EVIE LADIN

• From Oakland, California (has also lived in New Jersey, Baltimore and Nigeria).
• Plays banjo (clawhammer style), sings, step-dances.
• Performs solo as well as with the San Francisco-based group The Stairwell Sisters.
• 2010, released solo project Float Downstream (Evil Diane).
• 2012, released Evie Ladin Band album (Evil Diane).
• 2016, released Jump the Fire album (Evil Diane).
• 2018, released Riding the Rooster album (Evil Diane).
• 2019, released Caught on a Wire album (Evil Diane).

TIM LAKE

• From New York City. Lives in Lexington, Kentucky.
• Plays bluegrass, jazz, pop, country and rock, all on the banjo.
• 1991, earned his doctorate in music from the University of Kentucky. His dissertation was titled “An American Concerto for 5-string Banjo and Orchestra.”
• 1993, performed his concerto with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
• 1995, released Jazz with Bluegrass & Blues album (Padraig Records).
• Performs with a trio called The Little Big Band.

BARBARA LAMB

• From Seattle, Washington.
• Played fiddle with the “cowgirl” band, Ranch Romance.
• Was Mark O’Connor’s first fiddle teacher. He was only eleven years old at the time.
• Early seventies: performed with a Seattle-based bluegrass band called Tall Timber.
• 1974, recorded an album of fiddle duets with Vivian Williams.
• Nickname: “Babs.”
• Hobby: collecting boots. She has over 75 pair.
• 1993, released Fiddle Fatale album (Sugar Hill).
• 1993, performed with best selling author and lecturer Robert Fulghum (All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten) at such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York City. She “colors” his stories with the fiddle.
• Calls her flamboyant style: “chrome on the range.”
• 1994, toured with Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel.
• 1996, released Tonight I Feel Like Texas album (Sugar Hill).
• 2000, released Blue On Dakota album (no label).
• 2006, released Bootsy Met a Bank Robber album (no label).
• 2009, released Twisty Girl album (no label).

LAWRENCE LANE AND THE KENTUCKY GRASS

• From Columbus Ohio.
• Formed in 1973 by Lawrence Lane (guitar), Keith Lane (mandolin), Radford Vance (banjo) and Ray Sonaugle (fiddle).
• 1974, released “Washington’s Files” album (Rome).
• 1976, released “1776-1976” album (Rome).
• Lane also promoted several bluegrass festivals in Kentucky.
• Jimmy Olander of the group Diamond Rio was once a member of this band (playing banjo).
• 2017, the group Carolina Blue recorded Sounds of Kentucky Grass (Poor Mountain), a tribute to Lawrence Lane and the Kentucky Grass. Lawrence Lane is the great uncle of Carolina Blue’s mandolin player, Timmy Jones.

RICK LANG

• From Kingston, New Hampshire.
• A singer/songwriter, known best for his gospel songs.
• His song “Listen to the Word of God” appeared on the Lonesome River Band’s award-winning Carrying the Tradition album.
• Owns a lumber company in New Hampshire called “Highland Hardwoods.”
• Has recorded several albums under the name “Rick Lang and Friends.”
• 2010, released an album of his songs featuring special guests Russell Moore, Dale Ann Bradley, Barry Scott, Junior Sisk and other well known bluegrass musicians. He himself did not perform on the album.
• 2014, released his second Christmas album That’s What I Love About Christmas (RLM).
• 2018, released The Undertow album (RLM) featuring songs about the ocean.
• 2018, released Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout album (Billy Blue), produced by Jerry Salley and featuring gospel songs with vocals by Dave Adkins, Marty Raybon, Claire Lynch, the Cox Family, Kenny and Amanda Smith, High Road, the Whites, Bradley Walker, Jerry Salley, Larry Cordle and others.
• 2019, won the IBMA Award for Gospel Recording of the Year for the song “Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout,” sung by Claire Lynch.

THE LARKINS

• From Church Hill, Tennessee.
• A duo featuring sisters Shaunna (fiddle) and Tina (mandolin) Larkin. They began performing together as children in their family band “The Larkin Family.” They were regulars at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
• 2001, first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.
• 2003, released first album Larkins (Audium) with guest Dolly Parton.

JIM LAUDERDALE

• From Troutman, North Carolina. Lives in Nashville.
• A successful Nashville singer/songwriter who has written hits for Patty Loveless, Mark Chesnutt, Kathy Mattea, George Strait and many others.
• Lived in New York City for several years, played bluegrass there and appeared in several musicals (“Pump Boys and Dinettes,” “The Cotton Patch Gospel,” etc). He has also lived and worked in Texas and California.
• Has played in bands with Dwight Yoakam, Darden Smith, Carlene Carter and Lucinda Williams.
• 1998, released I Feel Like Singing Today, a collaboration with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
• 2002, released second collaboration with Ralph Stanley called Lost in the Lonesome Pines (Dualtone) which won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album (in 2003).
• 2006, released Bluegrass album (Yep Roc).
• 2008, won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for The Bluegrass Diaries album (Yep Roc).
• Has studied and practiced the martial arts since 1995, focusing on Tai Chi and Chi Kong.
• Since 2002, has hosted the Americana Music Awards Show in Nashville.
• 2010, released Patchwork River album (Thirty Tigers).
• Is host of the popular weekly syndicated radio show “Music City Roots,” live from the Loveless Cafe.
• 2011, released Reason And Rhyme album (Sugar Hill).
• 2012, released Carolina Moonrise: Bluegrass Songs by Robert Hunter and Jim Lauderdale album (Alliance).
• 2013, released Black Roses album (Sky Crunch).
• 2013, released Blue Moon Junction album (Sky Crunch).
• 2013, released Old Time Angels album (Sky Crunch).
• Co-hosts “The Buddy and Jim Show” (with Buddy Miller) on Sirius/XM Radio’s Outlaw Country channel.
• 2014, released I’m A Song album (Sky Crunch).
• 2015, released Soul Searching: Vol. 1 Memphis/Vol 2. Nashville album (Sky Crunch).
• 2023, released Long and Lonesome Letting Go album with the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys (Sky Crunch).

TIM LAUGHLIN

• From Bristol, Tennessee.
• Began playing guitar at age 8; switched to mandolin at age 11.
• Has worked with Larry Sparks, Hazel Dickens, Appalachian Trail, The McPeak Brothers and the Lynn Morris Band, to name a few.
• 1985, formed his own band called Plexigrass.
• 1991, formed the Tim Laughlin Band.
• Has won more than 100 mandolin competitions, including the Tennessee State Mandolin Championship.
• 2010, joined Marty Raybon and Full Circle.
• 2012, joined Big Country Bluegrass playing fiddle and mandolin.
• 2021, joined The Tennessee Bluegrass Band.

KATIE LAUR

• Native of Paris, Tennessee. Lives in Cincinnatti, Ohio.
• 1975, formed The Katie Laur Band. She was one of the first female lead singers to front her own bluegrass band.
• 1975, released “Good Time Girl” album (Vetco).
• 1977, released “Cookin’ with Katie” album (Vetco).
• She appeared several times on Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion” radio program.
• She has hosted a weekly Cincinnatti radio show called “Music from the Hills of Home.”
• Real name: Katie Haley. As a child, performed with her sister and three cousins in a singing group called “The Haley Sisters.”
• Was presented with the Ohio Heritage Fellowship award for her influence on musicians in the Ohio region.

