Bluegrass Bios G

JIM AND VALERIE GABEHEART

From Hamlin, West Virginia.
A husband-wife duo. Jim plays banjo, Valerie plays guitar. They married in 1981.
Jim has twice won the West Virginia State Banjo Championship. He played banjo for two weeks with Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers.
They also have a gospel group called Steadfast.
Jim is prosecuting attorney in Lincoln County, West Virginia.
2011, released fifth CD "It's My Turn."

PAM GADD

From Independence, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville.
First band: "East of Denver" (in high school).
1983, joined the New Coon Creek Girls.
1987, formed country group Wild Rose.
1996, toured with Patty Loveless, playing guitar and singing harmony. While with Patty, she appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Hee Haw, other TV shows.
1995, returned to the New Coon Creek Girls.
1996, embarked on solo career.
1997, released first solo album.
1999, was a final nominee for IBMA's "Emerging Artist of the Year" award.
2001, joined staff of OMS Records, doing promotion.
Hobby: Reading and studying naturopathic nutritional healing and theology
2002-2007, sang and played with Porter Wagoner on the Grand Ole Opry.
2009, released solo project "Benefit of Doubt."

TRISHA GAGNON

From Chlliwack, BC, Canada.
Sings and plays bass with John Reischmann and the Jaybirds.
Formerly performed with a group called Tumbleweed.
2010, released solo project "A Story About You and Me" with guests Vince Gill, Rob Ickes, Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis and others.

AMY GALLATIN (and STILLWATERS)

From Glastonbury, Connecticut; born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama; grew up in Idaho and Montana.
1993, moved to Connecticut and formed a band with Kevin Lynch and Matt Nozzolio.
1996, 1998, toured Europe and showcased at the 1998 European IBMA World of Bluegrass event in the Netherlands. Also recorded a "Live in Europe" CD.
2002, teamed up Peggy Harvey (of Traver Hollow) to form a new group called the Hot Flashes.
Hobby: horseback riding.

BEPPE GAMBETTA

From Genoa, Italy.
Beppe pronounced Bay-pay.
Trained as a classical musician, but after hearing bluegrass, converted to flat-pick guitar.
Considered Europe's best bluegrass/folk guitarist; performs in the both the flatpicking and fingerpicking styles.
Founding member of the Italian bluegrass and country music band, "Red Wine."
Has recorded and performed with many American artists, including Norman Blake, Alan Munde, Tony Trischka and Dan Crary.
Winner of Italy's prestigious "Paolo Nuti" award, given by the Italian Federation Folkitalia in special recognition of artists who have achieved excellence in their field.
2001, recorded an album of guitar duets with Dan Crary.

JERRY GARCIA

Founder and leader of the legendary rock group "The Grateful Dead."
1962, played banjo with two bands—the Wild Wood Boys and Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers.
1963, formed The Black Mountain Boys with David Nelson and Sandy Rothman.
1973, recorded with David Grisman, Peter Rowan and Vassar Clements in a band called "Old and In the Way."
1987, reunited with friends David Nelson (of New Riders of the Purple Sage) and Sandy Rothman (a former Blue Grass Boy) to record "Almost Acoustic" under the name "The Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band."
1991, Jerry and mandolinist David Grisman recorded an album of acoustic duets.
1993, interviewed in film "Bill Monroe: The Father of Bluegrass Music" and asked "Is it true that you once auditioned to be one of Monroe's Blue Grass Boys?" Jerry's response: "Yeah. I wanted to be one in the worst way. I still want to be."
The Grateful Dead has recorded several bluegrass standards: "Dark Hollow", "Deep Elem Blues", "Sittin on Top of the World", "A Voice from on High", "Little Sadie", "Cold Jordan" and others.
Died in August, 1995.
2001, a movie on Jerry Garcia and David Grisman was released called "Grateful Dawg."

GARRETT GRASS

Originally from Idaho; moved to Nashville in 2002.
A father-son duet featuring Jeremy (fiddle) and Glen (guitar) Garrett. Glen is the father, Jeremy is the son.
Former members of the Grasshoppers.
2004, joined the Chris Jones Coalition.
2005, Jeremy worked with the Ronnie Bowman Committee.
2005, released a gospel CD called "Garrett Grass presents Bluegrass Gospel 2005" featuring themselves with many special guest musicians.
2005, Jeremy joined the Infamous Stringdusters.

