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 on his left hand, just a thumb and several partial digits.
• 1993, joined Silver Creek.
• 1994, joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
• 1997, joined IIIrd Tyme Out.
• 1998, was a founding member of Mountain Heart.
• 2014, left Mountain Heart to strike out on his own.
• 2016, had surgery to repair nerve damage in his neck, which hindered his playing.
• 2018, teamed up with Darrell Webb (guitar/mandolin) to form Appalachian Road Show.
• 2019, he and his wife adopted a pair of siblings from a foster care facility including a youngster with the same birth defect on his hand as Barry. The story of the Abernathy family was then featured in a 2020 story on NBC’s The Today Show and also on the syndicated Mike Huckabee television program.
• 2021, released Barry Abernathy and Friends album (Billy Blue).

THE ABRAMS BROTHERS

• From Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
• John Abrams (born 1990) performs on fiddle, mandolin and guitar.
• James Abrams (born 1993) performs on fiddle, mandolin and acoustic bass.
• They are fourth generation musicians. They credit their great-grandparents with passing on their musical talent.
• 2003, won the Thomas Point Beach (Maine) band competition. The name of the band at that time was “The Abrams Family and Clarendon Station.”
• Their grandparents and great-grandparents performed in a gospel group called “The Missionaries.”
• The current band includes a master of the mandolin and guitar, Bob Burtch, and three generations of the Abrams family: grandfather Wayne (singer, songwriter and luthier), father Brian and the boys.
• 2005, made first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry as guests of Mike Snider.
• 2005, won “Emerging Artist of the Year” (Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards) and were the youngest Canadian band to ever play the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
• 2006, released Iron Sharpens Iron album.
• 2006, performed at the European World of Bluegrass in the Netherlands.
• 2012, released Northern Redemption album.
• 2014, released Blue on Brown album featuring covers of Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie songs.

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.
• As a high school student, he won several talent contests which led to an appearance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (1996).
• 2004, worked with Don Rigsby.
• 2008, appeared on the album Celebrations of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (IBMA Album of the Year).
• 2014, released solo project Hardest Kind of Memories (no label) with special guest Tony Rice.
• 2018, released second album “Time That I Was Leavin'” (Tritium).

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 Fame (inducted in 1996 as a member of the classic Country Gentlemen.)
• Considered one of the pioneers of “new acoustic music” or “newgrass,” a fusion of bluegrass with jazz and other non-traditional styles.
• He is a master auto mechanic, drag racer, inventor, and former boxer.
• Eddie and Martha have been called “The Sonny & Cher of Bluegrass.”
• Eddie and Martha call their music “twograss.”
• 1954, first pro job, working for Smokey Graves and the Blue Star Boys.
• 1956, worked with Mac Wiseman.
• 1958, worked with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.
• 1959, joined the Country Gentlemen and became part of the “classic” band which was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.
• 1970, left the Country Gentlemen. Moved to California, grew his hair long and played rock music under the pseudonym “Clinton Codack” (anagram of ‘Adcock’).
• 1971, formed band with Jimmy Gaudreau called the II (also spelled Second or IInd) Generation.
• 1973, met Martha Hearon (guitar) who became a member of II Generation.
• 1976, Eddie & Martha marry and became a duo act. They also had a band for a time, playing original country rock and fusion bluegrass.
• 1978, Eddie invented the “Gitbo”, a double-neck combination electric guitar and electrified acoustic banjo.
• 1984, 1985, Eddie and Martha toured with country singer David Allan Coe.
• 1985, Adcocks formed Talk Of The Town with Missy Raines. This eventually became The Eddie Adcock Band.
• 1990, 1991, performed with The Masters featuring Eddie on banjo and guitar, Jesse McReynolds on mandolin, Josh Graves on Dobro™, and Kenny Baker on fiddle.
• 1991, released “Dixie Fried” album by The Eddie Adcock Band (CMH).
• 1992, released a duet album with Don Reno “Sensational Two Banjos” (Rebel).
• 1994, released “Talk to Your Heart” album by the Eddie Adcock Band (CMH).
• 1996, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame (along with Charlie Waller, John Duffey and Tom Gray) as as a member of the Classic Country Gentlemen.
• 1998, Eddie and Martha released “Spirited” album (Pinecastle).
• 2004, had triple heart-bypass surgery.
• 2008 (and twice in 2011) had brain surgery to correct a tremor in his right hand which prevented him from playing the banjo. The surgery, known as “Deep Brain Stimulation,” was done while he was still awake and played the banjo to help the surgeons know when they had reached the part of his brain which controlled his hand. The story of this first-of-its-kind procedure was carried in many international newspapers and TV broadcasts, including ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
• 2009, Eddie and Martha organized an annual “Christmas Bluegrass Benefit Concert for the Homeless” at Nashville’s Station Inn.
• 2011, former Country Gentlemen bass player Tom Gray teamed up with Eddie and Martha to record an album titled Many A Mile.
• 2014, Eddie was presented with the $50,000 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music.
• 2015, Eddie and Martha were involved in a serious auto accident in their home town of Lebanon, Tennessee. While suffering numerous injuries, they are expected to recover fully.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Renaissance Man (Pinecastle, 1996) Eddie’s signature album.
• Twograss (Pinecastle, 2003) Eddie and Martha at their best.
• Many a Mile (Patuxent, 2011) with Tom Gray and Friends.