THE LAUREL CANYON RAMBLERS

• From Los Angeles, California.
• Formed in 1994 by Herb Pedersen and Bill Bryson (who worked together in the Desert Rose Band). Released first album Rambler’s Blues on Sugar Hill Records.
• Other original members: Billy Ray Lathum (guitar), Kenny Blackwell (mandolin) and Byron Berline (fiddle). Lathum was replaced by Roger Reed. Berline by Dennis Fetchet, then Gabe Witcher. Bobby Hicks also played a few dates with this band.
• Laurel Canyon is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, famous for being the home base for many LA-area folk and rock musicians such as Joni Mitchell, the Byrds, the Dillards, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, the Mamas and the Papas, and many others. Laurel Canyon Blvd. is a major thoroughfare in the San Fernando Valley.
• Mandolinist Kenny Blackwell actually drives a Rambler (an early 60’s Ambassador station wagon).
• 1996, released Blue Rambler 2 album (Sugar Hill.)
• 1996, Roger Reed (guitar) cut a finger off his left hand with a power saw one month after he joined the band. He continued to perform with Bruce Johnson playing guitar while Reed sang his vocal parts. Eventually he was able to play guitar again.
• 1998, released Back On The Street Again album (Sugar Hill).
• After Blackwell moved from the area, Pedersen formed a new bluegrass band with Bryson called Loafer’s Glory.”

JOHN LAWLESS

• From Roanoke, Virginia.
• Banjo player and founder (in 1994) of AcuTab Publishing Company, publisher of instrumental instruction books and recordings by well-known bluegrass artists.
• 1978-1991, played banjo with Nothin’ Doin Band (Norfolk, VA)
• 1999, joined Acoustic Endeavors.
• 2001, won IBMA award for Instrumental Album of the Year for “Knee Deep in Bluegrass: The AcuTab Sessions” (produced by Lawless and featuring Lawless and other performers)
• 2004, released solo project of banjo instrumentals called Five & Dime (no label). .
• He is a well known bluegrass journalist, creator of the website “The Bluegrass Blog” which morphed into “Bluegrass Today.”

JACK LAWRENCE

• A guitarist from Charlotte, North Carolina. Lives in Harrisburg, North Carolina.
• 1970, got his first professional job with Carl Story.
• 1971, joined the New Deal String Band.
• 1972, joined the Bluegrass Alliance, replacing Tony Rice.
• 1983, began working with Doc Watson in concerts and on recordings. After Doc’s son Merle died in 1985, he went full-time as Doc’s musical partner.
• 2013, released Arthel’s Guitar album (n0 label), using Arthel “Doc” Watson’s guitar on the recording.

DOYLE LAWSON (AND QUICKSILVER)

• From Kingsport, Tennessee. Lives in Bristol, Tennessee.
• His father was in an acapella gospel group called the Clinch Mountain Quartet.
• 1963, joined Jimmy Martin’s band the Sunny Mountain Boys, playing banjo.
• 1966, joined J.D. Crowe and the Kentucky Mountain Boys, playing mandolin.
• 1971, joined the Country Gentlemen, playing mandolin.
• 1979, formed his own band Quicksilver (original name was Foxfire but discovered the name was already in use.)
• 1995, adopted a new look and new sound, performing around a single vocal mike with precision choreography.
• 1998, was the first bluegrass band invited to perform at the National Gospel Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
• 2003, won IBMA award for Song of the Year (“Blue Train”).
• 2005, was elected chairman of the board of the International Bluegrass Music Trust Fund which provides financial assistance to bluegrass artists in times of emergency need. He continues to serve in this capacity.
• 2006, was presented with a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
• 2007, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree by Kings College in Bristol, Tennessee.
• 2007, won his sixth IBMA Award for Gospel Recorded performance of the Year (also won in 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006).
• 2010, recorded with Paul Simon.
• 2011, added drums to the band’s sound, much to the consternation of some of his fans. He discontinued using the drums in live performances about a year later.
• 2011, won the IBMA Award for Recorded Event of the Year for the song “Prayers Bells of Heaven” by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams (from their album Old Friends Get Together).
• 2012, was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame (IBMA).
• 2012, won the Inspirational Country Music Award for Band/Vocal Group of the Year.
• 2018, won his eighth IBMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year (also won in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007).
• 2020, won the IBMA Award for Album of the Year (Live in Prague: Czech Republic).
• 2021, announced that he will retire after the 2022 season.
• 2021, received the Tennessee Governor’s Arts Award.
• 2021, after Doyle’s retirement, his band members formed a new band called Authentic Unlimited.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Tennessee Dream (County Records, 1977) This is Doyle’s first solo project, an album of mandolin instrumentals.
• The Original Band (Sugar Hill, 1979, 1982) This is a reissue of the first two non-gospel albums by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver “Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver” and “Quicksilver Rides Again.” Band included Terry Baucom, Lou Reid and Jimmy Haley.
• Rock my Soul (Sugar Hill, 1981) This is a classic album of gospel songs. Includes one of his most requested: “On the Sea of Life.”
• Heavenly Treasures (Sugar Hill, 1983) Gospel album. Band includes Terry Baucom, Jimmy Haley and Randy Graham.
• Once And For Always/The News Is Out (Sugar Hill, 1985/1987) Two albums now packaged together. Two bands: one with Terry Baucom, Jimmy Haley, Randy Graham; the other with Russell Moore, Scott Vestal and Ray Deaton.
• Beyond the Shadows (Sugar Hill, 1986) Gospel album. Band includes Russell Moore, Scott Vestal and Curtis Vestal.
• Heavens Joy Awaits (Sugar Hill, 1988) Gospel album (acapella). Quartet includes Russell Moore, Scott Vestal and Ray Deaton.
• Hymn Time in the Country (Sugar Hill, 1988) Gospel album. Band includes Russell Moore, Scott Vestal, Ray Deaton.
• I’ll Wander Back Someday (Sugar Hill, 1988) Band includes Russell Moore, Scott Vestal, Ray Deaton.
• I Heard the Angels Singing (Sugar Hill, 1989) Gospel album. Band includes Russell Moore, Scott Vestal, Ray Deaton.
• My Heart Is Yours (Sugar Hill, 1990) Band includes Russell Moore, Ray Deaton, Jim Mills and Mike Hargrove.
• Only God (Sugar Hill, 1991) Gospel Album. Band includes Jim Mills, Shelton Feazell and John Bowman.
• Pressing On Regardless (Music Mill Entertainment, 1993) Band includes John Bowman, Jim Mills, Shelton Feazell, Kim Gardner, Jim Edmonds.
• Treasures Money Can’t Buy (Music Mill Entertainment, 1993) Gospel album. Band includes John Bowman, Jim Mills, Shelton Feazell.
• Hallelujah In My Heart (Music Mill Entertainment, 1994) Gospel album. Band includes Shawn Lane, Jimmy Stewart, Brad Campbell and John Berry.
• Never Walk Away (Sugar Hill, 1995) Band includes Steve Gulley, Barry Abernathy, Dale Perry and Owen Saunders plus guest artists.
• There’s a Light Guiding Me (Sugar Hill, 1996) Gospel album. Band includes Steve Gulley, Barry Abernathy, Dale Perry and Owen Saunders.
• Kept & Protected (Sugar Hill, 1997) Gospel album. Band includes Barry Scott, Barry Abernathy, Dale Perry, Owen Saunders.
• Gospel Radio Gems (Sugar Hill, 1998) Gospel album (acapella). Quartet includes Barry Scott, Barry Abernathy and Dale Perry.
• Winding Through Life (Sugar Hill, 1998) Band includes Jamie Dailey, Barry Scott, Dale Perry, Doug Bartlett.
• Just Over in Heaven (Sugar Hill, 2000) Gospel album. Band includes Barry Scott, Dale Perry, Jamie Dailey, Doug Bartlett.
• Gospel Parade (Sugar Hill, 2001) Gospel album. Band includes Jamie Dailey, Barry Scott, Dale Perry and Hunter Berry.
• Hard Game of Love (Sugar Hill, 2002) Includes both the IBMA Song of the Year “Blue Train” and IBMA Gospel Recording of the Year “The Hand Made Cross.” Musicians includes Jamie Dailey, Barry Scott, Dale Perry, Hunter Berry, Barry Abernathy, Jim Van Cleve, Owen Sauders.
• Thank God (SSK, 2003) Gospel album. Band includes Jamie Dailey, Barry Scott, Dale Perry, J.W. Stockman, Jess Barry.
• School of Bluegrass (Crossroads, 2004) A celebration of Doyle’s 25th anniversary with Quicksilver featuring many of his former band members.
• Beyond the Shadows (Sugar Hill, 2004) Band includes Jamie Dailey, Barry Scott, Dale Perry, Jesse Stockman.
• You Gotta Dig a Little Deeper (Rounder, 2005) Band includes Jamie Dailey, Barry Scott, Terry Baucom, Jesse Stockman.
• He Lives in Me (Horizon, 2006) Won the IBMA Award for Gospel Recording of the Year both in 2006 and 2007. Band includes Jamie Dailey, Terry Baucom, Darren Beachley, Barry Scott, Mike Hartgrove and Jesse Stockman.
• More Behind the Picture Than the Wall (Rounder, 2007) Band includes Jamie Dailey, Darren Beachley, Terry Baucom and Mike Hartgrove.
• Help Is on the Way (Horizon, 2008) Gospel album. Band includes Darren Beachley, Alan Johnson, Joey Cox, Carl White and Josh Swift.
• Lonely Street (Rounder, 2009) Band includes Carl White, Joey Cox, Josh Swift and Darren Beachley.
• Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly (Horizon, 2010) Gospel album. Band includes Josh Swift, Jason Barie, Corey Hensley, Mike Rogers, Carl White and Jesse Baker.
• Drive Time (Mountain Home, 2011) Band includes Josh Swift, Jason Barie, Corey Hensley, Mike Rogers, Carl White and Jesse Baker.
• Sing Me A Song About Jesus (Mountain Home, 2012) Gospel album. Band includes Josh Swift, Mike Rogers, Jessie Baker, Carl White, Jason Barie and Corie Hensley.
• Roads Well Traveled (Mountain Home, 2013) Band includes Joe Dean, Corey Hensley, Jason Barie, Mike Rogers and Josh Swift.
• Open Carefully: Message Inside (Mountain Home, 2014) Gospel album. Band includes Josh Swift, Jason Barie, Joe Dean, Dustin Pyrtle and Eli Johnston.
• In Session (Mountain Home, 2015) Band includes Dustin Pyrtle, Eli Johnston, Joe Dean, Josh Swift and Stephen Burwell.
• Life is a Story (Mountain Home, 2017). Band includes Dustin Pyrtle, Eli Johnston, Joe Dean, Josh Swift and Stephen Burwell.
• Live in Prague Czech Republic (2019, Billy Blue Records). Band includes Jake Vanover, Jerry Cole, Joe Dean, Josh Swift and Stephen Burwell.
• Roundtable (2021, Billy Blue) Band includes Eli Johnston (banjo), Ben James (guitar), Matt Flake (fiddle), Stephen Burwell (fiddle) and Jerry Cole (bass).

