CACHE VALLEY DRIFTERS

• From Santa Barbara, California.
• Formed 1972, broke up 1983. Re-united 1992.
• Original members: Wally Barnick (bass), Bill Griffin (mandolin), David West (guitar, banjo).
• Were regulars at the Cold Springs Tavern in San Marcos (near Santa Barbara).

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), and Ross Holmes (fiddle).
• 2003, released first album “Talent Show,” produced by Pat Flynn.
• 2005, Andy Moritz replaced Sturgeon on bass.
• The band name was inspired by a place called Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas where a row of old Cadillacs are stuck nose-down in a cow pasture along I-40.
• Simpson has written songs recorded by artists such as George Strait, Gretchen Wilson, Joe Nichols, Diamond Rio, Jo Dee Messina, Neal McCoy, Brad Martin and Kenny Rogers. In 2009, his song “I’ll Just Hold On” (recorded by Blake Shelton) reached #5 spot on the Billboard Country chart.
• Fiddler Ross Holmes spent time in Josh Turner’s band.
• Banjo player Matt Menefee won the Winfield Banjo Championship at age 17.
• 2007, released Blind Man Walking album (Skaggs Family Records).
• 2008, released Gravity’s Our Enemy album (Skaggs Family Records).
• 2008, guitarist David Mayfield replaced Jump.
• 2010, released Letters in the Deep album (Dualtone Records).
• 2010, Bryan Simpson left the band to pursue Christian ministry opportunities and was replaced by singer/songwriter Levi Lowrey.
• 2011 (January), disbanded.
• 2014, reunited to play on Brian Simpson’s solo project “Whistles and Bells.”
• 2019, Simpson and Menefee formed a new act called The Golden Age.

SEE SPECIAL CONSENSUS

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, Crary, Hickman). Changed name to California when Spurgin and Moore were added to the group.
• While the group was called California, John Moore was the only California native.
• 1992, 1993, won IBMA award for “Instrumental Group of the Year.”
• Broke up in 1996. Crary and Spurgin left to pursue solo careers. Moore performed with his trio “Bluegrass Etc.” and also trained horses. Berline formed his own “Byron Berline Band” with John Hickman on banjo in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Berline also owned a music store and concert venue called “Byron’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop” and promoted an annual bluegrass festival in Oklahoma. Both Berline and Hickman are now deceased.

SHAWN CAMP

• From Arkansas.
• A songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks (“Two Pina Coladas”), Brooks and Dunn (“How Long Gone”), George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, many others.
• 1987, moved to Nashville at age 20, worked with Osborne Brothers, playing fiddle.
• 1991, signed with a major label (Reprise) and recorded first album which was never released.
• 2004, recorded a live bluegrass album at the Station Inn in Nashville, Live at the Station Inn (Oh Boy Records).
• 2007, he and rockabilly singer Billy Burnette released an album called “The Bluegrass Elvises” featuring bluegrass covers of Elvis Presley hits.
• 2013, formed a Flatt and Scruggs tribute band called Earls of Leicester.
• 2017, won his second IBMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year (he also won in 2015).

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 Grass Boys. His fiddle is heard on “Cryin’ Holy Unto the Lord,” Monroe’s last studio album.
• 1993, returned to Jim and Jesse.
• 1993, released Young Opry Fiddler album (Pinecastle)
• He also worked with the Cumberland Highlanders and the Sidemen. He appeared on an album by the Sidemen Almost Live at the Station Inn (Grave Records).
• 2003, died at the age of 40 from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping on a converted school bus near Clarksville, Tennessee. Rosie Carter Nix, granddaughter of Johnny Cash and June Carter, also died in the accident. He was playing fiddle in her band at the time. Drug abuse was apparently a contributing factor.

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 played fiddle with Jim and Jesse, Bill Monroe and the Sidemen.
• 2014, his band includes wife Whitney Campbell (bass, harmony vocals), Carl Caldwell (guitar), Jeff Burke (mandolin), Chris Carter (banjo).
• 2014, released first solo project Johnny Campbell & The Bluegrass Drifters (no label).

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 (guitar), Rick Allred (banjo).
• Allred previously worked with the Country Gentlemen, Larry Stephenson Band, McPeak Brothers.
• 2010, released “No Expectations” CD. At the time of recording, Will was 18, Laura Leigh 20, Ashley 23.

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, Sam Bush.
• Has performed with Lou Reid, the Lonesome River Band, Randy Kohrs, others.
• 1995, released album “Stoney Lonesome.”
• 2006, released album “Grassoline.”

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 duo called Natty Boh.
• Candlewyck is the name of the neighborhood where Bennett and Emerson grew up. They lived down the street from each other
• Bennett is a songwriter, producer and music instructor in Charlotte. Originally from Hampton, South Carolina.
• Emerson is originally from Lansing, Michigan, but has lived in NC since the early 80’s. Taught himself mandolin.
• 2001, released first album with guests Don Rigsby, John Cowan, Terry Baucom, Shawn Lane, others. A song from that album “Firemen” won an “Indy” award for best bluegrass song of the year.
• 2007, released Live at the Palmetto Theater album (Votive).
• 2014, released radio single “Play” featuring John Cowan on vocals.

MELONIE CANNON

• From Nashville. Born in Jackson, Tennessee.
• Daughter of legendary country music songwriter & producer Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Reba McIntyre, Mel Tillis, George Jones, etc).
• Her sister Maria Cannon-Goodman is also a successful songwriter (“Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo,” etc.)
• Started recording at age 14 (with Dean Dillon). Also worked as a teenager with Vern Gosdin, Bill Anderson. Recorded duet “Cry Cry Darlin'” with Sammy Kershaw at age 16.
• Did a stint in the U.S. Army. In her own words “I had a wild streak that needed to be tamed.” The Army helped her learn self-discipline and self-respect. She was discharged for medical reasons, but the experience changed her life.
• 2004, released debut bluegrass album Melonie Cannon, produced by Ronnie Bowman (Skaggs Family Records).
• 2008, released And The Wheels Turn album (Rural Rhythm).

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; Al is from Seattle, Washington
• Before moving to Montana, they lived and worked in Nashville as songwriters
• Performed in the movie “A River Runs Through It” starring Robert Redford. When they performed for a cast party prior to the shooting of the movie, Redford liked them so much, he worked them into the movie. They appeared in the picnic scene.

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 band Bluegrass Etc.
• A busy sideman and studio musician in San Diego. Has performed on numerous TV commercials, films & TV shows. Credits include Back to the Future III & all of Kenny Roger’s “Gambler” movies. He has also appeared on the Martha Stewart TV Show, Cingular Wireless commercials and is a member of the Academy of Country Music’s house band.
• Performs regularly with Tim Flannery (former San Diego Padres ballplayer).
• Also produces many of CMH Records’ “Pickin’ On” series including tributes to Eric Clapton, Santana, Creed, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, Bonnie Raitt, Jim Morrison, Queen, Neil Diamond, Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M., ZZ Top, Lynrd Skynrd, Black Crowes, Phish, Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, Lonestar, Lee Ann Womack, Jo Dee Messina, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Clint Black, Tracy Byrd, Counting Crows, Indigo Girls, LeeAnn Rimes, and Rod Stewart.
• 2021, died at the age of 57.

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 movement in California during the 1970’s.
• Graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music.
• 1979-87, served as music director for the Ice Capades.
• 1987, was a member of the David Grisman Quintet, playing guitar.
• 1992, did the orchestration for the off-Broadway production “The Song of Singapore.”
• 1994, recorded a guitar duet album with Tony Rice called “River Suite for Two Guitars.”
• 1994, Formed band “Over the Edge.”
• 1997, worked with the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble.
• 2000, formed the John Carlini Quartet.
• Writes a monthly column for Flatpicking Guitar Magazine. Continue reading “Carlini, John”

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 in Pennsylvania called 2nd Edition.
• 2004-2009, played guitar with the Special Consensus.
• 2005, released solo album Take Some Time (Pinecastle).
• 2009, joined the Tina Adair Band. Continue reading “Carbone, Justin”

CAROLINA ROAD (See LORRAINE JORDAN)

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) and Tim May on guitar (formerly with Mike Snider, John Cowan, Crucial Smith).
• 2010, released Carpenter & May album (Violin Shop Records).

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 Munde and Roland White).
• 1984, joined the faculty of South Plains College (Levelland, Texas) as a “bluegrass specialist” in the commercial music program. He is founder of the school’s “Camp Bluegrass” which is held in July of each year.
• 1994, formed a duo with Alan Munde.
• 2003, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He continues to teach music at South Plains College.
• Has produced numerous instruction books for guitar and mandolin for Mel Bay Publishing. He also writes frequently for Flatpicking Guitar Magazine.
• 2014, died at the age of 63.

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 1995.
• They have recorded more than a dozen albums on Zap, Adelphi, Fonotone and Alear Records.
• 2011, the band includes Bonnie Eyler (bass), Dale Eyler (fiddle), Steve Waldon (banjo) and Dave Dulaney (guitar). Bonnie and Dale are second generation Eylers.
• 2011, they celebrated their 50th anniversary.
• 2012, received a special proclamation from the State of Maryland for their contributions to the arts.

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 Patuxent Records.
• 2014, joined Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
• 2014, released Avenue of the Giants album (Patuxent).

