He is best known as leader of the Lonesome River Band and for his solo recordings, music instruction, and session work.

[3] When Shelor was four years old, growing up in southwestern Virginia, his grandfather fashioned a banjo for him from an old pressure cooker lid.

[2][4] Sam met the challenge, his grandfather bought him a Ventura banjo, and by age 10 Shelor was performing in local bands.

[2] Shelor became a full time professional musician when he joined Richmond, Virginia-based The Heights Of Grass at age 19.

Guest artists included Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Alan O'Bryant.