Bluegrass Bios A

THE ABEELS

A family band from Disputanta, Virginia
Jack and Anne Abeel and their two daughters Amanda and Charity.
Jack and Anne are graphic artists who met in art school.
1995, released first album, produced by Missy Raines.

THE ABRAMS BROTHERS

From Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
John Abrams (born 1990) performs on fiddle, mandolin and guitar.
James Abrams (born 1993) performs on fiddle, mandolin and acoustic bass.
They are fourth generation musicians. They credit their great-grandparents with passing on their musical talent.
2003, won the Thomas Point Beach (Maine) band competition. The name of the band at that time was "The Abrams Family and Clarendon Station."
Their grandparents and great-grandparents performed in a gospel group called "The Missionaries."
The current band includes a master of the mandolin and guitar, Bob Burtch, and three generations of the Abrams family: grandfather Wayne (singer, songwriter and luthier), father Brian and the boys.
2005, made first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry as guests of Mike Snider.
2005, won "Emerging Artist of the Year" (Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards) and were the youngest Canadian band to ever play the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
2006, performed at the European World of Bluegrass in the Netherlands.
2012, released "Northern Redemption" CD.

THE ACOUSTICATS

From Ventura County, California.
Led by fiddler Phil Salazar.
Formed in 1989, originally The Phil Salazar Band (1983-1989).
Featured the twin fiddles of Salazar and Charlann Gastineau, both champion fiddlers.
Broke up in 1995.

ACOUSTIC BLUE

From Springfield, Massachusetts.
Band members: Corey Zink (mandolin), T. Shaun Batho (guitar), Larry Neu (banjo), Ray Evans (bass).
2012, released "Bein' Country" on Mountain Fever Records with guests Sammy Shelor, Gena Britt and Mike Hartgrove.

ACOUSTIC ENDEAVORS

From Jonesboro, Tennessee.
Formed by Warren Amberson (bass) and Kelly Green (guitar) in 1994.
Amberson performed with the U.S. Army Bluegrass Band in Europe (the first Army bluegrass band in history).
Strong ties to East Tennessee State University (students or alumni).
2000, added banjo player John Lawless of AcuTab Publications, publisher of music instruction books and videos.

ROY ACUFF (AND THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN BOYS)

From Maynardsville, Tennessee.
Known as "The King of Country Music" (Originally called "The King of the Hillbillies").
A man of many talents: a professional baseball player, an actor in a touring medicine show, a recording artist with several million-sellers to his credit, a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years, a star of radio, television and movies, a co-founder of one of the most famous music publishing companies in the world, co-founder of a record company, candidate for Governor of Tennessee, owner of a recreational park, director of a museum, a Shriner, owner of a peacock hatchery, a songwriter, a musician, and the first living person elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
1962, was elected to Country Music Hall of Fame.
1936, first sang "The Great Speckled Bird," at the Grand Ole Opry with his band "The Crazy Tennesseans" (The song comes from a passage in the Bible, Jeremiah 12:9).
1938, joined the Grand Ole Opry and was its first international star.1974, taught President Richard Nixon how to yo-yo on stage at the Grand Ole Opry.
Had a collection of more than 2200 miniature liquor bottles; also collected dolls, guns and musical instruments.
Died in 1992 at age 89.

TINA ADAIR (THE ADAIRS)

From Haleyville, Alabama.
A family band also known as Bluegrass Edition.
1996, won first place at the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown in Owensboro, Kentucky.
1997, Tina recorded a solo project for Sugar Hill, produced by Jerry Douglas.

TOM ADAMS

From Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A civil war buff, he lives in a pre-civil war house.
As a teen, played in a family band called "The Adams Brothers and Dad" (played mandolin).
1980, had a band called Tom Adams and the Double Eagle Band with Chris Warner on mandolin/banjo. Tom also played guitar in that band.
1983-1985, played banjo with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys.
1985, managed a Domino's Pizza in Nashville.
1986-1995, joined The Johnson Mountain Boys.
1988-1991, joined The Lynn Morris Band.
1992, The Johnson Mountain Boys (reunion).
1993, worked with Tony Trischka and Tony Furtado as "The Rounder Banjo Extravaganza."
1992, 1993, 2002, won IBMA award for Banjo Player of the Year.
1998, joined Blue Highway.
2000, joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
2001, joined Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek. Also teaches banjo, guitar and mandolin.
2002, developed a neurological disorder called "focal dystonia" which affected the middle finger of his right hand and his ability to play the banjo.
2004, won IBMA Award for Instrumental Album of the Year ("Live at the Ragged Edge" with Michael Cleveland).
2006, formed new band "Seneca Rocks" with Dudley Connell, David McLaughlin, Sally Love and Marshall Wilborn.
2008, teamed up with banjo player Chris Warner to form "Chris Warner and Diamond Joe" (guitar and lead vocals)
2008, joined Bill Emerson's "Sweet Dixie" band (guitar and lead vocals).
2009, joined Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper (guitar and lead vocals).
2011, left Michael Cleveland's band.

