NORMAN BLAKE

• From Chattanooga, Tennessee but grew up in Sulphur Springs and Rising Fawn, Georgia.
• Best known as a guitarist and mandolinist. He plays all the bluegrass instruments.
• Began performing in the 1950’s with a group called “The Dixie Drifters.”
• Early 60’s, worked with Hylo Brown on WWVA, Wheeling, West Virginia.
• A Nashville studio musician during the 1960’s and 1970’s. He has worked with many artists including Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
• 1969-1970, was a regular on the Johnny Cash TV show.
• Toured with John Hartford for two years.
• 1975, married Nancy, a classical celloist from Independence, Missouri.
• 1976, recorded Whiskey Before Breakfast album (Rounder).
• 1978, with wife Nancy formed the Rising Fawn String Ensemble, performing what he calls “Chamber Bluegrass.”
• 1987, recorded Blake & Rice (Rounder), the first of two duet albums with guitarist Tony Rice.
• 2000, appeared on the soundtrack of the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou.”
• 2001-2, toured with the “Down from the Mountain” tour.
• 2011, released his 38th album, Green Light On The Southern (Plectraphone).
• 2012, suffered a mild stroke.
• 2015, released his 39th album Wood, Wire & Words (Plectraphone).j
• 2017, was presented with a “Distinguished Achievement Award” by the IBMA.
• 2021, released “Day by Day” album (Smithsonian-Folkways)