JIMMY GAUDREAU

From Rhode Island.
Mandolinist who in 1969 replaced John Duffey in the Country Gentlemen.
Other bands: Eddie Adcock and the IInd Generation, J.D. Crowe and the New South, The Country Store (with Keith Whitley), Spectrum (with Bela Fleck), and the Tony Rice Unit.
First band: "Jimmy G. and the Jaguars" (Jimmy's initials are J.A.G.)
1995, founded new acoustic band Chesapeake.
1995, produced an album on his own label called "The Young Mando Monsters" featuring top young mandolin players.
1999, formed group with Mike Auldridge and Richard Bennett called ‘Auldridge, Bennett and Gaudreau."
2001, joined Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group.
2006, joined John Starling and Carolina Star.
2007, formed a duo with Moondi Klein (former bandmate in the Seldom Scene and Chesapeake).
2007, recorded an album (released in 2008) with Eddie Adcock, Tom Gray and Randy Waller as the "Country Gentlemen Reunion Band."
2008, he and Klein toured with Emmylou Harris.
2012, released CD "Home from the Mills" (Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein)

THE GENTLEMEN OF BLUEGRASS

From Garner, North Carolina.
Features Danny Stanley (guitar) and Tom Langdon (banjo). Other members of the band include Jan Johanssen (fiddle), Wayne Ratley (bass) and David Guthie (mandolin).
Langdon is married to Lorraine Jordan and also works with her Carolina Road band.
Stanley formerly fronted his own band "Carolina Sonshine" and is also well-known for his comedic impressions of Lester Flatt and his alter-ego "Hobo Joe."
2013, released "Lester's Flatt" on Blue Circle Records.

THE GIBSON BROTHERS

From Ellenburg Depot, New York (in theChamplain Valley, upstate New York.)
Eric (banjo) and Leigh (guitar) Gibson formed their band in 1991. Eric is the older of the two by eleven months.
They believe that they are related to Orville Gibson, the founder of the instrument company, who is from the same area.
Before going full-time with the band, Leigh was a dairy farmer and Eric was a school teacher.
1998, won IBMA award for "Emerging Artist of the Year."
1998, signed with Ceili Records, moved to Nashville and changed their musical direction, performing more country-oriented material. But in their own words, they were "too country for country."
2002, returned to bluegrass with the release of a new album on Sugar Hill Records.
2010, won IBMA awards for Song of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performane of the Year for "Ring the Bell."
2011, won IBMA awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year (for "Help My Brother")
2012, won IBMA awards for Entertainer of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year (for "Singing As We Rise")

GLENN GIBSON

From Louisville, Kentucky
Has played Dobro™ with Gary Brewer, Karl Shifflett, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland. Has also spent time playing with Louisville-area bands "Cast Iron Airplane" and the "Corn Island Band."
Took time off from music during the 1990's to attend Bible College and go into full-time ministry.
2007, joined Marty Raybon and Full Circle.
2010, joined the Charlie Sizemore band.
2011, released solo project "When Times Are Hard" with guests Michael Cleveland, Jesse Brock and Daniel Grindstaff.

SHARON GILCHRIST (See MARY AND MARS)

VINCE GILL

From Norman, Oklahoma.
Seriously considered golf as a profession, but decided to play bluegrass instead.
First band: Mountain Smoke (in high school). This band once opened for Pure Prairie League, a band he would later join.
At age 18, joined the Louisville bluegrass band, The Bluegrass Alliance.
Mid-70's, joined Byron Berline's group Sundance.
Late-70's, joined the country-rock band Pure Prairie League. While he was with that group, they had several number-one records, including "Let Me Love You Tonight."
Signed solo contract with RCA records in 1984; Switched to MCA in 1989
First #1 song, "When I Call Your Name."
Joined the Grand Ole Opry in August of 1991.
Has won numerous CMA Awards, including five "Male Vocalist of the Year" and two "Entertainer of the Year" awards.
Co-hosted the first International Bluegrass Music Awards Show in 1990.
1991-2004, hosted the CMA awards.
1997, performed a tribute to Bill Monroe at the Grammy Awards.
1997, won IBMA award for "Song of the Year" for his song "High Lonesome Sound."
1999, married singer Amy Grant.
He is president of the Country Music Hall of Fame
2007, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
2008, won his 19th Grammy Award for Best Country Album for "These Days," a project which included the bluegrass CD "Little Brother."
2012, toured and recorded with his western swing band "The Time Jumpers."

THE GILLIAMS

From Keysville, Virginia.
A family band featuring Spider Gilliam his wife Bonnie and daughters Cheryl and Julie.
Spider Gilliam has worked with the Country Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene.
Spider is a bricklayer by trade. His wife Bonnie is a college administrator.
2001, released first album.

