Category: G

G, Cindy

CINDY G

  • From McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
  • A singer/songwriter who has performed rhythm and blues and rock music during the bulk of her career. Her first band was a group called the Flashcats (Pittsburgh). She also worked as a singer and songwriter in New York City.
  • Her last name is Giejda (pronounced “Gayda.”
  • 2012, released her first bluegrass album Road (Blue Road). She plays mandolin and guitar on the album.
  • 2013, won Best Bluegrass/Country Act at the Jersey Acoustic Music Awards (New Jersey).
  • 2015, released Jail Break album (Blue Road), produced by Jim VanCleve.
  • 2018, released “Moonshiner’s Daughter” album (Blue Road), also produced by VanCleve.

G2

G2

  • From Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Formed in 2006 by Christoffer Olsson (guitar), Jens Koch (banjo), Erik Igelström (mandolin), Tobias Strömberg (Dobro™), and Jimmy Sunnebrandt (bass).
  • 2007, won first place in the band contest at the European World of Bluegrass.
  • 2007, released album Where the Tall Grass Grows (no label).
  • 2010, released album “Untapped Roots.”

Gabeheart, Jim & Valerie

JIM AND VALERIE GABEHEART

  • From Hamlin, West Virginia.
  • A husband-wife duo. Jim plays banjo, Valerie plays guitar. They married in 1981.
  • Jim is a five-time West Virginia State Banjo Champion who has performed with Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Mac Wiseman, Larry Sparks, John Hartford, and Ray Charles.
  • Jim and Valerie also have a gospel group called Steadfast.
  • Jim is prosecuting attorney in Lincoln County, West Virginia.
  • 2011, released fifth album “It’s My Turn.”
  • 2023, released “I Was Raised in a Railroad Town” album.

Gadd, Pam

PAM GADD

  • From Independence, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville.
  • First band: “East of Denver” (in high school).
  • 1983, joined the New Coon Creek Girls.
  • 1987, formed country group Wild Rose.
  • 1996, toured with Patty Loveless, playing guitar and singing harmony. While with Patty, she appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Hee Haw, other TV shows.
  • 1995, returned to the New Coon Creek Girls.
  • 1996, embarked on solo career.
  • 1997, released first solo album Long Road (Vanguard).
  • 1999, was a final nominee for IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year award.
  • 2001, joined staff of OMS Records, doing promotion.
  • Hobby: Reading and studying naturopathic nutritional healing and theology
  • 2002-2007, sang and played with Porter Wagoner on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • 2009, released solo project Benefit of Doubt (Home Sweet Highway).

Gallatin, Amy

AMY GALLATIN (and STILLWATERS)

  • From Glastonbury, Connecticut; grew up in Louisiana.
  • 1993, moved to Connecticut and formed Stillwaters with Kevin Lynch and Matt Nozzolio.
  • 1994, released “Northern Girl” album (on Happy Appy Records, her own label).
  • 1998, released Phoenix album (Happy Appy).
  • Has frequently toured Europe and performed numerous times at the European IBMA World of Bluegrass event in the Netherlands as well as the UK.
  • 2001, released Live in Europe album (Happy Appy).
  • 2002, teamed up with Peggy Harvey (of Traver Hollow) to form a new group called the Hot Flashes.
  • 2005, resurrected Stillwaters with the addition of Dobro™ player Roger Williams and his son JD Williams (mandolin).
  • 2008, released Phoenix album (Happy Appy).
  • 2008, released a retro-county album with Roger Williams Something ‘Bout You (Happy Appy).
  • 2010, released Everything I Wanted Love to Be album (Happy Appy).
  • 2016, recorded a trio album with Gail Wade and Peggy Harvey as The Hot Flashes.

Galyean, Mickey (and Cullen’s Bridge)

MICKEY GALYEAN AND CULLEN’S BRIDGE

  • From Low Gap, North Carolina.
  • Galyean (pronouned Galleon, like the ship) is the son of Cullen Galyean, a legendary bluegrass musician from North Carolina. The band is named after him.
  • Formed in 2010 by Mickey Galyean (guitar), Rick Pardue (banjo), Brad Hiatt (bass) and Billy Hawks (fiddle).
  • Galyean and Hiatt formerly played with Rich In Tradition. Pardue has worked with several bands including Carolina Road, Long & Pardue and Rambler’s Choice. Hawks formerly worked with Big Country Bluegrass, Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice.
  • 2013, released Rollin With Tradition album (no label).
  • 2016, released My Daddy’s Grass album (Rebel).
  • 2018, released Songs from the Blue Ridge (Rebel).

Gambetta, Beppe

BEPPE GAMBETTA

  • From Genoa, Italy. Now living in New Jersey.
  • Beppe is pronounced Bay-pay.
  • He was trained as a classical musician, but after hearing bluegrass, converted to flat-pick guitar.
  • Europe’s original and best known bluegrass/folk guitarist; performs in the both the flatpicking and fingerpicking styles.
  • He was a founding member of the Italian bluegrass and country music band Red Wine.
  • Has recorded and performed with many American artists, including Norman Blake, Alan Munde, Tony Trischka and Dan Crary.
  • Winner of Italy’s prestigious Paolo Nuti award, given by the Italian Federation Folkitalia in special recognition of artists who have achieved excellence in their field.
  • 2001, recorded an album of guitar duets with Dan Crary, Synergia (Thunderation).
  • 2013, released The American Album (Gadfly Records).

Gangstagrass

GANGSTAGRASS

  • From Brooklyn, New York.
  • Formed in 2006 by record-producer and guitarist Rench (Oscar Owens) who combined bluegrass with hip-hop to record the theme song for the FX television network’s show “Justified.”
  • 2014, released Rappalachia slbum (Rench).
  • 2014, released Broken Hearts and Stolen Money album (Rench).
  • 2015, released American Music album (Rench).
  • Since 2018, band members have been 2018 has been Rench (vocals, guitar, beats), Dolio the Sleuth (MC, vocals), R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), Dan “Danjo” Whitener (vocals, banjo), and B.E. Farrow (vocals, fiddle).
  • Fans include Howie Mandell (“America’s Got Talent”) and the late author Elmore Leonard.
  • 2019, they appeared at the Station Inn in Nashville, the first time a hip-hop group had ever appeared at the iconic bluegrass venue.
  • 2019, released Pocket Full of Fire album (Rench).
  • 2020, released No Time for Enemies album (Rench). This album went to #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart.

Garcia, Jerry

JERRY GARCIA

  • Founder and leader of the legendary rock group The Grateful Dead.
  • 1962, played banjo with two bands—the Wild Wood Boys and Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers.
  • 1963, formed The Black Mountain Boys with David Nelson and Sandy Rothman.
  • 1973, Garcia (banjo) recorded with David Grisman (mandolin), Peter Rowan (guitar), John Kahn (bass) and Vassar Clements (fiddle) in a band called “Old and In the Way.” This album became one of the best-selling bluegrass albums of all time.
  • 1987, reunited with friends David Nelson (of New Riders of the Purple Sage) and Sandy Rothman (a former Blue Grass Boy) to record “Almost Acoustic” under the name The Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band.
  • 1991, Jerry and mandolinist David Grisman recorded an album of acoustic duets: Jerry Garcia & David Grisman (Acoustic Disk).
  • 1993, interviewed in film “Bill Monroe: The Father of Bluegrass Music” and asked “Is it true that you once auditioned to be one of Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys?” Jerry’s response: “Yeah. I wanted to be one in the worst way. I still want to be.”
  • The Grateful Dead recorded several bluegrass standards: “Dark Hollow”, “Deep Elem Blues”, “Sittin on Top of the World”, “A Voice from on High”, “Little Sadie”, “Cold Jordan” and others.
  • Died in August, 1995 at the age of 53.
  • 2000, an acoustic album was released featuring Garcia with David Grisman and Tony Rice called The Pizza Tapes (Acoustic Disk).
  • 2001, a movie about Jerry Garcia and David Grisman was released called “Grateful Dawg.”
  • 2024, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky opened a temporary exhibit (three years) called “Jerry Garcia: A Bluegrass Journey.”

