Vincent, Rhonda
RHONDA VINCENT From Kirksville, Missouri. Grew up performing with her family band, The Sally Mountain Show. She appeared on their weekly TV show and recorded 11 albums before embarking on a solo career. She began singing professionally and p
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Akeman, David ("Stringbean")
DAVID AKEMAN ("STRINGBEAN") Native of Annville, Kentucky. The first banjo player in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1942-1945). Played "clawhammer" style. Was replaced in Bill Monroe's band by Earl Scruggs. Nickname: "Stringbean" (or "The Ke
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Bluegrass Thoroughbreds, The
THE BLUEGRASS THOROUGHBREDS From Winchester, Kentucky. A family band featuring the Malicote Family: James, his wife Marcie, daughter Marcie Kaye. They work on a horse farm near Lexington, famous for the world's greatest thoroughbred, Man-o-Wa
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Nadolson, Mike
MIKE NADOLSON From Lake Elsinore, California (LA area). 1980, 1981 won the Four Corners Regional Flatpicking Championship in Wickenburg, Arizona. Has performed with several Southern California bands, including Shadow Mountain with Ron Bloc
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LowCountry Boil Bluegrass Band
LOWCOUNTRY BOIL BLUEGRASS BAND From Bluffton, South Carolina (the "lowcountry" of South Carolina, near Hilton Head). Formed in 1998 by members of a rock band called Daly Planet. They call their music "bluegrass on crack." A fusion of rock and
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Warner, Chris
CHRIS WARNER From Red Lion, Pennsylvania. 1967-1969, played banjo with Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys. Also played on Jimmy's 1978 album "Greatest Bluegrass Hits." 1969, had his own regional band and filled in with Bob Paisley, Seldom
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Phillips, Lewis
LEWIS PHILLIPS From Lincolnton, Georgia. Son of Earl and Janis Phillips (Janis was a member of the gospel singing group, The Lewis Family,). 1972, at age two began touring with the Lewis Family. At age six, played banjo on a Carol Burnett C
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Abeels, The
THE ABEELS A family band from Disputanta, Virginia. Band included Jack and Anne Abeel and their two daughters Amanda and Charity. Jack and Anne are graphic artists who met in art school. 1995, released their first album Snowflakes & Dia
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Slocan Ramblers, The
THE SLOCAN RAMBLERS From Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Members: Frank Evans (banjo), Adrian Gross (mandolin), Darryl Poulsen (guitar) and Alastair Whitehead (bass). 2014, released debut album Shaking Down the Acorns (no label). 2015, relea
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Smith, Valerie
VALERIE SMITH (AND LIBERTY PIKE) From Holt, Missouri. Lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Began performing at age 11 at the Gas Station Garage in her hometown. While in high school, she performed on shows with Vince Gill, John McEuen and Vern G
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Dowdy Brothers, The
THE DOWDY BROTHERS From Catawba, Virginia. Formed in 2019 by Steven Dowdy (bass) and Donald Dowdy (mandolin). Their father Victor Dowdy was one half of the Bluegrass Brothers (with their uncle Robert Dowdy). Steven and Donald performed with the Bluegrass Brothers before starting their own band. Other band members include Tommy Conner (guitar), Mason Fisher […]Read More »Bibelhauser, Aaron
AARON BIBELHAUSER From Louisville, Kentucky. Name is pronounced “Bee-bull-how-zer.” A singer/songwriter/guitarist who has written songs recorded by Balsam Range, Del McCoury, Michael Cleveland, Dale Ann Bradley and other bluegrass artists. He and his twin brother Adam have a Kentucky band called Relic. He is a past winner of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (at Merlefest). […]Read More »JigJam
JIGJAM From Central Ireland (Tullamore, which is about halfway between Dublin on the east coast and Galway on the west coast). Formed in 2013 by Jamie Keogh (guitar/tenor banjo), Daithi Nelia (5-string banjo/guitar), Cathal Guinan (bass/fiddle), Gavin Strappe (mandolin/tenor banjo). They call their music I-Grass (short for Irish Bluegrass). 2014, released first album “Oh Boy” […]Read More »Daugherty, Caleb
THE CALEB DAUGHERTY BAND From Connersville, Indiana. Began singing and playing guitar at age 7. 2016, appeared with Rhonda Vincent on the Grand Ole Opry. 2017, released self-titled country album (KDM). 2019, released Burnt the Sawmill Downalbum (KDM) with his bluegrass band The Caleb Daugherty Band: Zion Napier (mandolin), Kyle Clerkin (banjo), Zach Collier (bass), […]Read More »Faris, Rick
RICK FARIS From Topeka, Kansas (since 1991). He was born in Illinois, grew up in Arkansas and Missouri. 1998, began playing music professionally at age 7 with his family band The Faris Family. His first instrument is guitar, but he plays all the bluegrass instruments at a professional level. 2009, joined Special Consensus, playing mandolin. […]Read More »Find an artist
This web site contains short profiles of the best known bluegrass artists and bands. Click on the A to Z listing above and scroll to the artist you are looking for.
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
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 DJ’s 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!