Bluegrass Bios G

PAM GADD

From Independence, Kentucky. Lives in Nashville.
First band: "East of Denver" (in high school).
1983, joined the New Coon Creek Girls.
1987, formed country group Wild Rose.
1996, toured with Patty Loveless, playing guitar and singing harmony. While with Patty, she appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Hee Haw, other TV shows.
1995, returned to the New Coon Creek Girls.
1996, embarked on solo career.
1997, released first solo album.
1999, was a final nominee for IBMA's "Emerging Artist of the Year" award.
2001, joined staff of OMS Records, doing promotion.
Hobby: Reading and studying naturopathic nutritional healing and theology
2002-present, performs regularly with Porter Wagoner on the Grand Ole Opry.

AMY GALLATIN (and STILLWATERS)

From Glastonbury, Connecticut; born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama; grew up in Idaho and Montana.
1993, moved to Connecticut and formed a band with Kevin Lynch and Matt Nozzolio.
1996, 1998, toured Europe and showcased at the 1998 European IBMA World of Bluegrass event in the Netherlands. Also recorded a "Live in Europe" CD.
2002, teamed up Peggy Harvey (of Traver Hollow) to form a new group called the Hot Flashes.
Hobby: horseback riding.

BEPPE GAMBETTA

From Genoa, Italy.
Beppe pronounced Bay-pay.
Trained as a classical musician, but after hearing bluegrass, converted to flat-pick guitar.
Considered Europe's best bluegrass/folk guitarist; performs in the both the flatpicking and fingerpicking styles.
Founding member of the Italian bluegrass and country music band, "Red Wine."
Has recorded and performed with many American artists, including Norman Blake, Alan Munde, Tony Trischka and Dan Crary.
Winner of Italy's prestigious "Paolo Nuti" award, given by the Italian Federation Folkitalia in special recognition of artists who have achieved excellence in their field.
2001, recorded an album of guitar duets with Dan Crary.

JERRY GARCIA

Founder and leader of the legendary rock group "The Grateful Dead."
1962, played banjo with two bands—the Wild Wood Boys and Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers.
1963, formed The Black Mountain Boys with David Nelson and Sandy Rothman.
1973, recorded with David Grisman, Peter Rowan and Vassar Clements in a band called "Old and In the Way."
1987, reunited with friends David Nelson (of New Riders of the Purple Sage) and Sandy Rothman (a former Blue Grass Boy) to record "Almost Acoustic" under the name "The Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band."
1991, Jerry and mandolinist David Grisman recorded an album of acoustic duets.
1993, interviewed in film "Bill Monroe: The Father of Bluegrass Music" and asked "Is it true that you once auditioned to be one of Monroe's Blue Grass Boys?" Jerry's response: "Yeah. I wanted to be one in the worst way. I still want to be."
The Grateful Dead has recorded several bluegrass standards: "Dark Hollow", "Deep Elem Blues", "Sittin on Top of the World", "A Voice from on High", "Little Sadie", "Cold Jordan" and others.
Died in August, 1995.
2001, a movie on Jerry Garcia and David Grisman was released called "Grateful Dawg."

GARRETT GRASS

Originally from Idaho; moved to Nashville in 2002.
A father-son duet featuring Jeremy (fiddle) and Glen (guitar) Garrett. Glen is the father, Jeremy is the son.
Former members of the Grasshoppers.
2004, joined the Chris Jones Coalition.
2005, Jeremy worked with the Ronnie Bowman Committee.
2005, released a gospel CD called "Garrett Grass presents Bluegrass Gospel 2005" featuring themselves with many special guest musicians.
2005, Jeremy joined the Infamous Stringdusters.

JIMMY GAUDREAU

From Rhode Island.
Mandolinist who in 1969 replaced John Duffey in the Country Gentlemen.
Other bands: Eddie Adcock and the IInd Generation, J.D. Crowe and the New South, The Country Store (with Keith Whitley), Spectrum (with Bela Fleck), and the Tony Rice Unit.
First band: "Jimmy G. and the Jaguars" (Jimmy's initials are J.A.G.)
1995, founded new acoustic band Chesapeake.
1995, produced an album on his own label called "The Young Mando Monsters" featuring top young mandolin players.
1999, formed group with Mike Auldridge and Richard Bennett called ‘Auldridge, Bennett and Gaudreau."
2001, joined Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group.
2006, joined John Starling and Carolina Star.
2007, formed a duo with Moondi Klein (former bandmate in the Seldom Scene and Chesapeake).
2007, recorded an album (released in 2008) with Eddie Adcock, Tom Gray and Randy Waller as the "Country Gentlemen Reunion Band."
2008, he and Klein toured with Emmylou Harris as her opening act.