Gillis Brothers, The

THE GILLIS BROTHERS (AND HARD DRIVING BLUEGRASS)

  • From Soperton, Georgia.
  • Call their music “Mountain Style Bluegrass from the Georgia Swamplands.”
  • Brothers: Larry (banjo) and John (guitar). Larry is four years older than John.
  • Their band is called Hard Driving Bluegrass, which pretty much sums up their approach to the music.
  • Until 1997, they wore 50’s-era white hats on stage. “I had a headache all the time … and it’s hard to keep ‘em clean,” says John.
  • 1995, released Heart & Soul album (Rebel Records).
  • 2003, John Gillis was injured in a logging accident, preventing him from touring with the band.
  • 2004, released Down By the River album (Hay Holler).
  • 2005, released Sunshine in the Shadows album (Hay Holler).
  • 2005, Larry formed the Larry Gillis Band and performs mostly around the Tampa, Florida area.
  • 2016, John returned to performing with his brother. The act is called Larry and John Gillis and Swampgrass.

Garrett, Jeremy

JEREMY GARRETT

  • From Idaho.
  • Began his musical career playing fiddle with his father Glen (guitar) in a group called The Grasshoppers. Honi Deaton (then Honi Glenn) was also in the band.
  • Attended South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. After graduation, he moved to Nashville where he worked with Bobby Osborne, Chris Jones, Ronnie Bowman, Jim Hurst and backed award-winning country singer Lee Ann Womack. He also released a gospel album with his father Glen under the name Garrett Grass.
  • Nicknames: “G-Grass” and “Freedom Cobra.”
  • 2005, formed the Infamous Stringdusters.
  • 2009, released solo project I Am a Stranger (Sugar Hill).
  • 2014, released solo project The RV Sessions (no label), recorded in his RV.
  • 2016, released instrumental album The RV Sessions II (Obsidian).
  • 2020, released solo project Circles (Organic).
  • 2022. released solo project River Wild (Organic).

Gaudet, Jim (and the Railroad Boys)

JIM GAUDET AND THE RAILROAD BOYS

  • From Albany, New York.
  • A flat-pick guitarist, best known as a singer/songwriter. Began playing bluegrass (mandolin) with a New York band called the Lost County Ramblers.
  • 2006, formed Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys. Band members: Bobby Ristau (bass), Sten Isachsen (mandolin) and Mat Kane (fiddle). Sara Milonovich (fiddle) replaced Kane. Kevin Maul (Dobro™) has also made appearance and recordings this band.
  • 2009, released So Far So Good album (no label)
  • 2013, released Reasons That I Run album (no label).
  • 2016, released When It Rains album (no label).

Gaudreau, Jimmy

JIMMY GAUDREAU

  • From Rhode Island.
  • Mandolinist who in 1969 replaced John Duffey in the Country Gentlemen.
  • Other bands: Eddie Adcock and the IInd Generation, J.D. Crowe and the New South, The Country Store (with Keith Whitley), Spectrum (with Bela Fleck), and the Tony Rice Unit.
  • First band: “Jimmy G. and the Jaguars” (Jimmy’s initials are J.A.G.)
  • 1995, founded new acoustic band Chesapeake.
  • 1995, produced an album on his own label called “The Young Mando Monsters” featuring top young mandolin players.
  • 1999, formed group with Mike Auldridge and Richard Bennett called ‘Auldridge, Bennett and Gaudreau.”
  • 2001, joined Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group.
  • 2006, joined John Starling and Carolina Star. Released solo project In Good Company (CMH Records).
  • 2007, formed a duo with Moondi Klein (former bandmate in the Seldom Scene and Chesapeake). Released first album 2:10 Train (Rebel Records).
  • 2008, released Adcock, Gaudreau, Waller & Gray album with Eddie Adcock, Tom Gray and Randy Waller as the “Country Gentlemen Reunion Band.”
  • 2008, he and Klein toured with Emmylou Harris.
  • 2010, released solo album Pieces & Bits (Goose Creek).
  • 2012, released Home from The Mills album with Moondi Klein (Rebel Records).
  • 2014, released If I Had a Boat album with Moondi Klein (Rebel Records).

Gentlemen of Bluegrass, The

THE GENTLEMEN OF BLUEGRASS

  • From North Carolina.
  • Band members: Danny Stanley (lead vocals/guitar), Julian (JC) Rowland (mandolin), Tom Langdon (resonator guitar), Greg Penny (bass), and Randy Smith (banjo).
  • They pattern their sound after The Classic Country Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene.
  • Guitarist Stanley has a comedic alter-ego “Hobo Joe.” He also does impressions of Lester Flatt, Mac Wiseman, Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and other singers. He previously worked with a gospel group called Carolina Sonshine.
  • Reso guitarist Langdon is married to Lorraine Jordan (of Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road.)
  • They sometimes make appearances with former Country Gentlemen Eddie Adcock and Tom Gray.
  • 2014, released Carolina Memories album (Pinecastle Records).

Gibson Brothers, The

THE GIBSON BROTHERS

  • From Ellenburg Depot, New York (in the Champlain Valley, upstate New York.)
  • Eric (banjo) and Leigh (guitar) Gibson formed their band in 1991. Eric is the older of the two by eleven months.
  • Their family tree includes Orville Gibson, founder of the musical instrument company, who is from the same area.
  • Before going full-time with the band, Leigh was a dairy farmer and Eric was a school teacher.
  • 1998, won IBMA award for “Emerging Artist of the Year.”
  • 1998, signed with Ceili Records, moved to Nashville and began performing and recording more country-oriented material. But in their own words, they were “too country for country.”
  • 2002, returned to bluegrass with the release of Bona Fide (Sugar Hill Records.)
  • 2004, released Long Way Back Home album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2006, released Red Letter Day album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2008, released Iron and Diamonds album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2009, released Ring the Bell album (Compass Records).
  • 2010, won IBMA awards for Song of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performane of the Year for “Ring the Bell.”
  • 2011, released Help My Brother album (Compass).
  • 2011, won IBMA awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year (for “Help My Brother”)
  • 2012, won IBMA awards for Entertainer of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year (for “Singing As We Rise”)
  • 2012, released They Called It Music album (Compass).
  • 2013, won IBMA awards for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year and Song of the Year (for “They Called It Music.”)
  • 2015, released Brotherhood album (Rounder), a salute to brother duets of the past.
  • 2015, Eric and Leigh Gibson were both awarded honorary doctorates (Doctor of Fine Arts) from the State University of New York. They had previously earned their bachelor’s degrees at SUNY (Plattsburgh, NY).
  • 2017, released In the Ground album (Rounder).
  • 2017, won IBMA Award for “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year” (for their song “I Found a Church Today.”)

Gibson, Glenn

GLENN GIBSON

  • From Louisville, Kentucky
  • Has played Dobro™ with Gary Brewer, Karl Shifflett, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland. Has also spent time playing with Louisville-area bands “Cast Iron Airplane” and the “Corn Island Band.”
  • Took time off from music during the 1990’s to attend Bible College and go into full-time ministry.
  • 2007, joined Marty Raybon and Full Circle.
  • 2010, joined the Charlie Sizemore band.
  • 2011, released solo project “When Times Are Hard” with guests Michael Cleveland, Jesse Brock and Daniel Grindstaff.