GLENN LAWSON

• From Spencer County, Kentucky
• 1972, played guitar with the Bluegrass Alliance.
• 1975, played guitar and sang lead with J.D. Crowe and the New South.
• 1977, joined Spectrum (with Bela Fleck, Jimmy Gaudreau and Mark Schatz).
• During his time off as a musician, he worked as an insurance auditor and raised his family.
• 2006, released an album of original songs “The Human Condition” with a group called the Mountain Music Machine.

PHIL LEADBETTER

• From Knoxville, Tennessee.
• One of the top Dobro™ players in bluegrass. He was widely known as “Uncle Phil.”
• At age 14, performed before President Gerald R. Ford at the White House (1976).
• His father played in a band with Bashful Brother Oswald (of the Grand Ole Opry).
• Worked as an Intensive Care (ICU) nurse for 12 years.
• 1975-1981, formed a band called the Knoxville Newgrass Boys.
• 1982, formed another Knoxville group called New Dawn.
• 1988-89, worked with Grandpa Jones.
• 1990, worked with Vern Gosdin.
• 1991, joined J.D. Crowe and the New South.
• 1999, released Philibuster album (Rounder).
• 2000, formed Wildfire with several other members of the New South.
• 2004, Gibson released “The Phil Leadbetter Signature Gibson Dobro™.”
• His son Matt is also a Dobro™ player who has worked with the Lonesome River Band, Valerie Smith, Marty Raybon, Brand New Strings and other bands.
• 2005, won the IBMA award for Dobro™ Player of the Year.
• 2005, released Slide Effects album (Pinecastle) which won the IBMA Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.
• 2006, left WildFire to form Grasstowne with Steve Gulley (formerly with Mountain Heart) and Alan Bibey (formerly of BlueRidge).
• 2010, left Grasstowne to form a new band called Rigsby, Leadbetter and Bennett, with Don Rigsby on mandolin, Richard Bennett on guitar and his son Matt playing bass.
• 2010, joined The Whites.
• 2011, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma (a form of cancer) which required Phil to take two years off the road for treatment.
• 2013, joined the Dale Ann Bradley band.
• 2014, released solo project The Next Move with guest artists Joe Diffie, Shawn Camp, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Steve Wariner, Marty Raybon, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, and others.
• 2015, was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.
• 2016, left the Dale Ann Bradley band.
• 2016, formed Flashback, with Richard Bennett, Don Rigsby, Curt Chapman & Stuart Wyrick.
• 2016, formed Phil Leadbetter And The All-Stars Of Bluegrass.
• 2017, became the talent buyer for The Bill Monroe Music Park which includes the Beanblossom Bluegrass festival, and The Hall Of Fame Uncle Pen Days Festival.
• 2019, won his third IBMA Award for Dobro Player of the Year (also won in 2005, 2014).
• 2019, underwent more treatments for a recurrence of cancer. He is a five-time cancer survivor.
• 2019, formed an ensemble called The All-Stars of Bluegrass and recorded Swing for the Fences album (Pinecastle).  Members include (at various times) Steve Gulley, Dale Ann Bradley, Claire Lynch, Robert Hale, Shawn Camp, Ken Mellons, Paul Brewster, Amanda Smith, Kenny Smith, Sierra Hull, Mike Bub, Missy Raines, Alan Bibey, Jason Burleson, Adam Haynes, Steve Thomas, Gena Britt and Matt Leadbetter.
• 2021, died at the age of 59.

NATE LEATH

• From Bethlehem, North Carolina; lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.
• Was a fiddle child prodigy, playing in front of audiences at age 8.
• 1996, at age 11, won first place at the Galax, VA fiddle contest (the youngest to do that) and has since won it twice more (he is a three-time winner of that prestigious contest).
• 2000, recorded his first album Extra Medium (Patuxent Records) at age 15.
• 2003, released Mojo Expresso album (Patuxent Records.)
• 2005, released I’ve Always Been a Rambler album (Patuxent Records).
• 2006, graduated from the Berklee School of Music in Boston.
• 2006, joined Old School Freight Train. He also began playing dates with David Grisman Quartet.
• 2009, released Rockville Pike album (Patuxent Records.)
• 2014, released Nate Leath & Friends Volume 2 album (Patuxent Records.)

