The Bluegrass Community’s Utility Artist

Photo by Brad Holbrooks Baseball has a player dubbed utility infielder.  Such athletes are typically substitute players who can be used at more than one infield position and are useful members of a roster as they allow a manager to replace several different players on the team to either give them a rest, or because of in-game strategy.  Such a person in the bluegrass community is Anthony Howell. Anthony is a young bluegrass artist with many talents and skills who is mature beyond his years.  An IBMA 2022 “Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year” nominee, Howell is one of those versatile people who can fulfill a variety of roles in a musical setting.  Anthony was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi and grew up in Zama, a few miles southeast of Kosciusko.  His dad played guitar and Anthony says that’s what his dad thought he was supposed to do in life—he was a serious amateur.  His dad played classical guitar but played in his own style.  Sadly