Gill, Vince

VINCE GILL

    • From Norman, Oklahoma.
    • Seriously considered golf as a profession, but decided to play bluegrass instead.
    • First band: Mountain Smoke (in high school). This band once opened for Pure Prairie League, a band he would later join.
    • Age 18, joined the Bluegrass Alliance.
    • Mid-70’s, joined Byron Berline’s and Sundance.
    • Late-70’s, joined the country-rock band Pure Prairie League. While he was with that group, they had several #1 records, including “Let Me Love You Tonight.”
    • 1984, became a solo artist (signed with RCA Records). First #1 hit: “When I Call Your Name.”
    • 1990, co-hosted the first IBMA Awards Show (in Owensboro, Kentucky).
    • 1992, became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
    • 1991-2004, hosted the CMA awards.
    • 1997, performed a tribute to Bill Monroe at the Grammy Awards.
    • 1997, won IBMA award for Song of the Year for his song “High Lonesome Sound.”
    • 2000, married singer Amy Grant.
    • 2007, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
    • 2008, won a Grammy (Best Country Album) for “These Days,” a 4-CD project which included the bluegrass album Little Brother: The Acoustic Record (MCA Nashville).
    • As of 2014, he has won 20 Grammys, 18 Country Music Association Awards, one IBMA Award and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Gilliams, The

THE GILLIAMS

  • From Keysville, Virginia.
  • A family band featuring Spider Gilliam his wife Bonnie and daughters Cheryl and Julie.
  • Spider Gilliam has worked with the Country Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene.
  • Spider is a bricklayer by trade. His wife Bonnie is a college administrator.
  • 2001, released album “Family Treasures” on Outlet Records.

Gilman, Billy

BILLY GILMAN

  • From Hope Valley, Rhode Island.
  • Began singing when he was seven years old. He was discovered by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel and signed his first recording contract with Epic Records at age 12.
  • 2000, released first single One Voice and an album of the same name which was certified double platinum (over two million copies sold). He was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
  • Also in 2000, he released a Christmas album which also went gold (one million copies sold).
  • 2001, released second album Dare to Dream (Epic).
  • 2003, released his third and final album for Epic, Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek.
  • 2003, he stopped singing because of changes in his voice during the teen years.
  • 2016, he was a contestant on The Voice (NBC-TV) and at the end of season 11, was declared runner-up to winner Jason “Sundance” Head.
  • 2023, released his first bluegrass album Roller Coaster (Pinecastle).

Goad, John Curtiss

JOHN CURTISS GOAD

  • From Kingsport, Tennessee.
  • Began performing with his family band The Hawkins County Grass when he was 12 years old (playing bass).
  • 2009, enrolled in East Tennessee State University’s bluegrass music program and continues to serve as a graduate assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in Applachian Studies.
  • He has been a member of several east Tennessee bands including ETSU’s Bluegrass Pride Band, The Shadow Drifters and the New Hawkins County Grass, which he leads. He has also worked with Larry Sparks, Brand New Strings and James King.
  • He is contributing writer for Bluegrass Today and serves on the IBMA Board of Directors.
  • 2015, released first single “Regina” (no label).

Goble, Pete

PETE GOBLE

  • Grew up in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Later moved to Detroit, Michigan.
  • Best known as a writer of bluegrass songs.
  • His songs have been recorded by the Bluegrass Cardinals, The Osborne Brothers, Hot Rize, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson, the Country Gentlemen, the Lewis Family and many other artists.
  • Award-winning compositions: “Tennessee 1949” (Song of the Year, 1988) and “Colleen Malone” (Song of the Year, 1991). These and many other bluegrass standards were co-written by both Goble and his writing partner Leroy Drumm (who died in 2010).
  • As a performer, recorded two albums with banjo player Bill Emerson, singing lead and playing guitar.
  • 1995, released Webco Classics Volume 1: Emerson & Goble, a collection of their best material from previous recordings (Webco/Pinecastle).
  • 1996, suffered serious injuries when his single engine airplane crashed.
  • 2002, received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA.
  • 2005, released When I’m Knee Deep in Bluegrass (Fireheart Records).
  • 2018, passed away at the age of 86.
  • 2022, he was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

Goins Brothers, The

THE GOINS BROTHERS

  • From Bramwell, West Virginia.
  • 1951, brothers Melvin Goins (guitar) and Ray Goins (banjo) began performing on a Saturday morning radio program in Bluefield, West Virginia as teenagers. Their early band was called the Shenandoah Playboys.
  • 1953, moved to Pikeville, Kentucky where they worked with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers (with Cousin Ezra and Curly Ray Cline.)
  • Following the breakup of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in 1958, Melvin and Ray worked with Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Hylo Brown, and they also worked in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky.
  • 1969, formed their own band The Goins Brothers, recording more than 30 albums on various record labels. Their brother Conley Goins (bass) was also in the band.
  • Besides their appearances at bluegrass festivals and concerts, they performed regularly for children in rural schools throughout the south, doing as many as four schools a day.
  • 1996, released We’ll Carry On album (Hay Holler).
  • 1997, Ray retired and Melvin formed Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain.
  • 1997, released Run Satan Run album (Hay Holler).
  • 2007, Ray died at the age of 71 after a long illness.
  • 2016, Melvin died at the age of 83 while touring in Canada.

Gold Heart

GOLD HEART

  • From Northern Virginia.
  • A family band that formed in 2005. They began singing in church.
  • Features the Gold sisters: Analise (mandolin), Jocelyn (or Jocey) (guitar) and Shelby (fiddle). Their father Trent plays bass.
  • 2006, released “Journey to Heaven’s Bright Shore,” a gospel album.
  • 2008, released “Never Let Go” album (no label) produced by Justine Carbone.
  • 2009, released My Sisters and Me album (Rural Rhythm) also produced by Carbone.
  • 2014, released Places I’ve Been album (Mountain Fever Records) produced by Ron Stewart.

Golding, Wes

WES GOLDING

  • From Lambsburg, Virginia. Lives in Advance, North Carolina—near Winston-Salem.
  • Began performing at age 8 in a group called the Twin County Partners with his 11-year-old friend Jimmy Arnold.
  • 1972, joined Roanoke, Virginia-based group, The Shenandoah Cut-ups.
  • 1973, he and mandolinist Herschel Sizemore left The Shenandoah Cutups to form The Country Grass.
  • 1975, invited by Ricky Skaggs to sing lead and play guitar in Boone Creek, named after one of Golding’s songs. Keith Whitley had declined because he was working with Jimmy Gaudreau in a new band called The Country Store.
  • 1986, recorded “River of Teardrops” album (Heritage) with his band Surefire.

Goldwing Express

GOLDWING EXPRESS

  • From Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
  • A bluegrass/comedy group consisting of three native American brothers and their father.
  • The father’s name: Bob Baldridge (mandolin). The Baldridge brothers: Paul Anthony (guitar), Shawn David (bass/fiddle), Steven Joseph (banjo).
  • They are also known as “Three Indians and the Little White Man.”
  • The brothers are one-half Creek Indian. Their mother is the full-blooded Indian and their father is the “white man.”
  • They appear regularly in Branson, Missouri, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and other tourist locations. They wear traditional native American apparel during their shows.

Goodfellers, The

THE GOODFELLERS

    • From Pinnacle, North Carolina.
    • Formed in 2011 by Ralph McGee (mandolin) and Teddy Barneycastle (guitar). Other members have included Hersie McMillan (banjo), Tim Hill (bass), Kyser George (lead guitar), David George (bass) and Tommy Morse (banjo).
    • Their name is a take-off on the 1990 gangster movie classic “Goodfellas.”
    • 2018, released self titled album (no label).
    • 2021, released Love Somebody album (Bell Buckle)

Goodwin Brothers, The

THE GOODWIN BROTHERS

  • From East Kentucky
  • A trio featuring brothers Jonathan (banjo/guitar) and William (mandolin) Goodwin with vocalist Kenneth Chase Bush and other backing musicians.
  • They recorded their first album in 1999. Jonathan was 14, William was 12.
  • Jonathan Goodwin is a veteran of the Gospel music industry. Owns a record label and produces many gospel music artists. He is not to be confused with Jonathan Goodwin, the Welsh escape artist and daredevil who rose to fame on the TV Show America’s Got Talent.
  • William Goodwin was the lead singer with the Gospel group Assembled. They recorded one album in 2015.
  • Kenneth Chase Bush (known as “Chase”) was a finalist on American Idol (Season 5, 2006). He is a childhood friend of the Goodwin brothers.
  • 2021, released first self-titled bluegrass album (615 Hideaway).
  • 2022, signed with the Mark Newton agency; also signed with Pinecastle Records.