EDDIE (AND MARTHA) ADCOCK

Native of Scottsville, Virginia (lives in Lebanon, Tennessee.)
Full name: Edward Windsor Adcock.
1954, first pro job, working for Smokey Graves and the Blue Star Boys.
1956, worked with Mac Wiseman.
1958, worked with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.
1959, joined the fledgling Country Gentlemen, and the band takes off.
1970, left the Country Gentlemen. Moved to California, grew his hair long and played rock music under the pseudonym "Clinton Codack" (anagram of 'Adcock').
1971, formed band with Jimmy Gaudreau called the II (also spelled Second or IInd) Generation.
1973, meets Martha Hearon (guitar) who becomes a member of II Generation.
1976, Eddie & Martha marry and become a duo act, return to a band format, then play original country rock and fusion bluegrass.
1978, Eddie invents the "Gitbo", a double-neck combination electric guitar and electrified acoustic banjo.
1984, 1985, Adcocks tour with David Allan Coe.
1985, Adcocks form Talk Of The Town with Missy Raines, eventually becoming The Eddie Adcock Band.
1990, 1991, performed with "The Masters"—featuring Eddie on banjo and guitar, Jesse McReynolds on mandolin, Josh Graves on Dobro™, and Kenny Baker on fiddle.
1996, inducted into the IBMA's Hall of Fame as a member of the 'Classic' Country Gentlemen: Eddie, Charlie Waller, John Duffey, and Tom Gray.
Considered one of the pioneers of "new acoustic music" or "newgrass," a fusion of bluegrass with jazz and other non-traditional styles.
Eddie is also a master auto mechanic, drag racer, inventor, and former boxer.
Eddie & Martha have been called "The Sonny & Cher of Bluegrass." They call their music "twograss."
Eddie and Martha organize and host an annual "Christmas Bluegrass Benefit Concert for the Homeless" at Nashville's Station Inn.
2004, had triple heart-bypass surgery.
2008, and twice in 2011, had brain surgery to correct a tremor in his right hand which prevented him from playing the banjo. The surgery, known as "Deep Brain Stimulation," was done while he was still awake and played the banjo to help the surgeons know when they had reached the part of his brain which controlled his hand. The story of this first-of-its-kind procedure was carried in many international newspapers and TV broadcasts, including ABC's "Good Morning America."

DAVE ADKINS (AND REPUBLIK STEELE)

From Elkhorn City, Kentucky.
Adkins began performing at age 8. Spent two years playing country music at Dollywood theme park. Fans call him the Ray Charles of bluegrass (for his soulful singing). Plays guitar.
2011, formed Republik Steele with Kenny O'Quinn (mandolin), Danny Ray Stiltner (bass), Matthew Cruby (banjo), Wesley Wolfe (lead guitar).
Band name serves as a tribute to coal miners. The fathers & grandfathers of three of the band members worked for Republic Steel, a large mining company.
2013, releleased first project for Rural Rhythm Records.

PAUL ADKINS (AND BORDERLINE)

From West Virginia; lives in Middletown MD.
1972, first band: The Bluegrass Gospel Four from Wayne WV
1978, led a West Virginia band called "Southland Express."
1979. played guitar and sang lead for The Laurel Mountain Boys (Charleston, WV)
1980, joined Glen Duncan and Phoenix
1981, played with The Goins Brothers (Mandolin and harmony vocals)
1982, replaced Keith Whitley as lead singer and guitarist with J.D. Crowe and the New South.
1984, auditioned for job as lead singer with Seldom Scene, but joined Bill Harrell and the Virginians instead, playing mandolin.
1988, formed Paul Adkins and The Borderline Band.
1989-1998, recorded five albums for Rebel Records.
Band personnel (2011): Paul (mandolin), Jay Armsworthy (guitar), Chris Warner (banjo) Kevin Mallow (fiddle) and Heath Laird (bass)