THE GIBSON BROTHERS

From Ellenburg Depot, New York (in theChamplain Valley, upstate New York.)
Eric (banjo) and Leigh (guitar) Gibson formed their band in 1991. Eric is the older of the two by eleven months.
They believe that they are related to Orville Gibson, the founder of the instrument company, who is from the same area.
Before going full-time with the band, Leigh was a dairy farmer and Eric was a school teacher.
1998, won IBMA award for "Emerging Artist of the Year."
1998, signed with Ceili Records, moved to Nashville and changed their musical direction, performing more country-oriented material. But in their own words, they were "too country for country."
2002, returned to bluegrass with the release of a new album on Sugar Hill Records.

SHARON GILCHRIST (See MARY AND MARS)

VINCE GILL

From Norman, Oklahoma.
Seriously considered golf as a profession, but decided to play bluegrass instead.
First band: Mountain Smoke (in high school). This band once opened for Pure Prairie League, a band he would later join.
At age 18, joined the Louisville bluegrass band, The Bluegrass Alliance.
Mid-70's, joined Byron Berline's group Sundance.
Late-70's, joined the country-rock band Pure Prairie League. While he was with that group, they had several number-one records, including "Let Me Love You Tonight."
Signed solo contract with RCA records in 1984; Switched to MCA in 1989
First #1 song, "When I Call Your Name."
Joined the Grand Ole Opry in August of 1991.
Has won numerous CMA Awards, including five "Male Vocalist of the Year" and two "Entertainer of the Year" awards.
Co-hosted the first International Bluegrass Music Awards Show in 1990.
1991-2004, hosted the CMA awards.
1997, performed a tribute to Bill Monroe at the Grammy Awards.
1997, won IBMA award for "Song of the Year" for his song "High Lonesome Sound."
1999, married singer Amy Grant.
He is president of the Country Music Hall of Fame
2007, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
2008, won his 19th Grammy Award for Best Country Album for "These Days," a project which included the bluegrass CD "Little Brother."

THE GILLIAMS

From Keysville, Virginia.
A family band featuring Spider Gilliam his wife Bonnie and daughters Cheryl and Julie.
Spider Gilliam has worked with the Country Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene.
Spider is a bricklayer by trade. His wife Bonnie is a college administrator.
2001, released first album.

THE GILLIS BROTHERS

From Soperton, Georgia.
Call their music "Mountain Style Bluegrass from the Georgia Swamplands."
Brothers: Larry (banjo) and John (guitar). Larry is four years older than John.
They are sometimes called Stanley Brothers imitators, but "actually, we never listened to them much," says Larry.
Their band is called "Hard Driving Bluegrass," which pretty much sums up their approach to the music.
Until 1997, they wore 50's-era white hats on stage. "I had a headache all the time ... and it's hard to keep ‘em clean," says John.
2006, Larry formed the Larry Gillis Band and performs mostly around the Tampa, Florida area.

PETE GOBLE

Best known as a writer of bluegrass songs.
His songs have been recorded by the Bluegrass Cardinals, The Osborne Brothers, Hot Rize, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson, the Country Gentlemen, the Lewis Family and other artists.
Award-winning compositions: "Tennessee 1949" (Song of the Year, 1988) and "Colleen Malone" (Song of the Year, 1991).
Many of his songs are co-written with partner Leroy Drumm.
As a performer, recorded two albums with banjo player Bill Emerson, singing lead and playing guitar.
1996, suffered serious injuries when his single engine airplane crashed.
2002, received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA.

THE GOINS BROTHERS

From Bramwell, West Virginia.
1951, began performing on a Saturday morning radio program in Bluefield, West Virginia as teenagers.
1953, moved to Pikeville, Kentucky and joined the legendary Lonesome Pine Fiddlers with "Cousin Ezra" and "Curly Ray" Cline.
Following the breakup of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers in 1958, Melvin and Ray worked with Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Hylo Brown, and in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky.
1969, formed their own band.
For years, performed regularly for children in rural schools throughout the south, doing as many as four schools a day.
1997, Ray retired and Melvin formed new band "Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain."
2007, Ray died after a long illness, July 1.

