Knoxville Grass, The

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THE KNOXVILLE GRASS

  • From Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • Formed in 1976. Early members were Jimmy Millsapps (banjo), Glenn Laney (guitar & banjo), Paul Brewster (guitar), Darryl Wolfe (mandolin), Mike Davis (bass). Mark Newton (mandolin), Gary Ferguson (banjo & guitar), Byron Doss (fiddle) and Karl Tomasso (bass) were later members of this band.
  • Home base: Buddy’s Bar-B-Q in Knoxville, where they performed regularly.
  • 1977, released self-titled album on Atteiram Records.
  • 1978, released “Darby’s Castle” album (Thunderhead).
  • 1979, released “Evolution” album (Thunderhead).
  • 1980, released “Live at Buddy’s Barbecue” (Vasari).
  • 1981, released “Painted Lady” album (Leather).
  • Newton left to form the Virginia Squires. He has since performed and recorded as a solo artist.
  • Brewster went on to work with the Pinnacle Boys, the Osborne Brothers and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
  • 1997, Laney formed a new group called The Knoxville Bluegrass Band.
  • 2000, they re-united to play the Graves Mountain Bluegrass Festival (produced by Mark Newton).
  • 2001, Laney died of cancer.