DANNY PAISLEY (AND THE SOUTHERN GRASS) From Landenburg, Pennsylvania—about fifty miles southwest of Philadelphia. Danny’s father Bob Paisley formed the Southern Grass in 1979. Prior…
JOSHUA PALMER From Owls Hollow, Alabama. Plays mandolin with an Alabama group called Valley Road. He previously worked with a gospel group called Canaan’s Crossing.…
CADILLAC SKY From Fort Worth, TX Formed in 2002 by Bryan Simpson (mandolin, fiddle, lead vocals), Matt Menefee (banjo), Mike Jump (guitar), Clint Sturgeon (bass),…
G2 From Stockholm, Sweden. Formed in 2006 by Christoffer Olsson (guitar), Jens Koch (banjo), Erik Igelström (mandolin), Tobias Strömberg (Dobro™), and Jimmy Sunnebrandt (bass). 2007,…
CALIFORNIA Southern California-based band featuring Byron Berline, Dan Crary, John Moore, John Hickman and Steve Spurgin. Formed in 1991. They were formerly called B-C-H (Berline,…
JEFF PARKER From Renfro Valley, Kentucky. Began playing guitar at age six. Age 12, began performing with his family band Sounds of Gospel at the…
I DRAW SLOW From Dublin, Ireland. Formed in 2007. A celtic/Americana group featuring siblings Dave and Louise Holden (guitar, vocals), Adrian Hart (fiddle), Colin Derham…
LEROY MACK From Los Angeles, California. Given name: LeRoy McNees. Former Dobro™ player with the Kentucky Colonels (early 1960’s). He appeared on the Andy Griffith…
KATE MACKENZIE From Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born in Mason City, Iowa. Grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 1981-1995, performed with her band Stoney Lonesome. She made…
SHAWN CAMP From Perryville, Arkansas. A songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks (“Two Pina Coladas”), Brooks and Dunn (“How Long…
DAVID PARMLEY (AND CARDINAL TRADITION) From Nashville (White House, Tennessee), but grew up in Los Angeles, California. 1974, began playing bluegrass professionally at age 17…
JIMMY CAMPBELL From Detroit, Michigan. 1987, moved to Nashville to play fiddle with Jim and Jesse. 1990, played fiddle with Bill Monroe and the Blue…
JOHNNY CAMPBELL AND THE BLUEGRASS DRIFTERS From Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Detroit. A third generation fiddler, he is brother to the late Jimmy Campbell, who…
APPALACHIAN SMOKE From the region where Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina converge. Formed in 2021 by BJ Taylor (mandolin), Jamie Mason (guitar), Kenneth Rymer (Dobro™/reso-guitar),…
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…
BOBBY MACKEY From Wilder, Kentucky (near Cincinnati). Since 1978, has owned a night club called “Bobby Mackey’s” where he performs and hosts other country acts.…
DON PARMLEY From Monticello, Kentucky. Also lived in California and Virginia. Began playing banjo at age 12. After learning the Scruggs style, he performed with…
WALDEN DAHL From Norco, California (LA area). Plays mandolin, guitar, fiddle. Songwriter: his songs have been recorded by Ralph Stanley and Alison Krauss (“So Long,…
RAGGED UNION From Golden, Colorado. Formed in 2013 by Geoff Union (guitar) and his wife Christina (vocals). Other band members: Jordan Ramsey (mandolin), Chris Elliott…
JONATHAN KAHN From Hollywood, California. He also goes by the name Jon David Kahn. He is not the same John Kahn who played bass with…
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…
SALAMANDER CROSSING From Northampton, Massachusetts. Play “Amphibious Bluegrass,” a blend of bluegrass, folk and rock. Formed in 1991 by Andrew Kinsey (guitar), Rani Arbo (fiddle),…
THE EARL BROTHERS Based in the San Francisco area (although band members are from Virginia, Florida and New York City.) Formed in 2000 by banjo…
RAILROAD EARTH From Stillwater, New Jersey. Formed in 2001 by Andy Groessling (banjo), Tim Carbone (fiddle), John Skehan (mandolin), Carey Harmon (percussion), Dave Von Dollen…
THE RAILROADERS From the Virginia-North Carolina-Kentucky-Maryland region. Formed in 2016 by four bluegrass music veterans: Shayne Bartley (mandolin), Darren Beachley (bass), Greg Luck (guitar) and…
DOLLY PARTON From Locust Ridge, Tennessee. Began her singing career at age 11. Moved to Nashville in 1964 after graduating from high school. Was introduced…
BACKLINE From Spartanburg, South Carolina. Formed in 2016 by Katelyn Ingardia (guitar/lead vocals), Travis Tucker (Dobro™), Louise Hughes (mandolin), Zachary Carter (banjo) and Jason Belue…
THE ABEELS From Disputanta, Virginia. A family band featuring Jack and Anne Abeel and their two daughters Amanda and Charity. Jack and Anne are graphic…
PAM GADD From Independence, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville. First band: “East of Denver” (in high school). 1983, joined the New Coon Creek Girls. 1987, formed…
HAGAR’S MOUNTAIN BOYS From Roxboro, North Carolina. Formed in 2006. Members: Ricky Stroud (mandolin), Blake Johnson (bass), Mike Johnson (guitar), Cliff Smith (banjo), David Nance…
TIM AND MOLLIE O’BRIEN From Wheeling, West Virginia. Brother and sister duo; have sung together since childhood. 1967, won a talent contest in Wheeling performing…
ALAN O’BRYANT From Reidsville, North Carolina. Lives in Pegram, Tennessee (near Nashville). Grew up with cousins Billy and Terry Smith who also lived in Reidsville.…
PHIL SALAZAR (AND THE KINFOLK) From Ventura, California. A veteran Southern California fiddler who has been a performer and studio musician since the early 1970’s.…
FRANK WAKEFIELD From Emory Gap, Tennessee, near Knoxville. Lives in Upstate New York. Full name: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield. Known for his technical virtuosity on…
JACKSON HOLLOW From British Columbia (Canada). A band featuring the lead vocals of Tianna Lefebvre. Other members of the group include Mike Sanyshyn (fiddle, mandolin),…
FAIRVIEW AVENUE From Albany, New York. Formed in 2006 by Scott and Elizabeth Hopkins (banjo/bass). Other members: Tony Califano (mandolin) and Morrie Safford (guitar), Brig…
THE RAILSPLITTERS From Boulder, Colorado. Formed in 2012 by Lauren Stovall (guitar/lead vocals), Dusty Rider (banjo), Peter Sharpe (mandolin), and Leslie Ziegler (bass). Ziegler was…
BRITTANY BAILEY From Junction City (near Eugene), Oregon. At age 12, performed on stage with Alison Krauss and Union Station. 1996, sang with an Oregon…
CARL JACKSON From Philadelphia, Mississippi. Lives in Nashville. Best known for his virtuosity on banjo and guitar, he is also a very successful vocalist, songwriter…
CALEB BAILEY From Grottoes, Virginia (Shenandoah Valley) Mid-2000’s, played in a band called Allegheny Blue. Grew up in a musical family. His great uncle played…
JERRY SALLEY From Chillicothe, Ohio. Lives in Nashville. Began his music career in Nashville working at Opryland USA doing impressions of country stars like Roy…
TIM LAKE From New York City. Lives in Lexington, Kentucky. Plays bluegrass, jazz, pop, country and rock, all on the banjo. 1991, earned his doctorate…
DAILEY & VINCENT From Nashville. Formed in 2007 by Jamie Dailey (a former member of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver) and Darrin Vincent (a former member…
GARY WALDREP BAND From Kilpatrick, Alabama. Formed in 1998. 1981-1989, Waldrep performed with the Warrior River Boys (plays banjo). 1989, helped form the Sand Mountain…
STEVE EARLE Born in Fort Monroe, Virginia; grew up in the San Antonio, Texas area. 1974, moved to Nashville to write songs. Mid-80’s, recorded for…
MARK O’CONNOR From Seattle, Washington. Has lived in Nashville and San Diego, California. Currently lives in New York City. He was a child prodigy. He…
CLIFF WALDRON From Northern Virginia; originally from Jolo, West Virginia. 1964-66, played with a group called the Page Valley Boys. 1967, began professional musical career…
BARRY ABERNATHY From Georgia. A banjo player with a remarkable ability to play Scruggs-style banjo despite a birth defect which left him with no fingers…
ROSE MADDOX From Boaz, Alabama. Full name: Roselea Arbana Maddox. Moved with her family to California in 1933 in search of a better life. They…
LAKESIDE From Madisonville, Tennessee. Began as a family band in 1995 called The Gospel Bluegrass Boys. In 2007, after some band member changes, the name…
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,…
MISSY RAINES From Short Gap, West Virginia. Lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Real name: Melissa Kay Raines Surratt (also plays a Kay bass!) Has played bass…
THE EARLS OF LEICESTER From Nashville, Tennessee. Pronounced “The Earls of Lester.” A bluegrass supergroup formed by Jerry Douglas to pay tribute to the music…
THE SALLY MOUNTAIN SHOW From Kirksville, Missouri. Stage name used by the Vincent family bluegrass band: Johnny Vincent (banjo), Carolyn (bass); sons Darrin and Brian…
ANDY FALCO Lives in Nashville. 1996-1999, played guitar and sang lead with The Water Street Blues Band (later WaterStreet) combining Blues, Funk, Jazz, R&B, Country,…
