THE HACKENSAW BOYS

• From Charlottesville, Virginia.
• Formed in 1999, playing at the Blue Moon Diner in Charlottesville.
• A young jamgrass band that performs all-original bluegrass/country/folk music with a cast of players that sometime runs a dozen strong.
• Band member go by their nicknames: Pee Paw, Shiner, Mahlon, the Kooky-eyed Fox, Dante J. and Salvage.
• 2001, started touring in a 1964 GMC touring bus called the Dirty Bird. There were 12 people in the group at that time.
• 2002, toured with rockers Modest Mouse. Released Keep It Simple album (no label)
• 2003, they were Charlie Louvin’s backup band on a national tour.
• 2003, opened the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (Manchester, Tennessee).
• 2004, toured the Netherlands.
• 2012, released Love What You Do album (Nettwerk).
• 2013, released Look Out! album (Nettwerk)
• 2016, released Charismo album (Free Dirt).

HAGAR’S MOUNTAIN BOYS

• From Roxboro, North Carolina.
• Formed in 2006.
• Members: Ricky Stroud (mandolin), Blake Johnson (bass), Mike Johnson (guitar), Cliff Smith (banjo), David Nance (Dobro™). Nance formerly played with Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys.
• 2010, released Forever Yours album (Mountain Fever).
• 2011, released Where’s The Lonesome album (Mountain Fever).

ROBERT HALE

• From Jolo, West Virginia
• Began performing at the age of 9, playing mandolin in his father’s band “Clayton Hale and the Bluegrass Mountaineers.”
• Age 11, was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry with Bill Monroe.
• Has been a band member with the Reno Brothers, J. D. Crowe and the New South (guitar, lead vocals), Livewire, Eddie and Martha Adcock (mandolin) and several other bands.
• 2000, founded Wildfire with Curt Chapman.
• Played on two Dolly Parton albums: “Halos and Horns” and “For God and Country.”
• 2012, released first solo project Pure & Simple (Pinecastle).
• 2020, released Blue Haze album (Pinecastle) with his “8th Wonder Band” including Scott Vestal, Missy Raines and Shawn Lane.
• 2022, appeared on Quiet Country Town album by Wildfire (Pinecastle).

BILL HALL (AND NORTHWIND BLUEGRASS)

• From North Scituate, Rhode Island.
• Full name: Roger William Hall.
• Played banjo in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with the Lilly Brothers, Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys and other New England bands. Also had his own group, Bill Hall and the Northwind Bluegrass.
• Was also a prolific songwriter with more than 100 songs to his credit.
• 1984, released “In the Shadow of the Pines” album on Old Homestead Records.
• Was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum as one of the 200 original pioneers of bluegrass music.
• Died in 2010 in a farming accident.

MERLE HAGGARD

• From Bakersfield, California.
• Not primarily known as a bluegrass artist, but recorded an album called “The Bluegrass Sessions” in 2007. Bluegrass legend Ronnie Reno was a member of his band in the mid-1970’s and bluegrass bands such as the Osborne Brothers and Brush Arbor often toured with him.
• Has had 40 number one country hits, including “Okie from Muskogie”, “If We Make It Through December” and “Daddy Frank.”
• 1970, won CMA award for Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year. Has won dozens of CMA and ACM awards, three Grammies including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 1994, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• 2007, recorded The Bluegrass Sessions album (McCoury Music).
• 2016, died on his birthday (April 6) at the age of 79.

ANDY HALL

• From Binghamton, New York. Lives now in Nashville.
• One of the top Dobro™ players in bluegrass music.
• Early musical career, was a member of several New England bands: the Bag Boys, the Too High String Band, Boston City Limits.
• A graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston. It was there that he met Chris Eldridge and Chris Pandolfi (who later joined him in the Infamous Stringdusters).
• Moved to Nashville, arriving on September 10, 2001, the day before the terrorist attacks. First break was landing a job with Harley Allen.
• 2003, joined Ronnie Bowman’s band with Wyatt Rice (guitar) and Jesse Cobb (mandolin).
• 2004-5, toured and recorded with Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs Charlie Daniels, Ronnie Bowman, Moody Bluegrass, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Alecia Nugent and his own band Short Life of Trouble.
• 1994, released Redwing album (no label).
• 2005, was a founding member of the Infamous Stringdusters.
• 2007, released Sound of the Slide Guitar album (Sugar Hill).

TOM T. HALL

• From Olive Hill, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville.
• Nickname: “The Storyteller.” He is a member of the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
• Began playing guitar at age 4; wrote his first song at age 9.
• Age 17, formed his first band The Kentucky Travelers.
• As a recording artist he has had seven #1 songs: “A Week in a Country Jail” (1969–70), “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” (1971),“Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine” (1972–73),” “I Love” (1973–74), “Country Is” (1974), “I Care” (1974–75), and “Faster Horses (the Cowboy and the Poet)” (1976). Other notable hits: “The Ballad of Forty Dollars” (1968), “Me and Jesus” (1972).
• 1968, his “Harper Valley PTA,” recorded by Jeannie C. Riley, became a huge international hit on both pop and country charts, selling nearly 2 million records in two weeks.
• First bluegrass hit: “Fox on the Run” (1976, from the album Magnificent Music Machine (Mercury) with musicians Bill Monroe, J. D. Crowe, Jimmy Martin, Kenny Baker and others.)
• 1971, became a member of the Grand Old Opry.
• 1982, recorded an album with Earl Scruggs called Storyteller & The Banjo Man (Mercury).
• 1982, ran for Governor of Tennessee (lost.)
• 1998, released second bluegrass album Homegrown (Mercury).
• 2005, he and his wife Dixie formed Blue Circle Records to promote young emerging bluegrass talent.
• 2007, released Tom T. Hall Sings Miss Dixie & Tom T. (Blue Circle).
• 2008, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• 2011, was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
• 2012, was presented with the BMI “Icon” Award for his lifetime songwriting achievements.
• 2015, Dixie Hall (“Miss Dixie”) died at the age of 80.
• 2018, Tom T. and Dixie were together inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
• 2021, Tom died at the age of 85.

HAMMERTOWNE

• From East Kentucky.
• Formed in 2011 by Scott Tackett (guitar), father and son Dave and Chaston Carroll (guitar and mandolin), Brent Pack (banjo) and Doug Burchett (bass).
• Dave Carroll is a prolific songwriter. His songs have been recorded by the Lonesome River Band, Junior Sisk, Lou Reid and Carolina, IIIrd Tyme Out, other artists.
• 2013, released Hammertowne album (Mountain Fever).
• 2015, Bryan Russell joined the band, replacing Burchett on bass.
• 2015, released Highways & Heartaches album (Mountain Fever).
• 2015, Scott Tackett released his solo project Looking Back (Kindred Records) which was the 2011 project that brought Hammertowne together.
• 2016, Pack left the band to become a full-time National Parks Ranger. He was replaced by David Barnett.
• 2017, Pack returned to the band.
• 2017, released Hillbilly Heroes album (Mountain Fever).
• 2019 lineup: Dave Carroll (guitar), Dale Thomas (banjo), Scott Tackett (guitar), Doug Bartlett (fiddle), Chaston Carroll on (mandolin), and Bryan Russell (bass).
• 2019, Bryan Russell (bass) left the band due to health issues. Doug Burchett took his place on a temporary basis.
• 2021, Russell returned to the band.
• 2023, Thomas (banjo) left the band.

ARTHUR HANCOCK

• From Paris, Kentucky.
• Breeds and raises race horses in Kentucky. His “Stone Farm” produced Sunday Silence, winner of the 1989 Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Breeder’s Cup Races.
• Has played bluegrass since age 11.
• A prolific songwriter, his songs have been recorded by such artists as Ray Price and Grandpa Jones.
• A friend of Peter Rowan since 1965, who produced his solo album of original songs in 2001.
• 2014, his son formed a Kentucky bluegrass band called The Wooks.

HAND PICKED BLUEGRASS

• From Tomahawk, Wisconsin.
• Band Members: Joe Cronick (mandolin, guitar, banjo), Sue Cronick (guitar, fiddle), Brian Cate (bass), Robin Mileham (bass).
• Cronick is a luthier, owner of Cronick Mandolins.
• 2006, released “Do What You Gotta Do” album (no label).
• 2009, released “Sweet Virginia” album (no label).
• 2011, released Live at Nicolet album (no label)

TOM HANWAY

• From Larchmont, New York. Currently lives in Ireland.
• Began performing at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA in the early 1980’s. He was studying law and labor history at the time.
• 1984, busked in Europe, was a street musician in Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.
• 1985, returned to New York and studied banjo under Tony Trischka and Bill Keith.
• 1986, formed band called Cumberland Gap.
• 1988-1990, played banjo with the John Herald Band. Also appeared in the Off-Broadway bluegrass musical “Feast Here Tonight” (1989).
• 1991, released solo project Bucket Of Bees album (Joyous Gard).
• 1992, formed Grass Menagerie, later called Blue Horizon. They recorded one album Tom Hanway & Blue Horizon (Joyous Gard Music).
• 1995, joined Burnt Toast.
• 1997, co-designed Tom Hanway SwallowTail Deluxe banjo with Geoff Stelling, which becomes a production model (1998) with Standard and Deluxe options. Steve Martin bought one of these models for himself.
• 1998, Mel Bay published his book/CD “Complete Book of Irish and Celtic 5-String Banjo.” Hanway is originator of a unique style called “Celtic Fingerstyle” banjo.
• 1997-2002, co-founded Big Apple Bluegrass Society with his first wife, Kathleen Low Hanway (deceased), and promoted the annual Big Apple Bluegrass & Folk Festival in Greenwich Village, NYC.
• 2003, married Denise Conroy and moved to Ireland
• 2004-2006, worked with Carmel Sheerin & The Ravens, voted #1 European Bluegrass Band 2005-2006 by EBMA.
• 2006, promotes Americana music at the United Arts Club in Dublin. Performs with the Badbelly Project and Tennessee Hob.