DAVID AKEMAN ("STRINGBEAN")

Native of Annville, Kentucky.
The first banjo player in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1942-1945). Played "clawhammer" style.
Was replaced by Earl Scruggs.
Nickname: "Stringbean" (or "The Kentucky Wonder").
From 1945 until his death in 1973, was one of the most popular comedy performers on the Grand Ole Opry.
His costume–a long striped shirt, with his pants down around his knees and a funny little hat that he would flip just before striking his banjo.
A regular on the original "Hee Haw" television show.
Died Saturday night, November 10, 1973, after a Grand Ole Opry performance. Was gunned down in his front yard by robbers who were there when he returned home.

DARIN ALDRIDGE (DARIN AND BROOKE ALDRIDGE); See also CIRCUIT RIDERS)

From Cherryville, North Carolina.
Plays mandolin and teaches music from his home studio.
1995, played with an Americana group called "Acoustic Syndicate."
1997, joined the Country Gentlemen. Recorded three albums with them and played the 2005 presidential inauguration in Washington DC.
2001, released first solo project "In Time."
2004, recorded second solo project "Call It a Day" for Pinecastle Records.
2005, with other former members of the Country Gentlemen, formed a band called the Circuit Riders.
2008, released a project with Brooke Justice, a gospel singer. They are now married and perform together as a duo.

ALL 4 HYM

From Front Royal, Virginia.
A family band featuring Chester Kreitzer (guitar), Terri Kreitzer (vocals) and Cory Kreitzer (mandolin).
Formed in 1997.
Play bluegrass gospel music.
2008, first CD was produced by J.D. Crowe.
2011, released second CD "Faith and Family."

HARLEY ALLEN (THE ALLEN BROTHERS)

From Dayton, Ohio. Lives in Nashville.
Youngest son of bluegrass pioneer Red Allen.
1968, began performing at age 12 with brothers Greg, Neal and Ronnie. They recorded two albums as The Allen Brothers. They disbanded in 1974 when Neal passed away from pneumonia while on the road.
1975, joined J.D. Crowe's band, taking his father's place in the Kentucky Mountain Boys.
1982-1985, formed a band with Mike Lilly called the Allen-Lilly Band.
1988, worked with Tony Trischka's "Big Dogs."
1990, moved to Nashville to pursue career as a solo artist and songwriter.
1996, recorded first solo album for Mercury Records "Another River." Recorded second album "Live at the Bluebird" in 2001.
2000, appeared on the soundtrack to the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou." Won a Grammy for his work on that recording.
As a songwriter, he has written hundreds of songs recorded by such artists as Alan Jackson, Josh Turner, Daryl Worley, the Grascals, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, many others.
2004, won third Grammy for his work on "Livin', Lovin', Losin': The Songs of the Louvin Brothers."
2005, won BMI's "Songwriter of the Year" award.
Died of lung cancer on March 30, 2011 at age 55.

RED ALLEN (AND THE KENTUCKIANS)

From Pigeon Roost, Kentucky. Lived in Dayton, Ohio for most of his career.
Real name: Harley Allen.
Formed his first band "The Kentuckians" in the early 1950's.
Mid-1950's, teamed up with Sonny and Bobby Osborne to form the earliest recorded version of the Osborne Brothers.
Once filled in for Lester Flatt (with Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys) when Lester suffered a heart attack.
His band "The Kentuckians" has included such musicians as Bill Keith, Frank Wakefield, David Grisman, Porter Church, Bill Emerson and Scott Stoneman.
Late 1960's, worked with J.D. Crowe and Doyle Lawson in the Kentucky Mountain Boys.
Sons Harley, Greg and Neal performed together as "The Allen Brothers" in the early seventies. Neal died from pneumonia in 1974. Harley is singer/songwriter in Nashville.
1976, retired from music due in part to health problems (open-heart surgery).
1984, formed "The New Kentuckians."
1992, recorded an album with David Grisman, Herb Pederson and Jerry Garcia which was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Died of lung cancer, April 3, 1993.
2005, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Fame.