WES GOLDING (AND SURE FIRE)

From Lambsburg, Virginia. Lives in Advance, North Carolina—near Winston-Salem.
Began performing at age 8 in a group with his 11-year-old friend Jimmy Arnold.
1972, joined Roanoke, Virginia-based group, The Shenandoah Cut-ups.
1973, he and mandolinist Herschel Sizemore left The Shenandoah Cutups to form "The Country Grass."
1975, invited by Ricky Skaggs to sing lead and play guitar in a new band, Boone Creek, named after one of Golding's songs. (Keith Whitley had declined because he was working in a new band with Jimmy Gaudreau called "The Country Store.")
His songs have been recorded by The Seldom Scene, The Lonesome River Band, others.

GOLDWING EXPRESS

From Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
A bluegrass/comedy group consisting of three native American brothers and their father. They are also known as "Three Indians and the Little White Man."
The brothers are one-half Creek Indian. Their mother is the full-blooded Indian and their father is the "white man."
Appear regularly in Branson, Missouri. They wear traditional native American apparel during their shows.
The father's name: Bob Baldridge (mandolin). The Baldridge brothers: Paul Anthony (guitar), Shawn David (bass/fiddle), Steven Joseph (banjo).

THE GOOD OL' PERSONS

From the San Francisco Bay area.
Formed in 1975 as an all-girl bluegrass band by Kathy Kallick and Laurie Lewis.
Name was meant to be a joke—a humorous response to Frank Wakefield's "Good Ol' Boys" who were also active in the bay area at that time.
Featured a variety of musical styles: jazz, swing, old-time, country and bluegrass.
1995, celebrated 20th anniversary with a concert at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley.
Kathy Kallick, who led the group for 20 years, now performs with her own band.

THE GORDONS

From Southern Illinois (Randolph County). They live on a nature preserve.
A husband/wife duo: Gary and Roberta Gordon.
Have been performing together since the mid-1970's.
Early 80's, lived and worked in North Carolina.
1988, returned to Southern Illinois.
1989, recorded with Josh Graves and Kenny Baker
Have made several tours of Ireland.
When not performing, Roberta is a graphic artist; Gary sells and repairs instruments.

RANDY GRAHAM

From Chino, California (near Los Angeles). Lives in Kentucky.
1972, an original member of the Bluegrass Cardinals. Helped create "The Cardinal Sound" featuring his distinct tenor vocals.
1982, joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (playing bass).
1985, formed The New Quicksilver with Terry Baucom, Alan Bibey, Jimmy Haley.
1988, re-joined the Bluegrass Cardinals.
1997, re-united the New Quicksilver as Baucom, Bibey, Graham and Haley (later became Baucom, Bibey and BlueRidge).
2001, joined David Parmley and Continental Divide.
2007, left David Parmley and Continental Divide to form his own talent agency, the Graham Talent Group.

GRANDPA JONES

Born Louis Marshall Jones in Niagra, Kentucky.
Began professional career at age 11.
A guitar player first, then learned banjo in his early twenties. Learned banjo from Cousin Emmy, a flamboyant female performer of the 1930's.
The "Grandpa" nickname was adopted when he was only 22 years old.
1940's, formed a gospel-singing group called the "Brown's Ferry Four" which included the Delmore Brothers and Merle Travis. The Brown's Ferry Four tradition was kept alive (in spirit) by the "Hee Haw Gospel Quartet.
While in the army in 1944, had a group in Germany called "The Munich Mountaineers."
Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946 and stayed there until 1949; left soon after to work on the Old Dominion Barn Dance, broadcast out of Richmond, Virginia; returned to the Opry in 1952 only to leave again in 1956 to work on Jimmy Dean's TV show in Washington, D.C.; 1959, returned to Nashville to stay.
1968, joined the cast of the "Hee Haw" television show.
1978, elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Daughter Alisa Jones Wall is one of the nation's most recorded hammered-dulcimer players.
Died February 19, 1998.