PAUL ADKINS (AND THE BORDERLINE BAND)

• From Wayne, West Virginia; lives in Middletown MD.
• 1972, first band: The Bluegrass Gospel Four.
• 1978, led a West Virginia band called “Southland Express.”
• 1979. played guitar and sang lead for The Laurel Mountain Boys (Charleston, WV)
• 1980, joined Glen Duncan and Phoenix
• 1981, played with The Goins Brothers (Mandolin and harmony vocals)
• 1982, replaced Keith Whitley as lead singer and guitarist with J.D. Crowe and the New South.
• 1984, auditioned for job as lead singer with Seldom Scene, but joined Bill Harrell and the Virginians instead, playing mandolin.
• 1988, formed Paul Adkins and The Borderline Band.
• 1989-1998, recorded five albums for Rebel Records.
• 2011, began touring again. Band members: Paul (mandolin), Jay Armsworthy (guitar), Chris Warner (banjo) Kevin Mallow (fiddle) and Heath Laird (bass).

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Wings of Gold (Rebel, 1990)
• Reflections of Love (Rebel, 1991)
• Modern Times (Rebel, 1992)
• How Many Roads (Rebel, 1994)
• Old Rusty Gate (Rebel, 1996)

DAVID AKEMAN (“STRINGBEAN”)

• Native of Annville, Kentucky.
• The first banjo player in Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys (1942-1945). Played “clawhammer” style.
• Was replaced in Bill Monroe’s band by Earl Scruggs.
• Nickname: “Stringbean” (or “The Kentucky Wonder”).
• From 1945 until his death in 1973, was one of the most popular comedy performers on the Grand Ole Opry.
• His costume–a long striped shirt, with his pants down around his knees and a funny little hat that he would flip just before striking his banjo.
• He became a regular on the original “Hee Haw” television show.
• Died Saturday night, November 10, 1973, after a Grand Ole Opry performance. Was gunned down in his front yard by robbers who were there when he returned home.

DARIN AND BROOKE ALDRIDGE; See also CIRCUIT RIDERS

• From Cherryville, North Carolina.
• Darin is a multi-instrumentalist and music teacher.
• 1995, Darin played with an Americana group called “Acoustic Syndicate.”
• 1997, Darin joined the Country Gentlemen, playing mandolin. He recorded three albums with them and played the 2005 presidential inauguration in Washington DC.
• 2001, Darin released his first solo project “In Time” (no label).
• 2004, Darin recorded a second solo project “Call It a Day” (Pinecastle).
• 2005, with other former members of the Country Gentlemen, Darin formed a band called the Circuit Riders.
• 2008, Darin produced an album for Brooke Justice, a gospel singer. They eventually married and began performing together.
• 2010, the couple released their debut album Darin & Brooke Aldridge (Mountain Home).
• 2011, released So Much in Between album (Mountain Home) with hit single “Lonely Ends Where Love Begins.”
• 2012, released Live at Red White Bluegrass album (Mountain Home).
• 2013, added fiddler, songwriter and vocalist Becky Buller to their band.
• 2013, released Flying album (Mountain Home), a mix of bluegrass and new country.
• 2014, fiddler and vocalist Carley Arrowood replaced Becky Buller in their band.
• 2015, released Snapshots album (Mountain Home).
• 2016, did a tour with John Cowan.
• 2017, released Faster & Farther album (Mountain Home).
• 2019, released Inner Journey album (Rounder).
• 2020, Brooke won her fourth IBMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year (also won in 2017, 2018 and 2019).