PATENT PENDING From the Washington, DC area. Formed in 1979 by Eldred Hill, Jim Steptoe, Rusty Williams, Leigh Taylor. 1980, began playing Wednesday nights at…
THE EAST COAST BLUEGRASS BAND From Virginia. Formed in 1985 to compete in the East Coast Bluegrass Band Championship in Crimora, Virginia. After winning the…
THE JACKTOWN RAMBLERS From Morganton, North Carolina. Formed in 2019 by Gabriel Wiseman (mandolin), Shanon Leasure (Guitar), Brett Setzer (banjo) and Mike Ramsey (bass). They…
JAKE LEG From Lyons, Colorado. Formed in the fall of 2021 by Eric Wiggs (vocals/guitar), Dylan McCarthy (mandolin/vocals), Justin Hoffenberg (fiddle) and Troy Robey (bass).…
EAST NASH GRASS From Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2017 as a pick-up band to play dates at Nashville’s Station Inn and eventually became a full-time…
TRISHA GAGNON From Chlliwack, BC, Canada. Sings and plays bass with John Reischmann and the Jaybirds. Formerly performed with a group called Tumbleweed. 2010, released…
BARBARA LAMB From Seattle, Washington. Played fiddle with the “cowgirl” band, Ranch Romance. Was Mark O’Connor’s first fiddle teacher. He was only eleven years old…
ROBERT HALE From Jolo, West Virginia Began performing at the age of 9, playing mandolin in his father’s band “Clayton Hale and the Bluegrass Mountaineers.”…
SALT AND LIGHT From Graham, North Carolina. A family band (the Moore Family) featuring siblings Kyndal (mandolin), Morgan (guitar), Parker (banjo), Daniel (fiddle), Norah (fiddle)…
BILL HALL (AND NORTHWIND BLUEGRASS) From North Scituate, Rhode Island. Full name: Roger William Hall. Played banjo in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with the…
JAMES BAILEY From Keysville, Virginia. 1974, 1976-1979, 1986-1988, played banjo with the Country Gentlemen. Has also worked with Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, U.S.…
BRADLEY WALKER From Athens, Alabama. Confined to a wheel chair since childhood, he was born with Muscular Dystrophy. Began singing as a child. At age…
SAM HILL From Portland, Oregon. Formed in 1993 by mandolinist Jeff Smith (originally from California) who wrote much of the band’s original material. 1995, released…
RICHARD BAILEY From Memphis. Lives in Nashville. First band: The Tennessee Gentlemen (Memphis). As a sideman, he has performed with Bill Monroe, Roland White, Vassar…
JESSIE BAKER From Martinsville, Indiana. Lives in Georgetown, Kentucky. At age 11, learned banjo and began performing with his brother Taylor (mandolin) as The Baker…
JACK SANBOWER (AND THE NO LEEWAY BAND) From Smithsburg, Maryland. Jack Sanbower played banjo with several Baltimore-Washington DC area bands, including CC and Company, Chestnut…
THE SAND MOUNTAIN BOYS Originally from Alabama; relocated to Milton, Florida. Formed in 1989. Sand Mountain is a large plateau in northeastern Alabama. For years,…
EDDIE SANDERS From McAlester, Oklahoma. A singer/songwriter, he played guitar for many years with a band called Signal Mountain. Bandmates included Shawn Camp, Tim and…
THE RAMBLING ROOKS (See BAND OF RUHKS) A part-time band formed in 2012 by Ronnie Bowman (bass), Don Rigsby (mandolin) and Kenny Smith (guitar). 1995-2001,…
MERLE HAGGARD From Bakersfield, California. Not primarily known as a bluegrass artist, but recorded an album called “The Bluegrass Sessions” in 2007. Bluegrass legend Ronnie…
AMY GALLATIN (and STILLWATERS) From Glastonbury, Connecticut; grew up in Louisiana. 1993, moved to Connecticut and formed Stillwaters with Kevin Lynch and Matt Nozzolio. 1994,…
BEN JAMES From North Carolina; resides in Nashville. 2019, joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, singing high tenor vocals until Doyle’s retirement. 2021, joined Dailey &…
THE BAKER BOYS From Martinsville, Indiana. Features brothers Jessie (banjo) and Taylor (mandolin) Baker. Taylor is 2 years older than Jessie. Began performing in 2002…
TASTY LICKS From New England. Formed in 1975 by Jack Tottle (mandolin), Robin Kincaid (guitar), Paul Kahn (bass), Bela Fleck (banjo) and Stacy Phillips (Dobro™).…
TOMMY MAGNESS (AND HIS TENNESSEE BUDDIES) From Roanoke, Virginia. A fiddler who worked in the late 1930’s with Roy Hall and His Blue Ridge Entertainers…
THE CANA RAMBLERS From Cana, Virginia. A family band featuring three siblings: Will Jones (guitar), Laura Leigh Jones (mandolin), Ashley Jones (bass), dad Phillip Jones…
MAGNOLIA DRIVE From Hattiesburg, Mississippi Formed in 2010 by Don Robinson (banjo/guitar), Steve Nowell (bass), Mike Nowell (guitar) and Cory Burton (mandolin). Their name comes…
MO CANADA From Courtland, Virginia. Lives in Windsor, Virginia. Began playing guitar at age 13. Primary influences: Tony Rice, Jimmy Herring, Scott Miller, Bela Fleck,…
DEAN SAPP (AND THE HARFORD EXPRESS) From Aberdeen, Maryland. 1980, formed his band The Harford Express. Sapp’s uncle (Sonny Miller) played fiddle for Del McCoury.…
KENNY BAKER From Jenkins, Kentucky. During much of his career, he lived in Gallatin, Tennessee. 1957-1984, played fiddle with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass…
THE SAUCEMAN BROTHERS From Bright Hope, Tennessee (eastern Tennessee, near Greenville) Featured Carl and John Paul (J.P.) Sauceman. In the mid-forties, Carl had a band…
CHARLIE DANIELS From Wilmington, North Carolina. As a teenager, played mandolin and fiddle with a North Carolina bluegrass band called the Misty Mountain Boys. 1972,…
JOHN MAILANDER From San Diego, California. A graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Has played fiddle with Chris Stuart and BackCountry,…
KANE’S RIVER From Belgrade, Montana. Formed in 1995 as “Deep River” by John Lowell and Nancy Padilla, formerly with Wheel Hoss. Lowell also worked with…
CANDLEWYCK From Charlotte, North Carolina. A newgrass band formed in 1999 featuring Ty Bennett (guitar) and Chris Emerson (mandolin), who also perform together in a…
ZEKE SAUNDERS (AND THE BLADES OF GRASS) From Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Harold K. (“Zeke”) Saunders was a former pilot and Senior Vice President of Piedmont…
LAWRENCE LANE AND THE KENTUCKY GRASS From Columbus Ohio. Formed in 1973 by Lawrence Lane (guitar), Keith Lane (mandolin), Radford Vance (banjo) and Ray Sonaugle…
SHAWN LANE Born & raised in Fort Blackmore, Virginia. Lives in Walhalla, South Carolina. An original member of Blue Highway. Plays mandolin. 1990, worked with…
WADE MAINER From Weaverville, North Carolina. Lived most of his life in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A country music pioneer whose mountain string band music of…
CANE MILL ROAD From Deep Gap, North Carolina. Formed in 2015 by teens Liam Purcell (mandolin) and Tray Wellington (banjo) who are both from Deep…
LUBOS MALINA From the Czech Republic. Pronounced LEW-Bosch Ma-LEEN-a. He is the co-founder and banjo player for the Czech bluegrass band Druha Trava (Second Grass).…
ACOUSTIC BLUE From Springfield, Massachusetts. Formed in 2003. Band members: Corey Zink (mandolin), T. Shaun Batho (guitar), Larry Neu (banjo), Ray Evans (bass). 2012, released…
CANEY CREEK From Ohio. Formed in 2008 by Stacy Wilcox (banjo), Chris Smith (guitar) and Dave Prater (mandolin). In 2014, Joe Robinson (bass) joined the…
BUTCH BALDASSARI (See also WEARY HEARTS, NASHVILLE MANDOLIN ENSEMBLE) From Scranton, Pennsylvania. Lives in Nashville. A mandolinist who grew up listening to the music of…
MAN ABOUT A HORSE From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2014 by Matt Thomas (bass) and Matt “Roy” Royles (guitar). Other band members: Dan Whitener (banjo),…
CORY AND JARROD WALKER From Lithia, Florida (near Tampa) They are brothers who began performing together in their teens. Cory plays banjo, guitar and resonator…
MARTY FALLE From Nashville. He has lived in Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolina. He owns a farm in Kentucky. His name is pronounced “Falley”…
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…
THE RARELY HERD From Athens, Ohio. Formed in 1989 by Jeff Weaver (guitar) and Jim and Alan Stack (guitar and mandolin). Other original members: Dan…
RICK LANG From Kingston, New Hampshire. A singer/songwriter, known best for his gospel songs. His song “Listen to the Word of God” appeared on the…
COREY ZINK (ZINK & COMPANY) From Massachusetts; now lives in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 2003-2012, played mandolin with a Massachusetts band called Acoustic Blue. Left to…
THE LARKINS From Church Hill, Tennessee. A duo featuring sisters Shaunna (fiddle) and Tina (mandolin) Larkin. They began performing together as children in their family…
MANDOLIN ORANGE (WATCHHOUSE) From Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Formed in 2009 by Andrew Marlin (mandolin, guitar, banjo) and Emily Frantz (fiddle, guitar). They are married.…