LEFTOVER SALMON

• From Boulder, Colorado.
• Formed in 1989. The name came from combining the names of two of the members previous bands: “The Left Hand String Band” (led by Drew Emmitt) and “The Salmon Heads” (led by Vince Herman).
• They called their music “Poly-ethnic Cajon Slam Grass.”
• Original members: Drew Emmitt (mandolin), Vince Herman (guitar), Mark Vann (banjo), Jeff Stipe (drums), Tye North (bass.)
• 1993, released first album Bridges to Bert (Hollywood).
• 1995, released Ask the Fish album (Hollywood).
• 1997, released Euphoria album (Hollywood).
• 1999, released Nashville Sessions album (Hollywood).
• 2001, Vann died of melanoma cancer in 2001. He was replaced by Noam Pikelny (2003).
• 2002, Emmitt recorded a solo project with Sam Bush, John Cowan, Scott Vestal, others.
• 2003, toured with the Del McCoury Band.
• 2003, released O’Cracker Where Art Thou album (Telegraph Company).
• 2004, released Leftover Salmon album for Compendium records, then disbanded.
• 2005, Emmitt formed the Drew Emmitt Band. Herman formed Great American Taxi.
• 2007-2010, reunited for several concerts with Matt Flinner on banjo.
• 2010, banjo player Andy Thorn joined the group and the band was reborn.
• 2012, released Aquatic Hitchhiker album (LOS).
• 2014, released High Country album (LOS).
• 2018, released Something Higher album (Soundly).
• 2021, released Brand New Good Old Days album (Compass).

ANDY LEFTWICH

• From White House, Tennessee.
• Began playing fiddle at age 6. Won the Tennessee State Fiddle Championship (for beginners) at age 9. Also played on stage with Bill Monroe at age 9.
• Began playing mandolin at 12, guitar at 14.
• Age 13, worked with Mike Snider on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1998 (age 15), joined Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike.
• 2001, joined Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder playing fiddle (replaced Bobby Hicks).
• 2003, recorded first solo album Ride (Skaggs Family Records).
• 2005, formed a jazz trio with Rob Ickes (Dobro™) and Dave Pomeroy (bass) called Three Ring Circle. Released two albums with this group, Three Ring Circle and Brothership (no label).
• 2016, released Instrumental Hymns (no label).
• 2016 (December), left Ricky Skaggs’s band to pursue other musical and Christian ministry opportunities.

RAY LEGERE

• From Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada.
• Has won numerous awards at the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards, including Mandolin, Fiddle, and Guitar Player of the Year.
• Holds the distinction of being the only mandolin player to work with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys (other than Bill himself). He filled in for Monroe in 1982 when he was ill.
• 1986, won the National Mandolin Championship (USA) in Winfield, Kansas.
• 1996, won Fiddle Player of the Year (Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards).
• 1997, released River of No Return album with Dobro™ player Roger Williams (Strictly Country).
• 1999, released Squirrely Moves album (EMI).
• Has toured with Tony Rice, Michelle Shocked, Alison Brown and many others.
• 2002, worked with the Dick Smith/Mike O’Reilly Band.
• Has his own band called Acoustic Horizon.
• He is musical director for a Canadian TV show called “Fiddlehead Country” and is also the house fiddler for the french music show “Pour L’Amour De Country”.

EMORY LESTER

• From Gainesville, Virginia.
• Currently lives in Ontario, Canada.
• Had his own group for several years called The Emory Lester Set. Also had bands called “Grassworks” (bluegrass) and Earthen Sky (new age/soft rock).
• Has also worked with The Tony Rice Unit, Jerry Douglas, The Del McCoury Band, The Eddie Adcock Band, Bill Emerson, Wayne Taylor Jimmy Gaudreau, Gary Feguson and Sally Love and others.
• 1993, won “Mandolin Player of the Year” at the Canadian Bluegrass Awards show.
• 1999, formed a duo with banjo player Mark Johnson.
• 2002, released “Cruisin’ the 8” album (Quiet Fire).
• 2006, released “Acoustic Rising” album with Mark Johnson (Mountain Home).
• 2012, released Acoustic Vision album with Mark Johnson (Bangtown).
• 2013, released “1863” album with Mark Johnson (Bangtown).
• 2013, released “At Dusk” album (Acoustic Disk).

JENNY LESTER

• From Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada).
• Began performing with her family band The Driftwood Canyon Family Band at age 7.
• Sings and plays fiddle and guitar.
• Performed and toured internationally with a Colorado group called Dark Horse.
• 1999, released Friends Like You album (no label), produced by John Reischman.

ASHLEY LEWIS

• From Sandwich, Illinois.
• Plays mandolin. She began singing and performing at age 7 in her family band.
• Formed her own group at age 12. Currently performs with her band “Legacy.”
• Has received numerous awards for her accomplishments on the mandolin from the Illinois Arts Council.
• 2004, released album “Past Presence.”
• 2008, released Here I Stand album (no label).
• 2014, released Captivated album (no label) produced by Jimmy Mattingly.

THE LEWIS FAMILY

• From Lincolnton, Georgia.
• They were known as “The First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music.”
• 1950, they were first known as the Lewis Brothers: Talmadge, Esley and Wallace, along with Dad (Roy) and Miggie.
• In the mid-fifties, they changed the name of the group to The Lewis Family, and included sisters Miggie, Polly and Janis, brothers Wallace, Talmadge and Little Roy, and Pop (Roy, Sr.)
• They were one of the first bluegrass groups to feature female vocalists.
• Over their 50-year career in music, they recorded more than 100 albums of bluegrass gospel music for such record labels as Starday, Canaan, Hollywood, Benson, Crest, Federal, Thoroughbred, Riversong, Gusto, Mountain Home, Music Mill, Sullivan, Daywind, Ember, Nashville, Melodisc and Timberline.
• 1954, began their own TV show in Augusta Georgia (final broadcast: September 13,1992.)
• 1993, purchased the late Conway Twitty’s bus and matching trailer.
• 2000, Pop Lewis was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame (May 24).
• 2002, they received IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement award.
• 2003, Mom Lewis died, 2/8.
• 2004, Pop Lewis died, 3/23.
• 2006, they were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
• 2007, Wallace Lewis died 5/16.
• 2009, after winning two more Dove Awards (Gospel music’s highest award), the Lewis Family officially retired. Little Roy Lewis began performing as a duo with his foster daughter Lizzie Long.
• 2010, Travis Lewis (son of Wallace) and his son Jameson, Janis Lewis and her son Lewis Phillips formed a new band called The Lewis Tradition and released “Precious Memories” album (Thoroughbred).
• 2015, they were inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame (Wilkesboro, North Carolina).
• 2017, Miggie Lewis died, 12/26.
• 2018, Polly Lewis died, 8/19.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• 50th Anniversary Celebration (Daywind)
• The Best of The Lewis Family: The First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music (Federal)
• The Golden Gospel Best of The Lewis Family (Hollywood)
• Bluegrass Country Club (Daywind, 1995)
• Flyin High (Mountain Home, 2006)
• Gospel Train (Gusto, 2010)

WAYNE LEWIS

• From Sandy Hook, Kentucky.
• 1973-4, was a member of Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys.
• 1975, worked with Lillimae and the Dixie Gospelaires.
• 1976-1986, was lead singer for Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys (the longest tenure of any lead singer in the Blue Grass Boys. He appeared on 12 of Monroe’s albums.)
• 1986-present, joined the Cumberland Highlanders and co-hosts their TV show on the Outdoor Channel
• Also performs with his own Wayne Lewis Band.