ALL 4 HYM

• From Front Royal, Virginia.
• A family band featuring Chester Kreitzer (guitar), Terri Kreitzer (vocals) and Cory Kreitzer (mandolin).
• Formed in 1997.
• Play bluegrass gospel music.
• 2008, first CD was produced by J.D. Crowe.
• 2011, released second CD “Faith and Family.”
• 2013, went on a sabbatical (not accepting bookings).

HARLEY ALLEN (THE ALLEN BROTHERS)

• From Dayton, Ohio. Lived in Nashville.
• Youngest son of bluegrass Hall 0f Famer Red Allen.
• 1968, began performing at age 12 with brothers Greg, Neal and Ronnie. They recorded two albums as The Allen Brothers. They disbanded in 1974 when Neal passed away from pneumonia while on the road.
• 1975, joined J.D. Crowe’s band, taking his father’s place in the Kentucky Mountain Boys.
• 1982-1985, formed a band with Mike Lilly called the Allen-Lilly Band.
• 1988, worked with Tony Trischka’s “Big Dogs.”
• 1990, moved to Nashville to pursue career as a solo artist and songwriter.
• 1996, recorded first solo album for Mercury Records “Another River.” Recorded second album “Live at the Bluebird” in 2001.
• 2000, appeared on the soundtrack to the movie “O Brother Where Art Thou.” Won a Grammy for his work on that recording.
• As a songwriter, he has written hundreds of songs recorded by such artists as Alan Jackson, Josh Turner, Daryl Worley, the Grascals, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, many others.
• 2004, won third Grammy for his work on “Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: The Songs of the Louvin Brothers.”
• 2005, won BMI’s “Songwriter of the Year” award.
• March 30, 2011, died of lung cancer at age 55.

RED ALLEN (AND THE KENTUCKIANS)

• From Pigeon Roost, Kentucky. Lived in Dayton, Ohio for most of his career. Given name: Harley Allen.
• Formed his band The Kentuckians in the early 1950’s. Over the years, it included such musicians as Bill Keith, Frank Wakefield, David Grisman, Porter Church, Bill Emerson and Scott Stoneman.
• Mid-1950’s, teamed up with Sonny and Bobby Osborne to form the earliest recorded version of the Osborne Brothers.
• Once filled in for Lester Flatt (with Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys) when Lester suffered a heart attack.
• Late 1960’s, worked with J.D. Crowe and Doyle Lawson in the Kentucky Mountain Boys.
• 1964, released “Red Allen, Frank Wakefield and the Kentuckians: Bluegrass” album (Folkways).
• 1966, released “Red Allen and the Kentuckians” album (County). Re-released in 2004 by Rebel Records under the title Lonesome and Blue.
• Sons Harley, Greg, Ronnie and Neal performed and recorded together as The Allen Brothers in the early seventies.
• 1973, released “Allengrass” album (Lemco) with his sons.
• 1973, released “My Old Kentucky Home” album (King Bluegrass) with his sons.
• 1975, released “Red Allen Favorites” album (King Bluegrass).
• 1976, retired from music for several years due largely to health problems.
• 1983, released “The Red Allen Tradition” album (Folkways).
• 1984, formed another band, The New Kentuckians.
• 1992, recorded Bluegrass Reunion album (Acoustic Disk) with David Grisman, Herb Pederson and Jerry Garcia which was nominated for a Grammy Award.
• April 3, 1993, died of lung cancer.
• 2005, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.