JIM LAUDERDALE From Troutman, North Carolina. Lives in Nashville. A successful Nashville singer/songwriter who has written hits for Patty Loveless, Mark Chesnutt, Kathy Mattea, George…
MELONIE CANNON From Nashville. Born in Jackson, Tennessee. Daughter of legendary country music songwriter & producer Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Reba McIntyre, Mel Tillis, George…
LEE MARCUS From Westminster, South Carolina. Has played banjo with Mercy Tree, Legacy Drive, and Blue Streek. Blue Streek won first place at the Georgia…
LARRY WALLACE (THE LARRY WALLACE BAND) From Starkville, Mississippi Wallace played banjo with Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys for 10 years (1990-2000) 2002, formed the…
DAVID NANCE From Oak Ridge, North Carolina (lives in Reidsville, NC). Early in his career, he played Dobro™ with his father in a band called…
THE DAPPLED GRAYS From Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2001 by Michael Smith (mandolin) and Casey Cook (guitar). Won “Best Bluegrass Band” in Atlanta’s “Creative Loafing”…
BARRY BALES From Kingsport, Tennessee. A bass player who is best known for his tenure with Alison Krauss and Union Station (since 1990). He was…
SARA JAROSZ From Wimberley, Texas (near Austin). Began singing at two, playing piano at six, took up the mandolin at ten. She also plays plays…
CHAD DAROU From Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Began playing music at age 8. He is an elite Dobro™ (resonator guitar) player, but he plays all the bluegrass…
THE FAREWELL DRIFTERS From Nashville. Formed in 2006 by Zach Bevill (guitar), Joshua Britt (mandolin), Trevor Brandt (banjo), and Ryan Pennington (bass). They describe their…
WIL MARING From Waterloo, Iowa. Grew up in Makanda, Illinois. Given name: Lillian Maring (Wil is a nickname acquired in grade school). She has a…
THE CANTRELLS Husband-wife folk duo from Helena, Montana. Have sung together since 1983. Had a band called “The Tractors.” Emily is originally from Nankipoo, Tennessee;…
DENNIS CAPLINGER From Vista, California (near San Diego). Lives in Murietta, California (Riverside County). Since 1980, plays banjo and fiddle with John Moore in the…
SAWMILL ROAD Based in Carson City, NV. Formed in 2006 by Steve Spurgin (bass and lead vocals), Mark Miracle (mandolin), Dick Brown (banjo), Charles Edsall…
EAST VIRGINIA From Norfolk, Virginia. Formed in 1974 by brothers Art and Joe McDonough. The only bluegrass band to get its start in a barbershop.…
RAY CARDWELL AND TENNESSEE MOON From Springfield, Missouri. 1975, began singing with his family band The Cardwell Family (with his sisters Nancy and Susan). Nancy…
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…
JOHN CARLINI From Summit, New Jersey. Lives in Berkeley Heights, NJ. Banjo and guitar player who was at the forefront of the new acoustic music…
TIM LAUGHLIN From Bristol, Tennessee. Began playing guitar at age 8; switched to mandolin at age 11. Has worked with Larry Sparks, Hazel Dickens, Appalachian…
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.…
JEFF AND VIDA From Nashville (by way of New York City and New Orleans). 1997, Jeff Burke (mandolin) and Vida Wakeman (guitar) met in New…
JUSTIN CARBONE From Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Lives in Nashville. Plays both banjo and guitar. Got a banjo on his 12th birthday. 1998, formed a band…
TAD MARKS From Cooksville, Maryland. 1990-1992, played fiddle for the Del McCoury Band. 1992-1993, the Lynn Morris Band. 1994, the Kate McKenzie Band. 1995-1997, the…
MARTY MARRONE (AND TANGLED ROOTS) From St. Paul, Minnesota, originally from Pennsylvania. Marrone is a guitarist and singer who began playing bluegrass in high school.…
THE BALOS FAMILY From Buchanan, Michigan. A family of nine who travel the country singing and playing gospel music. Michael (dad on guitar) and Ramona…
BALSAM RANGE From Clyde, North Carolina. Formed in 2007 by Marc Pruett (banjo), Caleb Smith (guitar), Darren Nicholson (mandolin), Tim Surrett (bass and resonator guitar)…
CAROLINA BLUE From Brevard, North Carolina. Formed in 2007 after the release of the album “Nothing So Blue” (no label) by Bobby Powell (guitar) and…
PATHWAY From Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Formed in 2007 by three brothers: Mitchell (bass), Mark (banjo), and Scott (fiddle) Freeman. Also in the band: Mark’s…
ACOUSTIC ENDEAVORS Based in Jonesboro, Tennessee (later Nashville and most recently, Roanoke, Virginia) Formed in 1994 by Warren Amberson (bass) and Kelly Green (guitar). Amberson…
MIKE MARSHALL From the San Francisco Bay area. He is of Italian descent; his family name is Marciarelli, which was shortened to Marshall. 1979, was…
HERB PEDERSEN From Berkeley, California. Moved to Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley) in the 1960’s. Began career in Bay Area playing in a band called…
PENN CENTRAL From Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1981 by Mark Rickert (guitar) and Steve Huber (banjo). Other members of the band included Todd Clewell…
BENNY MARTIN From Sparta, Tennessee. Full name: Benny Edward Martin, Sr. John Hartford called him “The World’s Greatest Unknown Fiddle Player.” 1944, began musical career…
CHARLES SAWTELLE From Boulder Colorado. Played guitar for the group Hot Rize. After the group disbanded in 1990, he built “Rancho De Ville” a vintage…
ANDY HALL From Binghamton, New York. Lives now in Nashville. One of the top Dobro™ players in bluegrass music. Early musical career, was a member…
CLARENCE “TATER” TATE From Gate City, Virginia. A pioneering bluegrass fiddler. Began his career in country music in the late 40’s, and was introduced to…
CARPENTER AND MAY From Nashville. A duo featuring Fred Carpenter on fiddle (formerly with Tony Rice Unit, the Dillards, Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time)…
JEFF AND SHERI EASTER From Lincolnton, Georgia. Sheri is the daughter of Polly Lewis (Williamson) of the Lewis Family and Jeff is the son of…
THE DAUPHINAIS BROTHERS From Asheville, North Carolina. Originally from New Hampshire. Brothers Nick and Lucas Dauphinais (pronounced DAH-FIN-AE) are of French ancestry. Nick plays guitar,…
MATT WALLACE From Knoxville, Tennessee. Began playing bass at age 10. Has played bass with David Parmley and Continental Divide, Audie Blaylock and Redline, Pine…
TOM T. HALL From Olive Hill, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville. Nickname: “The Storyteller.” He is a member of the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Began…
EARL TAYLOR (AND THE STONEY MOUNTAIN BOYS) From Virginia. A legendary mandolin player and singer who for most of his career led a band called…
ROY ACUFF (AND THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN BOYS) From Maynardsville, Tennessee. Known as “The King of Country Music.” Originally called “The King of the Hillbillies.” A…
BEPPE GAMBETTA From Genoa, Italy. Now living in New Jersey. Beppe is pronounced Bay-pay. He was trained as a classical musician, but after hearing bluegrass,…
THE SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN BOYS From Monmouth (Willamette Valley), Oregon. Oregon’s “original bluegrass band.” Formed in 1970 by Steve Waller (mandolin) and Mike Eisler (banjo). Before…
THE SCHANKMAN TWINS From Calabasas, California (San Fernando Valley). A bluegrass/country duo featuring Identical twins Dana (banjo) and Lauren (fiddle). They both played the role…
LARRY PERKINS Originally from Grant County, Indiana. Lived for many years in Nashville (rented a house from Earl Scruggs). Currently lives in North Carolina. A…
OFF THE RAILS From Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2023 by Cory Chubb (guitar), Ben Hill (mandolin), Taylor Gerber (bass), Lucas White (guitar), Cody Bauer (fiddle),…
HAMILTON COUNTY RAMBLERS From Chattanooga, Tennessee (which is in Hamilton County). Members: James Boulware (fiddle), James Kee (mandolin), Josh Hixson (bass), Roy Curry (guitar), Jim…
AARON RAMSEY From Morganton, North Carolina. Began playing mandolin when he was 12 years old in a Gospel bluegrass band called Damascus Road. His father…
JOE CARR From Dallas, Texas. Lived and worked in Levelland, Texas. 1974, formed Texas band called Roanoke. 1977-1982, worked with The Country Gazette (with Alan…
THE CARROLL COUNTY RAMBLERS From Carroll County in north central Maryland. Formed in 1961 by husband and wife Leroy and Dottie Eyler. LeRoy died in…
THE DAVIDSON BROTHERS From Yinnar, Victoria, Australia (just east of Melbourne). Features brothers Hamish (banjo/fiddle) and Lachlan (mandolin/fiddle) Davidson. They began performing together as teenagers.…
KATHY KALLICK From the San Francisco Bay Area (She is originally from the Chicago area. Her Mom was a prominent folksinger there. She moved to…