THE LILLY BROTHERS

• From Boston, Massachusetts. Originally from Clear Creek, West Virginia.
• Two brothers: Everett and Michel (an odd spelling of “Michael” that was often mis-pronounced “Mitchell” so he went by “B” the first initial of his middle name “Burt”).
• In 1938, began performing as the Lonesome Holler Boys. During the 1940’s, they also performed as “The Smiling Mountain Boys.”
• 1948, made their recording debut with Red Belcher and the Kentucky Ridge Runners.
• 1948, joined the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree as the Lilly Mountaineers.
• 1952-1953, Everett played mandolin with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs on many of their classic early recordings.
• 1952, moved to Boston and joined fiddler Tex Logan and banjo player Don Stover to form The Lilly Brothers. For 17 years (until 1970), they performed almost every night at Boston’s Hillbilly Ranch.
• Also recorded as The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover to highlight Stover’s banjo playing.
• Credited with bringing bluegrass to New England, they influenced such future bluegrass artists as Peter Rowan, Jim Rooney, Bill Keith and many others.
• 2001, began performing again with their band “The Lilly Mountaineers.”
• 2002, were inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame. Bill Keith made the presentation.
• 2005, Bea Lilly died.
• 2008, Everett Lilly won the IBMA award for Recorded Event of the Year for Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother album (Swift River).
• 2012, Everett Lilly died.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Early Recordings (Rebel, 1994)
• What Will I Leave Behind (Rebel, 2003)
• Bluegrass at the Roots (Smithsonian Folkways, 2005)
• On the Radio 1952-1953 (Rounder, 2009)

LINDSAY LOU (AND THE FLATBELLYS)

• From Lansing, Michigan.
• The Flatbellys were formed in 2008 by several college students who were jamming at a local festival. They got their name after a jam at one of these festivals, where a picker proclaimed “It’s good to see a bunch of you flatbellies out here pickin with us grey-beards!”
• Lindsay Lou (Rilko) was a classical music singer who converted to bluegrass after meeting Josh Rilko, mandolinist with the Flatbellys. She eventually became his wife as well as the lead singer and guitarist of the band in 2010. Other members (2012): PJ George (bass), Mark Lavengood (Dobro™) and Keith Billick (banjo).
• 2012, released Release Your Shrouds album (Earthwork Music).
• 2015, released Ionia album (no label).

KEITH LITTLE

• From Sonora, California. Lives in Garden Valley, California.
• Plays banjo and guitar.
• 1974-1989, worked with the Vern Williams Band.
• 1980-1985, worked with Rose Maddox.
• 1983-1985, joined High Country.
• 1984-1986, worked with the Grant Street String Band.
• 1986-1988, joined the Country Gentlemen.
• 1990-1995, was a member of the Ricky Skaggs Band.
• 1995, worked with Kathy Kallick’s Little Big Band.
• 1996, joined Lonesome Standard Time.
• 1996, began full-time studio work, also touring and recording as a solo artist.
• As a writer, his songs have been recorded by Longview, Claire Lynch, The Whites, Tim O’Brien, Crystal Gayle, others.
• Has performed on albums by Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Claire Lynch, The Chieftains, Chris Jones, others.
• 2001, played dates with Mac Martin and the Dixie Travelers.
• 2001, released solo project Distant Land to Roam (Copper Creek).
• 2007, joined the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. He also works solo and with long-time friend and collaborator Jim Nunally. He also works with the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience.
• 2013, formed his own group The LittleBand (one word) with musicians Michael Witcher (Dobro™), Josh Tharp (banjo), Luke Abbott (fiddle and mandolin), Steve Swan (bass) and occasionally Blaine Sprouse (fiddle).

LITTLE ROY AND LIZZY SHOW

(See LIZZY LONG)

LIVEWIRE

• From Kentucky, North Carolina, Nashville.
• A band formed in 1989 by Scott Vestal (banjo) following his stint with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Bandmates included Wayne Benson (mandolin), Robert Hale (guitar) and Ernie Sykes (bass).
• They were considered a newgrass band at the time because of their used of amplifiers and untraditional material.
• 1990, released one and only album Wired! (Rounder).

LOAFER’S GLORY

• From Los Angeles, CA.
• Formed in 2010 by Herb Pederson (guitar), Bill Bryson (bass), Tom Sauber (fiddle) and Pat Sauber (banjo).
• Pederson and Bryson have worked in many bands together including the Desert Rose Band and the Laurel Canyon Ramblers. Tom Sauber and son Pat are well-known Southern California bluegrassmusicians. Pat also works frequently with Laurie Lewis, the Bladerunners and the Brombies and was featured in the 2003 movie “A Mighty Wind.”
• The band got it’s name from an obscure Flatt and Scruggs song, Loafer’s Glory (recorded in 1965)
• 2012, released Loafer’s Glory album (Arhoolie).

LOCUST RIDGE

• From Locust Ridge, Tennessee (east Tennessee).
• A gospel group featuring the Allen Brothers: Russell (guitar), Josh (mandolin) and Larry (bass). Also in the band, their close friend Andy Blalock (guitar). They all attend Evans Chapel Baptist Church in Locust Ridge.
• 2013, released Healed album (Rural Rhythm) with special guests Steve Gulley, Dale Ann Bradley and Justin Moses.

LONESOME HIGHWAY

• From Romney, West Virginia.
• Formed in 1996.
• Members (2011): John Arnold (banjo), Jimmy Kountz (mandolin), Buddy Dunlap (guitar), Mason Wright (fiddle) and Cody Brown (bass).
• 1999, released first album “Look Back on Love” (no label).
• 2004, released “Chalk Up Another One” album (no label).
• 2011, released Got Away With Murder album (no label).

LONESOME MEADOW

• From Westerville, Ohio (near Columbus).
• A family band featuring three siblings: Anne Marie Jackson (fiddle), John Jackson (guitar), Gary Jackson (banjo) and their dad Mark Jackson (bass).
• Formed in 2005 at an open mic night at Webb’s Country Kitchen in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee.
• 2010, released their 4th album “Carry Me Away.”
• 2011, released their 5th album “Sittin’ on a Sidewalk” produced by Don Rigsby.

THE LONESOME PINE FIDDLERS

• Originally from Balsden, West Virginia (coal mining region).
• A hillbilly string band founded in 1937 by brothers Ned, Ray and Ezra Cline.
• 1942, Ned died in the Normandy Invasion (D-Day, WW II).
• 1949, Scruggs-style banjo player Larry Richardson joined the band, giving it a more bluegrass sound. Bobby Osborne was playing guitar at the time.
• 1951, Richardson and Osborne left, replaced by Paul Williams and the Goins Brothers.
• 1952-1954, recorded for RCA Victor.
• 1955, disbanded, then reunited in 1961 with the Goins Brothers, Ezra and “Curly Ray” Cline.
• 1963, disbanded for good.
• 2009, inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Windy Mountain (Bear Family).
• Bluegrass Collection (Gusto).

