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Grascals, The

WR

THE GRASCALS

  • From Nashville.
  • Formed in 2004 by Terry Eldredge (guitar), Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), David Talbot (banjo), Danny Roberts (mandolin), Jamie Johnson (guitar) and Terry Smith (bass).
  • Eldridge, Talbot and Johnson appeared on a 2001 album called “The Little Grasscals: Nashville’s Superpickers.” This led to their choosing the name The Grascals as their new band name.
  • 2004, began by touring with Dolly Parton on her “Hello I’m Dolly” tour. Released single “Viva Las Vegas” with Dolly singing a verse.
  • 2005, released The Grascals album (Rounder Records).
  • 2005, won IBMA award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
  • 2005, won IBMA award for Song of the Year (“Me and John and Paul”)
  • 2005, opened for country artists Brooks and Dunn in New York City.
  • 2006, 2007 won IBMA award for Entertainer of the Year.
  • 2006-2009, they were sponsored by Mayberry’s Finest (a food distributor).
  • 2006, released Long List of Heartaches album (Rounder) with guests Steve Wariner, George Jones, Dierks Bentley and the Jordanaires.
  • 2006, banjo player David Talbot left to work full-time with Dolly Parton, replaced by Aaron McDaris.
  • 2008, released Keep on Walkin album (Rounder).
  • 2008, fiddle player Jimmy Mattingly left the band to work with Dolly Parton, replaced by Jeremy Abshire.
  • 2008, banjo player Aaron McDaris was replaced by Kristin Scott Benson.
  • 2008 (November), performed at the White House for a reception honoring President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney and their wives.
  • 2009, sponsored by Mobil Delvac (a diesel engine oil).
  • 1010, released The Famous Lefty Flynn’s album (Rounder).
  • 2010, an RV park in Dothan, Alabama was named after them: “The Grascals Bluegrass Hollow RV Park.”
  • 2010, toured with Hank Williams, Jr., recorded with Dierks Bentley.
  • 2011, released Dance Til Your Stockings Are Hot & Ravelin: A Tribute To The Music Of The Andy Griffith Show (Saguaro Road Records).
  • 2011, released album The Grascals and Friends: Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin with many guest artists (Cracker Barrel).
  • 2012, released Life Finds A Way album (Mountain Home).
  • 2013, released When I Get My Pay album (Mountain Home).
  • 2015, Jamie Johnson left the band and was replaced by guitarist/vocalist John Bryan (whose grandfather Willard Watson is a first cousin of Doc Watson’s.)
  • 2015, released And Then There’s This album (Mountain Home).
  • 2018, released Before Breakfast album (Mountain Home).
  • 2018, banjo player Kristin Scott Benson won the IBMA Award for Banjo Player of the Year. She also was given the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo.
  • 2019, Terry Eldredge left the band and was replaced by Chris Davis.
  • 2019, released Straighten the Curves album (Mountain Home).
  • 2022, Chris Davis left the band and was replaced by original member Jamie Johnson after a seven-year hiatus.
  • 2023, lineup included Jamie Johnson (guitar), Terry Smith (bass), Danny Roberts (mandolin), Kristen Scott Benson (banjo), John Bryan (guitar) and Adam Haynes (fiddle). Haynes departed the band in early ’23 to work with Rhonda Vincent. He was replaced by Jamie Harper (formerly with Sideline and Junior Sisk).
  • 2024, released 20 album, celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band (Mountain Home).