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 fiddle with the Goins Brothers.
• 1992, joined the Del McCoury Band at age 19, playing fiddle. He had only been playing fiddle for two years at that time.
• 1997, released solo album On the Move (Rounder).
• 2002, formed a part-time band with David Parmley called White House.
• He also performs with Ronnie and Rob McCoury in The Travelin’ McCourys.
• 2014, won his fifth IBMA Award for Fiddle Player of the Year (also won in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2013).
• 2024, married fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Hynes in a ceremony performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

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. From the inscription: “A.P. Carter, his wife, Sara, and his sister-in-law Maybelle, played in one of the first commercial country recording sessions at Bristol, Tennesee … Their songs became country standards, and some of A.P.’s original compositions are among the all-time greats … the epitome of country greatness and originators of a much copied style.”
• Original group recorded and performed from 1927 to 1942, when A.P. and Sara divorced.
• Wrote and recorded hundreds of country and bluegrass standards: Jimmy Brown the Newsboy, The Wildwood Flower, Keep on the Sunnyside, etc.
• After 1942, Maybelle continued to perform as the Carter Family with daughters Helen, June and Anita. In 1950, the group became regulars on the Grand Ole Opry.
• June Carter had several hit records as a solo artist. Married Johnny Cash.
• Performed as regulars on the Johnny Cash show until Mother Maybelle’s death in 1978.
• Maybelle (Mother Maybelle) was famous for her autoharp playing, but rose to fame as a guitarist. She was among the first to play with finger-picks and to play guitar solos. Her style is still copied by many guitarists today.
• 2001, The Carter Family was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Honor by Bill Clifton.

RECOMMENDED:

• The Carter Family: 1927-1934 (This box set contains the defining Carter Family recordings.)

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, blending electric/acoustic, folk, rock, bluegrass and blues.
• 1992, the Carter Brothers signed with Capitol Records.
• The Carter Brothers are related to Hall of Fame members the Carter Family. The connection: their great-grandfather William Carter and A.P Carter are first cousins. They were also very close friends.
• 1997-2004, Tim toured with the Alison Brown Quartet as her sound engineer. Also toured with Newgrange and Tim O’Brien.
• Tim has his own recording studio in Nashville called Treehouse. Has worked with such bluegrass artists as Alison Brown, Tim O’Brien, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Vassar Clements and many others.
• 2004-2006, the Carter Brothers toured with Vassar Clements until his passing.
• 2007, Tim released his first solo project “Bang Bang” featuring original banjo tunes.
• 2016, joined Hayseed Dixie.
• 2017, Danny Carter was hospitalized following multiple strokes and other health issues.
• 2021, Tim formed a new band called Damn the Banjos.
• 2024, Danny Carter died at the age of 71.

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 Dillard, John McEuen and others.
• Won banjo contests at Rockygrass, Merlefest, Renofest and other competitions.
• Developed a technically advanced style of playing jazz and other genres on the banjo. Was awarded a teaching residency at the Berklee School of Music.
• 2006, began touring with jazz saxophonist Bill Evans.
• 2008, released “Songs from the New Frontier” album (no label).
• 2015, joined the Jeff Austin band.
• 2017, joined the Songs from the Road Band.
• 2019, left the Songs from the Road Band to return to performing solo and collaborating with other artists.

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 band was Rich Orchard, Frank Ray, and The Ramblin’ Blue Grass Boys. The name was changed to Cedar Hill Grass in 1972, and later shortened to just Cedar Hill.
• Winner of several SPBGMA awards and in 2000, won first place at the Gibson National Bluegrass Band Showcase.
• 2004 lineup: Frank Ray (mandolin), Mel Besher (guitar), Kenny Cantrell (banjo), Lisa Ray (fiddle) and Ali Keisler (bass).
• 2005, released Stories album (Hay Holler).
• 2011, released “I’ve Got a Thing About Doors” album (Blue Circle)
• 2008, released Looking Back album (Hay Holler).
• 2013 lineup: Ray (mandolin), Jim Bunch (banjo), Pete Brown (fiddle), Patti LeFleur (bass), Brit McGarity (guitar).
• 2015, released “Miss Dixie, Tom T. and Me” (Blue Circle), a collection of songs written by Tom T. and Dixie Hall especially for Cedar Hill. For two years following the deaths of Frank Ray’s son Scott and his father Dallas, Ray was unable to write new songs for his band. So the Hall’s responded by offering Ray ten new songs.
• 2008, Ray was inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Association Hall of Fame and received the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018
• 2019, Ray was inducted into SPBGMA’s Hall of Greats.
• 2019, released Grandpa Built a Church House album (Nickeltown).
• 2020, signed with Mountain Fever Records.

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.
• Band members: Jim Duck Adkins (banjo), Bob MacIsaac (guitar), David Ellis (mandolin, fiddle, Dobro™), Jerry Zee (electric bass.)
• 2006, were voted favorite bluegrass act by Country Atlanta magazine.
• They have opened for such touring acts as Doc Watson, Phish, Leon Russell, Tony Rice and Earl Scruggs.
• Albums include “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs”, “Double Album” and “25 Years of Cedar Hill.”

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.
• After leaving the Lost and Found, he retired from music for several years, eventually returning as a folk/southern rock artist. He also hosted a local TV show called “Friends, Neighbors and Music.”
• 2010, released solo project Somebody To Sing To on Mountain Fever Records.
• 2014, released Another Evening With the Music of John Denver album (no label).

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 in 2008, he was a member of the James King Band, Audie Blaylock and Redline, Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass.
• Avery County was named for a 1978 album recorded by Chandler’s hero Charlie Moore.
• They call their music “Baltimore Barroom Bluegrass.”
• 2010, released State of Depression album (Patuxent Records).
• 2011, Chris Pandolfi of the Infamous Stringdusters mentioned Chandler in his “Big Tent” keynote address, naming him as a good example of artists working to preserve the traditional style of bluegrass music.
• 2012, released Pardon Me album (no label).
• 2016, disbanded Avery County and formed a new band with guitarist Steven Dowdy.

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 and Jason.
• 1994, moved to Missouri and were regulars at Silver Dollar City, near Branson.
• 1998, won the SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Championship in Nashville.
• 1999, released Notes From Home album (Pinecastle).
• 2001, released Follow Me album (Pinecastle).
• 2002, won IBMA award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
• 2005, released Simple Man album (Pinecastle).
• They created on online TV program called “Chap TV.”
• 2010, released Grown Up (A Revisionist History) album on Compass Records.
• They currently own and operate a music store called The Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield, Missouri.

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 (bass and pedal steel guitar).
• They began as an opening act for the Carbines.
• Call themselves “new traditionalists.”
• 2003, released first album Chatham County Line (Bonfire).
• 2004, won “best new bluegrass band” contest at Rockygrass (Colorado).
• 2005, released Route 23 album (Yep Roc).
• 2006, released Speed of the Whipporwill album (Yep Roc).
• 2008, released IV album (Yep Roc).
• 2010, released Wildwood album (Yep Roc).
• 2014, released Tightrope album (Yep Roc).
• 2016, released Autumn album (Yep Roc).
• 2019, released Sharing the Covers album (Yep Roc).

CHERRYHOLMES

• From Northeastern Arizona. Originally from Southern California (Bell, CA).
• A family band: Jere (Pop) plays bass. Sandy Lee (Mom) plays mandolin. The kids: Daughters Cia Leigh (banjo) and Molly Kate (fiddle). Sons B.J. (fiddle/mandolin) and Skip (guitar.)
• 1999, attended a bluegrass festival in Southern California (Norco, CA) and decided to begin playing bluegrass music.
• Originally called themselves “Spirit High Ridge.” They lived on a high ridge in the Arizona desert at the time.
• 2001, released first album “Still Rough Around the Edges” which was recorded in their home (Spirit High Ridge Music)
• 2002, became a full-time touring band.
• 2003, Molly (age 10) played fiddle on Rhonda Vincent’s album and performed with her on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 2003, released “Bluegrass Vagabonds” album (Spirit High Ridge Music).
• 2005, released Cherryholmes album (Skaggs Family).
• 2005, won the IBMA Award for Entertainer of the Year.
• 2007, released Cherryholmes II Black & White album (Skaggs Family).
• 2008, released Cherryholmes III Don’t Believe album (Skaggs Family).
• 2010, released Cherryholmes IV Common Threads album (Skaggs Family).
• 2011, the group officially disbanded. Cia formed a new group called “Stetson and Cia” (with singer/songwriter Stetson Adkisson). Molly formed a new group called “Corporation Insania.” She has also been doing some fashion modeling. B.J joined Dailey & Vincent, playing fiddle. Skip Cherryholmes formed “The Skip Cherryholmes Quintet.”
• 2013, Skip joined Sideline (with Darrell Webb, Steve Dilling, Justen Haynes and Jason Moore). He also played dates with Lou Reid and Carolina.
• 2015, Molly joined Mountain Heart.

CHESAPEAKE

• From the Washington, DC area.
• Formed in 1993 by Mike Auldridge, Moondi Klein and T. Michael Coleman (who were all performing with the Seldom Scene at the time) and Jimmy Gaudreau (of the Tony Rice Unit). They went full-time in 1995.
• They were one of the original “Americana” bands.
• Disbanded in 1999. Auldridge and Gaudreau formed a new band with Richard Bennett called Auldridge, Bennett and Gaudreau.
• 2014, T. Michael Coleman released a new collection of live recordings by Chesapeake called “Hook, Live and Sinker.”

THE CHESTNUT GROVE QUARTET

• From Washington County (southwestern), Virginia.
• Formed shortly after World War II at the Chestnut Grove Methodist Church.
• An acapella gospel quartet (no instruments), they influenced such bluegrass artists as Ralph Stanley and Doyle Lawson. For 30 years, they had a radio show on WBBI, Abingdon, Virginia (mid 50’s to the mid 80’s).
• Original members: Archie Reynolds, Jim Nunley, Gale Webb, Bill Nunley. Reynolds died in 1962 and was replaced by Ray Roe.