Good Ol’ Persons, The

THE GOOD OL’ PERSONS

    • From the San Francisco Bay Area.
    • Formed in 1975 as an all-girl bluegrass band by Kathy Kallick and Laurie Lewis. They were among the first (after Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard) to feature women as bluegrass band leaders and songwriters.
    • Other band members included Dorothy Baxter (guitar), Barbara Mendelsohn (banjo), John Reischman (mandolin), Sally Van Meter (Dobro™/banjo), Paul Shelasky (fiddle) and Bethany Raine (bass).
    • Name was meant to be a joke—a humorous response to Frank Wakefield’s “Good Ol’ Boys” who were also active in the Bay Area at that time.
    • Although bluegrass-based, they featured a variety of musical styles including jazz, swing, Latin, old-time, country and cajun.
    • 1977, released The Good Ol’ Persons: California Old-Time Bluegrass Music album (Bay).
    • 1983, released I Can’t Stand to Ramble album (Kaleidoscope).
    • 1986, released Part of a Story album (Kaleidoscope).
    • 1995, celebrated their 20th anniversary with a concert at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley. The album Good ‘n’ Live (Sugar Hill) was recorded at that concert.
    • 1996, released Anywhere the Wind Blows album (Flat Rock).
    • 1996, the group disbanded.
    • Kathy Kallick, who led the group for 20 years, now performs with her own band.
    • 2013, reunited for a concert at the Freight and Salvage in San Francisco. Band members: Kathy Kallick (guitar), John Reischman (mandolin), Sally Van Meter (resophonic guitar), Annie Staninec (fiddle) and Trisha Gagnon (bass).

Gordons, The

THE GORDONS

  • From Sparta, Illinois. They live on a nature preserve.
  • A husband/wife duo: Gary and Roberta Gordon. Gary plays guitar and Dobro™; Roberta plays autoharp.
  • Have been performing together since the mid-1970’s.
  • 1976, released “Southern Illinois Bluegrass” album (no label).
  • 1977, released “The Gordons” album (no label).
  • Early 80’s, lived and worked in North Carolina.
  • 1988, returned to Southern Illinois.
  • 1989, recorded a bluegrass album with Josh Graves and Kenny Baker.
  • Roberta is a graphic artist.
  • Gary sells and repairs instruments. He also has a recording studio.
  • 1995, released “Family Bible” album (no label).
  • 1997, released “End of a Long Hard Day” album (Reception).
  • 1999, released “Live in Holland” album (Strictly Country).
  • 2008, released “Our Time” album (Inside-Out).

Gospel Plowboys, The

THE GOSPEL PLOWBOYS

  • From Salisbury, North Carolina.
  • A gospel bluegrass band formed in 2012 by David Murph (mandolin). Other members: John Goodson (banjo), Michael Jenkins (guitar), David Brown (guitar and bass), Andrew Brown (bass and resonator guitar), and Kris Miller (guitar).
  • Stage attire: denim overalls, white shirts and red ties.
  • Band member Andrew Brown served with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.
  • 2014, released first album Brethren We Have Met to Worship (no label).
  • 2016, released Welcome Home album (Mountain Fever).
  • 2017, founder and mandolin player Murph died at the age of 58.
  • 2019, banjo player Goodson died at the age of 54.
  • 2019 lineup: Michael Jenkins (mandolin), David Brown (guitar and bass), Andrew Brown (bass and resonator guitar), Kris Miller (guitar), Charles Honeycutt (banjo) and Alec McCallister (fiddle).
  • 2019, released When the Crops Are Laid By album (Mountain Fever), dedicated to the memory of their former bandmates Murph and Goodson.
  • 2022, released Still Standing album (Mountain Fever).

Graham, Randy

RANDY GRAHAM

  • From Chino, California (near Los Angeles). Lives in Kentucky.
  • 1972, an original member of the Bluegrass Cardinals. Helped create “The Cardinal Sound” with his distinct tenor vocals.
  • 1982, joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (playing bass).
  • 1985, formed The New Quicksilver with Terry Baucom, Alan Bibey, Jimmy Haley.
  • 1988, re-joined the Bluegrass Cardinals.
  • 1997, re-united the New Quicksilver band as Baucom, Bibey, Graham and Haley (later became Baucom, Bibey and BlueRidge).
  • 2001, joined David Parmley and Continental Divide.
  • 2007, left performing to form a talent agency, the Graham Talent Group.
  • 2020, shut down his agency during the pandemic.
  • 2021, joined Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road.
  • 2022, re-opened his talent agency with a roster including Nothin’ Fancy, the Crowe Brothers, Corey Zink and others.

Grandpa Jones

GRANDPA JONES

  • Born Louis Marshall Jones in Niagra, Kentucky.
  • Began professional career at age 11.
  • A guitar player first, then learned banjo in his early twenties. Learned banjo from Cousin Emmy, a flamboyant female performer of the 1930’s.
  • The “Grandpa” nickname was adopted when he was only 22 years old.
  • 1940’s, formed a gospel-singing group called the Brown’s Ferry Four which included the Delmore Brothers and Merle Travis. The Brown’s Ferry Four tradition was kept alive (in spirit) by the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet.
  • While in the army in 1944, had a group in Germany called The Munich Mountaineers.
  • Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946 and stayed there until 1949; left soon after to work on the Old Dominion Barn Dance, broadcast out of Richmond, Virginia; returned to the Opry in 1952 only to leave again in 1956 to work on Jimmy Dean’s TV show in Washington, D.C.; 1959, returned to Nashville to stay.
  • 1968, joined the cast of the Hee Haw television show.
  • 1978, elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Daughter Alisa Jones Wall is one of the nation’s most recorded hammered-dulcimer players.
  • 1998, died at the age of 84.
  • 2023, he was inducted into the National Banjo Hall of Fame.

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Grant, Bill (and Delia Bell)

BILL GRANT AND DELIA BELL

  • From Hugo, Oklahoma.
  • 1960, Bill Grant and Delia Bell began singing together on a Hugo radio program called The Dixie Hayride. They continued performing together for more than 55 years.
  • Grant is part Choctaw Indian.
  • Bell’s given name: Francis Leona Bell. “Delia” was a nickname.
  • Grant was recognized as “Ambassador of Bluegrass Music” by three Oklahoma governors.
  • Grant lives on a 360-acre cattle ranch near Hugo, which has been in his family for more than 100 years.
  • For more then 30 years (1969-2003), Grant hosted one of the biggest bluegrass festivals in the country on his ranch. He called the festival site Salt Creek Park.
  • Bill Grant and Delia Bell had a band called The Kiamichi Mountain Boys, named after the mountains near their home.
  • 1982, Emmylou Harris produced a solo album for Delia Bell, released on the Warner Brothers label. It reached #35 on the Billboard charts. Emmylou said of Delia Bell: “If Kitty Wells and Hank Williams had had a child—if somehow their voices had been able to spawn a woman singer—Delia Bell would be it.”
  • 2006, they stopped performing for health reasons.
  • 2006, Grant received IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
  • 2008, Grant was recognized as a “Pioneer of Bluegrass Music” by the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky.
  • They recorded more than a dozen albums for their own label Kiamichi Records as well as albums by County Records, Rebel Records, Rounder Records and Warner Brothers.
  • 2017, Grant was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
  • 2018, Delia Bell passed away at the age of 83.
  • 2019, Bill Grant passed away at the age of 90.