SLAVEK HANZLIK

• From Prague, Czechoslavakia (Czech Republic). Lives in Canada.
• Learned guitar as a child listening to smuggled-in Doc Watson albums.
• Defected to the United States in 1982; moved to Canada in 1986. Also lived in Nashville for a couple of years.
• Won the Canadian National Guitar Championship.
• 1991, released Spring in the Old Country album on Flying Fish Records.
• 1995, released Summer Solstice album on Sierra Records.
• 1997, released Fall of My Dreams album on Hollywood Records.
• 1998, worked with Chris Jones and the Night Drivers.

HARD RYDE

• From Ontario, Canada
• Formed in 1997.
• Members: Doug DeBoer (guitar), Sally Ryba (banjo), Nick McDonald (mandolin), Nancy MacLellan (bass), Wayne Ferguson (fiddle).
• Have won numerous Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards including Best Overall Group of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year. Band Members have also won numerous individual awards.
• 2001, released Step By Step album (Orchard).
• 2008, inducted into the Central Canadian Bluegrass Hall of Fame.
• 2013 lineup: DeBoer (guitar), Rich Koop (bass), Will Meadows (mandolin), Luke Pukrin (banjo), Mark Roy (guitar/mandolin), Shawn Kellett (fiddle).

TATIANA HARGREAVES

• From Corvallis, Oregon.
• 2008, won first place at the Oregon State Old Time Fiddler’s contest, the youngest winner in the contest’s history (age 13).
• Her brother Alex is also an accomplished fiddler and mandolin player.
• 2009, released first album Started Out to Ramble at age 14 (Patuxent Records). Produced by Bruce Molsky.

BULL HARMAN

• From Florissant, Missouri. (Originally from Alton, Illinois.)
• Began playing guitar at age 12. With his brother and sister formed “The Harman Trio,” recording first album in 1977.
• 1982, wife Tammy joined the group which was by this time called “The Harman Family.”
• 1996-1998, worked with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
• 1999, released solo album with guests Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent and others.
• 2000, formed his own band, “Bull’s Eye” and released self-titled album (no label).
• 2002, released “Rosewood, Spruce and Ebony” album (no label).
• 2004, 2006, won SPBGMA Midwest Guitar Player of the Year.
• For 15 years, he was a welder by trade.
• 2009, won Silver Dollar City’s Single Microphone Championship.
• 2010, released “Aiming to Please” album (Bull’s Eye).
• 2017, released “Draw Four” album (Bull’s Eye).

THE HARPER FAMILY

• From Bunker, Missouri.
• A gospel family bluegrass band featuring Gaylon and Katrina Harper (banjo and bass) and their three children Dalton (guitar), Dillon (mandolin), and Hannah (fiddle). Gaylon and Katrina met at a bluegrass festival where they were each performing, Gaylon with the Bressler Brothers and Katrina with her family, The Bob Lewis Family. In need of a banjo picker, the Lewises hired Gaylon. Within a year, Gaylon and Katrina were married. The two began a family of their own and had three talented children.
• 2012, released “Changes” album on Pisgah Ridge Records.
• 2013, 19-year old Dalton Harper was diagnosed with stage 2B Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the immune system.
• 2014, released Through It All album on Pisgah Ridge Records, produced by Balsam Range’s Tim Surrett.
• 2023, Dalton Harper released his first single “Highway of Love” (Skyline).

JAMIE HARPER

• From Mocksville, North Carolina.
• He plays all the bluegrass instruments but is best known as a fiddle player.
• Began performing professionally at age 18. He has worked with Michelle Nixon and Drive, Donna Hughes, Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain, the Skip Cherryholmes Quintet, Marty Raybon, Blue Moon Rising and Ramblers Choice.
• 2014, joined Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice.
• 2015, released solo project Old Pal (Mountain Fever Records).

BILL HARRELL

• From Marion, Virginia. Lived in Davidsonville, Maryland for many years.
• Began performing in the 1950’s.
• Formed his band The Virginians in the early 60’s. Recorded several landmark albums for United Artists and Monument Records. This group appeared regularly on the Jimmy Dean’s CBS-TV show.
• 1966, teamed up with Don Reno and the Tennessee Cutups, singing lead in place of the late Red Smiley.
• 1977, was involved in a traffic accident that left him with two broken legs. Reno and Harrell officially called it quits in September of that year
• 1978, re-organized “The Virginians” and continued to perform with this group (with numerous personnel changes over the years) until the mid-90’s when he retired.
• Was a good friend of the late singer Jim Reeves. Bill wrote several songs for him.
• Once considered changing his name to “Morgan Atkins” and going country. (Name is a combination of his wife’s and his mother’s maiden names.
• He performed for presidents Nixon, Reagan and Bush.
• His son Mitch Harrell performed for many years with the Virginians and became a solo artist.
• 2008, recieved a “Distinguished Achievement Award” from the IBMA.
• 2009 (June 24), died after suffering a stroke.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Classic Bluegrass (Rebel Records)

MICHAEL RENO HARRELL

• From East Tennessee (lives in North Carolina)
• A successful songwriter: has had songs recorded by Doug Stone, Perfect Stranger, others.
• Founding member of the Charlotte Americana Showcase.
• He is also a well-known storyteller. He was featured at the National Storytelling Festival and was Teller In Residence at the International Storytelling Center.
• He has performed at major music events like MerleFest and the Walnut Valley Festival.
• His band is called No Angels.
• Has released numerous albums including Ways to Travel (Rank) featuring Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Brent Truitt, Pat Flynn, other bluegrass musicians.

MITCH HARRELL

• Lives in Annapolis, Maryland.
• Son of bluegrass pioneer Bill Harrell.
• For many years, he played guitar and sang tenor in his father’s band, the Virginians.
• Was first artist signed by Pinecastle Records. According to Pinecastle “Mitch is the reason for Pinecastle’s existence.” In 1990, Tom Riggs, a bluegrass radio personality and promoter from Florida, was so impressed with Mitch’s talent that he decided to start a record company.
• 2000, formed his own band (South River Express) and his own record label.
• 2013, teamed up with Dale and Don Wayne Reno to form Reno and Harrell, a second generation edition of the original band featuring their fathers, Don Reno and Bill Harrell.

EMMYLOU HARRIS

• From Birmingham, Alabama. Lives in Nashville.
• Was a “hippie-hillbilly” singer and waitress, working in Washington D.C. when she was discovered by Chris Hillman, who introduced her to Gram Parsons (Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers). That encounter launched her career.
• Musical heroes: Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Bob Dylan.
• Studied acting on a scholarship at University of North Carolina in Greensboro.
• 1980, released acoustic album Roses in the Snow and won the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year.
• 1988, she won the CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year for her “Trio” album (with Dolly Parton and Linda Rondstadt).
• Until 1991, band was known as the “Hot Band” and included such musicians as Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs and Carl Jackson.
• 1991, Emmylou formed an acoustic/bluegrass band The Nash Ramblers with Sam Bush, Roy Huskey Jr., Al Perkins, Jon Randall Stewart and Larry Atamanuik. They recorded one album, Live at the Ryman at the newly restored Ryman Auditorium.
• 1992, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1992, released an acoustic Christmas album, Light of the Stable (Warner Brothers).
• 1994, re-formed her Hot Band.
• 2001, appeared on the movie soundtrack O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the Down from the Mountain album and tour.
• 2008, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• She has won 13 Grammy Awards (as of 2015).

BOB HARRIS

• Originally from Illinois. Lives in Flemington, New Jersey.
• Was member of New Jersey bluegrass band “Rank Strangers.”
• Fronted his own band “Razin’ Cane.”
• 1993, Guitar Player magazine gave him the award for “Acoustic Pickstyle” Guitar Player of the Year.
• 1990-2005 worked with Vassar Clements.
• Owns 2 recording studios and produces all kinds of acoustic music.
• 2010, played some dates with BuddyMerriam.
• 2012, began hosting an interactive website called “Amazing Acoustic Guitar Videos.”

GREG HARRIS

• From Los Angeles, California.
• Former member of Byron Berline’s “LA Fiddle Band” and The Flying Burrito Brothers.
• Plays all the bluegrass instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle). Best known as a guitarist who plays bluegrass, country and jazz.