ALTERNATE ROOTS

• From Jefferson, North Carolina.
• Formed in 1997.
• Members included Scott Freeman (mandolin), Willard Gayheart (guitar), Katy Taylor (lead vocals), Randy Pasley (resophonic guitar), Tony Testerman (bass).
• Gayheart and Freeman were previously with Skeeter and the Skidmarks.
• Freeman is a songwriter whose songs have been recorded by IIIrd Tyme Out, other bands.
• Last performance: January 2006.

TRAVIS ALLTOP

• From Grafton, Ohio. Lives in Stanford, Kentucky.
• Began playing guitar at age 6.
• 1997, released first album “Two Different Worlds” (no label).
• 1998, played with a band from Parkersburg, West Virginia called “License to Drive.”
• 1998, played briefly with the Larry Stephenson Band.
• 1999, joined Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike.
• 2002, left the road as a touring musician to pursue his call to the ministry.
• 2007, became pastor of Bluegrass Pike Baptist Church in Danville, Kentucky.
• 2013, released “The Hallelujah Side,” a gospel album (no label).

BOB AMOS (SEE ALSO FRONT RANGE)

• From St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
• 1988-2004, fronted a Colorado-based band called Front Range. He recorded 7 albums with this band.
• He plays guitar, sings, writes songs, and has a Masters Degree in geology.
• 2004, embarked on a solo career, releasing his first solo project, “Borrowed Time.”
• With a band made up of top New England musicians, he performs as Bob Amos and Catamount Crossing. He also performs regularly with his daughter Sarah (vocalist) as a duo.
• 2023, Bob & Sarah Amos released Ever Onward album (Bristlecone).

AMERICAN DRIVE

• From Ohio/Eastern Kentucky area.
• Formed in 2012 by former members of J.D.Crowe’s band “The New South” (after Crowe retired.)
• Original members: Ricky Wasson (guitar), Dwight McCall (mandolin), Matt DeSpain (Dobro™), Justin Jenkins (banjo) and Kyle Perkins (bass).
• 2012, released first album American Drive (Rural Rhythm).
• 2013, Wasson and Jenkins left the band and were replaced by Adam McIntosh (guitar) and Shayne Bartley (banjo). Dwight McCall assumed leadership of the band.
• 2015, disbanded.

THE AMANDA AND SCOTT ANDERSON BAND

• From Palatka, Florida.
• A father-daughter duo. Scott plays bass and banjo; Amanda plays fiddle and sings.
• 1989, Scott played bass and banjo with The Bluegrass Parlor Band while attending the University of Florida.
• 1993, Scott formed a band called Endless Highway.
• 1999, Scott joined a gospel group called Gentle River.
• 2001, Scott formed The Scott Anderson Band, playing what he calls “Swampgrass.”
• 2001, Scott released solo project “Rivers” with guests Wayne Benson, John Cowan, Rob Ickes, Scott Vestal, Missy Raines, Aubrey Haynie, others.
• Scott is also a pharmacist and teaches at the University of Florida (Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pharmacy).
• 2008, Scott began performing with hi s 14-year old daughter Amanda and released “Amanda and Scott Anderson: Another Day.”
• 2011, released solo project “Tales from the Swamp” with guests Stuart Duncan, Aubrey Haynie, Adam Steffey, Sierra Hull, others.
• 2011, toured with Cory and Jarrod Walker.
• 2012, formed the Amanda and Scott Anderson Band with Danny Smith (bass), Lamont Goff (mandolin), Christian Ward (fiddle), and Darren Wainright (guitar).
• 2014, Amanda graduated from the University of Florida and entered dental school.

BILL ANDERSON

• From Columbia, South Carolina (lives in Nashville)
• Primarily a country singer and songwriter, known to millions as “Whisperin’ Bill.”
• Has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1961.
• Has had over 80 of his own singles reach the country charts, including “Still,” “Bright Lights and Country Music,” “Po’ Folks.”
• Has written dozens of songs which were hits for other artists, beginning with “City Lights” (Ray Price) in 1958, which Bill wrote at age 19. Recent chart toppers: Alison Krauss/Brad Paisley hit “Whiskey Lullaby” (2005) and George Strait’s “Give It Away” (2007). Both of those songs won the CMA Award for Song of the Year.
• 2001, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• 2007, recorded “Whisperin’ Bluegrass,” his first bluegrass album, with guest appearances from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Vince Gill.

