David Akeman (June 17, 1915[1] – November 10, 1973)[2] better known as Stringbean (or String Bean), was an American singer-songwriter, musician, comedian, and semiprofessional baseball player[3] best known for his role as a main cast member on the hit television show Hee Haw and as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Akeman was well known for his "old-fashioned" banjo-picking style, careful mix of comedy and music, and his memorable stage wardrobe (which consisted of a long nightshirt tucked into a pair of short blue jeans belted around his knees — giving him the comical appearance of a very tall man with stubby legs).

[5] Akeman began playing at local dances and gained a reputation as a musician, but the income was not enough to live on.

During an early appearance, Martin forgot Akeman's name and introduced him as "String Bean" because of his tall, thin build.

He also teamed with Willie Egbert Westbrook as String Beans and Cousin Wilbur, a comedy duo who appeared on the same bill as Monroe's band.

[5] The same year, he formed a comedy duet with Willie Egbert Westbrook,[5] and they were invited to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.

[5] He adopted a stage costume that accentuated his height—a shirt with an exceptionally long waist and tail, tucked into a pair of short blue jeans belted around his knees.

In addition to his skill as a clawhammer player, Akeman also frequently played two-finger banjo, using thumb and forefinger.

Akeman is listed with Uncle Dave Macon, Grandpa Jones, and Ralph Stanley as the greatest old-time style banjo pickers.

Accustomed to the hard times of the Great Depression, Akeman and his wife Estell lived frugally in a small cabin at 2308 Baker Road, near Ridgetop, Tennessee.

[5] Gossip around Nashville was that Akeman kept large amounts of cash on hand, though he was by no means wealthy by entertainment industry standards.

On Saturday night, November 10, 1973, Akeman and his wife returned home after he performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

According to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, "Upon their return, Mr. Akeman spotted the intruders in his home and evidently offered some resistance.

Marvin Brown died of natural causes in 2003, at the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tennessee, and he is buried in the prison cemetery.

[13] Bluegrass artist Sam Bush recorded "The Ballad of Stringbean and Estelle", which tells the story of their murders, for his 2009 album Circles Around Me.