The Tradition

Queries: Q: One of my favorite albums by Don Reno and Red Smiley is one on King Records called Good Old Country Ballads. The back of the album jacket has a photo credit to someone named Fernandez. No first name. That has always struck me as odd. Do you know who he is or anything…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.  …