BILL GRANT AND DELIA BELL

From Hugo, Oklahoma.
Began performing together on a Hugo radio program called "The Dixie Hayride" (1960).
Grant is part Choctaw Indian.
Grant lives on a 360-acre cattle ranch near Hugo, which has been in his family for more than 100 years.
On his ranch, Grant hosts one of the biggest bluegrass festivals in America every year, held the second week of August.
Their band was called "The Kiamichi Mountain Boys" after the mountains near their home.
1982, Emmy Lou Harris produced a solo album for Delia Bell, released on the Warner Brothers label. Reached #35 on the Billboard charts.
Emmylou Harris on Delia Bell: "If Kitty Wells and Hank Williams had had a child—if somehow their voices had been able to spawn a woman singer—Delia Bell would be it."

TYLER GRANT

From San Diego, California.
2003, won the Rockygrass Bluegrass Festival guitar contest.
2003, joined the Adrienne Young Band.
2004, began working with Casey and Chris (Henry) and the Two Stringers.
2005, placed second at the National Flatpick Guitar Championship in Winfield, KS.
2005, performed and toured with fiddler April Verch.
2006, joined the Drew Emmitt Band; continues to perform with Casey and Chris and the Two Stringers.
2006, released solo project.
2007, formed a band called "Tavern Grass."

THE GRASCALS

From Nashville.
Formed in 2004 by Terry Eldridge (guitar), Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), David Talbot (banjo), Danny Roberts (mandolin), Jamie Johnson (guitar) and Terry Smith (bass).
Eldridge, Talbot and Johnson appeared on a 2001 album called "The Little Grasscals: Nashville's Superpickers."
Other former bands: Eldridge (Osborne Brothers, Larry Cordle, Sidemen); Talbot (Larry Cordle, Marty Raybon, Reba McIntyre); Mattingly (Garth Brooks, Steve Wariner, Osborne Brothers, Dolly Parton); Johnson (Boys from Indiana, Wildwood Valley Boys, Ricky Van Shelton); Smith (Jimmy Martin, Wilma Lee Cooper, Osborne Brothers, Smith Brothers); Roberts (The New Tradition, Reno Tradition).
2004, toured with Dolly Parton on her "Hello I'm Dolly" tour. Released single "Viva Las Vegas" with Dolly singing a verse.
2005, first CD released on Rounder Records.
2005, won IBMA award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
2005, won IBMA award for Song of the Year (“Me and John and Paul”)
2005, opened for country artists Brooks and Dunn in New York City.
2006, 2007 won IBMA award for Entertainer of the Year.
2006, banjo player David Talbot left the band to work full-time with Dolly Parton. Replaced by Aaron McDaris (formerly with the Larry Stephenson Band).

THE GRASS CATS

From North Carolina.
Formed in 1997 by Greg Miller (guitar) , Russell Johnson (mandolin), Tim Woodall (banjo), Chris Hill (fiddle) and Jerome Hawkes (bass).
Johnson was formerly lead singer with New Vintage (1989-2000)
Woodall hosts a bluegrass radio show in Raleigh, NC.
2004, released first CD.
Personnel (2006): Steven Martin (guitar) , Russell Johnson (mandolin), Tim Woodall (banjo), Chris Hill (fiddle) and Lloyd Herring (bass).

THE GRASSHOPPERS

From Nashville. Originally from Caldwell, Idaho.
Formed in 1994.
1998, won the International Pizza Hut Bluegrass Showdown and the Rocky Grass Festival band contest.
Original members: Glen and Jeremy Garrett (father and son) and Randy and Honi Glenn (husband and wife).
2001, group re-organized when Randy and Honi left the band. Honi subsequently married Jeff Deaton (son of Third Tyme Out's Ray Deaton) and formed a new band called Honi Deaton and Dream.
2002, Glen and Jeremy moved to Nashville and formed a new band. They recorded a gospel album called "Garrett Grass."
2003, Jeremy joined the Chris Jones Coalition
2004, Jeremy joined Ronnie Bowman's band, the Committee and also worked with J.D. Crowe, Bobby Osborne, the Waybacks, other bands.
2005, Jeremy formed the Infamous Stringdusters.

THE GRASS IS GREENER (See also RICHARD GREENE)

A short-lived instrumental group formed in 1993 by fiddler Richard Greene.
Primarily a recording band, the group has included such musicians as Bill Keith, David Grier, Chris Thile, Tim Emmons, Sonny Osborne, Tony Trischka, Kenny Blackwell, Peter Rowan, Buell Neidlinger, Butch Baldassari and others.