TRAVIS ALLTOP

From Grafton, Ohio. Lives in Stanford, Kentucky.
Began playing guitar at age 6.
1998, played with a band from Parkersburg, West Virginia called "License to Drive."
1998, played briefly with the Larry Stephenson Band.
1999, joined Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike.
2002, left the road as a touring musician to pursue his call to the ministry.
2007, became pastor of Bluegrass Pike Baptist Church in Danville, Kentucky.
2013, released "The Hallelujah Side," a gospel album.

ALTERNATE ROOTS

From Jefferson, North Carolina.
Formed in 1997.
Members include Scott Freeman (mandolin), Willard Gayheart (guitar), Katy Taylor (lead vocals), Randy Pasley (resophonic guitar), Tony Testerman (bass).
Gayheart and Freeman were previously with Skeeter and the Skidmarks.
Freeman is a songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Third Tyme Out, other bands.
Last performance: January 2006.

AMERICAN DRIVE

From Ohio/Eastern Kentucky area.
Formed in 2012 by former members of J.D.Crowe's band "The New South" (after Crowe retired.)
Members: Ricky Wasson (guitar), Dwight McCall (mandolin), Matt DeSpain (Dobro™), Justin Jenkins (banjo) and Kyle Perkins (bass).
2012, released first album on Rural Rhythm Records (self-titled).

BOB AMOS (See FRONT RANGE)

BILL ANDERSON

From Columbia, South Carolina (lives in Nashville)
Primarily a country singer and songwriter, known to millions as "Whisperin' Bill."
Has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1961.
Has had over 80 of his own singles reach the country charts, including "Still," "Bright Lights and Country Music," "Po' Folks."
Has written dozens of songs which were hits for other artists, beginning with "City Lights" (Ray Price) in 1958, which Bill wrote at age 19. Recent chart toppers: Alison Krauss/Brad Paisley hit "Whiskey Lullaby" (2005) and George Strait's "Give It Away" (2007). Both of those songs won the CMA Award for Song of the Year.
2001, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
2007, recorded "Whisperin' Bluegrass," his first bluegrass album, with guest appearances from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Vince Gill.

LYNN ANDERSON

Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Grew up in Sacramento, California.
Her mother, Liz Anderson, wrote several hit songs for Merle Haggard.
1967, joined the cast of Lawrence Welk's TV show.
1968, won Academy of Country Music award for Best Female Vocalist.
1970, released her biggest hit record, "Rose Garden" (written by Joe South). Won Grammy for "Best Country Performance, Female."
1971, won CMA award for Best Female Vocalist and ACM award for Top Female Vocalist.
Recorded dozens of top ten hits during the 70's and early 80's including "You're My Man," "How Can I Unlove You," and "Top of the World."
Her first success was in showing horses. She won 700 trophies for her quarter horses and was 1966 California Horse Show Queen. Lynn's daughter Lisa is also a champion rider.
2004, released "The Bluegrass Sessions," which was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Bluegrass category.

SCOTT ANDERSON

From Palatka, Florida
1989, played bass and banjo with The Bluegrass Parlor Band while attending the University of Florida.
1993, formed a band called Endless Highway. Won the Pizza Hut Bluegrass Showdown (Southeast Regional).
1999, joined a gospel group called Gentle River.
2001, formed The Scott Anderson Band, playing what he calls "Swampgrass."
2001, released solo project "Rivers" with guests Wayne Benson, John Cowan, Rob Ickes, Scott Vestal, Missy Raines, Aubrey Haynie, others.
He is also a pharmacist, an amateur photographer, a surfer and a Little League coach.
2008, began performing with his 15-year old daughter Amanda (fiddle/vocals) and released "Amanda and Scott Anderson: Another Day."
2011, released "Tales from the Swamp" CD.
2011, has been touring with Cory and Jarrod Walker.

DAROL ANGER

From Oakland, California.
An award-winning, genre-crossing violinist, fiddler and composer. Plays what he calls "Chambergrass."
1982-1985, won "Best Jazz Violinist" four years in a row from Frets Magazine Reader's Poll.
Has recorded and performed with such artists as Mike Marshall, David Grisman, Stephane Grapelli, Mark O'Connor, Bela Fleck, Vassar Clements.
Bands: The Island String Quartet (jazz), Psychograss, The Anger/Marshall Band, The Montreux Band, The David Grisman Quintet.
1998, formed New Grange.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

From Bristol, Virginia.
Formed in 1984 by Ricky and Linda Barker.
Featuring the lead vocals of Linda Barker, the group eventually became known as "Linda Barker and Appalachian Trail."
1997, Linda Barker (Linda Barker Lay) married David Lay, who also replaced Ricky Barker in the band, playing guitar.
2000, Linda and David Lay toured and recorded with the "Masters of the Steel String Guitar."
2003, Linda Lay recorded a solo project for the Cracker Barrel record label, as well as an album with husband David and David McLaughlin called Springfield Exit.