THE LONESOME RIVER BAND

• From Ferrum, Virginia.
• Formed in 1983 by Tim Austin and Jerry McMillan. Current and former members of the band include Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Dale Perry, Kenny Smith, Ricky Simpkons, Sammy Shelor, Ronnie Bowman, Don Rigsby, Darrell Webb, Jeff Parker and Brandon Rickman.
• 1995, founding member Tim Austin (guitar) left the band to develop his own recording studio and label, Doobie Shea Records. He is a top sound engineer for the Grand Ole Opry and touring country music shows.
• 1996 line-up: Ronnie Bowman (bass, lead vocals), Sammy Shelor (banjo), Kenny Smith (guitar), Don Rigsby (mandolin).
• 1998, all four members of the band won IBMA awards: Bowman (Male Vocalist), Shelor (Banjo Player), Smith (Guitar Player), and Rigsby (Recorded Event, Song of the Year for his work with “Longview”).
• 2000, Ricky Simpkins joined the band.
• 2001, Bowman, Smith, Rigsby and Simpkins departed en masse. Shelor acquired the band name and re-organized the group with new members: Brandon Rickman (guitar), Jeff Parker (mandolin), Barry Berrier (bass) and Mike Hartgrove (fiddle). Irl Hees soon replaced Berrier.
• 2011, Shelor received the Steve Martin prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.
• 2012, won the IBMA Award for Instrumental Recording of the Year (for “Angeline the Baker” from Life Goes On album featuring various artists (Musicians Against Childhood Cancer).
• 2012, Shelor won the IBMA Award for Banjo Player of the Year.
• 2014 lineup: Shelor (banjo), Rickman (guitar), Hartgrove (fiddle), Barry Reed (bass) and Randy Jones (mandolin.)
• 2015, Jesse Smathers (mandolin) joined the group, replacing Randy Jones.
• 2017, Smathers won the IBMA Momentum Award for Vocalist of the Year.
• 2021, Brandon Rickman (guitar) departed and was replaced by Adam Miller (mandolin). Smathers switched from mandolin to guitar. Also, Barry Reed (bass) was replaced by Kameron Keller.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

• Looking for Yourself (Rebel, 1989) First CD with band that included Tim Austin, Dan Tyminski, Jerry MacMillian and Dale Perry.
• Carrying the Tradition (Rebel, 1991) Their landmark album featuring Tyminski, Austin, plus new members Ronnie Bowman and Sammy Shelor.
• Old Country Town (Sugar Hill, 1994) Another classic LRB album featuring strong vocals by Tyminski and Bowman.
• One Step Forward (Sugar Hill, 1996) First of three albums with Bowman, Shelor and new members Don Rigsby and Kenny Smith.
• Finding The Way (Sugar Hill, 1998)
• Talkin to Myself (Sugar Hill, 2000)
• Window of Time (Doobie Shea, 2002) First album with the new lineup: Shelor plus Brandon Rickman, Jeff Parker, Mike Hartgrove, Irl Hees.
• Head on Into Heartache (Mountain Home, 2005)
• Road With No End (Mountain Home, 2006)
• Best of the Sugar Hill Years (Sugar Hill, 2007)
• No Turning Back (Rural Rhythm, 2008)
• Still Learning (Rural Rhythm, 2010)
• Chronology, Volume 1 (Rural Rhythm, 2012) A celebration of the band’s 30 years together featuring re-do’s of LRB favorites.
• Chronology, Volume 2 (Rural Rhythm, 2012)
• Chronology, Volume 3 (Rural Rhythm, 2012)
• Turn on a Dime (Mountain Home, 2014)
• Bridging the Tradition (Mountain Home, 2016)
• Mayhayley’s House (Mountain Home, 2017)
• Outside Looking In (Mountain Home, 2019)
• Singing Up There: A Tribute to the Easter Brothers (Mountain Home 2021)
• Heydey (Mountain Home, 2022)
• The Winning Hand (Mountain Home, 2024)

THE LONESOME TRIO

• From New York City.
• A trio formed in 1993 at Oberlin College by Ed Helms (banjo/guitar), Ian Riggs (bass) and Jacob Tilove (mandolin). They were originally called “Weedkiller.”
• Helms is an actor and comedian (“The Office,” “Hangover,” “The Daily Show”) and founder of The Bluegrass Situation.
• 2015, released first album The Lonesome Trio (Sugar Hill).

DAVID LONG

• From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• A Monroe-style mandolin player, influenced by Frank Wakefield and Mike Compton.
• 2001, joined The Wildwood Valley Boys.
• 2003, worked with Karl Shiflett’s Big Country Show.
• 2003, released solo project “Midnight from Memphis” (no label).
• 2004, teamed up with guitarist Chris Sharp to form the Chris Sharp and David Long Band.
• 2005, released “One Hand on the Radio” album (Chris Sharp and David Long).
• 2006, recorded an album of Monroe-style duets called Stomp with Mike Compton (Acoustic Disk).
• 2013, joined Todd Grebe and Cold Country.
• 2014, re-joined Karl Shiflett’s Big Country Show.
• 2018, joined Pennsylvania band The Casual Hobos.

LIZZY LONG (LITTLE ROY AND LIZZY SHOW)

• From Lincolnton, Georgia.
• Lizzy is short for Elizabeth.
• Sings and plays all the bluegrass instruments and piano.
• She is the foster daughter of Little Roy Lewis.
• Has a degree in musical orchestration and arranging from Belmont University.
• She is also a luthier, building fiddles in her home shop.
• 2006, worked in a band called Mountain Fury with her twin sister Rebekah.
• 2006, recorded Lifetimes album with Little Roy Lewis and Earl Scruggs (Mountain Home).
• 2009, began performing with Little Roy Lewis as The Little Roy and Lizzie Show.
• 2012, released Lord in the Morning album (Pisgah Ridge).
• 2016, released Good Time, Down Home album (Provident).
• 2017, released solo project, Blueberry Pie (Vine).
• 2017, released Going Home album (StowTown).

LONG ROAD HOME

• From Boulder, Colorado
• Formed by Justin Hoffenberg (fiddle) and Martin Gilmore (guitar) in 2005. Band also includes Pete Wernick (banjo), Jordan Ramsey (mandolin) and Andrew Bonnis (bass).
• 2013, released EP “Headed Back to Dixieland.”

LONGVIEW

• A project band made up of musicians who at the time were performing with other bands: Dudley Connell (Seldom Scene), James King (The James King Band), Joe Mullins, Don Rigsby (Lonesome River Band/Rock County), Glen Duncan (Rock County) and Marshall Wilborn (The Lynn Morris Band).
• The idea for this band originated at the Denton, NC bluegrass festival in 1994, when Don Rigsby, Dudley Connell and James King sang together in a group called The Rounder All-Stars.
• The name comes from the recording studio: The Long View Farm, in North Brookfield, Mass.
• 1997, recorded first album Longview (Rounder) which won the IBMA Award in 1998 for Recorded Event of the Year and Song of the Year (for “Lonesome Old Home”).
• 1999, recorded High Lonesome album (Rounder).
• 2002, recorded Lessons In Stone album (Rounder).
• 2003, Scott Vestal replaced Joe Mullins (banjo) for live shows.
• 2008, the group re-formed to record Deep in the Mountains album (Rounder) with three original members King, Wilborn and Rigsby plus Lou Reid, J.D. Crowe and Ron Stewart.

THE LOOSE STRINGS BAND

• From Galax, Virginia.
• Formed in 2005 as an all-girl kid band.
• 2012, released Next Chapter album (no label).
• 2013, released Everlasting Faith album (no label).
• 2015, released Journey With No End album (no label). By this time all the girls were between the ages of 17 and 21.
• Members: Ashley Nate (banjo), Avery Davis (fiddle), Channing Russell (guitar), Grace Wilson (bass) and Lindsey Nale (mandolin).
• 2019: Grace Davis (formerly Wilson) left the band to play full-time with Shannon Slaughter’s group County Clare. She is married to banjo player Jason Davis.