LYNN ANDERSON

• Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Grew up in Sacramento, California.
• Her mother, Liz Anderson, wrote several hit songs for Merle Haggard.
• 1967, joined the cast of Lawrence Welk’s TV show.
• 1968, won Academy of Country Music award for Best Female Vocalist.
• 1970, released her biggest hit record, “Rose Garden” (written by Joe South). Won Grammy for “Best Country Performance, Female.”
• 1971, won CMA award for Best Female Vocalist and ACM award for Top Female Vocalist.
• Recorded dozens of top ten hits during the 70’s and early 80’s including “You’re My Man,” “How Can I Unlove You,” and “Top of the World.”
• Her first success was in showing horses. She won 700 trophies for her quarter horses and was 1966 California Horse Show Queen. Lynn’s daughter Lisa is also a champion rider.
• 2004, released “The Bluegrass Sessions,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Bluegrass category.
• 2015, died at the age of 67 (heart attack).

MIKE ANDES

• From Timberville, Virginia. Lives in Pataskala, Ohio.
• Began playing mandolin and singing at age 14.
• 1983, joined the East Coast Bluegrass Band.
• 1994, founded the group Nothin’ Fancy, singing lead and harmony vocals, playing mandolin and serving as the group’s emcee.
• He has won numerous SPBGMA Awards including Entertainer of the Year.
• 2013, released a solo project “The Songs I Sing” on his own label.

DAROL ANGER

• From Oakland, California. Lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.
• An award-winning, genre-crossing violinist, fiddler and composer. Plays what he calls “Chambergrass.”
• 1982-1985, won “Best Jazz Violinist” four years in a row from Frets Magazine Reader’s Poll.
• Has recorded and performed with such artists as Mike Marshall, David Grisman, Stephane Grapelli, Mark O’Connor, Bela Fleck, Vassar Clements, Tony Rice.
• Bands: The Republic of Strings, The Island String Quartet (jazz), Psychograss, The Anger/Marshall Band, The Montreux Band, The David Grisman Quintet, New Grange, Darol Anger and Mike Marshall, The Monster String Quartet and others.
• Darol can be heard on NPR’s “Car Talk” theme every week, along with Earl Scruggs, David Grisman and Tony Rice.
• He is an associate professor at the Berklee School of Music. He is also available as a teacher of violin.
• 2015, formed a band called Mr. Sun and released albums The People Need Light and Extrovert (Compass Records).

ANTIQUE PERSUASION

• From Nashville.
• A project band/vocal trio featuring Brandon Rickman (guitar), Jenee Fleenor (guitar, mandolin, fiddle) and Brennan Leigh (guitar, mandolin).
• Rickman was a member of the Lonesome River Band.
• Fleenor toured regularly with the Blake Shelton Band.
• Leigh was an Austin, Texas-based singer/songwriter.
• 2015, released Don’t Forget Me Little Darling: Remembering the Carter Family (Voxhall Records).

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

• From Bristol, Virginia.
• Formed in 1984 by Ricky and Linda Barker.
• Featuring the lead vocals of Linda Barker, the group eventually became known as “Linda Barker and Appalachian Trail.”
• 1997, Linda Barker (Linda Barker Lay) married David Lay, who also replaced Ricky Barker in the band, playing guitar.
• 2000, Linda and David Lay toured and recorded with the “Masters of the Steel String Guitar.”
• 2003, Linda Lay recorded a solo project for the Cracker Barrel record label, as well as an album with husband David and David McLaughlin called Springfield Exit.
• 2004, after a long hiatus, Appalachian Trail reorganized with new members: Tommy Austin (mandolin/mandola), Tim Laughlin (fiddle), Glen Rose (banjo), Josh Goforth (guitar/banjo/fiddle).
• 2011, Matthew Cruby (banjo) and Allen Hughes (guitar)

JAY ARMSWORTHY (and EASTERN TRADITION)

• From California, Maryland (south of Washington DC).
• A guitarist and singer who began his career playing with Ernie Bradley and Grassy Ridge. Later formed his own band Eastern Tradition.
• 1995, worked with David Davis and the The Warrior River Boys.
• For seven years, he hosted a radio program called “Bluegrass on the Bay” on WMDM and WPTX in Lexington, Maryland. He  also has hosted a radio show on World Wide Bluegrass.com, WNNT (VA), and WWSM (PA).
• 2005, released Making Memories album (no label).
• 2011, released I Couldn’t Make It Without Him album (Blue Circle), produced by Greg Luck.
• 2020, released My Best Friend album (Patuxent).