APPALOOSA (See COUNTRY CURRENT; WAYNE TAYLOR)

JAY ARMSWORTHY (and EASTERN TRADITION)

From California, Maryland (south of Washington DC)
Leads a band called "Eastern Tradition"
1995, worked with David Davis and the The Warrior River Boys
Hosts a bluegrass radio show on World Wide Bluegrass.com, WNNT (VA), and WWSM (PA)
2011, released “I Couldn’t Make It Without Him” CD on Blue Circle Records

KEITH ARNESON AND WAYNE TAYLOR (See COUNTRY CURRENT; WAYNE TAYLOR)

JIMMY ARNOLD

From Fries, Virginia.
A gifted multi-instumentalist (guitar, banjo, fiddle).
Bluegrass Unlimited called him "Don Reno-Bill Keith-Earl Scruggs Rolled Into One".
At age 15, won the fiddle contest at the Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention.
At 19, joined Cliff Waldron's "New Shades of Grass."
Member of "The Country Store" which also included Jimmy Gaudreau and Keith Whitley.
Recorded several solo projects on Rebel Records.
Had recurring problems with drugs and alcohol.
Died in 1992 at age 40 of an apparent heart attack.

ASH & W

From Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Name is an acronym spelling out the initials of the last names of band members: Vernon Allred (bass), Craig Smith (banjo), Scott Huffman (guitar) and Tony Williamson (mandolin).
Formed in 1989, broke up two years later.

BOBBY ATKINS (AND THE COUNTRYMEN)

From Summerfield, North Carolina
Plays banjo and leads band, "The Countrymen"
1953, worked with Jim Eanes
1953, 1958, 1961, worked with Bill Monroe (3 separate stints).
1956, worked with Charlie Monroe
Tony Rice was in Atkins' band the Countrymen when he was 18 years old.
1972, appeared in the movie "Preacher Man."
Is related to country legend Chet Atkins. (His grandfather and Chet's grandfather are brothers).
Performs with his son Mark as "Bobby and Mark Atkins and the Countrymen."

MIKE AULDRIDGE

From Washington, D.C.
One of bluegrass music's best known and most influential Dobro™ players.
1967, first professional job: Cliff Waldron and Bill Emerson's band "The New Shades of Grass."
1971, was an original member of The Seldom Scene.
1993, formed new band called Chesapeake with Jimmy Gaudreau, Moondi Klein and T. Michael Coleman.
A top studio musician, he has recorded with Linda Ronstadt, Hank Williams, Jr., Emmylou Harris, James Taylor and Ry Cooder.
Learned Dobro™ after hearing "Uncle Josh" Graves. Bought his first Dobro™ from Graves for $150.
In high school, played with a group called the "South Mountain Boys."
Also a graphic artist. Designed several of the Seldom Scene's early album covers as well as the logo for Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.
Nickname: "Larry the Legend."
1998, toured with Lyle Lovett.
1999, formed "Auldridge, Bennett and Gaudreau" with Jimmy Gaudreau and Richard Bennett.
2001, recorded an album with Jim Heffernan and Hal Rugg called "Resocasters."
2007, was presented with an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award.
2012, received the National Endowment of the Arts National Heritage Fellowship - the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts.
2012, died of prostate cancer on December 29.

THE AUSTIN LOUNGE LIZARDS

From Austin, Texas.
"Less reverent than Spike Jones and more punctual than George."
"The most laughable band in show business."
Perform original satirical music on the edges of bluegrass, folk and country.
Formed in 1980; began playing in small clubs around Austin.
1983, won the Kerrville (TX) Bluegrass Festival Band Contest.
Original name: The Lounge Lizards, but discovered that the name was in use, so they added "Austin."
Billboard magazine called them "hilarious, endearing and literary."

JEFF AUTRY

Flatpick guitarist from Buford, Georgia.
1993, joined the Bluegrass Cardinals (took David Parmley's place.)
1995-1996, worked with the Lynn Morris Band
1997-1998, worked with the Larry Stephenson Band
1999, released first solo album.
1999, joined the John Cowan Band.