THE GILLIS BROTHERS

From Soperton, Georgia.
Call their music "Mountain Style Bluegrass from the Georgia Swamplands."
Brothers: Larry (banjo) and John (guitar). Larry is four years older than John.
They are sometimes called Stanley Brothers imitators, but "actually, we never listened to them much," says Larry.
Their band is called "Hard Driving Bluegrass," which pretty much sums up their approach to the music.
Until 1997, they wore 50's-era white hats on stage. "I had a headache all the time ... and it's hard to keep ‘em clean," says John.
2006, Larry formed the Larry Gillis Band and performs mostly around the Tampa, Florida area.

PETE GOBLE

Best known as a writer of bluegrass songs.
His songs have been recorded by the Bluegrass Cardinals, The Osborne Brothers, Hot Rize, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson, the Country Gentlemen, the Lewis Family and other artists.
Award-winning compositions: "Tennessee 1949" (Song of the Year, 1988) and "Colleen Malone" (Song of the Year, 1991).
Many of his songs are co-written with partner Leroy Drumm.
As a performer, recorded two albums with banjo player Bill Emerson, singing lead and playing guitar.
1996, suffered serious injuries when his single engine airplane crashed.
2002, received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA.

THE GOINS BROTHERS

From Bramwell, West Virginia.
1951, began performing on a Saturday morning radio program in Bluefield, West Virginia as teenagers.
1953, moved to Pikeville, Kentucky and joined the legendary Lonesome Pine Fiddlers with "Cousin Ezra" and "Curly Ray" Cline.
Following the breakup of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in 1958, Melvin and Ray worked with Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Hylo Brown, and in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky.
1969, formed their own band.
For years, performed regularly for children in rural schools throughout the south, doing as many as four schools a day.
1997, Ray retired and Melvin formed new band "Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain."
2007, Ray died after a long illness, July 1.

GOLD HEART

From Northern Virginia.
A family band that formed in 2005. They began singing in church.
Features the Gold sisters: Analise (mandolin), Jocelyn (guitar) and Shelby (fiddle). Their father Trent plays bass and Owen Piatt plays banjo.
2008, released "Never Let Go" CD, produced by Justine Carbone.
2009, released "My Sisters and Me," also produced by Justine Carbone.

WES GOLDING (AND SURE FIRE)

From Lambsburg, Virginia. Lives in Advance, North Carolina—near Winston-Salem.
Began performing at age 8 in a group with his 11-year-old friend Jimmy Arnold.
1972, joined Roanoke, Virginia-based group, The Shenandoah Cut-ups.
1973, he and mandolinist Herschel Sizemore left The Shenandoah Cutups to form "The Country Grass."
1975, invited by Ricky Skaggs to sing lead and play guitar in a new band, Boone Creek, named after one of Golding's songs. (Keith Whitley had declined because he was working in a new band with Jimmy Gaudreau called "The Country Store.")
His songs have been recorded by The Seldom Scene, The Lonesome River Band, others.

GOLDWING EXPRESS

From Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
A bluegrass/comedy group consisting of three native American brothers and their father. They are also known as "Three Indians and the Little White Man."
The brothers are one-half Creek Indian. Their mother is the full-blooded Indian and their father is the "white man."
Appear regularly in Branson, Missouri. They wear traditional native American apparel during their shows.
The father's name: Bob Baldridge (mandolin). The Baldridge brothers: Paul Anthony (guitar), Shawn David (bass/fiddle), Steven Joseph (banjo).

THE GOOD OL' PERSONS

From the San Francisco Bay Area.
Formed in 1975 as an all-girl bluegrass band by Kathy Kallick and Laurie Lewis. They were among the first (after Hazel & Alice) to feature women as bluegrass band leaders and songwriters.
Name was meant to be a joke—a humorous response to Frank Wakefield's "Good Ol' Boys" who were also active in the Bay Area at that time.
Although bluegrass-based, they featured a variety of musical styles including jazz, swing, Latin, old-time, country and cajun.
1995, celebrated 20th anniversary with a concert at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley. It was a farewell concert as well, as the group disbanded. They’ve played reunion shows at western festivals since then.
Kathy Kallick, who led the group for 20 years, now performs with her own band.

THE GORDONS

From Southern Illinois (Randolph County). They live on a nature preserve.
A husband/wife duo: Gary and Roberta Gordon.
Have been performing together since the mid-1970's.
Early 80's, lived and worked in North Carolina.
1988, returned to Southern Illinois.
1989, recorded with Josh Graves and Kenny Baker
Have made several tours of Ireland.
When not performing, Roberta is a graphic artist; Gary sells and repairs instruments.

