CRESTVIEW — The sound of traditional banjo pluckin' resounds once again on Main Street.
"Banjo Bear" is back.
See video of Edenfield playing the banjo
Rick Edenfield, born at Eglin Air Force Base and raised in Baker, is well known to Main Street shoppers, diners, merchants and — especially — kids.
"I've been playin' country, gospel and bluegrass for 49 years," Edenfield said. "I do it for the kids."
But a collapsed lung that occurred while walking home from Main Street eight months ago kept him in and out of the hospital since spring.
"I died four times: Twice in my room and twice on the operating table," Edenfield said. "I guess they didn't want me up there yet," he said, looking up to heaven, "so I'll play music down here."
After an eight-month absence, the music has returned, and "I'm glad to be back," Edenfield said.
PLAYING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC
One purpose for chugging downtown on his motorized wheelchair almost daily is to drive off drug pushers, Edenfield said.
"The kids today are getting into things they shouldn't," he said. "People are pushing them to try things they ought not to be doing. Ain't no sense in that garbage.
"I thought I'd better get down here and run them out of town," he said, referring to drug pushers.
If Edenfield's young fans are patient, he'll teach them the banjo.
"I grew up playing music," he said. "I like teaching kids music so they have something to do with their life.
"Maybe that'll inspire them to keep up the family traditions. If somebody don't do it, it's all going to go away. I guess I'll have to keep doing it."
LIVING BY THE BIBLE
Edenfield, who said he teaches children to live by the Bible — "Everything I do, I do through the old man upstairs" — narrows his creed to four things his father taught him:
•Don't lie
•Don't steal
•Don't disrespect people
•Don't judge anybody
Now that he has a motorized wheelchair, Edenfield said he plans to be on Main Street every day he can.
And when he's there, he'll be pluckin' his banjo and teaching the basics to his young fans.
"The good Lord gave me the talent to play this ol' thing," he said, holding up his beloved banjo. "I figured if he gave it to me free, I'm not going to charge the kids to learn it."
And his music will continue to be heard on Main Street.
"I guess I'll keep doing it 'til they have to roll me in a hole," he said. "And I'll still be pluckin' when I go."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Downtown Crestview banjo player returns after 8-month absence (VIDEO)