MICKEY HARRIS

• From Leanna, Tennessee.
• Plays the upright bass.
• Grew up in a musical family. As a child, he performed on his uncle’s TV Show “The Carl Tipton Show.”
• First band “High Lonesome” with Cody Kilby and Brian Blaylock.
• Has also worked with Tim Graves and Cherokee, Larry Stephenson, Sally Jones and the Sidewinders.
• 2002, joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
• 2007, released a gospel album “Kneel and Pray.”
• 2008, released “Dog House Blues” album.

R. C. HARRIS (AND BLUE DENIM)

• From Statesville, North Carolina. Lives in Gallatin, Tennessee.
• Began musical career at age 13 (Ole Mountain Opry).
• 1971, played banjo with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys.
• 1973, formed group called Blue Denim (recorded several albums for Old Homestead Records).
• 1978, recorded an album with Bobby Hicks, Del McCoury and Herschel Sizemore.
• 2000, recorded “Scenic Roots” album (no label) with guest musicians John Duffey, Ben Eldridge, Tom Gray, Mike Auldridge, T. Michael Coleman, Jimmy Gaudreau, Chris Eldridge and Jimmy Arnold.
• 2006, released “Comin’ Back to Bluegrass” (after working for several years in country music.)
• 2023, died at the age of 83.

JOHN HARTFORD

• From St. Louis, Missouri.
• He was a musician, songwriter, steamboat pilot, author, artist, disc jockey, calligrapher, dancer, folklorist, father, and historian.
• Began his career with several bluegrass bands around the Missouri-Illinois area, including the Ozark Mountain Trio, the Missouri Ridgerunners, and the Dixie Ramblers (with Rodney and Doug Dillard.)
• 1965, moved to Nashville and signed with RCA records, recording several solo projects. RCA thought John might be their “Bob Dylan.” Later signed with Warner Brothers, recording for them until 1971.
• 1968, moved to Los Angeles and worked as a comedy writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (with Steve Martin) and also appeared as a regular on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. While in LA he appeared on the Byrd’s “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” album.
• He was a prolific songwriter. His biggest hit was “Gentle on My Mind” which became Glen Campbell’s first #1 song and one of the most popular songs of all time (according to BMI). In his words, “that song brought my freedom.”
• He worked primarily as a solo artist during much of his career, accompanying himself on banjo, fiddle and guitar. He also danced while performing, shuffling his feet on a sheet of plywood dusted with sand.
• He was a licensed river boat captain. His passion is the river and big paddle-wheel steamboats (inspiration for many of his songs). Has piloted the Delta Queen and for many years worked at least ten days per year aboard the Julia Belle Swain out of Peoria, Illinois. He lived in a house overlooking the Cumberland River.
• His given name: John Cowan Harford, without the “t.” Changed it to Hartford because “people invariably spelled it that way anyhow.”
• Early 1990’s, toured and recorded with his son Jamie, who went on to pursue his own career in music.
• 1993, founded his own record label called “Small Dog a’ Barkin’.”
• 2000, performed on the soundtrack album for “O Brother Where Art Thou” and hosted a concert at the Ryman Auditorium featuring artists appearing in the movie.
• Died of non-hodgkins lymphoma in 2001.
• 2009, a band was formed to preserve and perform Hartford’s music. Members included Chris Sharp (guitar), Bob Carlin (banjo), Mike Compton (mandolin), Matt Combs (fiddle) and Mark Schatz (bass). They recorded an album “Memories of John” and performed at the IBMA Awards to commemorate Hartford’s induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
• 2010, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.
• 2019, was inducted into the American Banjo Hall of Fame.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Aereo-Plain album (Warner Brothers, 1971).
• Morning Bugle (Warner Brothers,, 1972).
• Mark Twang (Flying Fish, 1976).
• Gum Tree Canoe (Flying Fish, 1980).
• Me Oh My How the Time Does Fly (Flying Fish, 1992).
• Goin Back to Dixie (Small Dog a Barkin’, 1993).

THE HART BROTHERS

• From Guysville, Ohio.
• A family band formed in 1979 by Myron “Pete” Hart (mandolin), Heamon “Tib” Hart (banjo) and Arman “Sam” Hart (guitar). Prior to that, they performed as Lester Young and the Hart Brothers (Young played fiddle.)
• 1983, Sam passed away. Pete and Tib have continued to perform together.
• 2003, added guitar player Randy Glenn (formerly of the Idaho-based Grasshoppers and the ex-husband of Honi Deaton.)
• They host an annual bluegrass festival at Poston Lake, Ohio (near Athens).
• As of 2013, they have recorded six albums, three for Old Homestead and three on their own label.

HARVEST WIND

• From Statesville, North Carolina.
• They perform bluegrass gospel music.
• Features lead vocals and fiddling of Revonda Roberts. Other band members: Lonnie Roberts (mandolin), Justin Bowles (guitar & banjo), Robert Quisenberry (bass), Brandon Rowe (banjo), James Torrence (Resonator Guitar).
• 2004, released self-titled album on MasterShield Records.
• 2005, released The Traveler album (Lamon Records).
• 2006, released Ancient of Days album (Lamon Records).
• 2007, began billing themselves as Revonda Roberts and Harvest Wind.
• 2008, released Stillwater album (C&L Entertainment).

CARRIE HASSLER

• From Pikeville, Tennessee.
• Grew up singing in church. She was heavily influence by Southern Gospel music.
• 2003, began performing bluegrass music for the first time.
• 2006, formed her band Hard Rain, with Josh Miller (banjo), Kevin and Keith McKinnon (identical twins, mandolin and guitar respectively), Travis Anderson (bass) and Jamie Harper (fiddle).
• 2006, recorded first album Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain, produced by Jim Van Cleve (Rural Rhythm).
• 2009, released second album CHHR2 (Rural Rhythm).
• 2012, released solo project The Distance, produced by Steve Gulley (Rural Rhythm).

AUBREY HAYNIE

• From Tampa, Florida. Lives in Nashville.
• One of Nashville’s top session musicians (fiddle, mandolin).
• At age 11, joined a Florida group called the Bluegrass Parlor Band.
• At age 17, landed a job with country music star Aaron Tippen. At age 19, joined Clint Black’s touring band.
• 1996, briefly joined David Parmley, Scott Vestal and Continental Divide.
• 1997, recorded first solo album Doin My Time (Sugar Hill).
• 1998, toured with Randy Travis.
• 2000, released A Man Must Carry on album (Sugar Hill).
• 2007, worked with the Time Jumpers.
• 2003, released The Bluegrass Fiddle Album (Sugar Hill).
• 2003, won IBMA award for Instrumental Album of the Year.
• 2009, won Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award for Top Fiddle Player of the Year.

HAYSEED DIXIE

• From “Deer Lick Holler” (Nashville, Tennessee).
• Formed by Barley Scotch and Enus and Talcum, the Younger Brothers — Dale and Don Wayne Reno in real life.
• 2001, recorded a bluegrass album of AC/DC songs.
• Original name of the group was AC Dixie, but decided to change it for legal reasons.
• 2002, released “A Hillbilly Tribute to Mountain Love” featuring covers of other rock artists (from Ted Nugent to Aerosmith).
• 2003, released “Kiss My Grass” — a bluegrass tribute to the rock group KISS.
• While Hayseed Dixie converts rock to bluegrass, they also perform as The Kerosene Brothers, doing precisely the opposite–converting bluegrass songs to rock.
• 2013, Dale and Don Wayne teamed up with Mitch Harrell to form a second generation version of Reno and Harrell. The original band featured their fathers Don Reno and Bill Harrell.
• 2021, Don Wayne joined the Farm Hands.

HEAD FOR THE HILLS

• From Colorado.
• Formed in 2003 while they were students at Colorado State University.
• The describe their music as “modern acoustic.”
• Voted “best bluegrass band” by Denver’s Westword Magazine Readers’ Poll.
• 2010, released first album Head for the Hills produced by Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon).
• 2012, released first live album “Head for the Hills: Live.”
• 2013, released their own craft beer (Head for the Hills Amber Ale) from Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins.
• 2013, released Blue Ruin album.

HEARTSTRINGS

• All-female band from Nashville.
• Formed in 2001
• Members: Bo Jamison (guitar), Marilyn Barclay (bass), Karen Pendley (fiddle), Chris Lewis (mandolin), Sally Wingate (banjo).
• Jamison writes much of the group’s material. She has won several Chris Austin songwriting awards at Merlefest.
• Fiddler Pendley has toured with many country acts including Ricky Van Shelton and for several years worked as an entertainer at Opryland USA.

IRL HEES

• From Tuscumbia, Missouri.
• Pronounced “Earl Hess.”
• 1976, began playing bass in a regional bluegrass band.
• 1984, joined Lost Highway (California).
• 1985, formed Missouri band called Down the Road.
• 1992, worked with Rhonda Vincent. Was an original member of her band The Rage.
• 1996, joined Chris Jones and the Night Drivers.
• 2001, joined the Lonesome River Band.
• 2003, released solo album I’m Just a Bass Player (no label).
• 2005, worked with Cedar Hill.
• 2010, joined the Cleverlys (AKA Miles Cleverly).