Grant, Tyler

TYLER GRANT

  • From San Diego, California.
  • 2003, won the Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival guitar contest.
  • 2003, moved to Nashville and joined the Adrienne Young Band.
  • 2004, worked with Casey and Chris (Henry) and the Two Stringers. Also did a tour of China with Abigail Washburn.
  • 2005, placed second at the National Flatpick Guitar Championship in Winfield, KS.
  • 2005, performed and toured with fiddler April Verch.
  • 2006, joined the Drew Emmitt Band (which became the Emmitt-Nershi Band)
  • 2006, released solo project In the Light (FGM)
  • 2007, formed a band called “Tavern Grass.”
  • 2008, won first place at the National Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas.
  • 2009, won first place at the Doc Watson Guitar Championship (Merlefest).
  • 2010, formed his own band called Grant Farm.
  • 2010, released Up the Neck album (no label).
  • 2016, released “Earth and Wood” album (Grant Central).
  • 2018, released a duet album with guitarist Robin Kessinger “Kanawha County Flatpicking” (no label).

Grascals, The

THE GRASCALS

  • From Nashville.
  • Formed in 2004 by Terry Eldridge (guitar), Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), David Talbot (banjo), Danny Roberts (mandolin), Jamie Johnson (guitar) and Terry Smith (bass).
  • Eldridge, Talbot and Johnson appeared on a 2001 album called “The Little Grasscals: Nashville’s Superpickers.”
  • Other former bands: Eldridge (Osborne Brothers, Larry Cordle, Sidemen); Talbot (Larry Cordle, Marty Raybon, Reba McIntyre); Mattingly (Garth Brooks, Steve Wariner, Osborne Brothers, Dolly Parton); Johnson (Boys from Indiana, Wildwood Valley Boys, Ricky Van Shelton); Smith (Jimmy Martin, Wilma Lee Cooper, Osborne Brothers, Smith Brothers); Roberts (The New Tradition, Reno Tradition).
  • 2004, toured with Dolly Parton on her “Hello I’m Dolly” tour. Released single “Viva Las Vegas” with Dolly singing a verse.
  • 2005, released The Grascals album (Rounder Records).
  • 2005, won IBMA award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
  • 2005, won IBMA award for Song of the Year (“Me and John and Paul”)
  • 2005, opened for country artists Brooks and Dunn in New York City.
  • 2006, 2007 won IBMA award for Entertainer of the Year.
  • 2006-2009, they were sponsored by Mayberry’s Finest (a food distributor).
  • 2006, released Long List of Heartaches album (Rounder) with guests Steve Wariner, George Jones, Dierks Bentley and the Jordanaires.
  • 2006, banjo player David Talbot left to work full-time with Dolly Parton, replaced by Aaron McDaris.
  • 2008, released Keep on Walkin album (Rounder).
  • 2008, fiddle player Jimmy Mattingly left the band to work with Dolly Parton, replaced by Jeremy Abshire.
  • 2008, banjo player Aaron McDaris was replaced by Kristin Scott Benson.
  • 2008 (November), performed at the White House for a reception honoring President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney and their wives.
  • 2009, sponsored by Mobil Delvac (a diesel engine oil).
  • 1010, released The Famous Lefty Flynn’s album (Rounder).
  • 2010, an RV park in Dothan, Alabama was named after them: “The Grascals Bluegrass Hollow RV Park.”
  • 2010, toured with Hank Williams, Jr., recorded with Dierks Bentley.
  • 2011, released Dance Til Your Stockings Are Hot & Ravelin: A Tribute To The Music Of The Andy Griffith Show (Saguaro Road Records).
  • 2011, released album The Grascals and Friends: Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin with many guest artists (Cracker Barrel).
  • 2012, released Life Finds A Way album (Mountain Home).
  • 2013, released When I Get My Pay album (Mountain Home).
  • 2015, Jamie Johnson left the band and was replaced by guitarist/vocalist John Bryan (whose grandfather Willard Watson is a first cousin of Doc Watson’s.)
  • 2015, released And Then There’s This album (Mountain Home).
  • 2018, released Before Breakfast album (Mountain Home).
  • 2018, banjo player Kristin Scott Benson won the IBMA Award for Banjo Player of the Year. She also was given the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo.
  • 2019, Terry Eldridge left the band and was replaced by Chris Davis.
  • 2022, Chris Davis left the band and was replaced by original member Jamie Johnson after a seven-year hiatus.
  • 2023, lineup included Jamie Johnson (guitar), Terry Smith (bass), Danny Roberts (mandolin), Kristen Scott Benson (banjo), John Bryan (guitar) and Adam Haynes (fiddle). Haynes departed the band in early ’23 to work with Rhonda Vincent. He was replaced by Jamie Harper (formerly with Sideline and Junior Sisk).

Grass Cats, The

THE GRASS CATS

  • From North Carolina.
  • Formed in 1997 by Greg Miller (guitar) , Russell Johnson (mandolin), Tim Woodall (banjo), Chris Hill (fiddle) and Jerome Hawkes (bass).
  • Johnson was formerly lead singer with New Vintage (1989-2000)
  • Woodall hosts a bluegrass radio show in Raleigh, NC.
  • 1999, released first album “Cattin’ Around” (no label).
  • 2000, released “By Request” album (New Time Records).
  • 2002, released “The Blues are Back in Town” album (New Time).
  • 2004, released “Desperate Times” album (New Time).
  • 2005, released “9 Lives and More” album (New Time).
  • 2007, released Home to Carolina album (New Time).
  • 2009, released A Good Way to Get the Blues album (New Time).
  • Personnel (2011): Steven Martin (guitar) , Russell Johnson (mandolin), Tim Woodall (bass), Chris Hill (fiddle) and Rick Lafleur on banjo (Rick has a PHD in Physics and is from Canada).
  • 2012, released Mountains My Baby & Me album (New Time).
  • 2015, released The Old School Road album (New Time).
  • 2017, disbanded.

Grasshoppers, The

THE GRASSHOPPERS

  • From Caldwell, Idaho.
  • Formed in 1994.
  • 1999, won the International Pizza Hut Bluegrass Showdown and the Rocky Grass Festival band contest.
  • Original members: Glen and Jeremy Garrett (father and son) and Randy and Honi Glenn (husband and wife).
  • 2001, group re-organized when Randy and Honi left the band. Honi subsequently married Jeff Deaton (son of Third Tyme Out’s Ray Deaton) and formed a new band called Honi Deaton and Dream.
  • 2002, Glen and Jeremy moved to Nashville and formed a new band. They recorded a gospel album called “Garrett Grass.”
  • 2003, Jeremy joined the Chris Jones Coalition
  • 2004, Jeremy joined Ronnie Bowman’s band, the Committee and also worked with J.D. Crowe, Bobby Osborne, the Waybacks, other bands.
  • 2005, Jeremy co-founded the Infamous Stringdusters.

Grassifieds, The

THE GRASSIFIEDS

  • From Walkertown, North Carolina.
  • Formed in 2006 by Jim Grubbs (mandolin) and brothers Greg (guitar) and Joel Barnett (banjo). Other members of the band include Jerry Martin (guitar), Pete Wright (bass) and Amanda Hinds (fiddle). Martin and Wright were formerly with the band String Fever. Hinds has a Ph.D in biochemistry and is a classically-trained violinist.
  • 2020, released first album What We Are (no label).

Grass is Greener, The

THE GRASS IS GREENER

  • From Los Angeles, California.
  • An instrumental group formed in 1993 by fiddler Richard Greene. Eventually became “Richard Greene and the Grass is Greener.”
  • Primarily a recording band, the group included such musicians as Bill Keith, David Grier, Chris Thile, Tim Emmons, Sonny Osborne, Tony Trischka, Kenny Blackwell, Peter Rowan, Buell Neidlinger, Butch Baldassari and others.
  • 1993, recorded self titled album Grass Is Greener (Rebel Records).
  • 1996, recorded Wolves a Howlin album (Rebel Records.)
  • 1997, recorded Sales Tax Toddle album (Rebel Records.)