MARK SCHATZ From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts (near Boston). Has also lived in Maryland, Nashville, Berkeley, California. Best known as one of…
RUSS CARSON From Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Plays banjo. 2009-10, worked with Gold Heart. 2010, joined Audie Blaylock and Redline. 2011, released solo project Last Chance on…
EDDY RAVEN From LaFayette, Louisiana. Real name: Edward Garvin Futch. In 1962 he changed his name to Eddy Raven when he released his first single…
BAND OF RUHKS From Nashville. Formed in 2013 as “The Rambling Rooks” by Ronnie Bowman (bass), Don Rigsby (mandolin) and Kenny Smith (guitar). The three…
DAVID NAIDITCH From Los Angeles, California. Has played harmonica around the L.A. area since the 1960’s (he taught harmonica at the famed Ash Grove). 2011,…
PETER SCHWIMMER From New York. Lived several years in Colorado before moving to Portland, Oregon. Has played with several bluegrass bands from New York to…
JASON CARTER From Greenup County, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville. While in high school, played guitar with a group called Idle Times. After high school, played…
THE BANKESTERS From Carbondale, Illinois. Began performing as a family band in 2004. The original band featured mom and dad Dorene (guitar) and Phil (guitar)…
THE BARBED WIRE CUTTERS From Bellingham, Washington. Members of the band: Korby Lenker (guitar), Bruce Shaw (mandolin), Adam Carp (banjo), Josh Brahinsky (fiddle) and Christopher…
JUNIOR BARBER From Plattsburgh, New York. He played drums and electric guitar in rock bands before eventually turning to the Dobro™ guitar. 1993-2002, worked for…
HAMMERTOWNE From East Kentucky. Formed in 2011 by Scott Tackett (guitar), father and son Dave and Chaston Carroll (guitar and mandolin), Brent Pack (banjo) and…
MICHAEL DAVES From Atlanta, Georgia. Lives in Brooklyn, New York. Pronounced DAVE’S (not Davis or Davies). Grew up in a musical family with bluegrass and…
THE CARTER FAMILY From Bristol, Tennessee. Original group: A.P. (Alvin Pleasant), Sara and Maybelle Carter. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.…
RANDY WALLER From Washington, D.C. Lives in Richmond, Virginia. Son of Charlie Waller (Country Gentlemen). When Randy was four years old, his father made a…
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…
MARTY RAYBON (AND FULL CIRCLE) From Tuscumbia, Alabama. Best known as the lead singer for the successful country band Shenandoah (1984-1997). 1991, won ACM Vocal…
JIMMY MARTIN (AND THE SUNNY MOUNTAIN BOYS) From Sneedville, Tennessee. Nicknames: “Mr. Good ‘n Country” and “The King of Bluegrass Music.” 1949, auditioned for Bill…
TIM CARTER (THE CARTER BROTHERS) From North Carolina; lives in Nashville. Plays banjo, mandolin and guitar. 1980, formed The Carter Brothers with his brother Danny,…
THE FARIS FAMILY From Ozawkie, Kansas. Band included Bob and Michelle Faris (banjo, fiddle and bass) and their four sons, James (fiddle and bass), Richard…
TOM OHMSEN From Salem, Virginia. A recording engineer/producer by occupation and owner of Flat Five Studios. He is also an accomplished mandolin player. Has worked…
BECKY SCHLEGEL From St. Paul, Minnesota. Began performing in high school in central South Dakota, performing at VFW and American Legion Halls. She also spent…
TUT TAYLOR Born in Possum Trot, Georgia. Lived in Milledgeville, Georgia. Moved to Nashville in 1970. Real name: Robert Arthur Taylor. He was nicknamed “Tut”…
BARRY SCOTT From Ellijay, Georgia. Began singing and playing bass with his family band (The Scott Family Band) at age 7. At age 11, he…
KATIE LAUR Native of Paris, Tennessee. Lived in Cincinnatti, Ohio. 1975, formed The Katie Laur Band. She was one of the first female lead singers…
JAMES REAMS (AND THE BARNSTORMERS) From southeast Kentucky. Moved to Brooklyn, New York and also has a home in Phoenix, Arizona. A guitarist and vocalist,…
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…
NASH STREET (HANALENA) From Starkville, Mississippi. Formed in 1996 as a kid band called The Goat Ropers. The group featured the vocals of sisters Hannah…
RICK FARIS Grew up in Arkansas (the Ozarks) and Kansas. Began playing music professionally at age 7 with his family band The Faris Family (1998).…
MAC MARTIN (AND THE DIXIE TRAVELERS) From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His first band: the Pike County Boys (1948). He played mandolin. His real name: William (Bill)…
DAVID BENEDICT From Cambridge, Massachusetts (originally from Clemson, South Carolina). 2013, graduated from Bryan College (Chattanooga, TN) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mandolin…
JOE K. WALSH From Portland, Maine. A mandolinist who has worked with The Gibson Brothers, Joy Kills Sorrow, Mr. Sun, Jonathan Edwards, Darol Anger, Scott…
BILLY PERRY From Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A banjo player who is a member of an Oklahoma band called Mountain Smoke. Vince Gill was also in…
MARTY WARBURTON (AND HOME GIRLS) From Las Vegas, Nevada. Plays banjo and guitar. Was a member of Dry & Dusty (with Butch Baldassari) and Sagegrass.…
RED RECTOR Originally from Marshall, North Carolina. Real name: William Eugene Rector. One of first mandolin players in bluegrass to have a style distinguishable from…
RYAN CAVANAUGH From North Carolina. A child prodigy, he began playing the banjo at age 5 and performed as a child with Doc Watson, Doug…
THE LAUREL CANYON RAMBLERS From Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1994 by Herb Pedersen and Bill Bryson (who worked together in the Desert Rose Band).…
EVAN WARD From Fountain City, Indiana. Began playing banjo at age 11. 2000, joined first band at age 12, an Ohio group called Simple Tymes.…
GANGSTAGRASS From Brooklyn, New York. Formed in 2006 by record-producer and guitarist Rench (Oscar Owens) who combined bluegrass with hip-hop to record the theme song…
DAVE YATES From Johnson City, Tennessee. A multi-instrumentalist who has performed on recordings by Merle Haggard, Tim Stafford, Rhonda Vincent, Adam Steffey, Barry Bales, John…
THE NASHVILLE BLUEGRASS BAND From Nashville, Tennessee. 1984, the band was formed by Alan O’Bryant (banjo) and Pat Enright (guitar). They put together the band…
CHRIS WARNER From Red Lion, Pennsylvania. 1966, played banjo with Del McCoury, who was a neighbor at the time. 1967-1969, joined Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain…
PERT NEAR SANDSTONE From Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Formed in 2004 along the sandstone bluffs of St. Paul, Minnesota by Justin Bruhn (bass), Kevin Kniebel (banjo),…
CEDAR HILL From Hillboro, Missouri (in the Missouri Ozarks). Formed in 1967 by Frank Ray and his uncle Richard Orchard. The original name of the…
JOHNNY WARREN AND CHARLIE CUSHMAN From Nashville, Tennessee. Warren (fiddle) is the son of former Foggy Mountain Boy Paul Warren. Cushman (banjo) is a celebrated…
BRAD DAVIS From Fort Worth, Texas. Began playing classical guitar at age 5. 1978, he and his brother formed a bluegrass band called Ten Degrees.…
JERRY GARCIA Founder and leader of the legendary rock group The Grateful Dead. 1962, played banjo with two bands—the Wild Wood Boys and Sleepy Hollow…
STEVE MARTIN From Los Angeles, California. Born in Waco, Texas; grew up in Garden Grove, California. He is an Emmy and Grammy-award winning comedian, writer,…
CHRIS DAVIS From Fairborn, Ohio. Lives in Russell, Kentucky. Learned to play and sing bluegrass in his family band featuring his father, his grandfather and…
JOHN LAWLESS From Roanoke, Virginia. Banjo player and founder (in 1994) of AcuTab Publishing Company, publisher of instrumental instruction books and recordings by well-known bluegrass…
THE FARM HANDS (BLUEGRASS QUARTET) From Nashville, Tennessee. Formed in 2011 by Daryl Mosely (bass), Tim Graves (Dobro™), Bennie Boling (banjo) and Kevin Williamson (guitar).…
WAYNE TAYLOR (SEE ALSO BLUE HIGHWAY) From Richmond, Virginia. Grew up in Ohio. Late 80’s, early 90’s, worked with several East Tennessee bands: The Richlands…
CEDAR HILL From Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1976. They perform primarily in Atlanta’s night club district, with a high energy bluegrass, comedy and variety show.…
DARRELL SCOTT Born in London, Kentucky. Grew up in the Chicago area. Lives in Nashville. A successful songwriter: “Long Time Gone” and “Heartbreak Town” (Dixie…
TIM MARTIN From Collinsville, Virginia. Was born in Roanoke. 1968, (at age 10), joined Dennis Hall and the Hilltoppers, playing banjo. 1971 (at age 13),…
TAMMY FASSAERT From Vancouver, B.C., Canada. A singer/songwriter who plays guitar and bass. 1988-1990, worked with Laurie Lewis and Grant Street. 1989, formed “Tammy and…
MIKE SCOTT From Wautaga, Tennessee. Lives in Gallatin, Tennessee. 1972-1973, formed his first band at the age of 10, the Rocky Mountain Boys. 1974-1977, played…
