of Los Angeles. When Ferguson was twelve, his parents encouraged his musical abilities with classical piano lessons. When he was sixteen, Ferguson's interest transferred to the banjo. Along with his brother Tom, an accomplished fiddle player, he formed a bluegrass group called The Oat Hill Stump Straddlers including Michael Fondiler and Steve Fondiler. Ferguson was a member of local garage bands, Western Union and The Red Roosters.
He also held part-time jobs at different points as a theater usher and architect's assistant for his father John Ferguson, taught piano in a music store, and studied at UCLA after high school.
Read more about this topic: Jay Ferguson (American Musician)
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