KATHY CHIAVOLA

• From Nashville, Tennessee.
• Pronounced Kee-ávola
• Has a master’s degree in voice from Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
• As a Nashville session musician, she has sung on recording by Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea, Tony Rice, Bill Monroe, John Hartford, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Tammy Wynette, Don Williams and Emmylou Harris and many others.
• She has worked with the Doug Dillard Band, Vassar Clements, Country Gazette, Jerry Douglas and Mark O’Connor.
• 1991, formed the Kathy Chiavola Band which at the time included Randy Howard, Brent Truitt and Wayne Southards.
• Full time job: Teaches voice at Belmont University.
• 1995, released bluegrass album “The Harvest.”
• 1998, sang with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra.
• 1999, was voted Outstanding Background Vocalist at the Nashville Music Awards.

THE CHIEFTAINS

• From Dublin, Ireland.
• Formed in 1963 by Paddy Maloney, an uillean piper. Went full-time in 1975.
• Became Ireland’s best known performers of traditional Irish/Celtic music.
• Members: Paddy Moloney, Sean Keane, Kevin Conneff, Matt Molloy, Martin Fay, Michael Tubridy, Sean Potts, Derek Bell. Bell died in 2002.
• 1975, won an Academy Award for the soundtrack to the movie “Barry Lyndon.” They have written and performed soundtracks for several other films as well.
• They have won six Grammy Awards.
• 2002, released Down the Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions album with many bluegrass artists including Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Nickel Creek and others.
• 2002, Paddy Moloney performed on the IBMA Awards show with the Del McCoury Band.
• 2003, released Further Down the Old Plank Road album, a follow up to their 2002 bluegrass-flavored album.
• 2021, Paddy Moloney died at the age of 83.

THE CHIGGER HILL BOYS AND TERRI

• From Hendersonville, Tennessee (Nashville area).
• Formed in 2001.
• They specialize in bluegrass gospel music. Band members: Mike Richards (mandolin/guitar), Terri Argot (vocals), Ricky Gore (bass), Mark Dunham (guitar), Bobby Stangenberg (guitar) and Ethan Blair (banjo).
• 2003,released O Brother What Now album (Daywind).
• 2004, released Will Play For Pie album (Daywind)
• 2006, released Soul Central Railroad album (Daywind).
• 2008, released Hymns From Chigger Hill album (Daywind).
• 2010, released Oh Well album (Daywind).
• 2011, released Indescribable album (Daywind).
• 2011, Charles Lackey replaced Blair on banjo.
• 2019, released Songs Like Those for Days Like These album (Great Escape)
• 2023, released Every Good Path album (Morning Glory).

THE CHRISTIAN QUARTET

• From Ennis, North Carolina.
• A gospel bluegrass band featuring three brothers: Jay (guitar), Ray (mandolin) and Alvin (bass) Shaw. Other members of the band included Cullen Galyean (banjo), Olen Harris (guitar) and Johnny Jackson (fiddle).
• 1983, released “He Reached Out His Hand” album (Commandment).
• 1984, released “Heaven is My Home” album (Blue Moon).
• 1985, released “Listen to Him” album (Heritage).
• 1986, released “Sing a Song to Jesus” album (Heritage).
• 1988, released “Dreams Won’t Compare” album (Heritage).
• 1990, released “Give Jesus All My Rewards” album (Heritage).

BRIAN CHRISTIANSON

• From Nashville.
• A fiddle player and luthier.
• 2000, received his degree in String Instrument Repair, Violin Specialty from the Minnesota State Technical College in Red Wing, MN. He also received his certificate in Violin Building
• 2007, recorded a solo project “Brian Christianson and Friends” with Mike Snider, Tim May, Jesse Cobb, Shad Cobb, David Harvey and other musicians.
• 2011 opened his own shop, “The Fiddle House” in Nashville.
• Is a member of Mike Snyder’s “Old Time String Band” on the Grand Ole Opry.
• Has also worked with work with Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Russ Barenberg, Tim O’Brien, Roland White, others.

RAMONA CHURCH

• From North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
• Formerly played banjo with the New Coon Creek Girls.
• Won the Kentucky State Banjo Championship three years in a row.
• 1999-2001, performed with Carolina Road.
• 2001, joined Jeannette Williams and Clearwater.
• 2002, retired to stay home and raise her children.
• 2004, joined Big Country Bluegrass.
• 2006, joined Dale Ann Bradley’s band.

THE CHURCHMEN

• A gospel bluegrass band from Collinsville, Virginia.
• Formed June 8, 1989 by original members Freddy Rakes (banjo), Keith Clark (guitar), Jeff Mills (bass) and F.D. Black (mandolin). First performance was at the Lynchburg (VA) Church of God of Prophecy. Later that same year, Black was replaced by Gerald Harbour on mandolin. Another early member of the band was Christian Gillikan (fiddle) who was in the band during most of the 1990’s.
• 2003, their album “On the Journey Home” was nominated for a Dove Award for Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year.
• 2004, they purchased the Statler Brothers’ bus.
• 2012, Carroll Arnn (banjo) joined the band, replacing Freddy Rakes. Arnn also is a songwriter and lead singer.
• 2013, released their seventh album Mercy Road (Mountain Fever Records).
• 2014 lineup: Keith Clark (bass), Gerald Harbour (mandolin), David Guthrie (guitar) Carroll Arnn (banjo, fiddle and guitar) and Rick Keen (resonator guitar).
• 2015, released their eighth album Crown Of Thorns (Mountain Fever Records).
• 2017, released God Holds Tomorrow album (Mountain Fever).
• 2018, Jay Adams (guitar) joined the band. Other band members at the time: Gerald Harbour (mandolin), Carrol Arnn (banjo/guitar), Daniel Green (fiddle) and Keith Clark (bass).
• 2018, Harbour (mandolin) was replaced by Greg Jones.
• 2019, released A Mountain to Climb album (Morning Glory).
• 2022, Christian Gillikan (fiddle) re-joined the group.
• 2023, released Shadow of the Cross album (Morning Glory).

THE CHURCH SISTERS

• From Galax, Virginia.
• A band featuring the vocals of twin sisters Savannah and Sarah Church.
• Band members include Savannah (fiddle, lead vocals), Sarah (hand-held percussion, harmony vocals), Josh Pickett (guitar), Spencer Strickland (mandolin), Jacob Eller (bass) and Ricky Grubbs (percussion).
• 2011, they appeared on the album Mark Twain: Words & Music (Mailboat Records), produced by Carl Jackson.
• 2012, released “There’s You” album (no label).
• They have toured with Christian artist Brandon Heath, appeared on numerous RFD-TV shows and sang the national anthem on the nationally-televised “Food City 300” NASCAR race in Bristol, Tennessee.
• 2015, appeared on the album Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited, produced by Carl Jackson.
• 2018, released A Night at the Opry album (Valory Music).
• 2019, they decided to discontinue performing together. Savannah launched a solo career.
• 2021, Savannah appeared on the TV show “American Idol.”

RICHARD CIFERSKÝ

• From Pezinok, Slovakia (Slovak Republic).
• Began playing banjo at age 15.
• 1998-2002, formed a band called 29 Strings.
• 1999, co-founded the Slovak Bluegrass Music Association and served as its president (2000-2005).
• 2002-2005, joined Slovoakian band Fragment.
• 2004, released his first solo album “New Gallop.”
• 2006, toured Europe with Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike.
• 2008, released album “Rainy Day.”
• 2011, recorded a concert video with The Chapmans.
• 2012, moved to the USA to work with Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike and other artists.
• 2013, released “Coming Back for More” album.
• 2013, formed a band called Bill Faster (in the Slovak Republic).
• 2014, returned to the USA to work with Kentucky’s Velvet Blue (June) and teach a workshop at Lincoln Memorial University.
• 2016, worked with Dale Ann Bradley’s band. Returned to the Slovak Republic later that year.

CIRCA BLUE

• From Martinsburg, West Virginia.
• Formed in 2010 by Steve Harris (guitar). Other members: Steve’s brother Dave Harris (bass), Ron Webb (mandolin), Jon Glik (fiddle) and Matt Hickman (banjo).
• Bandleader Steve Harris is also a residential building contractor.
• The word “circa” is a latin word meaning “about” or “approximately.”
• 2012, released first (self-titled) album (no label).
• 2014, released A Darker Blue album (no label).
• 2014, Malia Furtado (fiddle) and Teri Chism (bass) joined the band.
• 2016, released Once Upon a Time album (Orange Blossom).
• 2016, released “Bells of Home,” a Christmas album (Orange Blossom).
• 2019, released Footprints in a Song album (Bell Buckle).

CIRCUIT RIDERS

• From North Carolina.
• Formed in 2004 by Darin Aldridge, Greg Corbett, Billy Gee, Jaret Carter and Greg Luck.
• Several members of this band (all but Luck) were members of the last Country Gentlemen band before Charlie Waller’s death. Luck had previously worked with Third Tyme Out.
• 2006, released one album “Let the Ride Begin” (Pinecastle).
• 2008, disbanded. Darin Aldridge married singer Brooke Justice and formed a new band.
• There was another, completely different bluegrass band in Southern California called Circuit Riders (1985-1995) which included Terry and Sharon Stanton, Randy Frank, Bob Applebaum, Harry Orlove and others.

BOBBY CLARK

• From Oklahoma.
• Won the national mandolin championship in Winfield, Kansas.
• Early bands: The Bluegrass Revue with Vince Gill. Also worked with Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, Larry McNeeley, Jim Lauderdale and the Bluegrass Cardinals.
• 1985-2001, a member of The Mike Snider Trio.
• 2002, formed (with banjo player Blake Williams) the Williams and Clark Expedition.
• 2009, joined Jerry Butler and the Blu-J’s.
• He is also a luthier, building Dr. Mojo custom guitars.