STEVE KAUFMAN From New York City. Lives in Maryville, Tennessee. Three-time winner of National Flatpick Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas (1978, 1984, 1986). Writes guitar…
TOM NEAL From Hampstead, Maryland. A banjo player who has worked with Del McCoury, Bill Harrell, Cliff Waldron, Gary Ferguson, Leon Morris, and The Carroll…
FAST TRACK From Nashville. Formed in 2019 upon the retirement of David Parmley. His band Cardinal Tradition continued on without him, taking the new name…
THE SCOTTSVILLE SQUIRREL BARKERS From San Diego, California. Included Chris Hillman (who was still in high school), Larry Murray, Kenny Wertz, Ed Douglas and Gary…
RED CAMEL COLLECTIVE From Walnut Cove, North Carolina. Formed in 2023 by Tony Mabe (banjo), Heather Berry Mabe (guitar/lead vocals), Johnathan Dillon (mandolin) and Curt…
THE RED CLAY RAMBLERS Formed in 1972 by Jim Watson (guitar), Tommy Thompson (banjo) and Bill Hicks (fiddle). Known as “America’s Favorite Whatzit Band.” They…
PAUL WARREN From Hickman County, Tennessee. 1938, began playing fiddle professionally with Johnny Wright and His Tennessee Hillbillies. 1942, joined the Army and during WWII,…
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CHAIN STATION From Denver, Colorado Formed in 2006 by Alex Thoele (guitar) and Jon Pickett (guitar) in Estes Park, Colorado. They were later joined by…
HAND PICKED BLUEGRASS From Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Band Members: Joe Cronick (mandolin, guitar, banjo), Sue Cronick (guitar, fiddle), Brian Cate (bass), Robin Mileham (bass). Cronick is…
TINA ADAIR (THE ADAIRS, BLUEGRASS EDITION) From Haleyville, Alabama. Began singing at age 3 in her family band, Bluegrass Edition. They also recorded under the…
JACK LAWRENCE A guitarist from Charlotte, North Carolina. Lives in Harrisburg, North Carolina. 1970, got his first professional job with Carl Story. 1971, joined the…
JERUSALEM RIDGE From Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). Formed in 1989, they were once known as “The Undisputed Western Canadian Champions of Bluegrass.” 1991, released “North Wind”…
TOM HANWAY From Larchmont, New York. Currently lives in Ireland. Began performing at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA in the early 1980’s. He was studying…
BUBBA CHANDLER Grew up in Alabama and Missouri, then moved to Virginia. Now lives in Hardy, Virginia. 1979-1983, played guitar with the Lost and Found.…
CHRISTIAN DAVIS From Nashville, Tennessee. He is primarily known as a bass singer, perhaps the first full-time bass singer in bluegrass music. 1998, began singing…
NICK CHANDLER AND DELIVERED From Weaverville, North Carolina. 2003, played mandolin in a band with Bobby Hicks (shortly after Bobby left Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky…
CARSON PETERS (AND IRON MOUNTAIN) From Piney Flats, Tennessee. Began playing fiddle at age 3. 2011, at age 8 made an appearance on The Tonight…
RED JUNE (See also Zoe and Cloyd) From Asheville, North Carolina. Formed in 2008 by Will Straughan (Dobro™ and guitar), Natalya Zoe Weinstein (fiddle), and…
JEFF SCROGGINS (AND COLORADO) From Oklahoma. Has also lived in Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas and Canada (British Columbia). Grew up playing rock guitar in several…
DOYLE LAWSON (AND QUICKSILVER) From Kingsport, Tennessee. Lives in Bristol, Tennessee. His father was in an acapella gospel group called the Clinch Mountain Quartet. 1963,…
SLAVEK HANZLIK From Prague, Czechoslavakia (Czech Republic). Lives in Canada. Learned guitar as a child listening to smuggled-in Doc Watson albums. Defected to the United…
EARL SCRUGGS From Shelby, North Carolina. Lived in Madison, Tennessee for most of his life. Full name: Earl Eugene Scruggs. He is credited with being…
RED MOLLY From New York City. A female vocal trio specializing in folk/Americana with a bluegrassy feel (lots of Dobro™, occasional banjo). Formed in 2004…
TRAVERS CHANDLER AND AVERY COUNTY From Baltimore, Maryland. Chandler was born in Roxboro, North Carolina. Chandler plays mandolin and sings lead. Before forming Avery County…
JEFF BARBRA AND SARAH PIRKLE From Walland, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. A husband and wife duo who perform primarily acoustic or Americana music…
MARO KAWABATA From Kyoto, Japan. At age 12, saw Bill Monroe on Japanese TV. Learned guitar and formed “The Riverside Brothers” with his brother Takaharu.…
WAYNE TAYLOR (AND APPALOOSA) From Conover, North Carolina. Began playing guitar at age 9. 1971-1973, first bluegrass band was called East Maiden Express. 1974-1978, his…
SARAH CHAPMAN From Northeast Alabama. Began singing as a young teen, received her first guitar at age 16. 2018, moved to Nashville at age 20.…
THE GILLIS BROTHERS (AND HARD DRIVING BLUEGRASS) From Soperton, Georgia. Call their music “Mountain Style Bluegrass from the Georgia Swamplands.” Brothers: Larry (banjo) and John…
RUSS BARENBERG From southeast Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Moved to Nashville in 1986. Guitarist who plays bluegrass laced with jazz, folk, cajun, celtic, carribean and latin…
RED WINE From Genoa, Italy. Formed in 1978. One of Europe’s first professional bluegrass bands. Guitarist Beppe Gambetta was a founding member of this band.…
CURLY SECKLER From China Grove, North Carolina.. Real name: John Ray Sechler. First band: The Yodeling Rangers, with his brothers (1935). 1939, was one of…
GLENN LAWSON From Spencer County, Kentucky 1972, played guitar with the Bluegrass Alliance. 1975, played guitar and sang lead with J.D. Crowe and the New…
THE SELDOM SCENE From Washington, D.C. Formed in 1971 by John Duffey (mandolin), John Starling (guitar and lead vocals), Ben Eldridge (banjo), Mike Auldridge (Dobro™),…
FELLER AND HILL (AND THE BLUEGRASS BUCKAROOS) From Southern Indiana/Northern Kentucky. Formed in 2010. Describe their sound as “Buck Owens and Don Rich sing the…
JASON BARIE From Tampa, Florida. Lives in Portland, Tennessee. Began playing fiddle at age 10. 6-time winner of the Florida State Fiddle Championship. 2002-7, worked…
HARD RYDE From Ontario, Canada Formed in 1997. Members: Doug DeBoer (guitar), Sally Ryba (banjo), Nick McDonald (mandolin), Nancy MacLellan (bass), Wayne Ferguson (fiddle). Have…
RICKY WASSON From Clay City, Kentucky. Began playing bluegrass when he was four years old. He says that he never knew there was any other…
RED, WHITE AND BLUE(GRASS) Originally from Birmingham, Alabama. Worked for many years in Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1970 by Ginger Boatwright (vocals), Grant Boatwright (guitar),…
DAVID PETERSON (AND 1946) From Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Easton, Massachusetts. A historian of bluegrass and country music and has performed with several bluegrass bands…
LINDA LAY (AND SPRINGFIELD EXIT) From Stephens City, Virginia. 1984-2001, she was lead singer and bassist with the group Appalachian Trail. She also performed under…
THE DAUGHTERS OF BLUEGRASS The brainchild of Lorraine Jordan and Gena Britt, who decided in 2001 to record an album featuring many of the top…
GAIL DAVIES From Nashville, Tennessee. (Born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.). Began performing at age 9 in a family band. Late sixties, moved to Los Angeles…
MARY AND MARS From Santa Fe, New Mexico. An acoustic trio formed in 2002 to explore the outer limits of bluegrass. They played everything from…
JEREMY GARRETT From Idaho. Began his musical career playing fiddle with his father Glen (guitar) in a group called The Grasshoppers. Honi Deaton (then Honi…
TAYLOR’S GROVE From Kennebunk, Maine. A gospel and mountain music duo featuring veteran country singer Mac McHale and gospel singer Carolyn Hutton. They alternate on…
TATIANA HARGREAVES From Corvallis, Oregon. 2008, won first place at the Oregon State Old Time Fiddler’s contest, the youngest winner in the contest’s history (age…
JIM GAUDET AND THE RAILROAD BOYS From Albany, New York. A flat-pick guitarist, best known as a singer/songwriter. Began playing bluegrass (mandolin) with a New…
BULL HARMAN From Florissant, Missouri. (Originally from Alton, Illinois.) Began playing guitar at age 12. With his brother and sister formed “The Harman Trio,” recording…
ALLEN WATKINS From Alabama. 1976, formed the Homemade String Band at age 16. Won the North Alabama Banjo Championship. 1978, joined the Front Porch String…
THE CHAPMANS From Springfield, Missouri. (Originally from Denver, Colorado) Formed in 1989 by Bill and Patti Chapman (dad and mom) and three sons, John, Jeremy…
FERGUSON AND FERGUSON From Fredericksburg, Virginia and Littlestown, Pennsylvania. Both members of this duo are named Gary Ferguson. They are not related. Gary Ferguson (Virginia)…
THE BARONS OF BLUEGRASS See Walter Hensley.