THE HEIGHTS OF GRASS

• From Richmond, Virginia.
• Formed in 1975 by Don Grubb (guitar), with Charles Bishop (banjo), Denny Williams (bass) and Kenny Tackett (mandolin). Other band members included Richard Ward (banjo), Vernon Hughes (mandolin), Sonny Mead (fiddle) and Billy Lux (bass), Mark Newton (mandolin), Rickie Simpkins (fiddle) and Sammy Shelor (banjo).
• After Grubb left the band in the early eighties, they evolved into The Virginia Squires.
• 1976, released “Introducing the Heights of Grass” album (no label).
• 1978, released “Ghost Riders” album (Outlet)
• 1978, released “Louisiana Saturday Night” album (Outlet)
• 1980, released “Encore” album (CMH) produced by Sonny Osborne.
• 1982, released “Live at the Flat Rock” album (HOG).

WAYNE HENDERSON

• From Sugar Grove, Virginia.
• A legendary luthier and guitarist. Has recorded albums with Doc Watkins, Butch Robins, Steve Kaufman and others.
• As a guitar maker, he has made guitars for Peter Rowan, Gillian Welch, Doc Watson and Eric Clapton.
• 1995, was presented with the Folk Endowment for the Arts award by President Bill Clinton at the White House.
• 1995, the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition was established in his honor in Wilson, Virginia. It takes place on the third Saturday of June every year.
• Sometimes performs as “W.C. Henderson and Co.”
• 2000, toured and recorded with the “Masters of the Steel Stringed Guitar.”
• 2007, performed as part of the “Music from the Crooked Road” tour.
• 2019, was featured in the award-winning documentary film about the Galax Fiddlers Convention titled “Fiddlin.”

THE HENHOUSE PROWLERS

• From Chicago, Illinois
• Formed in 2004, went full-time in 2007.
• Original members: Eric Lambert (guitar), Jon Goldfine (bass), Ben Wright (banjo), Grant Ziolkowski (mandolin). Some of them previously worked with another Chicago-based band called “the Back Porch Ramblers.”
• 2008, composed and performed the soundtrack to a PBS documentary “The Ride Of Our Lives,” produced by NBC Today Show features correspondent Mike Leonard.
• 2009, released A Dark Rumor produced by Don Stiernberg and Greg Cahill. Stiernberg also played mandolin.
• 2010, won the Rockygrass band contest.
• 2010 and 2011, won Chicago Music Award for “Best Country/Western Entertainer”
• 2011, released Verses Chapters & Rhymes (no label) produced by Sally Van Meter.
• 2013, they began working with the U.S. Department of State as musical ambassadors, traveling to dozens of countries presenting bluegrass music.
• 2013, released Breaking Ground album (no label).
• 2015, released Still On That Ride album (no label).
• 2017, Chris Dollar (guitar) joined the band, replacing Lambert.
• 2020, Jake Howard (mandolin) joined the band, replacing Ziolkowski.
• 2023, released Lead and Iron album (Dark Shadow).

BILL HENRY (See also NORTHERN LIGHTS)

• From North Stonington, Connecticut.
• Plays guitar with Northern Lights (since 1981).
• Attended the Berklee College of Music.
• 2002, recorded solo album.

CHRIS HENRY (AND THE HARDCORE GRASS)

• From Frederick County, Virginia. Lives in Padukah, Kentucky.
• Son of bluegrass musicians Red and Murphy Henry, brother of Casey Henry.
• Learned mandolin as a child. Played for Bill Monroe backstage at the Grand Old Opry.
• Age 18, got an electric guitar and started playing rock (from heavy metal to punk). Played for five years in a band called The Bends.
• 2003, worked with Dave Peterson and 1946.
• 2004, worked with Audie Blaylock and Redline.
• 2005, teamed up with sister Casey to form “Casey and Chris and the Two Stringers.”
• Wrote “Walkin’ West to Memphis” recorded by the Gibson Brothers.
• 2007-2013, worked with Shawn Camp, Peter Rowan, Danny Barnes and Mike Bub (in a trio) and formed his own band Chris Henry and the Hardcore Grass.
• 2013, released Making My Way to You album (no label).

CASEY HENRY

• From Frederick County, Virginia. Lives in Nashville.
• Grew up playing bass with her family group Red and Murphy and their Excellent Children. Casey’s mother Murphy is a well-known producer of banjo instructional videos, and a columnist for Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine. Casey writes for Banjo Newsletter.
• 2000, graduated from the University of Virginia.
• 2001, recorded a banjo album called “Real Women Drive Trucks.”
• 2001, joined Tim Graves and Cherokee, playing bass. Also worked with Uncle Earl and Jim Hurst.
• 2004, recorded with a group called The Tennessee Heartstrings.
• 2005, formed “Casey & Chris and the Two-Stringers,” a band with her brother Chris (mandolin). Disbanded in 2007.
• 2009, Casey joined the Dixie Bee-Liners, playing banjo.

RED HENRY

• From Winchester, Virginia.
• Began playing mandolin in 1967.
• Married to Murphy Henry, well-known for her banjo-instruction books and videos, also a columnist for Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine.
• Children Casey and Christopher are also professional bluegrass musicians.
• 1977-1995, performed with his family band “Red and Murphy & Co.” Recorded 10 CD’s with this group.
• Plays a mandolin (Randy Wood #3) which was previously owned and played by Bill Monroe.
• Hobbies: astronomy, sound electronics, old English literature.

RICHARD D. HENRY

• From Houston, Texas (grew up in South Carolina).
• Began performing with a family band on the radio at age 14.
• A prolific songwriter and mandolin player with the Texas-based band Bluegrass Solution.
• 2001, won the Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest.
• 2009, released two albums of original songs.

TIM HENSLEY

• From Cincinnatti, Ohio.
• Moved to Nashville in 1986. He played all the bluegrass instruments, spending most of his career working as a sideman. He was also known as a superb harmony singer.
• 1988, worked with the Ricky Skaggs band. Played banjo,
• 1989, worked with Patty Loveless.
• 1999-2013, worked with Kenny Chesney.
• 2007, recorded a solo album Long Monday (Rural Rhythm), produced by Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon.
• 2008, made first appearance as a solo act on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 2013, died at the age of 50 of liver failure.

TREY HENSLEY

• From Jonesborough, Tennessee. Lives in Nashville.
• A country singer and guitarist with roots in bluegrass music.
• 2002, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry at age 11 with Marty Stuart and Earl Scruggs. He also made several appearances with Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.
• 2003, recorded first album, produced by Tom T. Hall.
• 2004, recorded second album at age 13 with his band Drivin’ Force: Backin to Birmingham (Copper Creek).
• 2008, released Looking at My Future album (no label).
• 2008, performed at the White House with Charlie Daniels.
• 2009, released It Is What It Is album (no label).
• 2014, moved to Nashville and began performing with resophonic guitarist and (former) Blue Highway member Rob Ickes.
• 2015, released Before the Sun Goes Down album with Rob Ickes (Compass Records).
• 2016, released The Country Blues album with Rob Ickes (Compass Records).
• 2019, released World Full of Blues album with Rob Ickes (Compass Records).
• 2022, recorded a vocal duet with Laura Orshaw “On Her Own” (Dark Shadow).
• 2023, released Living in a Song album with Rob Ickes (Compass Records).

WALTER HENSLEY

• From Baltimore, Maryland (Born in Grundy, Virginia).
• Called “The Banjo Baron of Baltimore.
• 1952, worked with Hobo Jack Adkins and the Kentucky Pals and filled in with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers.
• 1956, played in a rockabilly band The Black Mountain Boys.
• 1957, joined Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys.
• 1961, joined the Country Gentlemen.
• 1962, re-joined Earl Taylor.
• 1963, recorded an influential banjo album for Capitol Records “Five String Banjo Today.”
• 1980, formed his own band The Dukes of Bluegrass.
• 1990, worked with Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass.
• 1999, joined James Reams and the Barnstormers, which became “James Reams, Walter Hensley and the Barons of Bluegrass” in 2002.
• 2012, died at the age of 76.

JOHN HERALD (See also THE GREENBRIAR BOYS)

• From New York City. Lived in Woodstock, New York.
• 1958-1966, was founder and lead singer of The Greenbriar Boys.
• Given name: John Whittier Sirabian. He is Armenian. His father was a poet in Greenwich Village.
• 1976, formed with The John Herald Band with another Greenbriar Boy, Bob Yellin.
• 1978, released “John Herald and the John Herald Band” album (Bay) with band members Roly Salley (bass), Caroline Dutton (fiddle), Wanamaker Lewis (banjo) and Gordon Titcomb (mandolin).
• 1984, released “The Real Thing” album (Rooster) with band members Cyndi Cashdollar (Dobro™), Caroline Dutton (fiddle) and George Quinn (bass).
• Among John Herald’s fans: Linda Rondstadt, who heard John’s version of “A Different Drum” in the sixties and recorded the song almost note for note with her group The Stone Ponies, selling more than a million copies (a gold record).
• 1992, he and Yellin’ reunited briefly to perform as the New Greenbriar Boys.
• 2005, he died at the age of 65. He committed suicide.