Grasstowne

GRASSTOWNE (ALAN BIBEY & GRASSTOWNE)

  • From Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • Formed in 2006 by Phil Leadbetter (formerly with Wildfire), Steve Gulley (formerly with Mountain Heart) and Alan Bibey (formerly with Blue Ridge). Also in the original band: Jason Davis (banjo) and Lee Sawyer (bass).
  • 2007, Jamie Booher (of the Boohers) replaced Sawyer on bass. A year later, he left to join Newfound Road.
  • 2007, released first album Road Headin Home (Pinecastle).
  • 2009, released second album The Other Side of Towne (Pinecastle).
  • 2010, Phil Leadbetter left the band. Bibey and Gulley were joined by new members Justin Jenkins (banjo), Kameron Keller (bass) and Adam Haynes (fiddle).
  • 2011, Steve Gulley left to join Dale Ann Bradley. He was replaced by Dustin Pyrtle, nephew of Lou Reid.
  • 2011, released third album Kickin’ Up Dust (Rural Rhythm).
  • 2012, Ronnie Bowman replaced Pyrtle on guitar and lead vocals.
  • 2013, Shannon Slaughter joined the band playing guitar and singing lead vocals.
  • 2014, Jimmy Haley and Gena Britt joined the band. New lineup: Haley (guitar), Britt (bass), Jenkins (banjo) and Bibey (mandolin). The group was re-branded as Alan Bibey and Grasstowne.
  • 2018, added Michael Bentley on guitar and vocals (who also performs with Cumberland Gap Connection); also added Laura Oshaw (fiddle). Other band members include Britt (banjo), Zac MacLamb (bass) and bandleader Bibey (mandolin).
  • 2018, Justin Jenkins re-joined the band, replacing Britt on banjo.
  • 2019, Tony Watt (husband of fiddler Laura Orshaw) joined the band, replacing Bentley on guitar.
  • 2020, Kati Penn joined the band, replacing Laura Orshaw who left to join the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.
  • 2022, Watt left the band and was replaced by Jeff Huffman.

Graves, “Uncle Josh”

BUCK “UNCLE JOSH” GRAVES

  • From Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
  • Real name: Burkett Howard Graves. Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper called him Buck. Upon joining Flatt and Scruggs, he took on the persona of “Uncle Josh,” part of the Foggy Mountain Boys comedy routine.
  • He is generally regarded as the man who introduced the Dobro™ to bluegrass music. He was the first to use Earl Scruggs’ three-finger roll with the Dobro™, giving it a new sound and new life. Dobro master Jerry Douglas and many other musicians were inspired by the music of Josh Graves.
  • Josh’s first Dobro™ is named “Julie.” He bought it for $70 in 1947 and played it throughout his career. He also played an instrument called “Cliff,” named after Cliff Carlisle, it’s previous owner.
  • 1947-1954, worked with Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper as well as Mac Wiseman.
  • 1954-1969, worked with Flatt and Scruggs.
  • 1969-1971, worked with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
  • 1971-1984, worked with The Earl Scruggs Revue.
  • During the 80’s and 90’s, he performed primarily in a duo with fiddler Kenny Baker.
  • 1991-2, performed with The Masters—a quartet with Eddie Adcock, Jesse McReynolds and Kenny Baker.
  • 1997, he was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.
  • In his later years, had health problems which led to the amputation of both legs. Eddie Adcock built him a device to hold his instrument, allowing him to peform until shortly before his death.
  • 2012, his autobiography was published by the University of Illinois Press, Bluegrass Bluesman: Josh Graves, A Memoir edited by Fred Bartenstein.
  • Died September 30, 2006.

Graves, Tim

TIM GRAVES

  • From Telleco Plains, Tennessee. Lives in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
  • “Uncle Josh” Graves is in fact his uncle. His father Dick and Josh are brothers.
  • Was given a Dobro™ by Uncle Josh as a youngster and was taught to play by him.
  • Age 14, played with Cedar Run.
  • 1979, joined Bobby Smith and the Boys from Shiloh
  • 1981, formed his band “Cherokee”
  • 1982, performed at the World’s Fair in Knoxville.
  • 1983, worked with James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers
  • 1984-1995, a member of Wilma Lee Cooper’s Clinch Mountain Clan.
  • 1992, re-formed his band Cherokee.
  • 2002, joined the Osborne Brothers band.
  • 2004, re-formed his band Cherokee.
  • 2004, released an album of duets with former New Tradition member Daryl Mosely called “The Beacon Brothers Sound.”
  • 2010, joined Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top Express.
  • 2011, formed The Farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet with Daryl Mosley, Kevin Williamson and Bennie Boling.
  • 2021, his band became known as Tim Graves and the Farm Hands. New members include Don Wayne Reno, Jimmy Haynes and Terry Eldridge.

Gray, J.T.

J. T. GRAY

  • From Corinth, Mississippi. Lives in Nashville.
  • He is the owner of the Station Inn (Nashville bluegrass and acoustic music venue).
  • As a performer, he has recorded and toured with many bands including Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys, Vassar Clements, The Sullivan Family, Tom T. Hall and his own band, the Misty Mountain Boys.
  • 2003, received an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award for his contributions to bluegrass music (as owner of the Station Inn).
  • 2005, released album “It’s About Time,” accompanied by many of the musicians who perform regularly at the Station Inn.

Grayson, Shannon

SHANNON GRAYSON (AND THE GOLDEN VALLEY BOYS)

  • From Sunshine, North Carolina.
  • A banjo player who began his career working with Bill Carlisle in the 1930’s.
  • 1948, formed The Golden Valley Boys, a gospel quartet with string band accompaniment.
  • 1950-1954, he and the Golden Valley Boys recorded for both King and RCA Victor Records.
  • He also performed with the Briarhoppers.
  • He was a cabinet maker by trade.
  • He died in 1993.

Greasy Beans, The

GREASY BEANS

  • From Asheville, North Carolina
  • Formed at Warren Wilson College in 1994 by Josh Haddix (guitar and vocals) and Charley Brophey (mandolin and vocals).
  • Perform traditional bluegrass with an old-time flavor.
  • 2002, released “Real Live Music” album.
  • 2004, began touring with the North Carolina Dance Theatre, performing the musical “Shindig” (a mountain ballet).
  • 2005, released second album.
  • 2006, toured the Netherlands.
  • 2008, Haddix formed a rock band called The Whappers.
  • 2013, both The Whappers and The Greasy Beans reunited for an Asheville concert.

Grebe, Todd

TODD GREBE (AND COLD COUNTRY)

  • From Anchorage, Alaska.
  • 2003, played with an Alaskan band called Well Strung.
  • 2008, formed his own band Cold Country,
  • 2009, moved to Nashville.
  • 2010-13, toured with Bearfoot.
  • 2011, formed a new version of Cold Country with David Long (mandolin), Mike Bub (bass) and Angela Oudean (fiddle). In 2013, he and Oudean were married.
  • 2012, released Until Tomorrow album (no label).
  • 2015, moved back to Anchorage, formed a “honky-tonk country” version of Cold Country (with drums and electric guitar) and released Citizen album (no label).

Green on the Vyne

GREEN ON THE VYNE

  • From Nashville.
  • Formed in 2009 and performed together for about two years. At the time, the oldest members of the group (Sydni and Casey) are sixteen years old.
  • Members: Ty Jackson (guitar), Emily Dean (bass), Sydni Perry (fiddle), Casey Campbell (mandolin), Luke Munday (banjo.)
  • Sydni had worked previously with Patty Loveless. She had been performing since age 10 in her family band.
  • Ty Jackson sang in boys choirs since age 8. He also performed with the Nashville Symphony and was the 2008 National Clogging Champion.
  • Emily was the 2006 Clogging Champion and Buck Dancing Champion and the 2007 Buck Dancing Champion.
  • Casey Campbell is the son of the legendary fiddler Jimmy Campbell.
  • 2009, released first album Ready for the Picking album (no label).