BRANDON LEE ADAMS From Charleston, West Virginia. Lives in Webbville, Kentucky. A flat-pick guitarist, singer and songwriter who began playing at age 8 in church.…
DALTON HARPER From Bunker, Missouri. He is a singer, guitarist and songwriter who grew up performing with his family group The Harper Family. 2019, joined…
FRANK NECESSARY From Ruckersville, Virginia. He was born in Boone’s Camp, Kentucky and worked in the Baltimore/Washington DC area as well as in Ohio. Played…
LARRY KEEL (AND NATURAL BRIDGE) From Glasgow, Virginia. Keel is a 2-time winner of the Telluride Flatpick Guitar Championship (1993, 1995). Early days: had a…
TENNESSEE BLUEGRASS BAND From east Tennessee. Formed in 2020 by Aynsley Porchak (fiddle), Lincoln Hensley (banjo), John Meador (guitar), Gracie Meador (bass) and Tim Laughlin…
THE MASHVILLE BRIGADE From Nashville. Formed in 2007. Like the Sidemen before them, this group was formed to perform at Nashville’s Station Inn on Tuesday…
DOC WATSON From Deep Gap, North Carolina. One of America’s best known folk singers and flat-pick guitarists. Real name: Arthel Lane Watson. 1960, he was…
THE HARPER FAMILY From Bunker, Missouri. A gospel family bluegrass band featuring Gaylon and Katrina Harper (banjo and bass) and their three children Dalton (guitar),…
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…
JIMMY GAUDREAU From Rhode Island. Mandolinist who in 1969 replaced John Duffey in the Country Gentlemen. Other bands: Eddie Adcock and the IInd Generation, J.D.…
THE TENNESSEE GENTLEMEN From Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1967 by mandolinist Troy Castleberry, a Memphis fireman. For 10 years, the group practiced and performed every…
JIM WATSON From North Carolina. A founding member of the Red Clay Ramblers. 1988, joined Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group, playing bass.…
BILL HARRELL From Marion, Virginia. Lived in Davidsonville, Maryland for many years. Began performing in the 1950’s. Formed his band The Virginians in the early…
DAVID DAVIS AND THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS A traditional bluegrass band from Cullman, Alabama. Davis’s father and grandfather were both musicians, and his uncle Cleo…
MICHAEL RENO HARRELL From East Tennessee (lives in North Carolina) A successful songwriter: has had songs recorded by Doug Stone, Perfect Stranger, others. Founding member…
DANNY BARNES See also THE BAD LIVERS. From Temple, Texas (between Dallas and Austin). Now lives in Washington State (Seattle/Puget Sound). A banjo virtuoso, he…
KATHY MATTEA From South Charleston, West Virginia. Lives in Nashville. 1976, while a student at WVU, she was a member of a bluegrass band called…
ALAN SENAUKE Guitarist and singer from Berkeley, California. Former editor of the Folk Music magazine “Sing Out!” 1978, formed a duo with Howie Tarnower (mandolin)…
MICHAEL BARNETT From Nashville, Tennessee. Learned to play violin at age 4. At age 15, joined Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys, playing fiddle. That…
JASON DAVIS From Ford, Virginia. Lives in Galax, Virginia. Began playing banjo professionally while still in high school. First bands: Michelle Nixon and Drive, Blue…
JIMMY MATTINGLY From Leitchfield, Kentucky. 1981, won the Grand Masters fiddle championship. 1981, joined Spectrum. Early 80’s, worked with the Forrester Sisters and Steve Wariner.…
SERENE GREEN From Pennsylvania. Formed in 2017 by Quentin Fisher (mandolin), Michael Johnson (guitar), Shane McGeehan (bass), and Steve Leonard (banjo). They play traditional bluegrass…
TREVOR WATSON From southwest Virginia. Plays banjo with Shannon Slaughter. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he became a cast member at the Carolina Opry (Myrtle…
THE BARTLEY BROTHERS (RICK AND SHAYNE) From Georgetown, Kentucky. Formed in 2010 by brothers Rick (banjo, mandolin, guitar) and Shayne (mandolin, guitar). Rick has worked…
GARY FERGUSON From Sandy Springs, Maryland. Lives in Littlestown, Pennsylvania (near Gettysburg). 1980, performed in a Baltimore area band called Bittersweet. Played in a rock…
THE WAYFARING STRANGERS From the New York/New England area. An eclectic group featuring Matt Glaser, Andy Statman, Tony Trischka, John McGann and Jim Whitney. A…
THE EASTER BROTHERS From Mount Airy, North Carolina. Formed in 1953 by brothers: James, Russell and Ed Easter. One of the first full-time bluegrass gospel…
THE ALEX LEACH BAND From Knoxville, Tennessee. Alex is not only a musician (he plays all the bluegrass instruments well) but he is also a…
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),…
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…
FESCUE From Marian (Smyth County), Virginia. Formed in 1980 by “Fat Albert” Blackburn (plays bass). Fescue is a very resilient type of grass. Hence the…
HUBERT DAVIS (AND THE SEASON TRAVELERS) From Shelby, North Carolina (same hometown as Earl Scruggs; they grew up together.) Former banjo player for Bill Monroe’s…
KEVIN MAUL From Round Lake, New York. 1990-2000, played Dobro™ with Robin and Linda Williams as part of their “Fine Group.” Previously played in a…
BASHFUL BROTHER OSWALD Born and raised in Sevierville, Tennessee (Great Smoky Mountains). Lived in Madison, Tennessee most of his professional life. Real name: Beecher Ray…
CHARM CITY JUNCTION From Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore’s nickname is “Charm City.” The band consists of a bluegrass fiddler, an old time banjo picker, a Celtic…
JETT’S CREEK From Lebanon, Ohio. A family band featuring Adam McIntosh (guitar) and his sister Angie Young (vocals) and their father Jon McIntosh (guitar). Other…
THE BASS MOUNTAIN BOYS From Burlington, North Carolina. Formed in 1974. Band members: Mike Wilson (guitar), Mike Aldridge (mandolin), Mike Street (bass), Johnny Ridge (fiddle,…
THE REELTIME TRAVELERS From Johnson City, Tennessee. Formed in 1999. Name: they play old-time (string band) music in a “real time” (modern) context. Members: Thomas…
KEITH SEWELL From Duncanville, Texas. Began playing fiddle at age 3. Also plays banjo and mandolin, but is best known as a guitarist and songwriter.…
EBBY JEWELL AND THE BLUEGRASS KINSMEN From Rosedale, Virginia. Formed in 1971 by brothers Shelby and Ebby Jewell and distant cousins Ervin Mullins, James Cole…
WE BANJO 3 From Galway, Ireland. Formed in 2011 by two sets of brothers: Enda Scahil (banjo) and Fergal Scahil (banjo, fiddle, viola, dobro, percussion,…
JIMMY YEARY From Hillsboro, Ohio; lives in Nashville. 1994, moved to Nashville after signing a record deal with Atlantic Records in 1994 but due to…
MONROE FIELDS From Berry, Alabama 1953-1963, played mandolin with Carl Sauceman and the Green Valley Boys. 1964, played bass with Jim and Jesse. 1971-1973, played…
PATRICK MCAVINUE From Hereford, Maryland. Began playing fiddle at age 7. At age 12, formed first band “The Salem Bottom Boys.” Won the Delaware State…
CHATHAM COUNTY LINE From Raleigh, North Carolina. Formed in 1996 by guitarist/songwriter Dave Wilson. Other members: John Teer (fiddle/mandolin), Chandler Holt (banjo), and Greg Reading…
PHIL LEADBETTER From Knoxville, Tennessee. One of the top Dobro™ players in bluegrass. He was widely known as “Uncle Phil.” At age 14, performed before…
IDLETYMES From Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia. Formed in 1985. Band members: Chris Long (guitar), Craig Jarvis (bass), Ron Seebaugh (banjo), Glenn Jarvis (fiddle), Bruce Jones…
CHRIS SEXTON From Manassas, Virginia. Graduated from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA with a degree in music performance. Plays classical violin (in orchestras) as well…
THE TENNESSEE MAFIA JUG BAND From Goodlettsville, Tennessee. An old-time/country/comedy string band formed by Lester and Mike Armistead (father/son), Leroy Troy and Kent Blanton. They…
DWIGHT MCCALL From Cincinnati, Ohio (born in Maryland). Began playing mandolin as a teenager. First pro job: Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. 1992-1995, had a band…
WEARY HEARTS From Arizona. Formed in 1985 by Ron Block (banjo), Eric Uglum (guitar/mandolin), Butch Baldassari (mandolin) and Mike Bub (bass). In 1988, Chris Jones…
ROBERT EARL KEEN From Houston, Texas. He is one of the founding fathers of the Americana music movement. He is best known as a singer-songwriter…
TOM ADAMS From Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A civil war buff, he lives in a pre-civil war house. As a teen, played in a family band called…
PETTICOAT JUNCTION From Nashville, Tennessee. An all-female band formed in 1988 by Andrea Campbell (Roberts) who had previously worked with Wendy Smith and Blue Velvet,…
TERRY BAUCOM (AND THE DUKES OF DRIVE) From Monroe, North Carolina. He is known as one of the top Scruggs-style banjo players in bluegrass music. …
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…
THE GIBSON BROTHERS From Ellenburg Depot, New York (in the Champlain Valley, upstate New York.) Eric (banjo) and Leigh (guitar) Gibson formed their band in…
GLENN GIBSON From Louisville, Kentucky Has played Dobro™ with Gary Brewer, Karl Shifflett, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland. Has also spent time playing with Louisville-area…