HERE TODAY

• A “project band” featuring Vince Gill, Herb Pederson, David Grisman, Jim Buchanan and Emory Gordy, Jr.
• Formed in January 1982 and recorded one album Here Today (Sugar Hill Records).
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CLAY HESS

• From Blue Creek, Ohio.
• 1983, age 12, had a band called Orange Mountain Special.
• 1990, joined True Blue, performing at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
• 1995, won the Ohio State Guitar Championship.
• 1999-2001, played lead guitar for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
• 2002, released solo album “Red Haired Boy” (no label).
• 2003, formed his own band Crossfire.
• 2005, joined the Mark Newton Band.
• 2007, joined Mountain Heart.
• 2008, joined Sierra Hull and Highway 111.
• 2011, formed his own band.
• He is also a recording engineer and producer with several albums to his credit.
• 2014, released solo album “1” (no label).
• 2016, teamed up with Tim Shelton to form a new duo.

RAY HESSON

• A banjo player from Bowie, Maryland.
• Performs extensively around the Washington, D.C. area.
• Has taught music since he was in high school. One of his students was actress Goldie Hawn.
• Retired from the Federal Government (21 years with NASA, 6 years with U.S. Navy).
• Played with a D.C. group for 20 years called Foggy Bottom.
• Performs in a duo with his son Michael, and with other children in a group called Pointer Ridge. Ray and Michael performed at Bill Clinton’s first Inaugural Dinner.
• 1994, won the Winfield banjo contest.
• 1996, recorded his first banjo instrumental album “Five Picker” (no label).
• 1996, on the way to register for the banjo contest at Merle Fest, he suffered a heart attack (he recovered.)
• 1999, released “Windfall” album (Old Line).
• 2004, released “Sunrise” album (Old Line)
• 2016, died at the age of 74 after a long illness.

JOHN HICKMAN

• From Columbus, Ohio. Lived in Southern California for more than 30 years and then moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma.
• An influential banjo player who began his musical career with an Ohio group called Sid Campbell and the Country Cut-ups.
• 1962, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
• 1968, joined Earl Taylor’s Stoney Mountain Boys.
• 1969, moved to California to take a job in the lumber business. He formed a group with his brother George called The Hickman Brothers and also played banjo on several movie soundtracks and the TV show “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
• 1976, formed an informal partnership with fiddler Byron Berline which lasted for the rest of his life. Together they played in band such as Sundance, The L.A. Fiddle Band, BCH (Berline, Crary, Hickman), California and the Byron Berline Band.
• 1978, was a member of the L.A. band Corn Bred.
• 1978, released his only solo project Don’t Mean Maybe (Rounder).
• 1995, moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma with Byron Berline. Besides performing in the Byron Berline Band, he did repair work in Byron’s “Double-Stop Fiddle Shop.”
• 2001, added steel guitar to his repertoire (with the Byron Berline Band).
• 2021, died at the age of 78.

HICKORY HILL

• From Avinger, Texas (east Texas).
• Formed in 1978.
• Members: Ronny Singley (mandolin), Bob Stegall (bass), Don Eaves (banjo), John Early (lead guitar).
• Founding member Rolan Foster died of cancer in 1996. Replaced by Jimmy Godwin (guitar/fiddle).
• Founders John Early and Rolan Foster began playing music together while in junior high school. They lived across the street from each other in Avinger, Texas.
• Major influence: The Eagles (Don Henley is also from East Texas).
• 1982, released “Coyote Night” album (no label).
• 1983, released “Historical Collection” album (no label).
• 1985, released “It’s About Time” album (no label).
• 1990, released “Reminiscing” album (no label).
• 1993, won “Band of the Year” honors from the Arts and Entertainment Council of East Texas.
• 1995, released First Fifteen Years album (Turquoise).
• 1998, released “Good Times Again” album (no label).
• 2000, released “Thank You Lord” album (no label).
• 2002, released “Freedom” album (Nashville Incorrect).
• 2006, released their ninth album “Old School” (no label).

BOBBY HICKS

• From Newton, North Carolina. Lived in Asheville, North Carolina.
• Began playing the fiddle at age nine.
• 1954-1960, played fiddle for Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, recording such classics as “Cheyenne,” “Big Mon,” “Scotland,” “Wheel Hoss,” and “Brown County Breakdown.”
• Also worked and toured with Porter Wagoner, Mel Tillis, other country acts. Had his own dance band.
• 1963-1970, lived and worked in Las Vegas, performing with singer Judy Lynn.
• 1978, released first solo project Texas Crapshooter (County).
• 1980’s, he was a member of the Bluegrass Album Band with Tony Rice, J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Todd Phillips and Jerry Douglas.
• 1980-2002, was a member of Ricky Skaggs’ touring band and then his bluegrass band Kentucky Thunder.
• Played fiddle on several Skaggs #1 hits, including “Uncle Pen,” “Country Boy,” “Cryin’ My Heart Out Over You,” and “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could.”
• 1980, released a fiddle duet album with Kenny Baker called Darkness on the Delta (County).
• 1998, released his second solo project Fiddle Patch (Rounder). This album won the IBMA award for Instrumental Album of the Year.
• 2002, was inducted into the Fiddlers Hall of Fame.
• 2003, played dates with Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys.
• 2004, joined the North Carolina band Hazel Creek.
• Bobby and his wife Cathy operated a Wild Bird Center in a shopping center in Asheville where they sold bird feeders and birdseed.
• 2008, fell and broke one of his fingers, requiring surgery. Within three months, he was back playing again. Made several appearances with Earl Scruggs.
• 2015, released an album with guitarist Mark Kuykendall Down Memory Lane (Rebel Records).
• 2017, released second album with Mark Kuykendall Forever and a Day (Rebel Records).
• 2017, was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
• 2024, died at the age of 91.
• 2024, was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

THE HIGH 48’S

• From the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area.
• Formed in 2006.
• Their band name came from the world of trains. The 48 was a type of box car used in France during World War I. Originally called a “40 & 8″ — after the sign painted on the side of each car indicating its capacity of 40 men or 8 mules — the 48 carried American troops to and from the front in World War I.
• Members: Rich Casey (bass), Eric Christopher (fiddle), Chad Johnson (mandolin), Marty Marrone (guitar) and Anthony Ihrig (banjo)
• 2008, won first place in the band competition at Rockygrass (Lyons, Colorado).
• 2014, recorded an album of train songs called Great Northern Railroad (no label).

HIGH COUNTRY

• From the San Francisco Bay area.
• Formed in 1968.
• Only remaining original member: mandolinist Butch Waller, who founded the group.
• 1971, they were the first west coast band to be invited to Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom festival.
• Butch Waller and the late Charlie Waller (of the Country Gentlemen) are not related but they share the same birthdate: January 19.
• 1982, Waller married Kathy Kallick (then of the Good Ole Persons).
• Waller first band was a group that included Herb Pederson, who at the time was a classmate of Waller’s at St. Augustine’s grammer school in Berkeley, California.
• 1999, Waller released a solo album of mandolin instrumentals called “Golden Gate Promenade.”
• Butch Waller also has performed and recorded with his brother Bob as “The Waller Brothers” (classic country duets).
• 2009, released “Perfect Companions” album.
• 2018, celebrated their 50th anniversary as a band with a concert in Berkeley.

HIGH PLAINS TRADITION

• From Denver, Colorado.
• Formed in 1988.
• Band members: Doug Elrick (mandolin), Kenny Pabst (bass), Bobby Vickery (fiddle), Mark Leslie ( banjo), Steve Gilmore (guitar).
• 1995, won first place at Denver’s Mile-High Bluegrass Band Contest.
• 1997, recorded first album “Prairie Wind,” produced by Pete Wernick.

HIGHSTRUNG

• From Orlando, Florida.
• Formed in 1989 by Jerry Nettuno as a trio, playing primarily at Disney World, Florida.
• Members: Keith Tew (guitar, lead vocals), Jerry Nettuno (mandolin), Terry Campbell (bass) and Steve Pye (banjo).
• 1993, won the Southeast Regional Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown.
• 1994, released “Stop Look and Listen” album on Pinecastle Records.
• 1995, released “Now or Never” album on Pinecastle Records.
• 1997, broke up.
• Guitarist and lead singer Keith Tew formed “the Tews” with his wife Danelle, and also worked with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
• 1998, Nettuno moved to Montana, forming a new band with John Lowell and Julie Elkins called “Deep River” (now “Kane’s River”).
• 1999, Nettuno won IBMA award as writer of song of the year “Three Rusty Nails” (recorded by Ronnie Bowman).