Greenbriar Boys, The

THE GREENBRIAR BOYS

  • From New York City.
  • An influential bluegrass band of the sixties (1958-1967) popular with folk music enthusiasts.
  • Original members: John Herald (guitar), Bob Yellin (banjo), Eric Weissberg (bass), Ralph Rinzler (mandolin).
  • Performed at the Newport Folk Festival with Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, the Kingston Trio, Bob Dylan and other folk artists.
  • Besides their own recordings on Vanguard Records, they backed Joan Baez on her 1961 album (Volume 2) and also recorded an album in 1963 for Elektra Records with California folk singer Dian James (Dian and the Greenbriar Boys). That album was produced by Jim Dickson, who also produced albums for the Dillards, the Byrds, Chris Hillman and others.
  • Mandolin player Ralph Rinzler left the band in 1964 to become folklorist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and was replaced by Frank Wakefield until the group broke up in 1970. Rinzler is credited with discovering and/or bringing to national attention many important folk and bluegrass acts, including Doc Watson. Rinzler died in 1994.
  • Featured vocalist and guitarist John Herald later formed the John Herald Band, based out of Woodstock, New York.
  • Joe Isaacs (of the Isaacs) replaced Yellin on banjo in 1967. Yellin moved to his homeland of Israel and performed there with a group called “Galilee Grass.” Returned to the U.S. in 1982 and formed a new band with his brother Gene and wife Yona called “Yellin Grass”—which he later re-named “The Joint Chiefs of Bluegrass.”
  • Original bass player Eric Weissburg is best known for his performance of “Dueling Banjos” which was used in the soundtrack for the movie “Deliverance.” He also recorded an album title “New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass” with Marshall Brickman, a very influential banjo album of the sixties.
  • 1992, the group reunited with a lineup including Yellin and Herald, Richard Greene on bass and fiddle and Greg Garing on mandolin.
  • John Herald died in 2005 at the age of 65. He committed suicide.
  • 2012, mandolinist and folklorist Ralph Rinzler was inducted into the IBMA’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

Greencards, The

THE GREENCARDS

  • From Australia and Great Britain. Living in Austin, Texas.
  • A trio that specializes in “high-energy acoustic music deeply rooted in bluegrass.”
  • Features vocals by Carol Young, who had two #1 singles in Australia in 2000 (“True Blue Fool” and “Part of the Past”) Hometown: Coff’s Harbor, Australia. Was nominated “Best Female Vocalist” by CMA Australia. Toured with Australia’s top country artist, Slim Dusty.
  • Mandolinist Kym Warner won 4 consecutive Australian mandolin championships (1994-1997). Hometown: Adelaide, Australia.
  • Fiddler Eamon McLoughlin was classically trained at the Royal School of Music, London. Hometown: South London, Great Britain. Has toured with the Austin Lounge Lizards.
  • 2003, released debut album Movin On (Dualtone).
  • 2005, toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Released Weather & Water album (Darling Street).
    album.
  • 2007, released Viridian album (Dualtone).
  • 2009, released Fascination album (Sugar Hill).
  • 2011, released The Brick Album (Darling Street).
  • 2013, released Sweetheart of the Sun album (Darling Street).

Greene, Buddy

BUDDY GREENE

  • From Macon, Georgia. Lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.
  • A singer, songwriter, and popular session musician (plays harmonica and guitar). Well-known in southern gospel music.
  • 1983-1986, was a member of Jerry Reed’s band.
  • 1991, won Dove award for Best Country Album (“Sojourner’s Song”).
  • Has written songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Wynonna, Kathy Mattea, Reba McIntyre, the Whites, Del McCoury, many others.
  • 2002, released a bluegrass-flavored album called “Rufus” (his middle name) with guest musicians Jerry Douglas, Ron Block, Sam Bush, others.

Greene, Richard

RICHARD GREENE

  • From Los Angeles.
  • An influential fiddler who worked with Bill Monroe (1966-67) and the short-lived Muleskinner band with Clarence White, Bill Keith and Peter Rowan (1973).
  • While working with Monroe, he invented “the fiddle chop” which is a bowing technique similar to the mandolin chop that is used to play rhythm.
  • First band: The Dry City Scat Band (1963). Others: The Pine Valley Boys (1964), The Greenbriar Boys (1965), Jim Kweskin’s Jug Band (1968), Seatrain (1969), The Great American Music Band (early 1970’s, with David Grisman).
  • First solo project: Duets (Rounder) in 1977, featuring Tony Rice, Tony Trischka, J.D. Crowe and others.
  • Has recorded and toured with Bruce Springsteen, Henry Mancini, Loggins and Messina, Maria Muldaur, Burt Bacharach, Peter Rowan, others.
  • He is an award-winning photographer. Some of his photos are on display in the Smithsonian Photo Gallery in Washington, D.C.
  • 1985, formed the Greene String Quartet (a jazz ensemble).
  • 1991, released The Greene Fiddler album (Sierra Records).
  • 1993, formed The Grass is Greener, a bluegrass band that at the time included a 12-year-old Chris Thile.
  • 2005, teamed up with The Brothers Barton (Paul and Loren Barton of Bakersfield, California) to released Shufflin’album (no label).

Greene, Smokey

SMOKEY GREENE

  • From Rutland, Vermont. Lives in Florida.
  • 1946, began performing at age 16.
  • Was a popular country music singer around New York and Vermont in the 50’s and 60’s. During the 70’s, he had a band called “the Green Mountain Boys.” Was also a festival promoter.
  • 1996, after 50 years of performing, recorded his first nationally-distributed album (Pinecastle Records).

Greensky Bluegrass

GREENSKY BLUEGRASS

  • From Kalamazoo, Michigan (original home of Gibson Instruments).
  • Formed in 2004 by Paul Hoffman (mandolin), Michael Arden Bont (banjo), Michael Devol (bass) and Dave Bruzza (guitar). Anders Beck (Dobro™) joined in 2007.
  • 2006, won the Telluride (Colorado) Band Competition.
  • Their name implies that they are actually the opposite of a bluegrass band (“Green Sky” vs “Blue Grass”). “We play acoustic instruments but we put on a rock’n’roll show. We play in bigger clubs and theaters, there’s a killer light show, and we’re as loud as your favorite rock band. It’s not easy to make five acoustic instruments sound like this but it’s something we’ve spent years working on.
  • 2007, released Tuesday Letter album (no label).
  • 2008, released Five Interstates album (no label).
  • 2008, released Live at Bell’s album (no label).
  • 2011, released Handguns album (no label).
  • 2014, released If Sorrows Swim album (Big Blue Zoo).

Greeson, Daniel

DANIEL GREESON

  • From Greensboro, North Carolina.
  • Began playing fiddle at age 6.
  • He has won numerous fiddle contest, both in youth and adult competitions at the Galax and Mt. Airy Fiddler’s Conventions and many others.
  • He has performed and recorded with youth bands Close Kin and OldGrass.
  • He is also an avid golfer.
  • 2014, began playing fiddle with the band Rich in Tradition.
  • 2014, at age 16, released first album of fiddle tunes Daniel Greeson (Patuxent Records.)

Gregory, Clinton

CLINTON GREGORY

  • From Martinsville, Virginia. Lives in Nashville.
  • As a country singer, he had several songs on the Billboard Top 100 charts including “If It Weren’t for Country Music, I’d Go Crazy” and “Play Ruby Play,” among others.
  • He is a fiddle player and did session work in Nashville.
  • 2012, returned to his bluegrass roots with the release of Roots of My Raising by the Clinton Gregory Bluegrass Band, produced by Scott Vestal.