RANDY GRAHAM

From Chino, California (near Los Angeles). Lives in Kentucky.
1972, an original member of the Bluegrass Cardinals. Helped create "The Cardinal Sound" featuring his distinct tenor vocals.
1982, joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (playing bass).
1985, formed The New Quicksilver with Terry Baucom, Alan Bibey, Jimmy Haley.
1988, re-joined the Bluegrass Cardinals.
1997, re-united the New Quicksilver as Baucom, Bibey, Graham and Haley (later became Baucom, Bibey and BlueRidge).
2001, joined David Parmley and Continental Divide.
2007, left David Parmley and Continental Divide to form his own talent agency, the Graham Talent Group.

GRANDPA JONES

Born Louis Marshall Jones in Niagra, Kentucky.
Began professional career at age 11.
A guitar player first, then learned banjo in his early twenties. Learned banjo from Cousin Emmy, a flamboyant female performer of the 1930's.
The "Grandpa" nickname was adopted when he was only 22 years old.
1940's, formed a gospel-singing group called the "Brown's Ferry Four" which included the Delmore Brothers and Merle Travis. The Brown's Ferry Four tradition was kept alive (in spirit) by the "Hee Haw Gospel Quartet.
While in the army in 1944, had a group in Germany called "The Munich Mountaineers."
Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946 and stayed there until 1949; left soon after to work on the Old Dominion Barn Dance, broadcast out of Richmond, Virginia; returned to the Opry in 1952 only to leave again in 1956 to work on Jimmy Dean's TV show in Washington, D.C.; 1959, returned to Nashville to stay.
1968, joined the cast of the "Hee Haw" television show.
1978, elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Daughter Alisa Jones Wall is one of the nation's most recorded hammered-dulcimer players.
Died February 19, 1998.

BILL GRANT AND DELIA BELL

From Hugo, Oklahoma.
Began performing together on a Hugo radio program called "The Dixie Hayride" (1960).
Grant is part Choctaw Indian.
Grant was recognized as "Ambassador of Bluegrass Music" by three Oklahoma governors.
Grant lives on a 360-acre cattle ranch near Hugo, which has been in his family for more than 100 years.
For more 30 years (1969-2003), Grant hosted one of the biggest bluegrass festivals in the country on his ranch. He called the festival site "Salt Creek Park."
Bill Grant and Delia Bell had a band called "The Kiamichi Mountain Boys," named after the mountains near their home.
1982, Emmy Lou Harris produced a solo album for Delia Bell, released on the Warner Brothers label. Reached #35 on the Billboard charts.
Emmylou Harris on Delia Bell: "If Kitty Wells and Hank Williams had had a child—if somehow their voices had been able to spawn a woman singer—Delia Bell would be it."
2006, Bill Grant received IBMA's "Distinguished Achievement Award."
2008, recognized as a "Pioneer" of bluegrass music by the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, KY.

TYLER GRANT

From San Diego, California.
2003, won the Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival guitar contest.
2003, joined the Adrienne Young Band.
2004, worked with Casey and Chris (Henry) and the Two Stringers.
2005, placed second at the National Flatpick Guitar Championship in Winfield, KS.
2005, performed and toured with fiddler April Verch.
2006, joined the Drew Emmitt Band.
2006, released solo project.
2007, formed a band called "Tavern Grass."
2008, won first place at the National Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas.
2009, won first place at the Doc Watson Guitar Championship (Merlefest).

THE GRASCALS

From Nashville.
Formed in 2004 by Terry Eldridge (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."
Other former bands: Eldridge (Osborne Brothers, Larry Cordle, Sidemen); Talbot (Larry Cordle, Marty Raybon, Reba McIntyre); Mattingly (Garth Brooks, Steve Wariner, Osborne Brothers, Dolly Parton); Johnson (Boys from Indiana, Wildwood Valley Boys, Ricky Van Shelton); Smith (Jimmy Martin, Wilma Lee Cooper, Osborne Brothers, Smith Brothers); Roberts (The New Tradition, Reno Tradition).
2004, toured with Dolly Parton on her "Hello I'm Dolly" tour. Released single "Viva Las Vegas" with Dolly singing a verse.
2005, first CD released on 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, sponsored by Mayberry's Finest (a food distributor).
2006, banjo player David Talbot left to work full-time with Dolly Parton, replaced by Aaron McDaris (formerly with the Larry Stephenson Band).
2008, fiddle player Jimmy Mattingly departed to work with Dolly Parton, replaced by Jeremy Abshire (formerly with Dale Ann Bradley).
2008, banjo player Aaron McDaris was replaced by 2008 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year Kristin Scott Benson (formerly with the Larry Stephenson Band).
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).
2010, an RV park in Dothan, Alabama was named after them: "The Grascals Bluegrass Hollow RV Park."
2010, toured with Hank Williams, Jr.

