HAYWARD &045; Jordan Elleby was five when he first heard it, and he’s been hooked ever since.

On the way home from a softball game, his father popped in a Doug Dillard tape. Dillard had a banjo on lead in most of the songs, and Elleby was entranced.

&uot;Ever since then, I wanted to play banjo,&uot; said Elleby, 13.

The Hayward banjo player has made a name for himself in Southern Minnesota, playing fairs, concerts and banquets.

&uot;It seems like everywhere he plays, people come up to him afterward for his name and his card,&uot; said Mary Elleby, Jordan’s mother.

Five years ago, Jordan’s parents bought him a banjo, which he’d been begging for since he heard the Dillard tape. One year later, he was signed up for lessons. He has been practicing daily since.

Jordan’s dedication and talent helped get him hired last year by the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau to do shows in the area.

The young string picker is starting to travel through Iowa, Minnesota and elsewhere to play. His mother says his popularity keeps growing.

&uot;I never thought it would get like this this quickly,&uot; Mary said.

This summer, Jordan’s schedule has been packed.

&uot;He’s played one to four times per week with only two weeks off,&uot; Mary said. &uot;He loves it.&uot;

Jordan gets paid for most shows, but has done many fundraisers for free. Recently he played both Austin and Albert Lea’s Relay for Life events.

He plays a mix of bluegrass, country and folk songs. He also tells jokes, juggles and just recently began singing.

Mary says he’s a natural crowd pleaser.

&uot;He’s always been one of those kids people are just drawn to,&uot; she said.

But his personality is far beyond what most would expect from a 13-year-old. Jordan’s maturity is a surprise to most, including his mother.

&uot;In eighth grade he is already talking about job shadowing,&uot; she said. &uot;His dream is to be an entertainer and a college math professor.&uot;

He told his mother that his plan is to teach during the winters and tour during the summers.

&uot;We try to keep a grounded level with him,&uot; Mary said. &uot;We know he’s still a kid.&uot;

Jordan agrees.

He was asked this summer to go to Nashville to record an album with some experienced musicians. He took a rain check.

&uot;That’s probably in the near future,&uot; he said. &uot;But I still need to improve. There’s always room for improvement. I don’t think I’m good enough to cut a CD yet.&uot;

Maybe 2004, he said.

(Contact Peter Cox at peter.cox @albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)