KEITH ARNESON (SEE ALSO COUNTRY CURRENT)

• From Waldorf, Maryland.
• 1977, learned guitar and banjo as a teenager and formed his first band called Classic Grass.
• 1981, joined Mountain Laurel.
• 1986, joined The Dixie Ramblers, recording two albums with that group.
• 1993, replaced Bill Emerson in the U.S. Navy Band Country Current, playing banjo and guitar.
• 2001, recorded “Keith Arneson and Wayne Taylor” album (with his former bandmate Wayne Taylor).
• 2007, replaced Taylor as unit leader of the Navy Band. His rank is Senior Chief Musician.
• 2017, retired from the Navy Band. He continues to perform with Wayne Taylor and other Washington DC area musicians.

JIMMY ARNOLD

• From Fries, Virginia.
• A gifted multi-instumentalist (guitar, banjo, fiddle).
• Bluegrass Unlimited magazine called him “Don Reno, Bill Keith and Earl Scruggs rolled into one.”
• Age 12, formed a band called the “Twin County Partners.”
• Age 15, won the fiddle contest at the Galax Old Time Fiddler’s Convention.
• Age 17, formed a band with Wes Golding called “The Virginia Cutups.”
• Age 19, joined Cliff Waldron’s “New Shades of Grass.”
• 1973, was a member of “The Country Store” a group that also included Jimmy Gaudreau and Keith Whitley.
• 1974, recorded “Strictly Arnold” album (Rebel).
• 1977, recorded “Jimmy Arnold Guitar” album (Rebel)
• 1982, released “Rainbow Ride” album (Rebel).
• 1983, recorded “Southern Soul” album (Rebel).
• Had recurring health and legal problems due to alcohol and drug abuse. Retired from music in in the 1980’s and opened a tattoo parlor in North Carolina.
• 1992, died of heart failure on Christmas Day at the age of 40.

ASH & W

• From Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
• A short-lived band (1989-1991) featuring Vernon Allred (bass), Craig Smith (banjo), Scott Huffman (guitar) and Tony Williamson (mandolin).
• The name is an acronym of the four band members: A (Allred), S (Smith), H (Huffman) and W (Williamson).
• 1990, released self-titled album (Rebel).

ASH BREEZE

• From Moore County, North Carolina.
• Formerly known as The Smith Family Band, featuring dad Allen Smith (bass) and his four kids: Nellie (vocals and fiddle), Corey (guitar), Eli (mandolin) and Luke (banjo).
• The band members were classically-trained as children but gravitated to bluegrass.
• Their name comes from a sailing term referring to the ability to row a sailboat when there’s no wind (oars are typically made of ash.) “Sailing by ash breeze” is a major theme (overcoming struggle) in the book Carry on Mr Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, a Smith family favorite.
• 2014, released Ash Breeze album (Mountain Fever).
• 2015, released The Road’s Not Easy album (Mountain Fever).

BOBBY ATKINS (AND THE COUNTRYMEN)

• From Summerfield, North Carolina
• Plays banjo and leads band, “The Countrymen”
• 1953, worked and recorded with Jim Eanes
• 1953, 1958, 1961, worked with Bill Monroe (3 separate stints).
• 1956, worked with Charlie Monroe
• Tony Rice was a member of Atkins’ band the Countrymen when he was 18 years old.
• 1972, appeared in the movie “Preacher Man.”
• Bobby is related to country legend Chet Atkins. (His grandfather and Chet’s grandfather are brothers).
• He performed for many years with his son Mark as “Bobby and Mark Atkins and the Countrymen.”
• 2022, he died at the age of 88.