LOOSE TIES

• From Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
• Formed in 1985 by Phil Round (guitar/bass), Ben Winship (mandolin) and Ted Wells (banjo). They previously performed together in a Vermont-based group called The Homegrown Revue.
• Avid skiers, they moved to Jackson Hole to work in ski resorts.
• 1986, won the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band championship.
• 1987, won second in the Kentucky Fried Chicken “Best New Bluegrass Bands” contest in Louisville. First place was won by Alison Krauss and Union Station.
• 1988, recorded a classic Christmas album called Yule Ties (Snake River).
• 1991, released “Up & Down the Highway” album (Snake River).
• 1994, released “Tangled Roots” album (Blue Planet).
• Name origin: “We are loosely tied to traditional bluegrass.”
• Original guitarist Joel Kaserman is from Australia. Rex Flinner (brother of Matt Flinner) also played guitar.
• Banjo player Ted Wells has the distinction of being the first and only graduate of St. Lawrence University with a banjo degree.
• 1994, John Lowell (Kane’s River) joined the band to play guitar.
• September, 1996, played last concert.
• Mandolinist Ben Winship went on to work with the Judith Edelman Band and Kane’s River.
• 2008, the band reunited for a sold out show at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts.
• 2009, founding member Phil Round formed the Snake River Band.

LOST & FOUND

• From Ferrum, Virginia.
• Formed in 1973. Original members: Allen Mills (bass, lead vocals), Gene Parker (banjo), Roger Handy (guitar) and Dempsey Young (mandolin).
• Began recording in 1976 on the Outlet label, then were signed to Rebel Records in 1980.
• On the name, says Mills, “At the time we started this band, all of us were lost in other bands; but we found each other through a mutual love for bluegrass music.”
• Bass player and bandleader Allen Mills previously worked with the Easter Brothers and a country group called the T-Birds. As a songwriter, he is best known for “Love of the Mountains,” which has become a bluegrass standard.
• Mills and Young formed the core of the group and preserved it’s sound. Other band members have included over the years Ronnie Bowman, Barry Berrier, Shane Bartley, Greg Luck, Jody King, Lynwood Lunsford, John Lewis, Scottie Sparks, Ben Green, Steve Wilson and others.
• 1992, released January Rain album (Rebel).
• 1994, released Hymn Time album (Rebel).
• 1994, released “Just Pickin'” album (Copper Creek)
• 1994, released a “best of”‘album Classic Bluegrass(Rebel).
• 1995, released A Ride Through the Country album (Rebel).
• 1996, released Across the Blue Ridge Mountains album (Rebel).
• 2002, released It’s About Time album (Rebel).
• 2006, mandolinist Dempsey Young died from an apparent suicide.
• 2009, released Love, Lost and Found album (Rebel).
• 2011, released Down On Sawmill Road album (Rebel).
• 2014 lineup: Mills (bass), Dan Wells (guitar), Ronald Smith (banjo) and Scott Napier (mandolin).

LOST HIGHWAY

• From Southern California (Riverside County).
• 1974, the original band was formed by Dave Dickey (guitar), Walden Dahl (mandolin), Pat Brayer (fiddle), Nick Haney (bass) and Lauren Seapy (banjo).
• 1978, Dahl and Brayer left the band. Jerry Service (fiddle) joined and band leader Dickey switched to playing mandolin. Guitarist Ken Orrick also joined and eventually became the band leader (after Dickey departed a couple of years later). Orrick was originally from Smithville, Tennessee. He previously played in a gospel group called the Premanaires, which included Faye DeMent (older sister of Iris DeMent).
• 1979, released “Hard Road to Travel” album (no label).
• 1981, Stuart Duncan (fiddle) joined the band, replacing original member and band leader Dave Dickey (mandolin).
• 1982, released “Lost Highway” album (no label), recorded at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas (Duncan was a student there at the time).
• 1983, Duncan left the band to join Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers. He was replaced by Jeff Harvey (mandolin).
• 1985, released “Memories of the Past” album (no label).
• 1987, the group disbanded and then re-united in 1996. Members of the “new” Lost Highway included Ken Orrick (guitar) and Jeff Harvey (mandolin) who were with the group previously. New members: Dick Brown (banjo), Paul Shelasky (fiddle) and Marshall Andrews (bass).
• 1998, released “November Rain” album (no label)
• 1999, released Headin Down That Lost Highway album (Hay Holler).
• 2000, mandolinist Harvey was replaced by Eric Uglum.
• 2000, released Lifetime of Sorrow album (Hay Holler).
• 2004, Andrews and Shelasky left the band and were replaced by Joe Ash (bass) and Mike Tatar, Jr. (fiddle).
• 2004, released Bluegrass the Way You Like It album (Hay Holler).
• 2006, they performed in Oman (southeastern coast of the Arabian peninsula).
• 2007-2009, Orrick continued to perform with various part-time musicians but largely was unable to keep the band together due to his failing health. He died in 2009 at the age of 68.

EDGAR LOUDERMILK

• From Eastanolee, Georgia.
• Has been playing the bass since age 9.
• He is related to the Louvin Brothers (their given names are Ira and Charles Loudermilk).
• 2001, joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
• 2002, joined Marty Raybon and Full Circle.
• 2007, joined Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.
• 2011, released solo project Roads Traveled (Mountain Fever).
• 2013, released second solo project My Big Chance Tomorrow (Mountain Fever).
• 2013, announced that he was leaving IIIrd Tyme Out to pursue his career as a solo artist and songwriter.
• 2013, formed a duo with Dave Adkins.
• 2015, formed a new group with guitarist Jeff Autry, The Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry.
• 2016, released Georgia Maple album (Pinecastle).
• 2019, released Lonesome Riverboat Blues album (Rural Rhythm).
• 2024, won SPBGMA’s Bass Player of the Year award and added Jake Goforth (guitar) to his band. Other band members: Zack Autry (mandolin) and Anthony Howell (banjo).

THE LOUVIN BROTHERS

• From Henegar, Alabama (on Sand Mountain).
• Brothers Ira and Charlie Loudermilk began singing together as teenagers in the 1940’s. They later changed their performing name to Louvin and became one of the most popular brother duets in country music during the 50’s and 60’s.
• 1955, joined the Grand Ole Opry.
• Changes in the country music industry coupled with Ira’s alcoholism and erratic behavior led to a breakup in 1963. Charlie continued performing as a solo artist and had several chart-topping singles including “See the Big Man Cry” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore.”
• Ira died in an auto accident on Father’s Day, 1965.
• Charlie formed a duo for several with Charles Whitstein (of the Whitstein Brothers), recreating the duet harmonies of the Louvin Brothers.
• Many of their songs have become bluegrass standards: “I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby,” “I Wish You Knew” and “Ashes of Love” to name a few.
• 1992, The Louvin Brothers were honored with an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award for their lifetime contributions to bluegrass music.
• 1994, Charlie recorded a bluegrass album called “Bluegrass Style” (Niptune).
• 2010, Charlie authored a book titled Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers.
• Charlie died January 26, 2011.

RECOMMENDED ALBUMS:

• Complete Recorded Works: 1952-62 (Enlightenment)
• Louvin Brothers – 20 All Time Greatest Hits (TeeVee)
• Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers (featuring various artists/Universal)
• Satan is Real (Capitol, 1996)

LOVE CANON

• From Charlottesville, Virginia.
• Formed in 2010 by Jesse Harper (guitar) and Adam Larabee (banjo). They were joined by Andy Thacker (mandolin), Darrell Muller (bass) and Nate Leath (fiddle).
• Larabee teaches music at the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University. He is also a former member of Joy Kills Sorrow.
• Harper teaches music at Woodberry Forest School. He is a former member of Old School Freight Train.
• They play covers of popular 80’s songs.
• 2012, released two albums: “Greatest Hits” and “Greatest Hits Volume 2.”