HIGH WINDY

• From Asheville, North Carolina.
• Formed in 2004.
• Named for a sweeping ridgeline near Asheville.
• Members: Patrick McDougall (banjo), Shane Lail (guitar), Ty Gilpin (mandolin), Tim Gardner (fiddle), Mark Davis (bass). Much of the band’s material is written by McDougall and Lail.
• 2005, won the North Carolina State Bluegrass Band Competition.
• 2006, won the Fiddler’s Grove band contest.
• 2008, released first album Greater Storm on Mountain Home Records. Gilpin does radio promotion for the label.

THE HILLBENDERS

• From Springfield, Missouri.
• Formed in 2008.
• The name Hillbenders is a derivative of “Hellbender,” a native Ozark amphibian.
• Band members include Mark Cassidy (banjo), Gary Rea (bass), Jim Rea (guitar), Nolan Lawrence (mandolin), Chad Graves (Dobro™).
• Graves previously worked with Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike. He has family ties to Uncle Josh Graves.
• Gary and Jim Rea (cousins) were formerly with a band called “The Arkamo Rangers.”
• Cassidy is from California and originally wanted to be a rapper. His parents took him to the Huck Finn Bluegrass and Country Jubilee (Victorville, CA) and he became a banjo player instead.
• Lawrence was an All State Tenor singer in high school. Majored in vocal performance in college. Later studied at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas with Alan Munde and Joe Carr and was smitten by bluegrass.
• 2009, won the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band contest.
• 2010, won the National Single Mike Championship at Silver Dollar City.
• 2010, released first album Down to My Last Dollar (No Label).
• 2012, released Can You Hear Me? album (Compass Records).
• 2013, released Down to My Last Dollar album (Compass).
• 2015, released Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry album (Compass), a bluegrass remake of the Who’s classic rock opera. They also perform concerts featuring what they call “WhoGrass,” their unique blend of classic rock and bluegrass music.
• 2018, released The Hillbenders album (Compass).

THE HILLBILLY GYPSIES

• From West Virginia.
• Formed in 2001.
• Members: Dave Asti (banjo/mandolin), Trae Buckner (guitar, clawhammer banjo), Jamie Lynn Buckner (lead and harmony vocals), Ty Jaquay (fiddle), Ryan Cramer (bass).
• They have appeared on Mountain Stage, Song of the Mountains, Woodsongs, Red Barn Radio and The Wheeling Jamboree.
• 2007, released Come On In album (no label).
• 2009, won the band competition at DelFest.
• 2014, released “West Virginia Line” album.

HILLBILLY WATER

• From New Jersey.
• Formed in 1993 by Ed Rainey (guitar/Dobro™), Lou Demayo (mandolin), Rich Rainey (banjo), Rob Clores (piano).
• 2007, released Have a Drink album (no label).
• 2013, released “Forever Blue” album on their own label. Ken Kosek played fiddle.

CHRIS HILLMAN

• • From Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego) California. Lives in the Ventura, California area.
  • Early-sixties, played mandolin in the San Diego-based bluegrass group, The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers. Also included banjo player Kenny Wertz, an original member of the Country Gazette and Bernie Leadon, who later was a member of the Eagles. Recorded a now-classic supermarket LP in just five hours. Each member of the band was paid $50 for their work on the album.
  • Mid-sixties, played with The Golden State Boys (AKA The Hillmen) an L.A.-based band with Don Parmley (Bluegrass Cardinals), Vern Gosdin, and Vern’s late brother Rex Gosdin.
  • 1965, he was an original member of The Byrds. Played bass.
  • 1969, formed The Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons, Gene Parsons, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Al Perkins and several others (the band experienced numerous personnel changes).
  • 1971-1975, he and Al Perkins joined Stephen Stills’ band Manassas. He also performed with the Souther-Hillman-Furay band with songwriter John David Souther and ex-Poco member Richie Furay.
  • 1976, embarked on solo career.
  • 1984, released Desert Rose album (Sugar Hill Records).
  • 1985, released a gospel album called Ever Call Ready (Maranatha) with Bernie Leadon, Al Perkins and Jerry Scheff.
  • 1985, formed Desert Rose Band with Herb Pedersen, John Jorgensen, Bill Bryson and J.D. Maness. This group had some success in country music (several #1 songs) but broke up in 1995. They have performed several reunion concerts.
  • 1991, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Byrds.
  • 1996, began recording and performing as a duo with Herb Pedersen, doing mostly classic country music. They released Bakersfield Bound (Sugar Hill Records).
  • 1997, 1999, recorded three albums with Tony Rice, Larry Rice and Herb Pedersen as Rice, Rice, Hillman and Pederson.
  • 2010, released At Edwards Barn album (Rounder) with Herb Pedersen.
  • 2020, published his autobiography Time Between (BMG).

THE HILLMEN

• From Los Angeles, California.
• Formed in the early 1960’s by Don Parmley (banjo), Vern Gosdin (guitar) and Rex Gosdin (bass). Chris Hillman (mandolin) joined the group in 1963 after playing with the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers.
• The real name of the band was The Golden State Boys.  The Hillmen was only used on the release of the group’s album by Sugar Hill Records, years after the group broke up. The album was originally produced by Jim Dickson.
• They were regulars on a Los Angeles TV show called “Cal’s Corral” (promoting Cal Worthington’s car dealerships). They also played a various Southern California bars and nightclubs.

HIT AND RUN BLUEGRASS

• From Boulder, Colorado
• Formed in 2001 by husband and wife Rebecca Frazier (then Rebecca Hoggan, guitar) and John Frazier (mandolin). Other members of the band: Andy Thorn (banjo), Todd Livingston (Dobro™), Steve Roy (bass.) Gene Libbea (formerly with Nashville Bluegrass Band) played bass in 2003.
• 2002, won band contest at Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival (Lyons, Colorado).
• 2003, won band contest at Telluride Music Festival.
• 2004, released first album Beauty Fades (no label, recorded at Doobie Shea studios).
• 2005, won band contest at SPBGMA international band competition (Nashville).
• 2005, released Without Maps Or Charts album (no label).
• 2006, Rebecca Frazier became the first woman to grace the cover of Flatpicking Guitar magazine.
• 2006, released “Pickin’ on the 80’s” album (CMH)
• 2007, John Frazier joined John Cowan’s band full-time and played limited dates with Hit and Run Bluegrass.
• 2007, released second CMH project Four Finger Music: The Bluegrass Tribute to the Music Made Famous By the Simpsons.
• 2013, Hit and Run Bluegrass added banjo player Kyle Tuttle and resumed a touring schedule.
• 2013, Rebecca Frazier released solo project When We Fall (Compass).

RYAN HOLLADAY

• From Camden, Tennessee
• A child prodigy who made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry at age five. By age six, had recorded with Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall and the Del McCoury Band.
• Has appeared on numerous TV shows, including Oprah Winfrey, Nickelodeon and PBS.
• Plays banjo, guitar, mandolin and Dobro™.
• 2004, co-hosted the video curriculum “Discover Bluegrass” with Sierra Hull (produced by IBMA’s Bluegrass in the Schools committee.)
• 2005, signed with Skaggs Family Records.
• 2005, toured Japan with country group Trick Pony.

LEONARD HOLLIFIELD

• From Weaverville, North Carolina.
• Began playing guitar at age 12.
• He is a World War II veteran and former high school teacher.
• He has been a sideman in many bands playing guitar and singing.
• First professional band: the Herron Valley Trio (with Paul Crouch and Doc Moore).
• 1960-1975, worked with the Kingsmen Gospel Quartet (appearing on all their recordings and TV shows during this time.)
• 1975, played with the Stoney Mountain Boys, house band for Asheville’s Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and Shindig on the Green.
• 2014, at age 88, began a solo career with the release of “A Gentle Southern Wind” album, produced by Bryan Sutton.
• 2018, died at the age of 91.

HOLLOW GROUND BLUEGRASS BAND

• From Nickelsville, Virginia.
• Band members: Mike Adams (bass), Jason Blankenship (fiddle), Robert Edwards (guitar), Millard Edwards (banjo), David Holtsclaw (mandolin), Brian Vicchio (guitar).
• 2013, released “Roads Traveled” album.

DAVID HOLT

• From Garland, Texas.
• Former host of the Nashville Network’s “Fire on the Mountain” TV show, which was the network’s highest-rated show in 1985. Cancelled due to production costs and lack of sponsorship in 1986.
• Calls himself “A One Man Celebration of Stories and Songs.”
• Plays banjo, guitar, hammered dulcimer, fiddle, bones, autoharp, squeeze box, and jaw harp. Sings, dances, tells folk tales and does a little “hollering.”
• Has a one man show called “From Here to Kingdom Come” (Kingdom Come is a community in the hills of Eastern Kentucky.)
• A former elementary schoolteacher and a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara.
• Established The Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College (North Carolina).
• First television exposure: “Folkways” on PBS (1982).
• Host of “Riverwalk: Classic Jazz from the Landing” broadcast on the American Public Radio Network live from San Antonio, Texas.
• Plays a 125-year-old banjo.
• 1984, Esquire Magazine selected him as one its first “Annual Register of Men and Women Who Are Changing America” (along with Steven Spielberg, Sally Ride, and Meryl Streep, among others.)
• 1992 album “Grandfather’s Greatest Hits” nominated for a Grammy Award in “Best Folk Recording” category.
• 2000, appeared in the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou” starring George Clooney. He played one of the village idiots.
• 2011, formed a trio with Bryan Sutton (guitar) and T. Michael Coleman (bass) and released album “Sutton, Holt and Coleman.”