THE GRASS CATS

From North Carolina.
Formed in 1997 by Greg Miller (guitar) , Russell Johnson (mandolin), Tim Woodall (banjo), Chris Hill (fiddle) and Jerome Hawkes (bass).
Johnson was formerly lead singer with New Vintage (1989-2000)
Woodall hosts a bluegrass radio show in Raleigh, NC.
1999, released first CD "Cattin' Around"
2000, released "By Request" CD.
2002, released "The Blues are Back in Town" CD.
2004, released "Desperate Times" CD.
2005, released "9 Lives and More" CD.
2007, released "Home to Carolina" CD.
2009, released "A Good Way To Get The Blues" CD.
Personnel (2011): Steven Martin (guitar) , Russell Johnson (mandolin), Tim Woodall (bass), Chris Hill (fiddle) and Rick Lafleur on banjo (Rick has a PHD in Physics and is from Canada).

THE GRASSHOPPERS

From Nashville. Originally from Caldwell, Idaho.
Formed in 1994.
1998, won the International Pizza Hut Bluegrass Showdown and the Rocky Grass Festival band contest.
Original members: Glen and Jeremy Garrett (father and son) and Randy and Honi Glenn (husband and wife).
2001, group re-organized when Randy and Honi left the band. Honi subsequently married Jeff Deaton (son of Third Tyme Out's Ray Deaton) and formed a new band called Honi Deaton and Dream.
2002, Glen and Jeremy moved to Nashville and formed a new band. They recorded a gospel album called "Garrett Grass."
2003, Jeremy joined the Chris Jones Coalition
2004, Jeremy joined Ronnie Bowman's band, the Committee and also worked with J.D. Crowe, Bobby Osborne, the Waybacks, other bands.
2005, Jeremy formed the Infamous Stringdusters.

THE GRASS IS GREENER (See also RICHARD GREENE)

A short-lived instrumental group formed in 1993 by fiddler Richard Greene.
Primarily a recording band, the group has included such musicians as Bill Keith, David Grier, Chris Thile, Tim Emmons, Sonny Osborne, Tony Trischka, Kenny Blackwell, Peter Rowan, Buell Neidlinger, Butch Baldassari and others.

GRASSTOWNE

Formed in 2006 by Phil Leadbetter (formerly with Wildfire), Steve Gulley (formerly with Mountain Heart) and Alan Bibey (formerly with Blue Ridge).
2007, released first CD "The Road Headin' Home."
Since forming, the band has gone through numerous personnel changes. The core of the band remains Bibey, with Justin Jenkins (banjo), Adam Haynes (fiddle), and Cameron Keller (bass). Since 2011, they have been performing with Ronnie Bowman on guitar and vocals.

BUCK "UNCLE JOSH" GRAVES

From Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Real name: Burkett Howard Graves. Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper called him Buck. Upon joining Flatt and Scruggs, he took on the persona of "Uncle Josh," part of the Foggy Mountain Boys comedy routine.
He is generally regarded as the man who introduced the Dobro™ to bluegrass music. He was the first to use Earl Scruggs' three-finger roll with the Dobro™, giving it a new sound and new life. Dobro master Jerry Douglas and many other musicians were inspired by the music of Josh Graves.
Josh's first Dobro™ is named "Julie." He bought it for $70 in 1947 and played it throughout his career. He also played an instrument called "Cliff," named after Cliff Carlisle, it's previous owner.
1947-1954, worked with Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper as well as Mac Wiseman.
1954-1969, worked with Flatt and Scruggs.
1969-1971, worked with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
1971-1984, worked with The Earl Scruggs Revue.
During the 80's and 90's, he performed primarily in a duo with fiddler Kenny Baker.
1991-2, performed with The Masters—a quartet with Eddie Adcock, Jesse McReynolds and Kenny Baker.
1997, he was inducted into the IBMA's Hall of Fame.
In his later years, had health problems which led to the amputation of both legs. Eddie Adcock built him a device to hold his instrument, allowing him to peform until shortly before his death.
2012, his autobiography was published by the University of Illinois Press titled Bluegrass Bluesman: Josh Graves, A Memoir edited by Fred Bartenstein.
Died September 30, 2006.