THE CLARK BROTHERS / SONS OF SYLVIA

• From Rocky Mount, Virginia
• Originally a gospel group formed by Freddy and Sylvia Clark and their nine children (all boys). Freddy Clark is an evangelist. For several years, they toured in two Silver Eagle buses, holding revivals all over the Southeast.
• The nine boys are called “the A-team”: Alan, Aaron, Adam, Andrew, Ashley, Andrew, Austin, Abraham, and Alexander.
• 1998, changed their name to the Clark Family Experience, featuring six of the boys: Alan, Andrew, Austin, Adam, Ashley and Aaron.
• 1998, they began performing on weekly “Live from Las Vegas” show (TNN) hosted by the Oak Ridge Boys. They also appeared on “Prime Time Country” and opened several shows for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. They also toured with George Strait.
• 2000, recorded album on Curb Records produced by Tim McGraw. Their single “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch” became a top 10 country single and CMT video.
• 2003, changed their name to “Clark.”
• 2007, “The Clark Brothers” (Adam, Ashley, and Austin) won Fox TV’s “The Next Great American Band” as a trio. The prize: a recording deal and a bit of fame.
• 2005-2009, Ashley Clark toured with Carrie Underwood as her fiddle player.
• 2010, The Clark Brothers renamed themselves The Sons of Sylvia and became a country rock band.

MARVIN CLARK

• From Beverly, Ohio.
• A singer/songwriter/guitarist who founded the Ohio Valley Opry, an old-time music venue on McConnelsville, Ohio. He performs there regularly.
• His songs “Like a Train Needs a Track” and “One Little Teardrop” were recorded by the Lonesome River Band.
• He, his wife and four daughters have a traveling traditional gospel group.
• 2011, released a solo project for Mountain Fever Records.

ROY CLARK

• From Meherrin, Virginia. Lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• As a boy, played bluegrass with his father, Hester Clark, and other members of his family in a group called the Southside Virginians.
• Mid-1970’s, recorded two albums of bluegrass music with the Southside Virginians and other family friends.
• By his own admission, he wasn’t an accomplished banjo player but in his words, “I love to play.” He recorded two albums of banjo duets with his longtime friend Buck Trent, “Pair of Fives” (1975) and “Banjo Bandits” (1978).
• Won both CMA (1973) and ACM (1972-73) awards for “Entertainer of the Year.”
• 1969-1997, co-hosted (with Buck Owens) the TV Show “Hee-Haw.” He appeared on 294 episodes of the show.
• 1983, opened the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre in Branson, Missouri. He was the first country music star to have a theatre there. (He sold the venue to the Hughes Brothers in 1999).
• 1987, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
• 2009, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• 2018, died at the age of 85

VASSAR CLEMENTS

• From Kissimmee, Florida.
• Began playing the fiddle when he was five years old.
• Called “The Father of Hillbilly Jazz.”
• 1949-1956, at age 21 replaced Chubby Wise as Bill Monroe’s fiddle player.
• 1957-1961, worked with Jim and Jesse.
• 1962, retired from music due to alcohol problems. During that time, he worked as a switchman for the Atlantic Coast Railroad, as an insurance salesman, in a paper mill, and he even had a potato-chip franchise in Tallahassee.
• 1968, un-retired when offered job with Faron Young’s band. Also worked with Jimmy Martin, John Hartford and the Earl Scruggs Revue before beginning his solo career in 1973.
• 1971, performed on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” album, which won a Grammy award.
• 1973, was a member of Old & In the Way with Jerry Garcia, David Grisman & Peter Rowan.
• As a studio musician, he has played on more than 2000 records, including albums by The Grateful Dead, Paul McCartney and the Boston Pops Orchestra.
• 1977, released The Bluegrass Sessions album (Flying Fish).
• 1979, released Hillbilly Jazz album (Flying Fish).
• 1991, released Grass Routes album (Rounder).
• 2001, released Full Circle album (OMS) with John Cowan, Ricky Skaggs, Peter Rowan, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jim & Jesse, and other guests.
• 2002, recorded and played dates with Old & In the Gray a reunion with Grisman and Rowan.
• Died in 2005.
• 2018, was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

MICHAEL CLEVELAND (AND FLAMEKEEPER)

• From Louisville, Kentucky. He was born in Henryville, Indiana.
• Blind from birth, he began playing fiddle at age 4.
• 1993, gained national attention at age 12 when he appeared at the IBMA Awards Show with Chris Thile, Josh Williams and other youngsters. There he met Alison Krauss, who invited him to perform on the Grand Ole Opry that same year.
• Also at the 1993 IBMA events, he jammed with another blind performer, Doc Watson, which became a highlight of the documentary film “Gather at the River.”
• Hobby: he collects pocket knives.
• 1998, recorded and released “Sawing on the C String”album (no label) at age 17.
• 1999, graduated from high school and began performing with Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek.
• 2000, joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
• 2001-2006, re-joined Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek.
• 2002, released Flame Keeper album (Rounder).
• 2006, after leaving Dale Ann Bradley’s band, he formed “Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock.” Blaylock later formed his own band.
• 2006, released Let’Er Go Boys album (Rounder).
• 2008, released Leaving Town album (Rounder).
• 2009, released a duet album with banjo player Tom Adams, Live at the Ragged Edge (Rounder).
• 2008, was featured prominently on Vince Gill’s Grammy-winning project “These Days.”
• 2011, released Fired Up album (Rounder). After the released of this album, the band underwent major personnel changes.
• 2011, won his 4th IBMA Award for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year (for “Going Up Dry Branch).
• 2014 , released On Down the Line album (Compass).
• 2016, released Fiddler’s Dream album (Compass).
• 2017, won the IBMA Awards for Instrumental Recording of the Year (for Fiddler’s Dream).
• 2018, was elected to the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame.
• 2019, a documentary film titled “Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story” was released on Amazon Prime.
• 2020, won the IBMA Award for Instrumental Group of the Year (his seventh in that category).
• 2019, released Tall Fiddler album (Compass).
• 2019, won his 12th IBMA Award for Fiddle Player of the Year. (He also won in 2001,2002, 2004, 2006,2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2018).
• 2020, won the IBMA Award for Instrumental Performance of the Year for the song “Tall Fiddler” (with Tommy Emmanuel).
• 2020, won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for Tall Fiddler (Compass).
• 2022, was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts “National Heritage Fellowship,” the highest award offered in the United States for the folk and traditional arts.

THE CLEVERLYS

• • From Cane Spur, Arkansas, a fictional Ozark town.
  • On stage, they portray a family bluegrass band: Digger Cleverly (guitar), Ricky Lloyd Cleverly (bass), Cub Cleverly (mandolin), DVD Cleverly (banjo) and Sock Cleverly (fiddle).
  • Who they really are: Paul Harris (Digger), Matt Skates (Ricky Lloyd), Cameron Owens (Cub), Will McLean (DVD) and Matt Flake (Sock).
  • The band was the brainchild of Harris, a stand-up comedian who performed for many years in Branson, Missouri. Originally from Mountain View, Arkansas, he moved to Nashville in 2005 and came up with the idea for the Cleverlys there.
  • Dressed in exaggerated hillbilly-cowboy costumes, they specialize in bluegrass covers of popular songs along with the comedy routines of Harris.
  • 2010, they made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • 2019, released Blue album (Mountain Home).

BILL CLIFTON

• Native of Baltimore (Lutherville), Maryland. Lives in Mendota, Virginia.
• Real name: William Marburg. Changed his name in 1950 to avoid embarrassing his family.
• One of bluegrass music’s true “international” stars. His albums have been released by record companies in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, France, Australia and New Zealand.
• He has been called the first “citybilly” in bluegrass music.
• 1952, formed his first band, The Dixie Mountain Boys. Played the Wheeling (WV) Jamboree for several years.
• He was backed by the Country Gentlemen on many of his recordings.
• Although he performed bluegrass music throughout his career, he preferred being known as a folk singer, thus getting more exposure and appealing to a wider audience.
• His early recordings were on the Starday and Mercury labels.
• 1959, worked as a stock broker on the New York Stock Exchange.
• 1961, organized a historic one-day bluegrass event on July 4th that brought together most of the nation’s top acts which drew more than 2000 and inspired Carlton Haney (who was there) to organize the first three-day bluegrass music festival a few years later.
• Was one of the organizers of the Newport Folk Festival, giving birth to the revival of folk music in the 1960’s.
• 1963, visited England and liked it so much that he stayed for 15 years. He appeared regularly on the BBC. His program was called “Cellar Full of Folk.”
• He was a close friend of A.P. Carter.
• He was a member of the Peace Corps and traveled extensively.
• 1973, began touring and recording with mandolinist Red Rector.
• 1992, he received an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award for his lifelong contributions to bluegrass music.
• 2001, he inducted the Carter Family into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.
• 2008, he was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.

RECOMMENDED:

• The Early Years 1957-58 (Rounder)

CHARLIE CLINE

• From Baisden, West Virginia.
• Late 1940’s, he joined the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers with brothers Curly Ray and Ezra.
• 1952-55, was a member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, playing fiddle and guitar.
• 1956, worked with the Stanley Brothers, playing lead guitar.
• 1960, worked with the Osborne Brothers.
• 1970, rejoined the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers.
• 1980, joined Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys.
• He became an ordained minister and evangelist in Alabama.
• 1986, worked with the Warrior River Boys in Alabama.
• Died in 2004 in Alabama.

CURLY RAY CLINE

• From Pike County, Kentucky.
• Best known as the long-time fiddler with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
• 1938, at age 15 formed the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers with brother Ned and cousin Ezra.
• 1963-1993, worked with Stanley Brothers and then Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys until his retirement.
• Nickname: The Old Kentucky Fox Hunter.
• Died in 1997.

GINA CLOWES (SEE GINA FURTADO)

THE CLUMSY LOVERS

• From Vancouver, B.C., Canada
• Formed in 2001. Began playing pubs in the Vancouver area.
• They call their music “raging bluegrass Celtic rock.”
• Members: Jason Homey (banjo, mandolin), Chris Jonat (bass), Andrea Lewis (fiddle), Trevor Rogers (guitar), Gord Robert (drums).
• 2001, released Clumsy Lovers Live album (no label).
• 2002, released Under the Covers album (no label).
• 2009, released Make Yourself Known album (no label).
• 2012, released Smart Kid album (Nettwerk).
• 2013, released After The Flood album (Nettwerk).