MARK HOLT

• From Seattle, Washington. Lives in Weippe, Idaho.
• Plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and performs with his sister Kimberly as an “acoustic duo” doing mostly western songs with a bluegrass flavor.
• Hobbies: professional rodeo, native American art.
• 2000, appeared on the PBS series “Cowboy Corral.”
• 2002, recorded first studio album backed by top bluegrass session players.
• 2006, appointed to the Roots Music Association Advisory Council.

WES HOMNER

• From New Castle, Pennsylvania.
• Mandolinist and composer of gospel songs. He is the son of a preacher.
• Several of his songs have been recorded by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, The Lewis Family, Southern Rail and others.
• 1995, 1999, voted “Bluegrass Artist of the Year” by the International Country Gospel Music Association.
• 1990-2004, performed with a group called Mountain Therapy.

PAUL HOPKINS

• From Kentucky. Grew up in southwest Virginia. Lives in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
• Began playing banjo at age 5.
• While a teenager, he performed and recorded with this father as “Wibby Lee and Paul Allen.”
• Has a degree in electronics from the Coyne Electronics Institute in Chicago.
• Has performed with several bands including The Rolling Firestones, Messa Grass and the Virginia Pardners.
• Owns two radio stations in Tennessee (WLIJ and WZNG) which broadcast bluegrass music.
• 2001, released a solo album of banjo tunes with special guests Norman Blake, Roland White, Stuart Duncan, others.

SCOTT HOPKINS

• From Albany, New York.
• Plays banjo in a New York band called Beartracks. Also works with Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys.
• 2013, released a solo project (self-titled) with guest artists Tyler Grant, Stephen Mougin, Mike Compton, Luke Bulla, Andy Hall, Casey Driessen, Becky Buller, Jesse Cobb, Junior Barber, others.

LONNIE HOPPERS

• From Urbana, Missouri (Kansas City area).
• Began playing banjo professionally at age 17 with the “Ozark Opry” at Lake of the Ozarks.
• 1957-1963, played banjo with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys.
• 1964-1974, performed in a group with guitarist Dan Crary.
• 1978-1984, performed at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.
• 1982, released solo album “Pickin’ for Fun” (Dungeon)
• He and his wife Charlene hosted a bluegrass radio program in Bolivar, Missouri.
• 1984, formed a band called New Union.
• 2000, recorded an album with Dan Crary called “Lonnie Hoppers, Dan Crary and their All-American Band.”
• 2024, died at the age of 89.

BRUCE HORNSBY

• From Williamsburg, Virginia.
• A pianist and singer/songwriter who has recorded several bluegrass-flavored songs and albums and won the 2nd-ever Bluegrass Grammy.
• 1986, released debut album with his band, The Range, which won Grammy for Best New Artist. Had a #1 song with “Mandolin Rain.”
• 1988, began collaborating with the Grateful Dead. Worked with them frequently from 1990 to 1992.
• 1989, won Grammy for Best Bluegrass Recording (for the song “Valley Road” from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 2” album.)
• 1995, recorded album “Hot House” which featured bluegrass-tinged jazz with Bela Fleck on banjo.
• Has recorded many other albums with such artists as Sting, Chaka Khan, Branford Marsalis, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, etc.
• 2007, released “Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby” album on Skaggs Family Records.
• 2013, released “Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby Live” album, also on Skaggs Family Records.

KENNY RAY HORTON

• From Rocky Comfort, Missouri.
• 2008, joined the U.S. Navy Band Country Current as lead vocalist, guitarist and emcee.
• Worked in Nashville as a staff songwriter. Among his credits: “A Soldier’s King” for Kenny Rogers.

HOT BUTTERED RUM

• From the San Francisco Bay Area.
• A string band (or jam band) playing music dubbed “high altitude California bluegrass.”
• Members: Nat Keefe on guitar, Bryan Horne on the string bass, Erik Yates on the flute, clarinet, banjo and accordion, Zac Matthews and Aaron Redner doubling on mandolin and fiddle.
• 2005 album produced by Mike Marshall (featuring guests Peter Rowan and Darol Anger).

THE HOTMUD FAMILY

• From Spring Valley, Ohio.
• Formed in the early 1970’s by Dave and Suzanne Edmundson (guitar/banjo/mandolin); also Rick Good (banjo/guitar/steel guitar).
• Lead vocalist Suzanne Edmondson (later Suzanne Thomas) continued her musical career with the Dry Branch Fire Squad and also as a solo artist.
• Rick Good continued performing with Ohio groups Rhythm & Shoes and Shoefly.
• 1974, released “Til We Meet Here Again, or Above” album (Vetco).
• 1974, released “Stone Mountain Wobble” album (Vetco).
• 1975, released “Buckeyes in the Briar Patch” album (Vetco).
• 1978, released “Years in the Making” album (Vetco).
• 1979, released “Live, As We Know It” album (Flying Fish).
• 1981, released “Meat and Potatoes and Stuff Like That” album (Flying Fish).
• They broke up in 1984.

HOT RIZE

• From Boulder, Colorado.
• Formed in 1978 by Pete Wernick (banjo), Tim O’Brien (mandolin/fiddle), Mike Scap (guitar) and Charles Sawtelle (bass). Three months after the band’s formation, Scap departed and was replaced by Nick Forster (bass). Sawtelle then switched from bass to guitar.
• Prior to the formation of Hot Rize (1976), Wernick and Sawtelle had a Colorado band called the Drifting Ramblers or the Rambling Drifters (they couldn’t make up their mind.)
• About the name: Hot Rize is the so-called secret ingredient in Martha White flour, a long-time advertiser on the Grand Ole Opry and for many years sponsor of the Flatt and Scruggs radio show on WSM, Nashville.
• The Hot Rize show usually featured an appearance by their alter-ego band, Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers, a western-swing group supposedly from Wyoming that traveled with Hot Rize in the back of the bus. Even though Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers was actually Hot Rize in disguise, the group became very popular in their own right and recorded several albums. (Trailblazer fans were called “Knuckleheads”).
• 1990, won IBMA Award for Entertainer of the Year and broke up. The played their last show together as a full time band at Merlefest.
• 1991, a year after they broke up, their recording of “Colleen Malone” won the IBMA award for Song of the Year.
• Following their break-up, each of the band members pursued their own musical careers: Pete Wernick (also known as “Dr. Banjo” performed with his own band The Live Five and served for several years as president of the IBMA. Tim O’Brien put together his own band called the O’Boys and had success as a songrwriter and solo artist. Nick Forster hosted a live PBS radio show called “E-Town.” Charles Sawtelle built a recording studio and did session work.
• 1999, guitarist Charles Sawtelle died of cancer (leukemia).
• 2001, Tim O’Brien became the second member of this band to become president of the IBMA, succeeding his bandmate Peter Wernick.
• 2007, reunited (with Bryan Sutton playing guitar) to perform at actor/comedian Steve Martin’s wedding.
• 2009, co-hosted the IBMA Awards show with Kathy Mattea.
• 2010, performed at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
• 2014, reunited to record a new album When I’m Free and perform a six-week tour.
• 2018, released 40th Anniversary Bash live album (Ten in Hand), recorded at the Boulder (Colorado) Theater.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Hot Rize (Flying Fish, 1979)
• Radio Boogie (Flying Fish, 1981)
• Traditional Ties (Sugar Hill, 1985)
• Untold Stories (Sugar Hill, 1987)
• Take It Home (Sugar Hill, 1990)
• So Long of a Journey: Live at the Boulder Theater (Sugar Hill, 2001) Released ten years after the band broke up.
• When I’m Free (Ten in Hand, 2014) New recording by reunited band with Bryan Sutton on guitar.

THE HOT STRINGS

• From Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
• 1995, began as a “kid band” featuring Josiah Payne (mandolin), Jared Payne (guitar) and Carson Park (fiddle). At the time, they were 11, 9 and 7 years old.
• 1997, won the Rockygrass Bluegrass Band contest.
• 1998, Carson won Colorado State fiddle championship.
• 1998, Josiah won Colorado State mandolin championship.
• 1999, won the Telluride band contest.
• 2000, Josiah won the National Mandolin Championship (Winfield).
• 2005, released “Uncharted” album produced by Pat Flynn.

MARK HOUSER (AND BLUEGRASS DRIVE)

• From Livingston, Tennessee.
• A singer/songwriter who has written or co-written more than 500 songs which have been recorded by numerous country and bluegrass artists including Rodney Atkins, Jack Greene, The Roys, Carrie Hassler and others.
• His publishing company “Writers-In House Music” is now located on Nashville’s Music Row.
• He is the Field Office Manager for the Tennesse Department of Health and is the former president of the Tennessee Environmental Health Association. He also serves on the board of East Tennesse State University’s College of Environmental Health.
• He is also a high school football coach. His son is head football coach at White County High School.
• 2012, released a solo project of his original songs called “Uneven Road.”

