The Art of the Sideman

Bluegrass fans are always impressed by the musicians who can play blistering fast solos with accuracy, clarity and tone. This skill is certainly impressive and a guy like mandolin player Josh Rilko knows how to do it. However, the thing that impresses me the most about Josh’s mandolin playing is his ability to play solos and rhythm accompaniment that tastefully support the song, the other instrumentalists and the singer. He knows how support the overall sound of the band in a way that elevates any song’s presentation. Looking at the staggering success of the lead singers who he has supported over the past decade—Lindsay Lou and Sierra Ferrell—I’d say that Josh’s contributions in support of those artists have been substantial and he is an integral part of their sound. Like any great sideman, he may not draw as much attention as the lead singer, but he is a vital part of their music in his role as an instrumentalist, rhythm accompanist and harmony singer. Background Rai