The Tradition
Remembering Sam Tidwell
The music of the Country Gentlemen, J.D. Crowe and the New South, and the Tony Rice Unit will be familiar to even the most casual bluegrass music fan. Many would claim one or more of these bands as their all-time favorites. More hard-core bluegrass enthusiasts will also fondly remember shorter-lived, but equally as innovative, bands…
Authentic Unlimited
Sets Sail Upon Doyle Lawson’s retirement, three members of his band, Quicksilver—Eli Johnston-banjo, Stephen Burwell-fiddle, and Jerry Cole-bass—decided to launch into the already familiar waters of musical entertainment with a new band. Cole explained, “When Doyle announced he was going to retire, Stephen, Eli, and I decided to stay together.” Burwell added, “We didn’t even…
Notes & Queries – March 2022
Queries Q: Does anyone know how Margie Sullivan of the Sullivan Family is doing. I know Enoch passed away, but haven’t heard anything on Margie? Still think she is one of the best female bluegrass gospel singers ever. Thanks. – John Bond, via email. A: We were able to contact a family member who reported…
J.D. Crowe
Musician, Bandleader, Legend An uncountable number of bluegrass fans regarded J.D. Crowe as a preeminent banjo player. His impeccable instrumental work on the banjo has been frequently and alliteratively characterized in superlative terms, emphasizing his drive and his masterful combination of taste, touch, tone, and timing. Many former bandmates and personal friends also knew Crowe…
Paul Williams & J.D. Crowe
A Sixty-Four Year Friendship Tight three-part vocal harmonies are a trademark of bluegrass music. One of the most famous vocal trios to ever step on a bluegrass stage was formed in November of 1957 when Paul Williams joined J.D. Crowe and Jimmy Martin as a member of Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys. …
J.D. Crowe Remembered
By Some of the Best Musicians in Bluegrass My first opportunity to see J.D. Crowe perform was at the Stone Valley Bluegrass Festival, a short-lived event that took place in the late 1970s alongside the beautiful Whitewater River near West Harrison, Indiana. I did not get to meet Crowe, however, until almost 20 years later. …