Grier, David

DAVID GRIER

  • From Laurel, Maryland. Lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • An award-winning flat-pick guitarist who has performed with The Doug Dillard Band, The Big Dogs (with Tony Trischka), Peter Rowan, The Country Gazette and other bands.
  • Son of Lamar Grier, banjo player with Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys in the late 60’s.
  • Influenced by Clarence and Roland White, who were family friends of the Griers.
  • Won his first guitar championship at age 11.
  • 1991, recorded a duet album with mandolinist Mike Compton called Climbing the Walls.
  • 1995-present, performs as a studio musician and solo artist. Also plays with a group called Psychograss.
  • 1996, won his fourth IBMA award for Guitar Player of the Year (also won in 1992, 1993 and 1995).
  • 1999 recorded an album with bassist Todd Phillips and mandolinist Matt Flinner: Todd Phillips, David Grier & Matt Flinner (Alliance Records).
  • 2013, formed a band with Missy Raines (bass), Mike Compton (mandolin) and Shad Cobb (fiddle) called The Helen Highwater String Band.
  • 2020, released Another Nashville Night album (Englehart Music) as The David Grier Band.

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Grim, Angelica

ANGELICA GRIM

  • From Northern California.
  • Began singing at age 13 at the CBA Grass Valley (California) bluegrass festival in the “Kids on Bluegrass” program. Was asked to sing harmony with Rhonda Vincent at one of her shows and that propelled Angelica to pursue singing as a career.
  • 2009, released first album Look For Me at age 19 (Patuxent Records), produced by Frank Solivan.
  • She is married to TJ Doerful of The Doerfuls (they met at IBMA, 2006).

Grindstaff, Daniel

DANIEL GRINDSTAFF

  • From East Tennessee.
  • Banjo player who has performed and recorded with such bands as David Peterson and 1946, Jim and Jesse, The Osborne Brothers, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys.
  • 2006, joined Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. Also works dates with Tim Graves & Cherokee, Wildfire and Bobby Osborne.
  • 2006, released a solo project April’s Fool (no label).
  • 2011, joined Marty Raybon and Full Circle.

Grindstaff, David

DAVID GRINDSTAFF

  • From North Carolina.
  • In high school, played in a band called Highway Bound.
  • As a student in the Bluegrass, Country and Old Time Music program at East Tennessee State University, played with a band called the Troubadours. Sang lead and played bass. Also plays mandolin.
  • 2010, recorded a solo project titled “Here and Now.”
  • 2011, won the Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest.

Grisman, David

DAVID GRISMAN

  • From Mill Valley, California. Originally from Hackensack, New York
  • Called “The Paganini of the Mandolin” by the New York Times.
  • Bill Monroe once acknowledged David as his “heir apparent” to the mandolin.
  • Began pro career with Red Allen and the Kentuckians (mid-60’s).
  • Other early bands: The Even Dozen Jug Band (with Maria Muldaur and John Sebastian, later of the Lovin’ Spoonful), The New York Ramblers (with Jody Stecher and Winnie Winston).
  • 1967, moved to California and formed a rock group with Peter Rowan called “Earth Opera.”
  • 1972, performed in Muleskinner with Peter Rowan, Richard Greene and Clarence White.
  • 1973, formed The Great American Music Band, which included at various times, Richard Greene, Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia, Eric Thompson, John Carlini and Joe Carroll. Performed at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
  • 1973, formed a group with Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements and John Kahn called “Old and In the Way.” Their self-titled album ranks as one of the best selling bluegrass albums of all time.
  • Calls his music “Dawg” music (after the initials in his name.) Jerry Garcia (of The Grateful Dead) gave him the nickname.
  • One of the first to successfully fuse bluegrass with jazz.
  • Since 1975, has performed with his group, The David Grisman Quintet (or Quartet, depending on the number of musicians). First version of this band included guitarist Tony Rice.
  • Frets Magazine called David’s music “bluegrass-jazz-Gypsy-rock-Middle-Eastern-Hebraic-folk-classical-Grisman.” Billboard Magazine has called it “fire-breathing acoustic string music that fuses the emotional freedom of rock to the tight precision of bluegrass.”
  • Has worked on albums by Linda Rondstadt, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Judy Collins, Martin Mull, Tom Paxton, the Pointer Sisters, and the Grateful Dead.
  • Gave Bob Dylan mandolin lessons.
  • 1976, released The David Grisman Rounder Album a landmark album featuring Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Bill Keith, J.D. Crowe and many other bluegrass artists (Rounder).
  • 1976, founded a magazine called “The Mandolin World News.”
  • Founder and owner of Acoustic Disc records.
  • Early influences: Ralph Rinzler (of the original Greenbriar Boys) and Frank Wakefield.
  • 1994, released Tone Poems, a duet album with Tony Rice featuring vintage instruments (Acoustic Disc).
  • 1997, released a duet album with Doc Watson, Doc & Dawg (Acoustic Disc).
  • 2000, won IBMA awards for Instrumental Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year (“Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza”).
  • 2001, his daughter Gillian produced a film for Sony Pictures called “Grateful Dawg,,” based on the lives, music and friendship of David Grisman and Jerry Garcia.
  • 2002, formed a bluegrass band called The David Grisman Experience. Also formed a reunion band called Old & In the Gray.
  • 2023, he was inducted into the IBMA’s Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Groovegrass

GROOVEGRASS (THE GROOVEGRASS BOYZ)

  • From Nashville.
  • A short-lived recording ensemble that has included the Del McCoury Band, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Terry Eldridge, Wilma Lee Cooper, Steve Kaufman, Bernie Leadon and other musicians.
  • 1997, released a bluegrass version of the latin dance hit “Macarena.” They also released a dance version of “Rocky Top” (using the Osborne Brothers’ vocals from the original version). Both recordings reached the Billboard top ten singles chart.
  • The group was the brain child of Nashville producer Scott Rouse.

Groves, K.C.

K. C. GROVES

  • From Northville, Michigan (near Ann Arbor). She lives in Lyons, Colorado.
  • Began playing guitar and writing songs in 1991. Also learned mandolin from Colby Maddox (of Special Consensus).
  • 1999, released album “Can You Hear It” produced by the late Charles Sawtelle.
  • 1999, formed an all-female Americana group with singer/songwriter Jo Serrapere called Uncle Earl.
  • 2004, released album “Something Familiar.”

Grubb, Stacy

STACY GRUBB

  • From McDowell County, West Virginia.
  • She began singing and playing wth her father’s bluegrass band, Alan Johnston and Highway 52.
  • 2009, released “Hurricane” album.
  • 2012, took an extended time off from touring and recording to take care of her one-year-old daughter Lyric who had become seriously ill.
  • 2013, she was inducted as member of the Wheeling (WV) Jamboree.
  • 2014, released From the Barroom to the Steeple album, produced by Clay Hess.

Gulley, Steve

STEVE GULLEY (AND NEW PINNACLE)

  • From East Tennessee.
  • Began his professional career as musical director and performer at Renfro Valley Barn Dance (Renfro Valley, Kentucky).
  • 1995-1998, sang lead vocals with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
  • 1998, formed Mountain Heart with Adam Steffey and Barry Abernathy.
  • 2006, left Mountain Heart to form Grasstowne.
  • 2007, released solo project: Sounds Like Home (Lonesome Day Records).
  • 2010, released a duet album with Blue Highway’s Tim Stafford called Dogwood Winter (Rural Rhythm).
  • 2011, left Grasstowne to join Dale Ann Bradley.
  • 2011, released an album of duets with Tim Stafford: Dogwood Winter (Rural Rhythm).
  • 2014, released solo project: Family Friends & Fellowship (Rural Rhythm).
  • 2013, formed his own band New Pinnacle, named as a tribute to his father’s band The Pinnacle Mountain Boys.
  • 2016, released Aim High album (Rural Rhythm).
  • 2016, received an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Music) from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.
  • 2018, joined Phil Leadbetter’s “All Stars of Bluegrass” to record an album of
  • 2018, became the program director for Lincoln Memorial University’s two radio stations.
  • 2019, released High Peaks and New Ground album (Rural Rhythm)
  • 2019, became morning drive DJ for WDVX radio in Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • 2020, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.