TIM GRAVES (AND CHEROKEE)

From Telleco Plains, Tennessee. Lives in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
"Uncle Josh" Graves is in fact his uncle. His father Dick and Josh are brothers.
Was given a Dobro™ by Uncle Josh as a youngster and was taught to play by him.
Age 14, played with Cedar Run.
1979, joined Bobby Smith and the Boys from Shiloh
1981, formed his band "Cherokee"
1982, performed at the World's Fair in Knoxville.
1983, worked with James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers
1984-1995, a member of Wilma Lee Cooper's Clinch Mountain Clan.
1992, re-formed his band Cherokee.
2002, joined the Osborne Brothers band.
2004, re-formed his band Cherokee.
2004, released an album of duets with former New Tradition member Daryl Mosely called "The Beacon Brothers Sound."
2010, re-joined Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top Express.

J. T. GRAY

From Corinth, Mississippi. Lives in Nashville.
He is the owner of the world-famous "Station Inn" (Nashville's top bluegrass and acoustic music venue).
As a performer, he has recorded and toured with many bands including Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys, Vassar Clements, The Sullivan Family, Tom T. Hall and his own band, the Misty Mountain Boys.
2003, received an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award for his contributions to bluegrass music (as owner of the Station Inn).
2005, released his own CD "It's About Time," accompanied by many of the musicians who perform regularly at the Station Inn.

GREASY BEANS

From Asheville, North Carolina
Formed 1994 by Josh Haddix (guitar and vocals) and Charley Brophey (mandolin and vocals).
Perform traditional bluegrass with an old-time flavor.
2004, began touring with the North Carolina Dance Theatre, performing the musical "Shindig" (a mountain ballet).
2005, Danny Barnes (Bad Livers) produced their CD and played banjo on it.

GREEN ON THE VYNE

From Nashville.
A band made up of teenagers. As of 2009, the oldest members of the group (Sydni and Casey) are sixteen years old.
Members: Ty Jackson (guitar), Emily Dean (bass), Sydni Perry (fiddle), Casey Campbell (mandolin), Luke Munday (banjo.)
Sydni has performed and recorded with Patty Loveless. She has been performing since age 10 in her family band.
Ty Jackson has sang in boys choirs since age 8. Has performed with the Nashville Symphony and was the 2008 National Clogging Champion.
Emily is the 2006 Clogging Champion and Buck Dancing Champion and the 2007 Buck Dancing Champion.
Casey Campbell is the son of the legendary fiddler Jimmy Campbell.
2009, released first CD.

THE GREENBRIAR BOYS

From New York City.
An influential bluegrass band of the sixties (1958-1967) popular with folk music enthusiasts.
Original members: John Herald (guitar), Bob Yellin (banjo), Eric Weissberg (bass), Ralph Rinzler (mandolin).
Performed at the Newport Folk Festival with Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, the Kingston Trio, Bob Dylan and other folk artists.
Besides their own recordings on Vanguard Records, they backed Joan Baez on her 1961 album (Volume 2) and also recorded an album in 1963 for Elektra Records with California folk singer Dian James (Dian and the Greenbriar Boys). That album was produced by Jim Dickson, who also produced albums for the Dillards, the Byrds, Chris Hillman and others.
Mandolin player Ralph Rinzler left the band in 1964 to become folklorist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and was replaced by Frank Wakefield until the group broke up in 1970. Rinzler is credited with discovering and/or bringing to national attention many important folk and bluegrass acts, including Doc Watson. Rinzler died in 1994.
Featured vocalist and guitarist John Herald later formed the John Herald Band, based out of Woodstock, New York.
Joe Isaacs (of the Isaacs) replaced Yellin on banjo in 1967. Yellin moved to his homeland of Israel and performed there with a group called "Galilee Grass." Returned to the U.S. in 1982 and formed a new band with his brother Gene and wife Yona called "Yellin Grass"—which he later re-named "The Joint Chiefs of Bluegrass."
Original bass player Eric Weissburg is best known for his performance of "Dueling Banjos" which was used in the soundtrack for the movie "Deliverance." He also recorded an album title "New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass" with Marshall Brickman, a very influential banjo album of the sixties.
1992, the group reunited with a lineup including Yellin and Herald, Richard Greene on bass and fiddle and Greg Garing on mandolin.
John Herald died in 2005 at the age of 65.
2012, mandolinist and folklorist Ralph Rinzler was inducted into the IBMA's Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