RANDY HOWARD

• Originally from Milledgeville, Georgia. Lived in Nashville for most of his career.
• 1979, at age 18, won the World Fiddling Championship at Union Grove, NC (the youngest ever to win that contest).
• He was twelve time National Fiddle Champion. Won his 12th in 1998, surpassing Scotty Stoneman as the all-time national contest winner.
• 1985, won Grand Masters Fiddle Championship.
• Was a longtime member of the Kathy Chiavola Band and was a A-list session musician Nashville. Recorded with many country artists, including Steve Wariner, Faith Hill, Ricky Skaggs, Sweethearts of the Rodeo.
• 1991, recorded a duet album with John Hartford.
• 1999, died of cancer.
• 1999, posthumously won the IBMA award for Fiddle Player of the Year.

STEVE HUBER

• From Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Lives in Gallatin, Tennessee.
• 1981-1991, played banjo with Penn Central.
• 1985-1991, played banjo with Bob Paisley and Southern Grass.
• 1991-1992, played banjo with Paul Adkins and Borderline.
• 1993-1995, played withLarry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time
• 1995, performed with Bill Monroe on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1996-2001, played banjo with Chris Jones and the Night Drivers
• 1999, founded the Huber Banjo Company.
• 2001-2005, played banjo with the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band.

DONNA HUGHES

• From Trinity, North Carolina.
• A singer/songwriter who began performing as a youngster at her church, Webster Baptist. She became the church pianist.
• 1999, made her first performance as a singer (in church.)
• Has written more than 500 songs. Among them: “My Poor Old Heart” (recorded by Alison Krauss on her Grammy-winning “Lonely Runs Both Ways” album) and “Sad Old Train” (recorded by the Seldom Scene on their “Synchronized” album.)
• 2000-2002, sang with two bands: Wildwood and Different Directions, both in North Carolina.
• She is also a real estate broker and a gymnastics coach (she has coached several state and national champions).
• 2001, recorded first album “Somewhere in Time” (Running Dog Records).
• 2003, recorded second album “Same Old Me” (Running Dog Records)
• 2006, released “Gaining Wisdom” album, produced by Tony Rice (Rounder).
• 2010, released “Hellos, Goodbyes and Butterflies” album, produced by J.D. Crowe (Rounder).
• 2014, released “From the Heart,” album on Running Dog Records. Also released “Fly” album (featuring Donna on piano).
• 2014, released four videos on YouTube: The Red Oak Tree, Walmart Checkout Line, The Facebook Song, and Dog On A 10 Foot Chain.

SIERRA HULL (AND HIGHWAY 111)

• From Byrdtown, Tennessee.
• Considered a prodigy on the mandolin, she recorded her first album at age 10 (2001).
• 2003, began hosting her own bluegrass festival in Byrdstown (her home town.)
• 2005, appeared on the IBMA Awards Show with the “Young American Bluegrass Idols,” a tribute to youth in bluegrass music.
• 2006, hosted a video documentary “Discover Bluegrass” for the IBMA’s Bluegrass in the Schools initiative.
• 2006, made first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 2007, formed her own band called Highway 111. Signed with Rounder Records.
• 2007, played Carnegie Hall.
• 2008, acted and sang in Billy: The Early Years, a feature film about the life of evangelist Billy Graham.
• 2008, released Secrets album (Rounder).
• 2010, released Daybreak album (Rounder).
• 2013, band members included Jake Stargell (guitar), Christian Ward (fiddle), Jacob Eller (bass) and Cory Walker (banjo).
• 2014, Justin Moses began working with Sierra full time.
• 2016, released Weighted Mind album (Rounder), produced by Bela Fleck.
• 2016, won the IBMA Award for Mandolin Player of the Year.
• 2017, married Justin Moses (May 14).
• 2017, won her second IBMA Award for Mandolin Player of the Year (also won in 2016).
• 2018, won her third IBMA Award for Mandolin Player of the Year (also won in 2016 and 2017).

THE HUNGER MOUNTAIN BOYS

• From the Great Barrington/Monterey, Massachusetts area.
• An old-time country duet featuring Kip Beacco (mandolin/fiddle/guitar) and Ted Weber (guitar/dobro).
• Weber is also a cornet player in a jazz band and plays pedal steel for a country band.
• Beacco also plays with a band called the Beartown Mountain Ramblers.

JIM HURST

• Born in Middlesboro, Kentucky; grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Lives in Nashville.
• Best known as a guitarist, but also plays banjo, mandolin, Dobro™, bass.
• At age 7, he stood on a chair to play bass with Bill Monroe.
• Drove a truck until breaking into the music business.
• Early bands: Red River (with Tim Ellis), Old Hickory (with Vic Jordan and Gene Wooten).
• Toured with Holly Dunn and Trisha Yearwood.
• 1995-1998, worked with Claire Lynch as a member of the Front Porch String Band.
• 1997, formed a duo with Missy Raines (which broke up in 2007).
• Released solo project Open Window (no label).
• 1997-8, also worked with the John Cowan Band.
• 2001-2002, won the IBMA award for Guitar Player of the Year.
• 2005, he and Missy Raines re-joined Claire Lynch to form the Claire Lynch Band.
• 2007, released solo project Box of Chocolates (no label).
• 2009, left the Claire Lynch Band.
• 2011, teamed up with David Grisman and his son Samson Grisman in a band called “The David Grisman Folk-Jazz Trio.” Also toured in a duo with Rob Ickes.

ROY HUSKEY, JR.

• From Nashville, Tennessee.
• A legendary bass player (session musician), son of Junior Huskey, who played bass with Flatt and Scruggs and many other Grand Ole Opry stars.
• Worked with Chet Atkins, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, George Jones, Steve Earle, Doc Watson, John Hartford, many others.
• 1992, 1993, won IBMA award for Bass Player of the Year.
• An original member of Emmy Lou Harris’ Nash Ramblers.
• Died in 1997 at age 40 of lung cancer.

BILLY HURT

• From Boonesville, Virginia.
• A fiddler who has worked with David Parmley and Continental Divide, The Bluegrass Brothers, Acoustic Endeavors and other bands.
• Chief influences: Kenny Baker, Bobby Hicks, Chubby Wise and Clark Kessinger.
• 1994, won first place in the bluegrass fiddle contest at the Galax Fiddlers Convention.
• 2011, joined Karl Shiflett and the Big Country Show.
• 2014, released solo fiddle album Fiddlin’ Billy Hurt (Patuxent Music).

HUTCHINSON BROTHERS

• From Athens (Southeastern) Ohio.
• Formed in 1975 by brothers John “J.D.” Hutchinson (guitar) and Bob “Zeke” Hutchinson (banjo) with Greg Dearth (fiddle), Tom Hampton (mandolin) and Tim Sparkman (bass).
• John has written many bluegrass songs including “Silver Tongue and Gold Plated Lies” (recorded by Suzanne Thomas, Bill Grant and Delia Belle and others). Several of his songs were recorded by Hot Rize, Thomas Earl Keen and other artists.
• 1975, released self titled album (Vetco).
• 1976, released “The Hutchinson Brothers Band” album (Vetco).
• 2021, John (JD) died at the age of 81.

SCOTT HOLSTEIN

• From Madison (Boone County), West Virginia. Lives in Nashville.
• A singer/songwriter who grew up in the coal mining region of West Virginia. Almost all of his relatives are connected to the coal mining industry. His grandfather fought in the historic Battle of Blair Mountain (1921).
• He began performing at age 5. His parents had a bluegrass gospel group.
• 1993-1997, played mandolin with The Gillis Brothers.
• 1998-2004, worked as a utility musician with numerous east coast bands including country singer Charlie Floyd.
• 2001-2009, played guitar/mandolin/bass with Dave Evans and River Bend.
• 2003, played banjo with Ernie Thacker and Route 23.
• 2004-2006, played guitar and sang lead with Larry Gillis.
• 2010, began his solo career. Formed a band called Old Back 40 and founded his own record label (Coal Records).
• 2011, released an album of original songs Cold Coal Town (Coal) produced by Randy Kohrs.

RANDALL HYLTON

• From Old Hickory, Tennessee. Grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Learned to play guitar at age 5.
• Best known as a songwriter. He wrote more than 200 songs which were recorded by such artists as Mac Wiseman, the Osborne Brothers, the Bluegrass Cardinals, the Lewis Family, Doyle Lawson, Larry Sparks, and many others. Notable songs: “Room at the Top of the Stairs,” “Slippers With Wings” and “Hallelujah Turnpike.”
• As a performer, he was one of the few artists in bluegrass to work solo often wearing period costumes and mixing his serious material with parodies and impressions.
• He gave his guitars names: Denise, Michelle the Blonde Bombshell, Sylvia, Henrietta and Lakeisha.
• 2001, died at the age of 56.
• 2022, was inducted into the Blue Ridge Hall of Fame.