Williams, Jeannette
JEANNETTE WILLIAMS From Danville, Virginia. Formed a group in 1989 called Clearwater. The band name was changed in 1996 to Jeannette Williams and Clearwater. For most of her career, she has performed with her husband Johnny, an accomplishe
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Curly Dan and Wilma Ann
CURLY DAN AND WILMA ANN Originally from Clay, West Virginia. Moved to Detroit, Michigan and performed there for most of their career. Later moved to Hazel Park, Michigan. Real names: Denslie and Wilma Ann Holcomb. They were married in 1942. 1
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Galyean, Mickey (and Cullen’s Bridge)
MICKEY GALYEAN AND CULLEN’S BRIDGE From Low Gap, North Carolina. Galyean (pronouned Galleon, like the ship) is the son of Cullen Galyean, a legendary bluegrass musician from North Carolina. The band is named after him. Formed in 2010 by Mickey Galye
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Mooney, Frances
FRANCES MOONEY From Northern Georgia 1975, played bass in The Bluegrass Generation,” a Louisville, Kentucky band. 1978, formed Cherokee Rose, an all-female bluegrass band. 1981, formed Indian Summer, an award-winning band which toured C
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Driessen, Casey
CASEY DRIESSEN From Chicago, Illinois. Started playing fiddle at age 6. Attended Berklee College of Music; taught by Matt Glaser. 1999, toured with Steve Earle and the Bluegrass Dukes. 2000, moved to Nashville. Has worked there with Tim O
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Here Today
HERE TODAY A “project band” featuring Vince Gill, Herb Pederson, David Grisman, Jim Buchanan and Emory Gordy, Jr. Formed in January 1982 and recorded one album Here Today (Sugar Hill Records). .
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Stuart, Marty
MARTY STUART From Philadelphia, Mississippi. Full name: John Martin Stuart. He was nicknamed Marty after country music legend Marty Robbins. Began in career in music working with fellow Mississippian Carl Jackson in the bluegrass gospel group
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Gentlemen of Bluegrass, The
THE GENTLEMEN OF BLUEGRASS From North Carolina. Band members: Danny Stanley (lead vocals/guitar), Julian (JC) Rowland (mandolin), Tom Langdon (resonator guitar), Greg Penny (bass), and Randy Smith (banjo). They pattern their sound after The C
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Tashian, Barry and Holly
BARRY AND HOLLY TASHIAN From Nashville. A husband-and-wife duo who perform old-time country duets. 1964, Barry formed a rock band called Barry and the Remains, a successful group that opened for the Beatles final U.S. tour. Became friends w
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King, James
JAMES KING From Cana, Virginia. Lives in Amelia, Virginia at the foot of Fancy Gap Mountain. Started playing rock music at age 12. Was a big fan of Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Steppenwolf. Then at age 15, someone turned him
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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
Beacon Hillbillies, The
THE BEACON HILLBILLIES From Boston, Massachusetts. A string band formed...
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Bailey, James
JAMES BAILEY From Keysville, Virginia. 1974, 1976-1979, 1986-1988, played banjo...
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Martin, Benny
BENNY MARTIN From Sparta, Tennessee. Full name: Benny Edward Martin,...
Read MoreAccess 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!