MIKE AULDRIDGE

• From Washington, D.C.
• One of bluegrass music’s best known and most influential Dobro™ (resophonic guitar) players.
• Besides his work with the Seldom Scene and other bands, he appeared on recordings with Linda Ronstadt, Hank Williams, Jr., Emmylou Harris, James Taylor, Ry Cooder and many others.
• Learned Dobro™ after hearing “Uncle Josh” Graves. Bought his first Dobro™ from Graves for $150.
• First band: “The South Mountain Boys” (when he was in high school.)
• He is also a graphic artist. He designed several of the Seldom Scene’s early album covers as well as the logo for Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.
• Nickname: “Larry the Legend.”
• 1967, first professional job: Cliff Waldron and Bill Emerson’s band “The New Shades of Grass.”
• 1971, was an original member of The Seldom Scene.
• 1972, released his signature album of Dobro instrumentals Dobro (Tacoma).
• 1974, released second album Blues and Bluegrass (Tacoma).
• 1977, released album Mike Auldridge (Flying Fish).
• 1978, released Slidin’ Smoke (Flying Fish) with pedal steel player Jeff Newman.
• 1978, released “Mike Auldridge and Old Dog” (Flying Fish) with Phil Rosenthal’s Connecticut band “Old Dog.”
• 1982, released Eight-String Swing album (Sugar Hill) featuring an 8-string resonator guitar.
• 1989, released “High Time” (Sugar Hill) with Lou Reid and T. Michael Coleman.
• 1990, released Untold Stories album with Tony Rice, Doc Watson and John Starling (Sugar Hill).
• 1993, formed Chesapeake with Jimmy Gaudreau, Moondi Klein and T. Michael Coleman.
• 1998, toured with Lyle Lovett.
• 1999, formed Auldridge, Bennett and Gaudreau with Jimmy Gaudreau (mandolin) and Richard Bennett (guitar).
• 2001, recorded an album with Jim Heffernan and Hal Rugg called The Resocasters (no label).
• 2007, was presented with an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award.
• 2012, received the National Endowment of the Arts National Heritage Fellowship – the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts.
• 2012, died of prostate cancer on December 29.
• 2014, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame as an original member of the Seldom Scene.
• 2014, the album Three Bells was released featuring Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (Rounder). In 2015, this album won the IBMA Award for Instrumental Recording of the Year.

THE AUSTIN LOUNGE LIZARDS

• From Austin, Texas.
• Known as the most laughable band in bluegrass, they perform original satirical music in clubs in and around Austin. They are on the forefront of the movement to “keep Austin weird.”
• Original name: The Lounge Lizards, but discovered that the name was in use, so they added “Austin.”
• Formed in 1980 by Tom Pittman (banjo, fiddle), Hank Card (guitar) and Conrad Deisler (guitar and mandolin). Pittman retired from the band in 2011. They were joined by Darcie Deaville (2008, fiddle and mandolin) and Bruce Jones (2010, bass).
• 1983, won the Kerrville (TX) Bluegrass Festival Band Contest.
• Billboard magazine called them “hilarious, endearing and literary.”

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Lizard Vision (Flying Fish, 1992).
• Never an Adult Moment (Sugar Hill, 2000).

JEFF AUTRY

• From Buford, Georgia.
• Considered one of the top flatpick guitarists in bluegrass music.
• As a A-list studio musician and sideman, he has worked with John Cowan, Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs, Darrell Scott, Jim Lauderdale, Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, Vasser Clements, Tim O’Brien and John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin), to name a few.
• 1993, joined the Bluegrass Cardinals, replacing David Parmley.
• 1995-1996, worked with the Lynn Morris Band.
• 1996-2001, played guitar on the “Bluegrass ’96” series of instrumental recordings for Pinecastle Records.
• 1997-1998, worked with the Larry Stephenson Band.
• 1999, released first solo album Foothills (no label).
• 1999, joined the John Cowan Band.
• 2014, joined Adkins & Loudermilk (Dave Adkins and Edgar Loudermilk). His son Zack was also in this band, playing mandolin.
• 2015, after the departure of Adkins, the band name was changed to The Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry.
• 2019, suffered a stroke.