MITCH HARRELL Lives in Annapolis, Maryland. Son of bluegrass pioneer Bill Harrell. For many years, he played guitar and sang tenor in his father’s band,…
DEL MCCOURY (THE DEL MCCOURY BAND) From York, Pennsylvania. Currently lives in Nashville. Began playing banjo at age 14. 1963, played banjo with a Baltimore…
EDDIE (AND MARTHA) ADCOCK From Scottsville, Virginia. Lives in Lebanon, Tennessee. Full name: Edward Windsor Adcock. A member of the IBMA’s Bluegrass Music Hall of…
LOU REID (AND CAROLINA) Born on a tobacco farm in Moore Springs, North Carolina. Real last name: Pyrtle. Birthday: September 13—same as Bill Monroe’s. Began…
DONNA ULISSE From Hampton, Virginia Name is pronounced “You-liss-ee.” Began singing at age 3 by wandering onstage with a bluegrass band at a family Bar-B-Q…
JAKE EDDY From Parkersburg, West Virginia. Plays all the bluegrass instruments but his specialty is flat-pick and gypsy-jazz style guitar. 2014, while in middle school,…
DAVE ADKINS From Elkhorn City, Kentucky. Adkins began performing at age 8. 1993-1995, played country music at Dollywood theme park. Fans call him the Ray…
EMMYLOU HARRIS From Birmingham, Alabama. Lives in Nashville. Was a “hippie-hillbilly” singer and waitress, working in Washington D.C. when she was discovered by Chris Hillman,…
NEFESH MOUNTAIN From New Jersey. A husband-wife duo: Eric Lindberg (banjo, mandolin, guitar) and Doni Zasloff (vocals). Their band has included Alan Grubner (fiddle), Tim…
ROD MCCORMACK From Australia (New South Wales, Central Coast). He is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, studio musician and producer. He owns his own recording studio called…
DARRELL WEBB From Knoxville, Tennessee. 1993, began his pro career at age 19 playing mandolin with the Lonesome River Band (replacing Dan Tyminski). 1997, joined…
JOHN REISCHMAN (AND THE JAYBIRDS) From Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Originally from Ukia, California. Was inspired to play mandolin by David Grisman. Owns (and plays) a…
STEVE DAY From Caneyville, Kentucky. Lives in Bowling Green, KY. Began playing fiddle professionally at age 13. Won the Kentucky State Fiddling Championship. 1987, joined…
ZOE AND CLOYD (See also Red June) From Asheville, North Carolina. Zoe is Natalya Zoe Weinstein (fiddle) and Cloyd is John Cloyd Miller (guitar and…
DWIGHT YOAKAM From Pikeville, Kentucky. Was raised in Columbus, Ohio. 1977, moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. 1985, released his debut…
THE YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND From Nederland, Colorado. Called “The Original JamGrass Band.” They have been known to “jam” on one tune for more than…
THE YOUNG ACOUSTIC ALL STARS A group of teen bluegrass musicians that formed in 1994, evolving from Pete Wernick’s “Bluegrass Youth Allstars,” a group he…
ADRIENNE YOUNG (AND LITTLE SADIE) From Tallahassee, Florida. Lives in Nashville. A singer, songwriter who plays guitar, fiddle and banjo. Her grandfather had a Florida…
DEMPSEY YOUNG From Rocky Mount, Virginia. Originally from Richmond, Virginia. He was a very influential mandolin player for more than three decades (70’s, 80’s and…
TOMMY WEBB From Langley, Kentucky (Floyd County). Sings lead and tenor vocals, plays guitar and clawhammer banjo. Began performing in high school with The Pine…
ERIC WEISSBERG From New York City. Began performing as a 10-year-old on radio station WNYC. He plays all the bluegrass instruments including Dobro™ and steel…
JON WEISBERGER From Nashville. Grew up in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Plays bass (currently with Chris Jones and the Night Drivers) and has released several solo…
GILLIAN WELCH (AND DAVID RAWLINGS) From New York City; grew up in West Los Angeles; moved to Nashville in 1992. Her parents were writers for…
TRAY WELLINGTON From Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Given name: Trajan Wellington. Began playing banjo at age 13. He grew up on Flint Hill Road. 2015, formed…
GREGG WELTY From Raleigh, North Carolina. Grew up in Western New York; lives in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a banjo player, son of Eric Welty,…
MISSY WERNER From Hamilton, Ohio (near Cincinnati) Plays mandolin and leads The Missy Werner Band. 1990’s, had a band called Next in Line. Performs at…
WESTWEND From Knoxville, Tennessee. A duo featuring Wendy Crowe (vocals) and Jonathan Maness (vocals, guitar and mandolin). Jonathan and Wendy were married in 2013. Their…
WHEELER From Weber City, Virginia Band members: Kevin Wheeler (bass), Tiffany Wheeler (lead vocals), Mark Jackson (mandolin), Justin Salyer (guitar), Steven Mounts (banjo). 2009, released…
PETER WERNICK From New York City. Lives in Niwot, Colorado. Known as “Dr. Banjo” because of a best-selling banjo instruction book he authored (over 200,000…
THE WHITES From Wichita Falls, Texas. Moved to Nashville in 1971. 1976, began performing in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a family band as Buck White…
CLARENCE WHITE (See also THE KENTUCKY COLONELS) From Los Angeles (Burbank), California (although he was born in Lewiston, Maine). He began playing the guitar at…
JEFF WHITE From Syracuse, NY; grew up in Northern Indiana. 1979, formed first bluegrass band The Suburban Grass in Indiana with David and Melody Johnson.…
ROLAND WHITE From Maine. Grew up in California. Lives in Nashville. First band: The Country Boys with his brothers Clarence and Eric (began in Maine,…
WHITEWATER From Nashville. Formed in 1995 by guitarist Brad Davis who was working with Marty Stuart at the time. They appeared with Bill Monroe on…
TIM WHITE From Blountville, Tennessee. Originally from Roanoke, Virginia. A graphic artist by trade. Among his accomplishments: the painting of a huge mural in Bristol,…
KEITH WHITLEY From Sandy Hook, Kentucky. 1970, at age 15, began his professional musical career when he and his friend Ricky Skaggs worked with Ralph…
THE WHITSTEIN BROTHERS From Colfax, Louisiana. A brothers duet featuring Robert (guitar) and Charles (mandolin) Whitstein. Their style is reminiscent of the Louvin Brothers, the…
MARK WHITT (AND TRUE BLUEGRASS) From Xenia, Ohio (near Dayton) with roots in Sandy Hook, Kentucky. Plays guitar and mandolin; sings and writes traditional bluegrass…
JERRY WICENTOWSKI From Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Grew up in New York City. A singer, guitarist and orthodox Jew, his group Lucky Break performs bluegrass interpretations of…
MARSHALL WILBORN Originally from Austin, Texas. Best known as one of bluegrass music’s top bass players, although his first instrument is banjo. 1982, joined Whetstone…
WILD AND BLUE From White House, Tennessee. Formed in 1988 by David Harvey and his two sisters, Jan Harvey and Jill Snider. David Harvey (mandolin)…
THE WILDERS From Kansas City, Missouri. An alt-country band featuring Ike Shelton (guitar), Phil Wade (mandolin/dobro/banjo), Betse Ellis (fiddle), and Nate Gawron (bass). Formed in…
WILDFIRE From East Tennessee. Formed in 2000 by the members of J.D. Crowe’s band The New South. They worked in both bands until 2001, when…
THE WILDWOOD GIRLS From Speedwell, Tennessee. Originally from Chicago. An all-female band. Formed in 1977 as The Wildwood Pickers by 16-year-old Kim Koskela (banjo), Robin…
THE WILDWOOD VALLEY BOYS From Milan, Indiana. Originally formed in 1992, then re-formed in 1997. They are the second generation of the The Boys from…
BLAKE WILLIAMS From Sparta, Tennessee (also the birthplace of Lester Flatt). 1972-1979, worked with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass. 1981-1991, played banjo for Bill…
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…
JOHNNY WILLIAMS From Danville, Virginia. A guitarist and songwriter, he is married to singer Jeannette Williams and performs with her band. His songs have been…
JOSH WILLIAMS From Benton, Kentucky. Lives in Dickson, Tennessee. Was one of bluegrass music’s child prodigies. Gained national recognition when he appeared on the 1993…
JUNIOR WILLIAMS From Irvine, Kentucky Plays banjo and guitar. 2001-2013, played banjo with Newfound Road. 2011-2019, formed NewTown with fiddler Katie Penn, whom he married.…
PAUL WILLIAMS From Wythe County, Virginia. Lives in Morristown, Tennessee. Real name: Paul Humphrey. 1951, joined the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers as a teenager. When he…
ROBIN AND LINDA WILLIAMS From Millbrook, Virginia (Shenandoah Valley). Gained national recognition while performing as regulars on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” on public…
ROGER WILLIAMS Grew up in Danville, NH; lives in Glastonbury, CT. He was born in Presque Isle, Maine. He is a well-known northeastern Dobro™ player.…
TYLER WILLIAMS (THE TYLER WILLIAMS BAND) From Central Ohio. He was born with Cerebral Palsy and became blind in infancy. Began playing piano and singing…
VERN WILLIAMS Originally from Newton County, Arkansas; moved to California in the 1950’s. Began playing bluegrass in northern California with fiddler/guitarist Ray Park. “Vern and…