PATTY LOVELESS

• From Pikeville, Kentucky (lives in Nashville.)
• Began her professional music career as a teenager singing with the Wilburn Brothers. Her name was Patricia Ramey at the time. She married the Wilburn’s drummer, Terry Loveless upon graduation from high school.
• Had dozens of #1 country hits including “You Can Feel Bad (If It Makes You Feel Better),” “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye,” etc.
• 1988, became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
• As of 2001, has won 19 CMA Awards including the Horizon Award (twice), Female Vocalist of the Year (seven times), Album of the Year (four times), Single of the Year (three times), Vocal Event of the Year (four times).
• 2001, recorded her first bluegrass album Mountain Soul and appeared on the Down from the Mountain tour with many bluegrass and traditional artists.
• 2002, co-hosted (with Ricky Skaggs) the IBMA Awards Show.
• 2009, released Mountain Soul II (Saguaro Road).
• 2010, released Christmas album Bluegrass & White Snow: A Mountain Christmas (Saguaro Road).
• 2011, won the Bluegrass Grammy for Mountain Soul II.
  “

THE LOVELL SISTERS

• From Calhoun, Georgia.
• Three sisters: (ages in 2009) Jessica, fiddle (23), Megan, Dobro™(19) and Rebecca, mandolin (18).
• They have often been compared to the Dixie Chicks.
• 2006, released first album When Forever Rolls Around (2DefPigs).
• 2009, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry; released Time To Grow album (2DefPigs).
• 2010, Jessica left the group and the two remaining sisters (Megan and Rebecca) renamed their act “Larkin Poe,” after a distant relative. They also began transitioning to a more folk-rock sound.

LOWCOUNTRY BOIL BLUEGRASS BAND

• From Bluffton, South Carolina (the “lowcountry” of South Carolina, near Hilton Head).
• Formed in 1998 by members of a rock band called Daly Planet.
• They call their music “bluegrass on crack.” A fusion of rock and bluegrass.
• Have opened for Vassar Clements, Donna the Buffalo, the David Nelson Band.
• 2015, released Strings & Envy album (no label).

NED LUBERECKI

• From Baltimore, Maryland; lives in Nashville.
• Nickname: “Nedski.”
• Has played banjo with Tony Trischka’s Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular Band, The Rarely Herd, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, The Jim Hurst Band, Radio Flyer, Paul Adkins & The Borderline Band and the Apocalyptic Cowboys.
• 2003, joined Chris Jones and the Night Drivers.
• 2010, recorded and toured with guitarist Stephen Mougin as Nedski and Mojo.
• He is a DJ on Sirius/XM’s Bluegrass Junction. He is also the backstage announcer for the IBMA Awards Show.
• 2016, joined the Becky Buller Band full-time.
• 2018, won the IBMA Award for Banjo Player of the Year.
• 2023, won the IBMA Award for Broadcaster of the Year.
• 2024, was inducted into the American Banjo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

GREG LUCK

• From Pinehurst, North Carolina.
• A multi-instrumentalist, he learned to play all the bluegrass instruments at a very high level as a teenager.
• 1986, joined Redwing upon graduation from high school.
• 1989, joined the Lost and Found, playing banjo.
• 1991-2, worked with the Lynn Morris Band.
• 1993, joined the Bluegrass Cardinals, playing guitar and fiddle (after Clay Jones joined them.)
• Also a successful songwriter. Co-wrote “The Healing Kind” with Ronnie Bowman, which was recorded by Ronnie and also Dan Seals, LeAnn Womack.
• 1997, joined J.D. Crowe and the New South, playing guitar, singing lead.
• Has his own recording studio. Has engineered recordings by Lou Reid and Carolina, Mark Newton, Country Gentlemen, many others.
• 2002, joined Third Tyme Out, playing fiddle.
• 2005, joined the Circuit Riders.
• 2011, joined HeartTown.
• 2014, joined Sideline.

LYNWOOD LUNSFORD

• From Axton, Virginia.
• 1978-1983, played banjo with the Country Cousins (with his father and two cousins).
• 1984-1985, Stoney Run with Kim Gardner
• 1985-1987, Big Sandy
• 1987-1989, James King Band
• 1990-1991, Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys
• 1991-1996, the Lost and Found
• 1997-1998, Sand Mountain
• 1998, formed a group called Savannah with Bubba Chandler.
• 1999, formed Lynwood Lunsford and the Misty Valley Boys. Recorded several albums for Hay Holler Records.
• 2006, joined Big Country Bluegrass.
• 2021, joined The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band.

TED LUNDY (AND THE SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN BOYS)

• From Wilmington, Delaware, near the Pennsylvania border; originally from Galax, Virginia.
• A renowned banjo player and band leader of the 1960’s and 70’s.
• Appeared frequently with Alex and Ola Belle and the New River Boys on WWVA radio, Wheeling, West Virginia.
• Won many first-place awards at the Galax Fiddler’s Conventions of the 1960’s.
• Teamed up with guitarist Bob Paisley in the 1970’s, forming Ted Lundy, Bob Paisley, and the Southern Mountain Boys.
• Was a mentor to James King, whose father played in Lundy’s band in 1968.
• 1980, committed suicide by jumping off a bridge.
• Lundy’s sons Bob and T.J. play with Dan Paisley (son of Bob Paisley) and the Southern Grass.
• 2012, a retrospective album was released Ted Lundy and the Southern Mountain Boys (no label).

CLAIRE LYNCH

• Originally from Kingston, New York. Moved to Alabama at age 12.
• 1974, formed The Front Porch String Band in Birmingham, Alabama with husband Larry. Disbanded the group in 1982 to start a family.
• Has sang on albums by Linda Rondstadt, John Starling, Pam Tillis, Ralph Stanley, Skip Ewing, Dolly Parton, Kathy Mattea, Emmy Lou Harris, Patty Loveless, many others.
• Has written many songs recorded by such artists as Patty Loveless, the Whites, Kathy Mattea, The Seldom Scene, Pierce Pettis, Valerie Smith, others.
• 1990, began touring again with a reorganized Front Porch String Band.
• 1993, released Friends for a Lifetime album (Brentwood Music). Re-released in 1998 on Rounder Records.
• 1997, released Silver & Gold album (Rounder), nominated for a Grammy in the Best Bluegrass category.
• 2000, disbanded the Front Porch String Band once again to spend more time at home with her family.
• 2000, released Lovelight album (Rounder), nominated for a Grammy in the Best Bluegrass category.
• 2000-2002, toured with Dolly Parton, providing background vocals.
• 2005, returned to performing and recording with her own band.
• 2006, released New Day album (Rounder).
• 2007, released Crowd Favorites album (Rounder).
• 2009, released Whatcha Gonna Do album (Rounder).
• 2013, released Dear Sister album (Compass).
• 2013, won her third IBMA award for Female Vocalist of the Year (also won in 1997 and 2010).
• 2014, released Holiday! album (Thrill Hill).
• 2014, won IBMA awards for Song of the Year (for “Dear Sister,” co-written by Louisa Branscomb and Claire Lynch) and Recorded Event of the Year (for “Wild Montana Skies” with the Special Consensus and Rob Ickes).
• 2019, won IBMA Award for Gospel Recording of the Year for “Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout,” written by Rick Lang.

CHRISTIE LYNN

• From Samson, Alabama
• 1995, met Porter Wagoner at Opryland USA. He auditioned her and she sang with him until 2002.
• 2002, began performing southern rock with Brave New South and the Southern Rock Allstars, bands made up of former members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot.
• 2006, recorded album “Christie Lynn sings Country-Gospel-Bluegrass” with special guests Ralph Stanley, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. The album was produced by Wagoner.