THE GREENCARDS

From Australia and Great Britain. Living in Austin, Texas.
A trio that specializes in "high-energy acoustic music deeply rooted in bluegrass.
Features vocals by Carol Young, who had two #1 singles in Australia in 2000 ("True Blue Fool" and "Part of the Past") Hometown: Coff's Harbor, Australia. Was nominated "Best Female Vocalist" by CMA Australia. Toured with Australia's top country artist, Slim Dusty.
Mandolinist Kym Warner won 4 consecutive Australian mandolin championships (1994-1997). Hometown: Adelaide, Australia.
Fiddler Eamon McLoughlin was classically trained at the Royal School of Music, London. Hometown: South London, Great Britain. Has toured with the Austin Lounge Lizards
2003, released debut CD.
2005, toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Released second CD.

BUDDY GREENE

From Macon, Georgia. Lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.
A singer, songwriter, and popular session musician (plays harmonica and guitar). Well-known in southern gospel music.
1983-1986, was a member of Jerry Reed's band.
1991, won Dove award for Best Country Album ("Sojourner's Song").
Has written songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Wynonna, Kathy Mattea, Reba McIntyre, the Whites, Del McCoury, many others.
2002, released a bluegrass-flavored album called "Rufus" (his middle name) with guest musicians Jerry Douglas, Ron Block, Sam Bush, others.

RICHARD GREENE

From Los Angeles.
An influential fiddler who worked with Bill Monroe (1966-67) and the short-lived Muleskinner band with Clarence White, Bill Keith and Peter Rowan (1973).
First band: The Dry City Scat Band (1963). Others: The Pine Valley Boys (1964), The Greenbriar Boys (1965), Jim Kweskin's Jug Band (1968), Seatrain (1969), The Great American Music Band (early 1970's, with David Grisman).
Has recorded and toured with Bruce Springsteen, Henry Mancini, Loggins and Messina, Maria Muldaur, Burt Bacharach, Peter Rowan, others.
1985, formed the Greene String Quartet (a jazz ensemble).
1993, formed "The Grass is Greener," a bluegrass ensemble that included a 12-year-old Chris Thile (Nickel Creek).
2005, teamed up with "The Brothers Barton" (Paul and Loren Barton of Bakersfield, CA).

SMOKEY GREENE

From Rutland, Vermont. Lives in Florida.
1946, began performing at age 16.
Was a popular country music singer around New York and Vermont in the 50's and 60's. During the 70's, he had a band called "the Green Mountain Boys." Was also a festival promoter.
1996, after 50 years of performing, recorded his first nationally-distributed album (Pinecastle Records).

THE GREERS

From Oregon, now living in O'Fallon, Illinois (near St. Louis, MO.
Formed in 1986.
Features sisters Marla (bass) and Carla (guitar) Greer.
Specialize in traditional bluegrass and Louvin Brothers-style country duets.

DAVID GRIER (See also PSYCHOGRASS)

From Nashville, Tennessee. Grew up in Laurel, Maryland.
A flat-pick guitarist who has performed with The Doug Dillard Band, The Big Dogs (with Tony Trischka), Peter Rowan, The Country Gazette.
Son of Lamar Grier, banjo player with Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys in the late 60's.
Influenced by Clarence and Roland White, who were family friends of the Griers.
Won his first guitar championship at age 11.
1991, recorded duet album with mandolinist Mike Compton.
1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 won IBMA award for "Guitar Player of the Year."
1995-present, performs as a studio musician and solo artist. Also plays with a group called Psychograss.
1999, 2002, recorded albums with bassist Todd Phillips and mandolinist Matt Flinner.

ANGELICA GRIM

From Northern California.
Began singing at age 13 at the CBA Grass Valley (California) bluegrass festival in the "Kids on Bluegrass" program. Was asked to sing harmony with Rhonda Vincent at one of her shows and that propelled Angelica to pursue singing as a career.
2009, released first album "Look for Me" at age 19, produced by Frank Solivan.
She is married to TJ Doerful of The Doerfuls (they met at IBMA, 2006).

DANIEL GRINDSTAFF

From East Tennessee.
Banjo player who has performed and recorded with such bands as David Peterson and 1946, Jim and Jesse, The Osborne Brothers, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys.
2006, joined Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. Also works dates with Tim Graves & Cherokee and Wildfire.
2006, released solo project "April's Fool."

DAVID GRINDSTAFF

From North Carolina.
In high school, played in a band called Highway Bound.
As a student in the Bluegrass, Country and Old Time Music program at East Tennessee State University, played with a band called the Troubadours. Sang lead and played bass. Also plays mandolin.
2010, recorded a solo project titled "Here and Now."