GRASSTOWNE

From Knoxville, Tennessee.
Formed in 2006 by Phil Leadbetter (formerly with Wildfire), Steve Gulley (formerly with Mountain Heart) and Alan Bibey (formerly with Blue Ridge).
In addition to Leadbetter (Dobro™), Gulley (guitar) and Bibey (mandolin), the group also includes Jason Davis (banjo) and Lee Sawyer (bass).
2007, Jamie Booher (of the Boohers) replaced Sawyer on bass.
2007, released first CD "The Road Headin' Home."

BUCK "UNCLE JOSH" GRAVES

From Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Called "King of the Dobro™."
Generally regarded as the man who introduced the Dobro™ to bluegrass music. He was the first to use Earl Scruggs' three-finger roll with the Dobro™, giving it a new sound and new life.
1954-1969: Worked with Flatt and Scruggs.
1969-1971: Worked with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
1971-1984: Worked with The Earl Scruggs Revue.
Often performs in a duo with fiddler Kenny Baker.
1991-2, performed with The Masters—a quartet with Eddie Adcock, Jesse McReynolds and Kenny Baker.
Other bands (prior to working with Flatt and Scruggs): Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper and Mac Wiseman.
Josh's Dobro™ is called "Julie." He bought it for $70 in the mid-forties and has played it ever since.
Awarded Certificate of Merit for his unique contributions to bluegrass music at the 1992 IBMA awards show.
1996 marked his 50th year in show business.
1997, inducted into the IBMA Hall of Honor.
In his later years, had health problems which led to the amputation of both legs. Eddie Adcock built him a device to hold his instrument, allowing him to peform until shortly before his death.
Died September 30, 2006.

TIM GRAVES (AND CHEROKEE)

From Telleco Plains, Tennessee. Lives in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
"Uncle Josh" Graves is really his uncle. His father Dick and Josh are brothers.
Was given a Dobro™ by Uncle Josh as a youngster and was taught to play by him.
Age 14, played with Cedar Run.
1979, joined Bobby Smith and the Boys from Shiloh
1981, performed at the World's Fair in Knoxville.
1983, worked with James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers
1984-1995, a member of Wilma Lee Cooper's Clinch Mountain Clan. 1993, re-formed Cherokee.
1992, re-organized his band Cherokee.
2002, joined the Osborne Brothers band.
2004, released an album of duets with former New Tradition member Daryl Mosely called "The Beacon Brothers Sound."

J. T. GRAY

From Corinth, Mississippi. Lives in Nashville.
He is the owner of the world-famous "Station Inn" (Nashville's top bluegrass and acoustic music venue).
As a performer, he has recorded and toured with many bands including Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys, Vassar Clements, The Sullivan Family, Tom T. Hall and his own band, the Misty Mountain Boys.
2003, received an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award for his contributions to bluegrass music (as owner of the Station Inn).
2005, released his own CD "It's About Time," accompanied by many of the musicians who perform regularly at the Station Inn.

GREASY BEANS

From Asheville, North Carolina
Formed 1994 by Josh Haddix (guitar and vocals) and Charley Brophey (mandolin and vocals).
Perform traditional bluegrass with an old-time flavor.
2004, began touring with the North Carolina Dance Theatre, performing the musical "Shindig" (a mountain ballet).
2005, Danny Barnes (Bad Livers) produced their CD and played banjo on it.

THE GREENBRIAR BOYS

From New York City.
An influential bluegrass band of the sixties (1958-1967) popular with folk music enthusiasts.
Performed at the Newport Folk Festival with Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, the Kingston Trio, other folk artists.
Featured guitarist John Herald, who later formed the John Herald Band (lives in Woodstock, New York).
Banjo player Bob Yellin moved to his homeland—Israel—in 1967 and performed with a group called "Galilee Grass." Returned to the U.S. in 1982 and formed a new band with his brother Gene and wife Yona called "Yellin Grass"—which he later re-named "The Joint Chiefs of Bluegrass."
Mandolin player Ralph Rinzler left the band to become folklorist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and was replaced by Frank Wakefield until the group broke up. Rinzler died in 1994.
Original bass player Eric Weissburg is also an innovative banjo player, best known for his performance of "Dueling Banjos" which was used in the soundtrack for the movie "Deliverance."
Joe Isaacs (of the Isaacs) also performed for a short time with the Greenbriar Boys, replacing Yellin on banjo.
1992, the group reunited with a lineup including Yellin and Herald, Richard Greene on bass and fiddle and Greg Garing on mandolin.
John Herald died in 2005 at the age of 65.