THE CLUSTER PLUCKERS

• From Nashville, Tennessee.
• Formed in 1988 by vocalists Margaret Archer Bailey and Kris Ballinger (who began singing together in 1979 in Vassar Clements’ Hillbilly Jazz Band). Kris’ husband Dale played bass.
• They were regulars at Nashville’s Station Inn.
• They appeared with Chet Atkins on the PBS TV show, Austin City Limits.
• 1989, released first album “The Cluster Pluckers” (no label).
• 1989, appeared on John Hartford’s album Down On The River.
• Sang with Hoyt Axton in the Ken Burns TV special, “Songs of the Civil War.”
• 1992, released “Just Pluck It” album (no label).
• 1993, appeared at President Clinton’s inauguration, representing the state of Tennessee.
• Backing musicians included Richard Bailey (banjo), Brent Truitt (mandolin), Mark Howard (guitar) and Blaine Sprouse (fiddle).
• Occasional Pluckers included Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), Randy Howard (fiddle), Roy Husky, Jr. (bass), David Grier (guitar), Andrea Zonn (fiddle), Kathy Chiavola (guitar and vocals).
• Their name was given to them by singer/songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler (of “Coward of the County” fame). He noticed that they “stood in a cluster while they plucked.”
• 1995, released “Unplucked” album (no label).
• 1995, released “Gospel Favorites” album (Chapel Music Group).
• They disbanded in 2003.
• 2021, Margaret Bailey died at the age of 67.

RECOMMENDED:

• Bluegrass Gospel Favorites (Green Hill, 2002)

THE COCKMAN FAMILY

• • A gospel group from Sherrills Ford, North Carolina.
  • The Cockman Family include four brothers, their sister and their father. John Cockman Sr. (guitar), Caroline Cockman Fisher (lead vocals), John Cockman Jr. (fiddle), Billy Cockman (banjo), David Cockman (bass) and Ben Cockman (mandolin).
  • Began performing together as a band in 1988. They have been featured performers at Dollywood Theme Park.
  • Named one of 12 “Most Creative Families in America” by American Greetings Cards and USA Weekend.
  • Have been featured in several regional PBS TV shows including “A Cockman Family Christmas.”
  • They are the host band for the annual Fiddler’s Grove Music Festival in Union Grove, North Carolina.
  • 2006, released The Promise album (no label)
  • 2009, released All About Love album (no label).
  • 2012, released Dedicated album (no label).
  • 2013, Billy Cockman won the National Guitar and Banjo Championship in Winfield, Kansas.
  • Ben has won the National Flatpick Guitar Championship (Winfield, KS), the South Carolina Guitar Championship, the Merlefest Guitar Championship, and the Wayne Henderson Festival Guitar Championship.

DAVID COFFEY

• From Waynesboro, Virginia.
• A multi-instrumentalist who plays all the bluegrass instruments.
• Age 16, toured with a gospel group called The Crestmen.
• Worked for three years in a band with Lew Dewitt of the original Statler Brothers.
• 2000, released first solo album and formed a new band called “Virginia Blend.”
• 2002, formed a band called “Phoenix.”

COMMON STRINGS

• From Blairsville, Georgia
• Formed in 2003 when Darron and Vanessa Nichols (now married) first met. Vanessa is from Kentucky.
• Play a blend of bluegrass and Appalachian folk music.
• Band Members: Darron Nichols (mandolin), Vanessa Nichols (guitar), Blake McDaniel (banjo), Eathan Walker (bass).
• 2008, released first album “The Rain Came Down” (Lou Bell Records).
• 2010, released Somewhere In Glory album (Rural Rhythm Christian)

MIKE COMPTON

• Native of Meridian, Missisippi (the homeplace of Jimmie Rodgers).
• He is a master of the “Monroe-style” mandolin. He has been a member of several Grammy and IBMA Award-winning bands and also performs as a solo artist and A-list studio musician.
• 1970, worked with Hubert Davis and the Season Travelers.
• 1984-1988, he was an original member of the Nashville Bluegrass Band. He left the band after a serious bus accident in which he was injured.
• 1990, left Nashville, worked in New York’s Catskills Mountains as a cottage caretaker and bus driver
• 1991, recorded and toured with guitarist David Grier. They released one album together Climbing the Walls (Rounder).
• 1995, joined Chris Jones’ band, the Night Drivers.
• 1996, joined John Hartford’s touring “String Band”and worked with him until his death in 2001.
• 2000, performed on the soundtrack to the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and appeared on the Down from the Mountain tour and album. He was one of the “Soggy Bottom Boys.”
• 2001, returned to the Nashville Bluegrass Band (replacing Roland White).
• 2006, released Stomp album (Acoustic Disk).
• 2011, released “Rotten Taters” album (no label).
• 2012, formed a group with David Grier, Missy Raines and Shad Cobb called The Helen Highwater String Band.
• 2012, released a live album with guitarist/banjo player Joe Newberry titled Live (no label).
• 2021, became an artist-in-residence at East Tennesse State University (teaching in their Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies program).
• 2024, released a duet album with Joe Newberry Home in My Heart (EMG).

DUDLEY CONNELL

• From the Washington, D.C. area.
• 1975, founded the Johnson Mountain Boys, playing guitar and singing lead. Led this group until the band’s final breakup in 1994.
• 1989-1998, worked as manager at the Smithsonian/Folkways record company office in Rockville, MD.
• 1992, toured with Hazel Dickens.
• 1993-4, toured with the “Masters of the 5-String Banjo” singing duets with Laurie Lewis.
• 1994, formed Longview with Don Rigsby, Marshall Wilborn, Joe Mullins, James King and Glen Duncan.
• 1996, joined the Seldom Scene, playing guitar and singing lead.
• 2000, recorded first of two albums with Don Rigsby.
• 2000, won the IBMA award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
• 2006, formed a band called Seneca Rocks (with Tom Adams, David McLaughlin, Sally Love & Marshall Wilborn.)

CONNIE AND BABE AND THE BACKWOODS BOYS

• From middle Tennessee.
• Connie Gately (guitar) and Babe Lofton (guitar). Band members included Thayer Washer (vocals), Red Roberts (fiddle), Fred Gately (bass) and Joe Drumright (banjo).
• Recorded in the 1950’s for Starday Records.
• They also recorded as “Connie and Joe and the Backwoods Boys.”
• Drumright and Gately both worked for a short time with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.
• Babe Lofton’s real name was Ernest Ward Lofton. He was given the nickname “Babe” when he was a baby.
• The group’s sound is continuing with the music of Jody Drumright (son of Joe) and Fred Lofton (son of Babe) and their group “The Sons of the Backwoods.”
• Babe Lofton died in 1993.
• Connie Gately died in 2012.

JACK COOKE

• From Norton, Virginia. (In 1963, he served a half-term as Mayor of Norton.)
• 1955, joined the Stanley Brothers, playing bass.
• 1956-1960, joined Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, playing guitar, singing lead.
• 1960, formed his own band, the Virginia Mountain Boys.
• 1965, worked with Earl Taylor and the Stoneman Family.
• 1970 until his death, played bass with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
• 2006, released solo album “Sittin’ On Top of the World,” produced by Jim Lauderdale.
• Died in 2009.

WILMA LEE (AND STONEY) COOPER

• From Valley Head, West Virginia.
• Wilma Lee, her parents and two sisters had a gospel group in the 1930’s called the Leary Family. Wilma Lee began performing at the age of five.
• Dale T. “Stoney” Cooper was hired as the Leary family’s fiddle player. He married Wilma Lee in 1940.
• Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper performed together for 38 years.
• 1957, they became members of the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1957-1961, they had four top ten Billboard country hits including “Big Midnight Special” and “There’s a Big Wheel.”
• Their band, The Clinch Mountain Clan, was one of the first to feature the Dobro™.
• Wilma Lee has been known for her powerful and energetic lead singing. She said her style came about because when she started out as a singer—there were no sound systems. “Back in those days, you were good if you were loud. It was the only way you could be heard!”
• Wilma Lee was Hank Williams’ favorite female singer. She recorded duets with him in 1951.
• 1974, the Smithsonian Institution named her “the first lady of bluegrass.”
• 1977, Stoney died at the age of 58.
• 1994, the IBMA presented her with a Distinguished Achievement Award.
• Daughter Carol Lee led her own group “The Carol Lee Singers” who performed as regulars on the Grand Ole Opry providing background vocals for many Opry stars.
• 2001, suffered a stroke while performing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry.
• Wilma Lee died in 2010 at the age of 90.

TOM CORBETT

• From Encino (San Fernando Valley), California (born and raised in Columbus, Ohio).
• Was a member of the Acousticats and the Disneyland Bluegrass Band.
• A mandolinist heavily influenced by David Grisman, Sam Bush, Frank Wakefield, Mike Marshall and Bill Monroe.
• Teaches mandolin at the Blue Ridge Pickin’ Parlor and Traditional Music stores in the LA area.
• Performs with The Tom Corbett Band.
• Has also worked with Cyrus Clarke, John McEwen and an Irish group called Buzzworld.
• 2001, taught Tom Sellick to play Ukelele for his role in the Broadway play “Send in the Clowns.”
• 2001, recorded first solo album.
• 2005, toured with Robin and Linda Williams.

