Baucom, Terry

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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.  He became known as “The Duke of Drive,” a reference to his ability to “drive” or push a song with his steady banjo picking.
  • 1963, began playing banjo at age ten. Performed with his father’s group The Rocky River Boys.
  • 1967, learned to play the fiddle at age 14.
  • 1970, got his first professional job, playing fiddle with Charlie Moore (three years.)
  • 1976, joined Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas and Wes Golding to form “Boone Creek.”
  • 1979, was a founding member of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
  • 1985, formed The New Quicksilver with Randy Graham, Alan Bibey and Jimmy Haley. This group later became known as Baucom, Bibey, Graham and Haley.
  • 1991, was a founding member of IIIrd Tyme Out.
  • 1992, with Lou Reid formed “Lou Reid, Terry Baucom and Carolina.”
  • 1996, left the road to freelance and teach music in the Charlotte, NC area.
  • 1998, formed BlueRidge (a re-united New Quicksilver).
  • 2001, formed Baucom, Bibey and BlueRidge.
  • 2003, re-joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
  • 2007, left Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver to pursue “banjo-focused opportunities,” including teaching and producing instructional DVD’s.
  • 2008, worked with the Mark Newton Band and the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band.
  • 2009,worked with Dale Ann Bradley, the Mashville Brigade and Mountain Heart.
  • 2011, released first solo project In a Groove (Kneedeep).
  • 2013, released solo project Never Thought of Looking Back (John Boy and Billy).
  • 2013, won IBMA award for Recorded Event of the Year (for “What’ll I Do” featuring Sam Bush, Buddy Melton and others).
  • 2014, formed his own band The Dukes of Drive.
  • 2015, was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame (Wilkesboro, North Carolina).
  • 2017, released song Fourth and Goal (John Boy and Billy) and was invited to perform during induction ceremonies for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
  • 2020, released Fine Time to Get the Blues album (Drivin’ Duke).
  • 2023, announced his retirement from touring and performing music full time.
  • 2023, received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA for his contributions to bluegrass music.
  • 2023, died at the age of 71.
  • 2023, was posthumously awarded the Steve Martin Banjo Prize.