KEVIN WILLIAMSON From Kenova, West Virginia. Lives in Nashville. Worked with Dave Evans, Redwing, Glen Duncan and Phoenix, other bands before striking out on his…
TONY AND GARY WILLIAMSON (THE WILLIAMSON BROTHERS) From Siler City, North Carolina. Tony is a well-known mandolin virtuoso, with several solo projects to his credit.…
WILSON BANJO COMPANY From Westminster, South Carolina. They are a band rather than a banjo making business, although founder and banjo-player Steve Wilson has experience…
CHUBBY WISE From Lake City, Florida. Real name: Robert Russell Dees. He was adopted by his father’s sister, whose husband’s name was Wise. Has been…
MAC WISEMAN From Crimora, Virginia. Lives on Percy Priest Lake, near Nashville. Was born in 1925, the same year the Grand Ole Opry started. Real…
THE WITCHER BROTHERS From Granada Hills, California. Formed in 1985 by Dennis Witcher (mandolin) and his son Gabe (fiddle), who was only six years old…
WOLFPEN BRANCH From Louisville, Kentucky. Formed in 2019-2020 by Arthur Hancock IV (guitar) and Chris Shouse (mandolin). They were later joined by Roddy Puckett (bass),…
JIM AND LYNNA WOOLSEY A husband and wife duo from Petersburg, Indiana. At age 15, Jim began playing with the Patoka Valley Boys. Soon thereafter,…
A.L. WOOD AND THE SMOKEY RIDGE BOYS (THE WOOD FAMILY TRADITION) From Statesville, North Carolina. Banjo player and singer A.L. (or Al) Wood began performing…
WOOD AND WIRE From Austin, Texas. Formed in 2010 by Tony Kamel (guitar), Matt Slusher (mandolin), Dom Fisher (bass) and Trevor Smith (banjo). They call…
WOOD BOX HEROES From Nashville. Formed in 2022 by Barry Bales (bass), Jenee Fleenor (fiddle), Seth Taylor (mandolin), Matt Menefee (banjo), and Josh Martin (guitar).…
THE WOOKS From Lexington, Kentucky. The Urban Dictionary defines a wook as: “a hippie without any ambition, motivation, or drive other than drugs and image.…
GENE WOOTEN From Franklinton, North Carolina. Moved to Nashville in 1977. Played Dobro™ with several bands including Wilma Lee Cooper and The Clinch Mountain Clan,…
JAKE WORKMAN From Draper, Utah. 2001, began playing guitar at age 13, when his parents gave him a guitar for Christmas. Formed a rock band…
CURTIS WRIGHT From Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, he began his career in a band called Country Generation. He also worked with Vern…
NORMAN WRIGHT AND KEVIN CHURCH From Virginia. 1991, both left The Country Gentlemen to form their own band. Wright has also worked with The Bluegrass…
DEDE WYLAND From Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lives in Baltimore, Maryland. 1975, was lead singer for Wisconsin-based bluegrass band Grass, Food and Lodging. 1980, moved to New…
STUART WYRICK From Luttrell, Tennessee (“Tater Valley”) Began performing at age 8. 1995-2009, played banjo with the gospel group New Road. He also has a…
JIM VAN CLEVE Born/raised in Sarasota, Florida. Grew up in Haywood County, North Carolina. Resides in Nashville. Began playing fiddle at age 7. As a…
SALLY VAN METER From the San Francisco Bay area. Lives in Colorado. One of the top Dobro™ players in bluegrass. Original member of The Good…
APRIL VERCH From Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. Began step-dancing at age three; fiddling at age six. As a high school student, recorded two albums. Attended Boston’s…
VERN AND RAY From Stockton, California. Originally from Arkansas. A duo featuring Vern Williams (mandolin) and Ray Park (guitar). Ray also played fiddle. Met in…
SCOTT VESTAL From Duncan, Oklahoma. Lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Started playing banjo at age 13. At age 18, landed his first pro job with Larry…
MASON VIA From Danbury, North Carolina. Via is pronounced “Vie” (as in “die” or “sky”). A multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. 2016, released solo project Up,…
THE VILLAGE SINGERS From Fredericktown, Missouri. Originally called “The Gospel Tones.” Formed in 1972 by Harold and Kathy Goad. 1985, changed name to the Village…
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…
THE VIRGINIA RAMBLERS From Albermarle County, Virginia. Formed in 2004. Members: Charles Frazier (guitar, lead vocals), Donnie Shifflet (bass) and Jeff Vogelsong (mandolin), Zack Deming…
THE VIRGINIA SQUIRES From Virginia. Formed in 1983 by Rickie Simpkins (fiddle and mandolin), Ronnie Simpkins (bass), Mark Newton (guitar and lead vocals), and Sammy…
UNCLE EARL Formed in 1999 by K.C. Groves (guitar, mandolin) and Jo Serrapere (vocals). They were originally a duo backed by guest musicians such as…
JACOB UNDERWOOD From Illinois. Plays banjo with Bluegrass Express, a group that includes his father and grandfather, Gary and Greg. He began playing piano at…
UNION KUN-TREE From Arkansas. Began as the Chitlin Switch Road Runners in the mid-1950’s (performing on a radio station in El Dorado, Arkansas). They also…
GEOFF UNION (RAGGED UNION) From Fayetteville, North Carolina. Also has lived in Austin, Texas and Golden, Colorado. 2002-2009, played guitar with the Two High String…
UNLIMITED TRADITION From Wheelersburg, Ohio. Formed in 1993 by Ray Craft (guitar, lead vocals), John Lewis (banjo), Jason Hale (guitar) and Scottie Sparks (guitar) and…
UNSPOKEN TRADITION From Cherryville, North Carolina. Formed in 2011 by Lee Shuford (Dobro™), Audie McGinnis (guitar) and Zane McGinnis (banjo). Other band members include Matt…
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…
GEORGE THACKER Originally from San Antonio, Texas. Lived in Spring City, Tennessee where he served for many years as an elected county official. Has been…
THEO & BRENNA From Winchester, Kentucky. Theo (guitar) and Brenna (banjo) MacMillan are brother and sister, two of ten siblings in their family. They both…
CHRIS THILE Originally from San Diego (CA) County. Born in Oceanside, lived in Idyllwild, California. Now lives in New York City. Pronounced “Theé-lee” (like “really.”)…
IIIRD TYME OUT (RUSSELL MOORE AND IIIRD TYME OUT) Formed in 1991. Original group composed chiefly of former members of Doyle Lawson’s band Quicksilver: Russell…
DAVID THOM From Sonoma, California (San Francisco Bay Area) Plays guitar and fronts The David Thom Band. Also works with the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience.…
STEVE THOMAS From Vernon, Connecticut. Lives in Nashville. 1981, won the Virginia State Fiddle Championship.1982, won the World’s Fair Fiddle Contest in Knoxville. 1982, joined…
SUZANNE THOMAS From Hillsboro, Ohio. 1970-1989, was a member of the Hotmud Family. 1990-2000, the Dry Branch Fire Squad. 1998, released a solo album Dear…
BOBBY THOMPSON From Franklin, Tennessee. One of country music’s best known studio musicians of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. One of the first “chromatic” (or…
THREE RING CIRCLE From Nashville. An acoustic trio featuring Rob Ickes (Dobro™), Andy Leftwich (mandolin) and Dave Pomeroy (electric upright bass. They create their own…
THREE TALL PINES From Boston, Massachusetts. A bluegrass/Americana quartet featuring Joe Lurgio (mandolin), Dan Bourdeau (guitar), Nick DiSebastian (bass) and Conor Smith (fiddle). Named 2011…
JORDAN TICE From Annapolis, Maryland. Born in 1987, he began his professional career playing guitar with Marty Raybon, Mike Auldridge, Emory Lester and others. He…
TILLER’S FOLLY From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A folk/celtic/bluegrass trio featuring Bruce Coughlan (guitar), Laurence Knight (bass) and Nolan Murray (fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar). Formed…
GORDON TITCOMB From Torringtom, Connecticut. Since 2001, a member of Arlo Guthrie’s touring band. Plays pedal steel, mandolin, Dobro™, banjo and guitar. As a sideman,…
ILYA TOSHINSKIY From Moscow, Russia. Lives in Nashville. Pronounced “Eel-ee-yuh Toe-shin-skee.” Was a founding member of the Russian bluegrass/country band Bering Strait (also known as…
ALAN TOMPKINS Originally from Western Kentucky; moved to Texas in 1983. Lives in the Dallas area. He is a practicing attorney, managing legal affairs for…
JACK TOTTLE From Baltimore, Maryland. A mandolin player, record producer, and author of a best-selling mandolin instruction book (Bluegrass Mandolin, Oak Publications, 1976). First band:…
NIALL TONER From Dublin, Ireland. Lives in Bunclody, County Wexford. Since the 1960’s, one of Ireland’s best known folk and bluegrass performers. He also had…
ZACH TOP From Eastern Washington. Lives in Nashville. Began playing guitar at age five. He is a singer/songwriter and bandleader. At age seven, he and…
TOWN MOUNTAIN From Asheville, North Carolina Formed in 2005, won the band competition at the Rockygrass (Colorado) Bluegrass Festival. “Jimmy Martin, Hank Williams and the…
THE TRADITIONAL GRASS From Middletown, Ohio. Led by the late fiddler and radio personality Paul “Moon” Mullins. Other members: Mark Rader (guitar), Joe Mullins (banjo),…
TRAMPLED BY TURTLES From Duluth, Minnesota. Formed in 2004. Their music has been described as “Bluegrass Thrash.” Members of the band: Dave Simonett (guitar), Tim…
THE TRAVELERS From Virginia. Formed in 1998. From 1991-1997, they performed as the Norman Wright and Kevin Church band. The original band included three former…