LARRY CORDLE (AND LONESOME STANDARD TIME)

• From Cordell, Kentucky (named after his ancestors). Ricky Skaggs is also from Cordell. They were neighbors. Lives in Nashville.
• While in the service, played in a rock band called “Hot Lucy.”
• After getting out of the service, he became an accountant.
• Songwriting credits: “Two Highways” (Alison Krauss), “Lonesome Standard Time” (Kathy Mattea), “Lonesome Dove” (Tisha Yearwood), “Highway 40 Blues” (Ricky Skaggs), “Against the Grain” (Garth Brooks) and “Murder on Music Row” (George Strait and Alan Jackson).
• 1990, with fiddler Glen Duncan, formed the band Lonesome Standard Time. They were originally known as “Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan and Lonesome Standard Time.”
• 1993, released “Mighty Lonesome” album (Sugar Hill).
• 1993, won IBMA award for Song of the Year (“Lonesome Standard Time”).
• 1995, released “Lonesome As It Gets” album (Sugar Hill).
• 1995, disbanded the group.
• 1998, re-formed as “Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time.”
• 1999, released Murder On Music Row album (Shell Point Records).
• 2000, won both the CMA and IBMA awards for Song of the Year (“Murder on Music Row,” co-written with Larry Shell.)
• 2001, won a second CMA award for “Murder on Music Row.”
• 2002, released Songs From the Workbench album (Shell Point).
• 2004, released a Lynard Skynard tribute album Lonesome Skynyrd Time (CMH Records).
• 2004, recorded the song “You’re Runnin’ Wild” in a trio with Carl Jackson and Jerry Salley on the album “Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers” which won a Grammy for Best Country Album.
• 2007, released Took Down & Put Up album (Lonesome Day Records).
• 2011, released Pud Marcum’s Hangin’ album (Mighty Cord Records).
• 2014, released an album of duets (All Star Duets) with some of the artists who have recorded his songs including Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Dierks Bentley, Diamond Rio and Kathy Mattea (Mighty Cord Records).
• 2015, he was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

CORNERSTONE

• From Ithaca, (upstate) New York.
• Formed in 1990.
• 1991, won the Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival band contest.
• Banjo player Chris Stuart has written several songs recorded by Claire Lynch, Suzanne Thomas, Junior Sisk, Sally Jones, Larry Cordle and others.
• 1996, Stuart moved to San Diego, California to work as a computer consultant. After playing with several local bands he formed his own group Chris Stuart and BackCountry in 2003. He is also producer of the IBMA Awards Show.

SHARON CORT (AND NEW RIVER RANCH)

• From Southern California. Lives in Nashville.
• In California she performed regularly at The Venice Beach Sidewalk Cafe, the Palomino Club in North Hollywood, and other LA area venues.
• Attended L.A. Valley College on a theater arts scholarship, won the school’s “Best Actress” award.
• 1988, helped revive the Ash Grove folk club in L.A. (The club ultimately failed.)
• 1994, moved to Nashville and formed her band New River Ranch, which has included such musicians as Bill Keith, Butch Baldasari, Ernie Sykes.
• She has made several tours of Europe, England and Scotland.

PETE CORUM (AND RISING SUN)

• From Burlington, North Carolina.
• Real name is Jervis Corum. Pete is a nickname.
• 1975, played bass with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
• 1980, released “House of the Rising Sun” album on Programme Audio label. His Rising Sun band included former members of the Bass Mountain Boys and Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys.
• 1988, performed in the Off-Broadway play “Cotton Patch Gospel” and appeared in the motion picture based on the play.

COUNTRY COOKING

• From Ithaca, New York.
• Formed in 1970, one of the first bands to mix jazz and rock stylings with traditional bluegrass.
• Featured several instrumental virtuosos: Tony Trischka (banjo), Peter Wernick (guitar and banjo), Russ Barenberg (guitar), Andy Statman (mandolin), and Kenny Kosek (fiddle). Also in the band: Nondi Leonard (vocals) and John Miller (bass).
• 1971, released first album “14 Bluegrass Instrumentals” (Rounder).
• 1972, released “Barrel of Fun” album (Rounder).
• 1975, released “Country Cooking with the Fiction Brothers” album (Flying Fish). The Fiction Brothers were Alan Senauke (guitar) and Howie Tarnower (mandoin). By this time, Kenny Kosek, Pete Wernick and his wife Nondi (AKA Joan) were the only remaining original members of the band. Michael Gold (bass) and Peggy Haine (vocals) were also members.
• Broke up in 1976 when the Wernicks moved to Colorado. Pete later formed the band Hot Rize.

COUNTRY CURRENT (U.S. NAVY BAND)

• Based in Annapolis, Maryland.
• Formed in 1973 by banjo player Bill Emerson. He remained with the group until 1993.
• The bluegrass/country music unit of the U.S. Navy Band. They have been called “the musical equivalent to the Navy’s Blue Angels.” All of the personnel are active duty military.
• They have performed at the Grand Ole Opry, for Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and overseas in Stockholm, Nova Scotia and Beijing.
• 1987-2008, featured guitarist/lead singer Wayne Taylor.
• 1996-2016, banjo player Keith Arneson was a member of this band.
• 2001, Taylor and Arneson recorded a bluegrass album called “Appaloosa.”
• 2003-2008, Frank Solivan played mandolin and fiddle with this band.
• 2008, Taylor retired from the band and was replaced by guitarist/vocalist Kenny Ray Horton. Taylor now fronts his own band Appaloosa.
• 2016, banjo player Keith Arneson retired and was replaced by the band’s first female member Haley Stiltner.
• 2022, lineup includes Sally Sandker (guitar/vocals), Caleb Cox (guitar/vocals), Haley Stiltner (banjo) and Patrick McAvinue (fiddle/mandolin). Sandker is Rhonda Vincent’s daughter, Cox formerly worked with Nothin’ Fancy and McAvinue with Dailey & Vincent.

RECOMMENDED:

• Navy Blue Bluegrass (Altissimo, 2001)

THE COUNTRY GAZETTE

• From Levelland, Texas.
• They were called “America’s Bluegrass Band.”
• Formed in 1970 in Los Angeles featuring Byron Berline (fiddle), Alan Munde (banjo), Kenny Wertz (guitar) and Roger Bush (bass). Herb Pederson was originally going to play banjo but dropped out early and was replaced by Munde.
• They recorded two albums for United Artists after touring Europe with The Flying Burrito Brothers.
• 1972, released “A Traitor in Our Midst” album (United Artists)
• 1973, released “Don’t Give Up Your Day Job” album (United Artists)
• 1974, Wertz left the band and was replaced by Roland White.
• 1974, released “Country Gazette Live” album (Antilles).
• 1975, released “Out to Lunch” album (Ariola).
• 1975, Berline and Bush left and the band continued under the leadership of Alan Munde and Roland White. Other band members over the next twenty years included Joe Carr, Dave Ferguson, Billy Joe Foster, Gene Wooten, Michael Anderson, David Grier, Bill Smith, Dawn Watson and others.
• 1077, released “What a Way to Make a Living” album (Ridge Runner).
• 1979, released “All This and Money Too” album (Ridge Runner).
• 1981, released “American and Clean” album (Flying Fish).
• 1983, released “America’s Bluegrass Band” album (Flying Fish).
• 1986, released “Bluegrass Tonight!” album (Flying Fish).
• 1988, released “Strictly Instrumental” album (Flying Fish).
• 1995, they disbanded for good.
• 2004, Alan Munde formed a new band called “The Alan Munde Gazette.”

THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN

• From Washington, DC.
• How they formed: In July of 1957, Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys were performing at the Admiral Grill in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia (Washington, DC area) when they were involved in a serious auto accident. This put Buzz Busby and other members of the band in the hospital. Bill Emerson, a member of the band who was not in the accident put together a pick-up band to fulfill some of the band’s commitments. In that band was Charlie Waller (guitar) and John Duffey (mandolin.) They were an instant success and decided to keep the new band together. Their first performance was on July 4, 1957.
• The original band included Charlie Waller (guitar), Bill Emerson (banjo), John Duffey (mandolin) and Larry Leahy (bass). Tom Morgan replaced Leahy on bass soon after the band started.
• John Duffey (who later founded the Seldom Scene) suggested the name “Country Gentlemen” to Charlie Waller, who became the band’s leader. Interestingly enough, the name “Seldom Scene” was suggested to Duffey by Charlie Waller a few years later.
• Former members of the band include Ricky Skaggs, John Duffey, Doyle Lawson, Eddie Adcock, Jerry Douglas, Jimmy Gaudreau, Mike Auldridge, Bill Emerson, Tom Gray, Bill Yates, others.
• They were one of the first bluegrass bands to become popular on the folk music circuit, performing on many college campuses, at the Newport Folk Festival and Carnegie Hall.
• 1965, their song “Bringing Mary Home” climbed to #43 on Billboard Magazine’s country music charts.
• 1993, began performing as “Charlie Waller and The Country Gentlemen.”
• 1996, the “Classic” Country Gentlemen (Waller, Duffey, Adcock and Gray) were inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Honor.
• 2004, Waller died of a heart attack.
• 2005, Randy Waller (son of Charlie) began performing with his own version of the Country Gentlemen.
• 2005, Bill Yates (a former member of the band) formed “Bill Yates and Friends” which later became The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band.

RECOMMENDED:

• The Early Rebel Recordings: 1962-1971 (Rebel)
• The Complete Vanguard Recordings (Vanguard)
• 25 Years (Rebel, 1994)
• Calling My Children Home (Rebel, 1978).
• Award Winning (Rebel, 1972)

COUNTRY GRASS

• From Virginia.
• Formed in 1974 by Wes Golding (guitar) and Herschel Sizemore (mandolin). Other band members: Wayne Golding (bass) and Tom McKinney (banjo).
• 1974, released one album “Livin’ Free” (Rebel).
• Broke up in 1975 when Wes Golding was invited to form a new band with Ricky Skaggs called Boone Creek.

COUNTRY HAM

• An old-time string band from the Washington DC area.
• Formed in 1975 by Carl and Judy Pagter.
• The Pagters had homes in both Virginia and California. (Carl worked in Walnut Creek, California and lived there much of the year while Judy lived on the Pagter Farm in Barboursville, Virginia.)
• The band also featured master fiddler Joe Meadows.
• Carl is the founder of the California Bluegrass Association.
• 2023, Carl Pagter died at the age of 89.