DAVID GRISMAN (THE DAVID GRISMAN QUINTET)

From Mill Valley, California. Originally from Hackensack, New York
Called "The Paganini of the Mandolin" by the New York Times.
Bill Monroe once acknowledged David as his "heir apparent" to the mandolin.
Began pro career with Red Allen and the Kentuckians (mid-60's).
Other bands: The Even Dozen Jug Band (with Maria Muldaur and John Sebastian, later of the Lovin' Spoonful), The New York Ramblers (with Jody Stecher and Winnie Winston).
1967, moved to California and formed a rock group with Peter Rowan called "Earth Opera."
1972, performed in Muleskinner with Peter Rowan, Richard Greene and Clarence White.
1973, formed The Great American Music Band, which included at various times, Richard Greene, Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia, Eric Thompson, John Carlini and Joe Carroll. Performed at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
1974, performed with Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements and John Kahn on album "Old and In the Way"—one of the best selling bluegrass albums of all time.
Calls his music "Dawg" music (after the initials in his name.) Jerry Garcia (of The Grateful Dead) gave him the nickname.
One of the first to successfully fuse bluegrass with jazz and classical styles.
Since 1975, has performed with his group, The David Grisman Quintet (or Quartet, depending on the number of musicians). First version of this band included guitarist Tony Rice.
Frets Magazine called David's music "bluegrass-jazz-Gypsy-rock-Middle-Eastern-Hebraic-folk-classical-Grisman." Billboard Magazine has called it "fire-breathing acoustic string music that fuses the emotional freedom of rock to the tight precision of bluegrass."
Has worked on albums by Linda Rondstadt, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Judy Collins, Martin Mull, Tom Paxton, the Pointer Sisters, and the Grateful Dead.
Gave Bob Dylan mandolin lessons.
1976, founded magazine called "The Mandolin World News."
Founder and owner of Acoustic Disc records.
Early influences: Ralph Rinzler (of the original Greenbriar Boys) and Frank Wakefield.
2000, won IBMA awards for Instrumental Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year ("Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza").
2001, his daughter Gillian produced a film for Sony Pictures called "Grateful Dawg,," based on the lives, music and friendship of David Grisman and Jerry Garcia.
2002, formed a bluegrass band called The David Grisman Experience. Also performing with "Old and in the Gray."

GROOVEGRASS (THE GROOVEGRASS BOYZ)

From Nashville.
A recording ensemble which has included the Del McCoury Band, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Terry Eldridge, Wilma Lee Cooper, Steve Kaufman and other musicians.
First recording: the latin dance hit "Macarena" with a bluegrass flavor (1997). Also produced a dance version of "Rocky Top" (using the Osborne Brothers' vocals from the original version). Both recordings reached the Billboard top ten singles chart.
Conceived by Nashville producer Scott Rouse, whose goal is to attract younger listeners to the bluegrass sound.
According the Rouse, the Macarena recording was actually the "reverse" of the GrooveGrass concept (turning a pop tune into a bluegrass tune). The main goal, he says, "is usually to take bluegrass and make it into a pop tune while saving all the bluegrass parts of it."

K. C. GROVES (See also UNCLE EARL)

From Northville, Michigan (near Ann Arbor). She lives in Lyons, Colorado.
Began playing guitar and writing songs in 1991. Also learned mandolin from Colby Maddox (of Special Consensus).
1999, released album "Can You Hear It" produced by the late Charles Sawtelle.
1999, formed an all-female Americana group with singer/songwriter Jo Serrapere called Uncle Earl.

NATE GROWER

Grew up in Western New York; lives in Delaware.
A fiddle player who has worked with the David Bromberg Angel Band, Chester River Runoff, the Eastman String Band and The Shoremen.
2010, released solo fiddle CD on Patuxent Records.

STACY GRUBB

From West Virginia.
Began singing and playing wth her father's bluegrass band, Alan Johnston and Highway 52.
2009, released "Hurricane" CD.

STEVE GULLEY

Lives in East Tennessee.
Began his professional career as musical director and performer at historic Renfro Valley, Kentucky.
His father Don Gulley was a founding member of the Pinnacle Boys.
1995-1998, sang lead vocals with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
1998, formed Mountain Heart with Adam Steffey and Barry Abernathy.
2006, left Mountain Heart to form Grasstowne. Also recorded a solo project.
2011, left Grasstowne to join Dale Ann Bradley.