Ten Essential Bluegrass Artists to Know

1. Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys
Monroe was born at Jerusalem Ridge Kentucky, the youngest of eight children. Because his older brothers had already taken up the fiddle and guitar, Bill was left with the mandolin. He would go on to make this weak stepchild instrument his own, and a formidible force as well. With his brother Charlie he began forming a new style of music called Bluegrass. In 1939, he auditioned for a spot on the Grand Ole Opry, impressing Opry founder George Hay. Fast tempos and virtuosity characteristic of bluegrass music was a staple of the group even early on. The addition of banjo prodigy Earl Scruggs in December 1945 rounded out the group. Scruggs played banjo a distinctive three-finger roll that caused a sensation. Monroe had also acquired the 1923 Gibson F5 model "Lloyd Loar" mandolin which became his trademark instrument for the rest of his career. Later on, Bill settled into the role of musical patriarch, continuing to influence younger musicians and sometimes bully them as well to keep his vision of Bluegrass true. He considered himself the father and caretaker of bluegrass, and more than 150 musicians played in the Blue Grass Boys over the decades. Monroe tended to recruit promising young musicians as apprentices before turning them loose to become artists in their own right. Some of Monroe's band members who went on to greater prominence include Flatt and Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Martin, Carter Stanley, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Don Reno, Sonny Osborne and Chubby Wise. One of my favorite things is when he recorded with guitar virtuoso Doc Watson. You will notice Bill Monroe "Bluegrass Boy" dna scattered throughout all the acts listed below.
2. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs / Foggy Mountain Boys
Flatt and Scruggs were also early members of the Blue Grass Boys. Moving on as musicians do,they then formed the Foggy Mountain Boys. Scruggs' banjo playing and Flatt's warm vocals were a key component to their sound. Most famous for "The Beverly Hillbillies" theme and "Petticoat Junction", as well as "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" from the soundtrack of "Bonnie and Clyde".They had broad appeal in the 60's. They split in the late 60's due to different musical visions. Scruggs saw the beginning of the "Newgrass" movement on the horizon while Flatt, a traditionalist, continued on with his sons in the Earl Scruggs Revue. Flatt died in 1979. Scruggs still performs occasionally, as his health permits.
3. Jimmy Martin
An off-shoot of Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys, Martin put the "high lonesome" voice in Bluegrass. Martin challenged Monroe to raise the key on many classics to B flat or B (B is for Bluegrass! they say). He was in the classic Bluegrass Boys lineup with Flatt and Scruggs. Martin's lead defined "lonesome" in songs such as "Memories of Mother and Dad" and "I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome". He left and started "The Sunny Mountain Boys" in the early 50's, featuring banjo master J.D. Crowe. My favorite tune was always "Widowmaker", the truck driving tale. He also appeared on the Dirt Band's classic, "Will the Circle be Unbroken". Any of Martin's albums that feature a picture his coondogs or Jimmy wearing a loud sport coat (I think they all did) is worth checking out.
4. The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Carter and Ralph Stanley hailed from rural, mountainous Dickenson County VA. between the KY and TN borders, growing up on a small farm in the Clinch Mountains. Their music followed an old time style, with Ralph playing banjo in the old two-finger style, as well as old-timey claw hammer style. They formed the Clinch Mountain Boys in the mid 1940's, one of the earliest bands to adopt the new music style called Bluegrass [created by Bill Monroe]. Carter played guitar and had a knack for writing lyrics that conveyed strong emotion. The Stanley's style remained close to the Primitive Baptist stylings they grew up with. The brothers performed together until 1966 when Carter Stanley passed away. After Carter's death Ralph revived the Clinch Mountain Boys and is still performing. Among the musicians who have played in the modern era Clinch Mountain Boys are Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley and Larry Sparks. Ralph's career was given a major lift with his appearance on the successful soundtrack of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" Among my favorite Stanley Brothers' recordings are "Man of Constant Sorrows", "Rank Stranger", "Angel Band", and "Ridin' That Midnite Train".