THE COUNTRY STORE

• From Virginia.
• Formed in 1973 by Keith Whitley (guitar), Jimmy Gaudreau (mandolin), Carl Jackson (banjo) and Bill Rawlings (bass). Later, Jackson was replaced by Jimmy Arnold and Whitley was replaced by Chris Stifel.
• They were originally known as The New Tradition but changed their name to the Country Store.
• They recorded two albums, one of them a live 1973 performance recorded at Bill Grant’s Hugo, Oklahoma bluegrass festival. It featured Whitley, Gaudreau and Rawlings, with Alan Munde (of the Country Gazette) on banjo, subbing for an ailing Jimmy Arnold.
• Broke up in 1975.

JOHN COWAN

• From Louisville. Lives in Nashville.
• Often called “Johnny C.” He is also known as the Voice of Newgrass.
• Began his musical career playing bass in a high school rock band called Everyday People.
• 1974-1990, played bass and sang lead for the New Grass Revival.
• 1990-1997, joined Rusty Young and Bill Lloyd in a band called The Sky Kings (country-rock). Also worked with the Doobie Brothers (two years), the Sam Bush Band and in two blues bands: Duckbutter and Grooveyard.
• 1998, formed The John Cowan Band which has over the years included such musicians as Scott Vestal, Jim Hurst, Randy Kohrs, Jeff Autry, Luke Bulla, Noam Pikelny, John Frazier, others.
• 1998, released Soul’d Out (Sugar Hill), a blues album.
• 2000, released John Cowan album (Sugar Hill).
• 2002, released Always Take Me Back album (Sugar Hill).
• 2006, released New Tattoo album (Pinecastle).
• 2009, released 8,745 Feet: Live at Telluride album (Koch Records).
• 2009, released a Christmas album Comfort & Joy (Koch Records).
• 2010, re-joined the Doobie Brothers.
• 2010, released The Massenburg Sessions album (Koch Records).
• 2012, began hosting his own radio show on WSM 650-AM called “I Believe to My Soul.”
• 2014, released Sixty (Compass Records), a retrospective of his career featuring a variety of musical genres and special guests. Produced by Doobie Brother John McFee.
• 2016-2018, toured with Darin & Brooke Aldridge (during a break from the Doobie Brothers).
• 2020, formed a group with Andrea Zonn called The Herculeons.
• 2024, released Fiction album (True Lonesome).

THE COX FAMILY

• From Cotton Valley, (Northeast) Louisiana.
• Formed as a family band in 1974 by father Willard Cox (fiddle) and his children: Suzanne Cox (mandolin), Sidney Cox (banjo/Dobro™), Lynn Cox (bass) and Evelyn Cox (guitar).
• Willard Cox began his musical career in 1964 with a group called Dewey Keene and the Country Squires.
• Sidney Cox has written numerous songs for Alison Krauss, including “I’ve Got That Old Feeling”, “Steel Rails” and “New Fool.” In 1995, Sidney was inducted into the Songwriter’s Guild Hall of Fame.
• 1987, released “It’s the Gospel” album (no label).
• 1988, released “Heartaches Along the Horizon” album (Wilcox).
• 1993, released Everybody’s Reaching Out for Someone album (Rounder).
• 1994, released I Know Who Holds Tomorrow album (Rounder).
• 1995, released Beyond the City album (Rounder).
• 1995, signed with Asylum Records and subsequently recorded an album of country-oriented songs.
• 1995, won a Grammy award for Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel or Bluegrass Gospel Recording (for “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” by Alison Krauss and the Cox Family).
• 2000, appeared and sang in the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou.”
• July 2000, Willard and Marie Cox were seriously injured when a logging truck hit their car from behind.
• 2004, were awarded Louisiana’s Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music.
• 2015, released Gone Like the Cotton album (Rounder).
• 2019, Willard Cox passed away at age 82.
• 2024, Sidney re-organized the group with his daughters Anna (bass), Sara (guitar) and Lydia (mandolin). They released a single The First Time I Heard About Heaven (Will House).

KRISTY COX

• From Adelaide, South Australia. Moved to Nashville in 2013.
• 2013, won Australian Independent Artist of the Year at the Australian Independent Country Music Awards. She also won Female Vocalist of the Year.
• She has had several “top 10” songs on the Australian Country Music charts.
• 2014, released album Living for the Moment produced by Jerry Salley (Pisgah Ridge Records).
• 2015, received the first ever Australian Country Music Award for Bluegrass Recording of the Year.
• 2016, released Part of Me album (Pisgah Ridge), produced by Jerry Salley.
• 2017, won the Australian County Music Award for Bluegrass Recording of the Year for “Another Weary Mile” from her Part of Me album (Pisgah Ridge).
• 2018, released Ricochet album (Mountain Fever).
• 2019, won the Bluegrass Album of the Year Award (for Ricochet) at the Australian Country Music Awards.
• 2020, won the Bluegrass Recording of the Year Award (for her single Yesterday’s Heartache) at the Australian Country Music Awards.

DAN CRARY

• Native of Kansas City, Missouri. Lives in Placerville, CA.
• Also known as “Deacon Dan Crary.” He is regarded as one of the top flat-pick guitarists in bluegrass, one of the early pioneers of the style.
• 1968, was a founding member of the Bluegrass Alliance (originators of the “Newgrass” style).
• 1973, released first solo project Bluegrass Guitar (American Heritage).
• 1974, moved to California to teach at Cal State Fullerton. There he met fiddler Byron Berline and together formed the band Sundance with John Hickman (banjo) and Jack Skinner (bass). They recorded for MCA records.
• 1974-2004, besides performing as a professional musician, he was a professor of speech communications at Cal State Fullerton. He has two earned doctorates: the first in theology, the second in speech communications.
• 1975-1995, he had a twenty-year partnership with fiddler Byron Berline and banjo player John Hickman. They performed together as Sundance, BCH and California.
• 1977, released “Lady’s Fancy” album (Rounder).
• 1979, released “Sweet Southern Girl”album (Sugar Hill).
• 1983, released “Dan Crary Guitar” album (Sugar Hill).
• 1989, released “Take a Step Over” album (Sugar Hill).
• 1992, released Thunderation album (Sugar Hill), which won the NAIRD Indie Award for “Best String Music Recording.”
• 1994, released Jammed If I Do album (Sugar Hill).
• 1999, with banjo player Lonnie Hoppers formed “Crary, Hoppers and their American Band..”
• 2002, began touring and recording with Italian guitarist Beppe Gambetta.
• 2003, won an IBMA Award for his writing (Best Liner Notes for BCH album, Chambergrass: A Decade of Tunes From the Edges of Bluegrass.
• 2007, produced a concert/movie project called Primal Twang: The Legacy of the Guitar featuring Doc Watson, Eric Johnson, Doyle Dykes, Albert Lee, Mason Williams and others legendary guitarists.
• 2009, began performing with his new band Thunderation.
• 2011, released Perfect Storm album (Blue Night Records).
• 2017, began performing with Bill Evans (banjo) and Wally Barnick (bass) in a trio called Crary, Evans and Barnick. They released the album Prime Time (Native and Fine) in 2020.

NED CRISP (AND BOTTOMLINE)

• From Worthington, Kentucky.
• Band formed in 2002.
• Original members: Ned Crisp (banjo), John Manifold (guitar), Don Rambo (bass).
• 2012, released Taking the Back Roads Home album, produced by Don Rigsby.
• Hosts a weekly “Bottomline Bluegrass” radio show on WLGC-FM in Ashland, Kentucky.

THE CROOKED JADES

• From the San Francisco Bay area.
• Formed in 1994 by guitarist Jeff Kazor. Other members: Tom Lucas (fiddle/banjo), Stephanie Prausnitz (fiddle), Lisa Berman (banjo), Dave Bamberger (bass).
• Perform pre-bluegrass music (1880 to 1930) “before the influence of radio.”
• The finest string band in America” – The Boston Herald
• Motto: “Old Time is Not a Crime.”
• 2010, collaborated with modern dance choreographer Kate Weare on “Bright Land: Old Time Music meets Modern Dance,” a theatrical production which was performed nationally.
• 2012, released Bright Land album, recorded live at the Joyce Theater, New York City.

CROOKED STILL

• From Boston, Massachusetts.
• 2001, formed at the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston) at a jam session.
• Original members: Aoife O’Donovan (vocals), Rushad Eggleston (cello), Dr. Gregory Liszt (banjo, played four-finger style rather than three), Corey DiMario (bass).
• They perform frequently in Ireland as well as the U.S.
• 2006, released Shaken By a Low Sound album (Signature Sounds).
• 2007, released Hop High album (Signature Sounds).
• 2007, Eggleston left the band, was replaced by two new members: Tristan Clarridge on cello and Brittany Haas on fiddle.
• 2008, released Still Crooked album (Signature Sounds).
• 2010, released Some Strange Country album (Signature Sounds).
• 2011, Liszt formed a new band called The Deadly Gentlemen.

CROSSPOINT

• From southeast Kentucky/east Tennessee, near Cumberland Gap, Tennessee.
• Formed in 2008. A gospel group featuring Alan Powers (banjo), Gary Kidwell (guitar), Steve Partin (mandolin), Daniel Oxendine (bass) and Cleve May (Dobro™).
• 2011, released debut album “Crosspoint.”
• 2014, released We’re Gonna Rise album on Rural Rhythm Records, produced by Steve Gulley.

