His friend Dave Matthews lent a hand on Barnes' latest album Credit: king tv Danny Barnes has been playing the banjo for 50 years. In 2020 he received his first Grammy nomination Author: Saint Bryan Updated: 6:00 PM PDT April 9, 2021 PORT LUDLOW, Wash. — Danny Barnes had already been up a few hours, meditating in the dark, when I met him and his rat terrier Lewis taking a walk on a beach at sunrise. This is the banjo master’s favorite time of the day. “They call it the ambrosial hours,” he says. “Right before the sun comes up when the night mixes with the day. I find it to be a very creative time and an energizing time and a beautiful time.”