Dick-Olds, Bethany

Dick-Olds, Bethany

BETHANY DICK (BETHANY DICK-OLDS) From Belgrade, Montana. Lives in Nashville. A singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist specializing in bluegrass, country and contemporary Christian music. Began playing fiddle at age 14. 1997, won t

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Ewing, Tom

Ewing, Tom

TOM EWING From Columbus, Ohio. Lives in Gallatin, Tennessee. Was the final lead singer and guitarist with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys (from 1986-1988 and also 1989-1996). He appeared on Monroe’s last three albums including Southern Fl

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Lowell, John

Lowell, John

JOHN LOWELL From Livingston, Montana.He is a singer/songwriter who has been a member of numerous bands: Medicine Wheel, Wheel Hoss, Deep River, Kane’s River, Loose Ties, the Growling Old Men (with Ben Winship), the John Lowell Band (a European

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Ida Clare

Ida Clare

IDA CLARE From Louisville, Kentucky. Formed in 2014 by Lea Cockrell (guitar/vocals) at her coffee shop, calling themselves “Total Strangers.” Other members: Robin Thixton (banjo), Jim Wheatley (Mandolin) and Mark Miller (Bass) 2017, they

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Hancock, Arthur

Hancock, Arthur

ARTHUR HANCOCK From Paris, Kentucky. Breeds and raises race horses in Kentucky. His “Stone Farm” produced Sunday Silence, winner of the 1989 Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Breeder’s Cup Races. Has played bluegrass since age 11. A

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Harper, Jamie

Harper, Jamie

JAMIE HARPER From Mocksville, North Carolina. He plays all the bluegrass instruments but is best known as a fiddle player. Began performing professionally at age 18. He has worked with Michelle Nixon and Drive, Donna Hughes, Carrie Hassler an

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Saffell, Tom

Saffell, Tom

TOM SAFFELL From Nashville (Antioch), Tennessee. Mid-1990’s, was the banjo player with the Jim Buchanon System, the Bob Smiley Band. Also performs as a solo artist. “A cross between Bela Fleck and Alison Brown” –Bluegrass Unlimited. Plays

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Brush Arbor

Brush Arbor

BRUSH ARBOR From San Diego, California. Had success in the early 1970’s with several top-40 country songs like “Proud Mary” and “Brush Arbor Meeting” (Capitol Records). 1973, they were voted “Vocal Group of the Year” and “Touring Band of the

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Marksmen Quartet, The

Marksmen Quartet, The

THE MARKSMEN QUARTET From Murrayville, Georgia. A gospel quartet that formed in the early 1970’s. Members: Earle Wheeler (bass), his son Mark Wheeler (guitar/banjo), Darrin Chambers (guitar/Dobro™), Tommy Dutton (mandolin.) 1991, won

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Slaughter, Shannon (and Heather)

Slaughter, Shannon (and Heather)

SHANNON SLAUGHTER From Chiefland, Florida. 1992, began professional career playing guitar with the Lost and Found. 1992-1995, joined the Larry Stephenson Band. 2005-2007, joined the Lonesome River Band. 2007, joined Lou Reid and Caro

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Find an Artist

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

  1. Use the Search Band or Artist function located at the top of the sidebar on the right to find an artist by name.
  2. 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

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!