DAVID CROW

• From Florida.
• Began musical career at age seven on guitar.
• Recorded first fiddle album at age 15.
• First band: “Beachville Bluegrass” (while in high school).
• 1991, moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University as a law student. He went on to become a lawyer.
• 1991, released “Me and My Fiddle” album.
• 1992, formed a Nashville-based band called Freewheel Drive.
• 1992, joined Osborne Brothers’ band (at age 18).
• Has won the Florida State Fiddle Championship and the Florida State Mandolin Championship.
• 1994, released “As the Crow Flies” album.
• 1997, was elected to the IBMA Board of Directors.
• 2004-2006, served as president and chairman of the board of IBMA.
• 2005, joined Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top Express.
• 2007, formed Milom, Joyce, Horsnell & Crow, a Nashville law firm specializing in entertainment law.

THE CROWE BROTHERS

• From Nebo, North Carolina. They are originally from Clayton, Georgia.
• Featured brothers Wallace (guitar) and Wayne (bass). They both go by their middle names (James Wallace and John Wayne). Wallace is also known as Josh.
• Early 1970’s, performed as the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys.
• 1975-1991, worked with legendary banjo player Raymond Fairchild, known as “King of the Smoky Mountain Banjo.”
• 1981, released “The Crowe Brothers Sing ‘Always True'” album (Skyline).
• 1984, released “The Gospel Way” album (Skyline).
• 1985, released “The Winds Are Blowing in Maggie Valley” album (Atteiram).
• 1988, released “Jesus is Coming” album (Atteiram).
• 1989, released “I Knew It Wasn’t You” album (Atteiram).
• 1990, formed their own band, The Crowe Brothers.
• 1993, Wayne retired from music and Josh formed a duo with David McLaughlin (formerly with the Johnson Mountain Boys). They released one album Going Back (Rounder).
• 1999, released “Regenesis” album (Copper Creek).
• 2004, Josh formed the Josh Crowe Band and released “Sincerely” album (Pinecastle).
• 2005, began performing together again.
• 2008, released Brothers-N-Harmony (Rural Rhythm).
• 2011, released Bridging The Gap album (Rural Rhythm).
• 2014, released Forty Years Old album (Mountain Fever) commemorating their 40 years in the music business.

J.D. CROWE (AND THE NEW SOUTH)

• From Lexington, Kentucky.
• 1955, began his career as a member of Mac Wiseman’s band.
• 1956, joined Jimmy Martin’s band, The Sunny Mountain Boys and established himself as one of the top banjo players in the world
• 1966, formed his own group The Kentucky Mountain Boys which included Doyle Lawson and Larry Rice. Red Allen joined in 1968.
• 1971, changed band name to The New South. Early band included Tony Rice, Larry Rice and Bobby Slone. Doyle Lawson replaced Larry Rice (after a short stint with Jimmy Martin), and Lawson was later replaced by Ricky Skaggs.
• Other New South alumni: Jerry Douglas, Keith Whitley, Jimmy Gaudreau, Paul Adkins, Wendy Miller, Gene Johnson (of Diamond Rio), Tony King (of Brooks and Dunn), Phil Leadbetter, Rick Pardue, many others.
• Was also a member of the legendary Bluegrass Album Band (with Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Bobby Hicks and Todd Phillips).
• 1990, retired from music (became a mail carrier) but returned in 1992 with a new version of The New South.
• 2000, his band members left en masse (with Crowe’s blessing) to form a new group called Wildfire.
• 2003, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.
• 1994, 2004, won IBMA Award for Banjo Player of the Year.
• 2004, was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
• 2007, won IBMA award for Album of the Year (“Lefty’s Old Guitar”)
• 2011, won the IBMA Award for “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year” and “Recorded Event of the Year” (both for “Prayers Bells of Heaven” by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams)
• 2012, retired again (this time for good) and disbanded The New South, most of whom formed a new band called American Drive.
• 2012, his biography was published by the University of Illinois press titled Crowe on the Banjo: The Music Life of J.D. Crowe written by Marty Godbey.
• 2012, was presented with an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Kentucky.
• He was a long-time member of the IBMA’s Trust Fund Board of Directors.
• 2021, died at the age of 84 on Christmas Eve.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Bluegrass Holiday (King Bluegrass, 1968). The Kentucky Mountain Boys.
• Model Church (Rebel Records, 1971). The Kentucky Mountain Boys. Doyle Lawson was in this band.
• Blackjack (Rebel Records, 1973). The Kentucky Mountain Boys.
• J.D. Crowe & The New South (Rounder, 1976) This is the first New South album featuring Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas and Bobby Slone. This is considered one of the best bluegrass albums ever recorded and is often referred to by fans as 0044, it’s Rounder catalog number).
• My Home Ain’t in the Hall of Fame (Rounder, 1979) This album features Keith Whitley on lead vocals.
• Live in Japan (Rounder, 1980) A live album with Keith Whitley, lead vocals.
• Straight Ahead (Rounder, 1986).
• Come on Down to My World (Rounder, 1999).
• Lefty’s Old Guitar (Rounder, 2006).

CRUCIAL SMITH

• From Nashville, Tennessee.
• Formed in the late eighties by Kyle Wood (mandolin), Tim May (guitar), Michael McLain (banjo), and Dave ‘Doc’ Holladay (bass). McLain was replaced by Chris Joslin (banjo). Wood, May and Holladay were students at Lipscomb University.
• Original name of the band was “Sam Hill,” but they discovered that the name was already in use.
• The name Crucial Smith’s connection to bluegrass: Smith is Bill Monroe’s middle name.
• 1997, recorded first album, produced by former New Grass Revival guitarist Pat Flynn.
• 1999, released Morning Light album (no label), also produced by Pat Flynn.
• Mandolinist Kyle Wood was a graphic artist and a former member of Eddie Rabbitt’s Hare Trigger Band. He also edited “Lost in Space,” a science fiction magazine. After Crucial Smith, he recorded a solo project with his own band “The Kyle Wood Project.”
• Bass player Dave Holladay was band leader with Geraldo Rivera. He is also an optometrist.
• Guitarist Tim May also worked with Eddie Rabbit and The Jim Buchanan System.
• Banjo player Chris Joslin formerly performed with the Rutherford County Square Dancers, Free Wheelin’, and The Neverly Brothers. He later became curator of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky.
• 2001, added fiddle player Gretchen Priest, who is married to Tim May. They released a project together called Plaidgrass, a mix of bluegrass and Celtic music.
• 2003, disbanded after recording a third album that was never released.
• 2010, guitarist Tim May teamed with fiddle player Fred Carpenter (formerly of the Tony Rice Unit) to form a duo called “Carpenter and May.”
• 2016, Kyle Wood joined Ray Cardwell and Tennessee Moon.
• 2021, Kyle Wood died at the age of 55.

CUMBERLAND GAP CONNECTION

• From Pike County, Kentucky. Band members are from both Kentucky and Tennessee.
• Formed in 2004 by Mike Bentley (guitar and lead vocals). Other band members: Rod Smith (banjo), Clint Hurd (mandolin), Bryan Russell (bass).
• Cumberland Gap is a famous pass (now a national park) through the Cumberland (Appalachian) Mountains at the juncture of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.
• 2010, released A Whole Lotta Lonesome album, produced by Steve Gulley (Kindred Records).
• 2011, two new members joined the band: John Miser on mandolin and Albon Clevinger on fiddle, both of Kermit, WV.
• 2013, released Another Song album (Mountain Fever).
• 2015, Jeff Smith (bass) and Josh Brown (guitar) joined the band. Other band members: Bentley (guitar), Smith (banjo), Miser (mandolin).
• 2016, released “Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connection” album (Union House).

THE CUMBERLAND HIGHLANDERS

• From Rosine, Kentucky (Bill Monroe’s birthplace).
• Called “America’s Mountain Music Show.”
• Formed in 1986 by Campbell Mercer (who now serves as Executive Director of the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Music Association, overseeing Bill Monroe’s restored homeplace in Rosine.)
• The band includes four former members of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys (Wayne Lewis, Tater Tate, Billy Rose, Jimmy Campbell).
• Host a weekly TV show on the cable RFD-TV Channel.
• 2000, released Cumberland Mountain Home album with a guest appearance by Dr. Ralph Stanley (Rural Rhythm).

CUMBERLAND RIVER

• From Harlan County, Kentucky.
• Formed in 2009 by James Dean (banjo), Joseph Jones (bass), Dustin Middleton (mandolin) and Andy Buckner (guitar). Jamie Stewart (Dobro™) also joined the band.
• 2010, released “Rock Island Express” album.
• 2011, appeared on FX Network television show “Justified” and performed the title song (a Cumberland River original).
• 2011, released The Life We Live album (Rural Rhythm), produced by Steve Gulley.
• 2012, Brad Gulley (bass) and Gary Robinson (guitar) replaced Jones and Buckner.
• 2014, broke up.

CURLY DAN AND WILMA ANN

• Originally from Clay, West Virginia. Moved to Detroit, Michigan and performed there for most of their career. Later moved to Hazel Park, Michigan.
• Real names: Denslie and Wilma Ann Holcomb. They were married in 1942.
• 1955, formed a band called the Danville Mountain Boys.
• One of the first bluegrass acts to perform and record in the Detroit area.
• 1970’s, recorded several albums on the Old Homestead label.
• Dan worked for the Chrysler Corporation.
• Carmen Flatt (second cousin of Lester Flatt) was a member of their band. (He died in 1993).
• Retired from performing in the early 1980’s.

DENNIS CYPORYN

• Banjo virtuoso from Detroit, Michigan.
• Pronounced Sigh-por-in.
• A writer: his “Bluegrass Songbook” was published by MacMillan, the first of its kind for a major publisher (1992).
• In the 60’s and 70’s, performed with Detroit-area bands Roy McGinnis and the Sunnysiders, the Acme Bluegrass Co., and Psychodrama.
• 1989, formed the Dennis Cyporyn band, performing primarily new acoustic music—jazz, swing, bluegrass fusion.
• 1997, formed “Lonesome and Blue” with mandolinist Pooh Stevenson.