5. J.D. Crowe and the New South
James Dee Crowe of Nicholasville Kentucky is a banjo player best known as J.D. Crowe. And what a banjo player he is. He is known for his tremendous ability to keep the timing and rhythm of the beat with clockwork accuracy. With his band, New South, he tours the country throughout the year, playing Bluegrass festivals and the Grand Ole Opry on occasion. Crowe got his professional start playing with Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys while still in his teens.The 1975 version of Crowe's New South band is widely considered one of the most influential bluegrass groups of the last thirty years. The band consisted of Crowe on banjo,Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice along with Jerry Douglas. In other words an all-star team. I love the gospel tunes like "The Model Church".
6. Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs started playing music at age 6, and as a child he played mandolin on stage with Bill Monroe. He also wanted to audition for the Grand Ole Opry, but was too young. In his mid-teens, Skaggs and teen prodigy Keith Whitley started playing together with Whitley's banjoist brother Dwight. By 1970, they had earned a spot opening for the Clinch Mountain Boys. Skaggs and Whitley were eventually invited to join Stanley's band. He later joined J.D. Crowe and the New South. After an almost seperate Country Music career that brought much success, in the 1990s and 2000s, Skaggs returned to his roots, as well as experimenting with new sounds. With his band, Kentucky Thunder, he is a perennial winner of Grammy Awards and International Bluegrass Music Association for best bluegrass album. "Ancient Tones" and "Bluegrass Rules" are both excellent recordings by Skaggs. I also like his duet CDs with Tony Rice. "I always want to try to promote the old music, as well as trying to grow, and be a pioneer too," Skaggs has said.
7. Del McCoury Band
Del McCoury, leader of the Del McCoury Band, plays guitar and sings lead vocals along with his two sons, Ronnie and Rob who play mandolin and banjo. Del sang lead vocals and played rhythm guitar for the Bluegrass Boys in the 60's, with whom he first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1960s. Del and company became members of the Grand Ole Opry in October 2003 and has relocated to Nashbille. McCoury has performed with bands such as Phish, Sting and Steve Earle. I like his CD "The Cold Hard Facts" which includes a cover of a Tom Petty tune as well as Robert Cray. I also like his cover of the Richard Thompson tune "Vincent Black Lightning 1952."
8. Alison Krauss and Union Station
Arriving on the scene in the late 80s- early 90's, Alison and Company brought great interest to Bluegrass in an new era. Alison's pure vocals and the nice instrumenation of the band gave them broad crossover appeal. She also won many awards as a young fiddler in her natice Illinois. I include them as they have kept the flame of Bluegrass going into the future.
9. Newgrass Revival
You will either love them or hate them. They featured influential members such as Sam Bush and Bela Fleck. New Grass has come to be a nickname for progressive bluegrass. The New Grass Boys did odd things like tour with Leon Russell, and open for the Grateful Dead. They were also notable among bluegrass bands for their instrumentation, which included drums, piano, electric guitar and bass, electric mandolin, electric fiddle, slide mandolin, etc. They straddled the line between bluegrass and jam band. Nearly every album contained at least a 7 to 20 minute instrumental, and the songs lasted even longer in their live performances. At the time, bluegrass was very traditional and the New Grass boys kicked down the doors; the New Grass Revival had long hair, wore whatever they wanted, and played whatever they wanted, including music such as classic rock, reggae and protest tunes, all done up bluegrass style.
10. The Osborne Brothers
Before there was Ozzy Osborne, there was THE Osborne Brothers, Sonny and Bobby. They were an influential early act from the hills of Eastern Kentucky. Best known for their hit "Rocky Top", their pure harmonies and down-to -earth approach caught the attention of fans. During the 1960s, the duet caused some controversy among purists for incorporating electronic and percussion instruments in their live act. The were highly regarded for their virtuosic soloing and tight, high vocal harmonies. I have long admired their vocal abilities as well.