Bluegrass Bios

Troy, Leroy

LEROY TROY From Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Real name: Troy Lee Boswell. Performs in the style of his hero, Uncle Dave Macon. A National Old Time Banjo Champion. Began playing at age 12 1982, worked with the Bailes Brothers, playing bass.

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Lilly Brothers, The

THE LILLY BROTHERS From Boston, Massachusetts. Originally from Clear Creek, West Virginia. Two brothers: Everett and Michel (an odd spelling of “Michael” that was often mis-pronounced “Mitchell” so he went by “B” the first initial of his middle

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McPeak Brothers, The

THE MCPEAK BROTHERS From Wytheville, Virginia. Original band formed in 1963, with Udell, Larry and Dewey McPeak. Udell dropped out in 1966 and the youngest McPeak brother, Michael took his place. 1974, discovered by country music star Mel

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McGann, John

JOHN MCGANN From Boston; born in Morristown, New Jersey. Founding member of the Beacon Hillbillies, a Boston band (1991-1995). Plays guitar and mandolin. 1982, played with a band called Lost in the Shuffle. 1985, won the mandolin champion

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Thacker, Ernie

ERNIE THACKER (AND ROUTE 23) From Cleveland, Ohio. Lived in Haysi, Virginia (near Ralph Stanley’s hometown of McClure). 1988-1994, sang lead and played both mandolin and guitar with Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys. At age 13, had a

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Fogelberg, Dan

DAN FOGELBERG From Peoria, Illinois. A country-rock singer and guitarist who had numerous Gold and Platinum albums including Souvenirs (1974), Captured Angel (1975), Nether Lands (1977) and the Innocent Age (1981). Hit songs included “Leader of

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Shenandoah Blue

SHENANDOAH BLUE From Winchester, Virginia. Formed in 2002 by Scott Walker and Dave Probst. Walker (banjo) and Probst (mandolin) previously worked with Paul Adkins and the Borderline Band and Fastest Grass Alive. Probst (leader/mandolin) for

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Ladin, Evie

EVIE LADIN From Oakland, California (has also lived in New Jersey, Baltimore and Nigeria). Plays banjo (clawhammer style), sings, step-dances. Performs solo as well as with the San Francisco-based group The Stairwell Sisters. 2010, released

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Jenkins, Snuffy

DEWITT “SNUFFY” JENKINS Born 1908 in Harris, North Carolina. He is credited as being the first country musician to play banjo using the three-finger style which was later refined and popularized by Earl Scruggs. A humble man, he never wanted

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Tew, Keith

KEITH TEW (THE TEWS) From Hialeah, Florida. Moved to Nashville in 1998. Keith formerly performed with the Florida-based band, Highstrung. Also performed at Disney World with a group called The Big Thunder Mountain Boys. Keith’s first band:

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Find an Artist

This web site contains short profiles of the best-known bluegrass artists and bands.

Use the Search Band or Artist function located at the top of the sidebar on the right to find an artist by name.
Or, utilize the Artist List drop-down below the search function in the right sidebar to search by the first letter of their last name if an individual – or – the first letter of a band name.

Check Out These Artists

Trending Today

Chestnut Grove Quartet, The

THE CHESTNUT GROVE QUARTET From Washington County (southwestern), Virginia. Formed...

Smith, Tim

TIM SMITH From Kernersville, North Carolina. Began playing fiddle at...

Smoak, Jim

JIM SMOAK From Walterboro, South Carolina. Currently lives in Pekin,...

Access the Bluegrass Calendar

In the navigation at the top of the website, choose a month and then scroll through the days.

Programming Suggestions

Need some music for holidays and other special occasions? Look to the right, I where you’ll find the occasion and some song suggestions to meet your programming needs.

Some Background

A great big howdy to ya, I’m Wayne Rice, a bluegrass radio programmer from San Diego, California. I began compiling this material in 1988 for DJ’s like myself who want to at least sound knowledgeable about bluegrass music on the air. Originally I published Bluegrass Bios® in a three-ring binder and sold it to DJs around the country … but now it’s here on the web and it’s free! Use it for your show prep, or just enjoy learning more about the amazing artists who play and sing bluegrass music. If you find errors or wish to make a suggestion, please contact me. Thanks!