Van Colbert was born in Willow Springs on February 7, 1955 in the cab of a pickup truck; the third of eight children (seven boys and one girl) to Joseph Trueth Colbert and Vernerica May Easley Colbert.

Van got his first banjo for Christmas when he was thirteen; an old silvertone his dad bought at Nicks pawn shop in West Plains, Missouri for forty dollars. “Dad taught me a few chords in standard C twining and a two finger roll”. The first tune Van learned was Green Corn. Hearing Grandpa Jones at a show in West Plains when Van was seventeen inspired him to learn claw hammer style. Van’s father and brothers played music together all through childhood. Van still plays in a string band with his brothers, The Colbert Brothers Stringband, at small festivals locally and statewide.  He is a member of the Davis Creek Rounders and performed on the Winter’s Bone soundtrack and is a member of  Blackberry Winter.

Van was a founding member of the Bolshevik Brothers Stringband along with Bohemian Bob and Little Leon Trotsky (?).

Van was awarded Masters Status by the Missouri Folk Arts program 3 years, and taught old-time banjo in their Traditional Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program.

“I love to sing and play and will as long as I walk upon this planet. God willing.”