THE GREENCARDS

From Australia and Great Britain. Living in Austin, Texas.
A trio that specializes in "high-energy acoustic music deeply rooted in bluegrass.
Features vocals by Carol Young, who had two #1 singles in Australia in 2000 ("True Blue Fool" and "Part of the Past") Hometown: Coff's Harbor, Australia. Was nominated "Best Female Vocalist" by CMA Australia. Toured with Australia's top country artist, Slim Dusty.
Mandolinist Kym Warner won 4 consecutive Australian mandolin championships (1994-1997). Hometown: Adelaide, Australia.
Fiddler Eamon McLoughlin was classically trained at the Royal School of Music, London. Hometown: South London, Great Britain. Has toured with the Austin Lounge Lizards
2003, released debut CD.
2005, toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Released second CD.

BUDDY GREENE

From Macon, Georgia. Lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.
A singer, songwriter, and popular session musician (plays harmonica and guitar). Well-known in southern gospel music.
1983-1986, was a member of Jerry Reed's band.
1991, won Dove award for Best Country Album ("Sojourner's Song").
Has written songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Wynonna, Kathy Mattea, Reba McIntyre, the Whites, Del McCoury, many others.
2002, released a bluegrass-flavored album called "Rufus" (his middle name) with guest musicians Jerry Douglas, Ron Block, Sam Bush, others.

RICHARD GREENE

From Los Angeles.
An influential fiddler who worked with Bill Monroe (1966-67) and the short-lived Muleskinner band with Clarence White, Bill Keith and Peter Rowan (1973).
First band: The Dry City Scat Band (1963). Others: The Pine Valley Boys (1964), The Greenbriar Boys (1965), Jim Kweskin's Jug Band (1968), Seatrain (1969), The Great American Music Band (early 1970's, with David Grisman).
Has recorded and toured with Bruce Springsteen, Henry Mancini, Loggins and Messina, Maria Muldaur, Burt Bacharach, Peter Rowan, others.
1985, formed the Greene String Quartet (a jazz ensemble).
1993, formed "The Grass is Greener," a bluegrass ensemble that included a 12-year-old Chris Thile (Nickel Creek).
2005, teamed up with "The Brothers Barton" (Paul and Loren Barton of Bakersfield, CA).

SMOKEY GREENE

From Rutland, Vermont. Lives in Florida.
1946, began performing at age 16.
Was a popular country music singer around New York and Vermont in the 50's and 60's. During the 70's, he had a band called "the Green Mountain Boys." Was also a festival promoter.
1996, after 50 years of performing, recorded his first nationally-distributed album (Pinecastle Records).

THE GREERS

From Oregon, now living in O'Fallon, Illinois (near St. Louis, MO.
Formed in 1986.
Features sisters Marla (bass) and Carla (guitar) Greer.
Specialize in traditional bluegrass and Louvin Brothers-style country duets.

DAVID GRIER (See also PSYCHOGRASS)

From Nashville, Tennessee. Grew up in Laurel, Maryland.
A flat-pick guitarist who has performed with The Doug Dillard Band, The Big Dogs (with Tony Trischka), Peter Rowan, The Country Gazette.
Son of Lamar Grier, banjo player with Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys in the late 60's.
Influenced by Clarence and Roland White, who were family friends of the Griers.
Won his first guitar championship at age 11.
1991, recorded duet album with mandolinist Mike Compton.
1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 won IBMA award for "Guitar Player of the Year."
1995-present, performs as a studio musician and solo artist, also guitarist with Psychograss.
1999, 2002, recorded albums with bassist Todd Phillips and mandolinist Matt Flinner.

DANIEL GRINDSTAFF

From East Tennessee.
Banjo player who has performed and recorded with such bands as David Peterson and 1946, Jim and Jesse, The Osborne Brothers, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys.
2006, joined Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. Also works dates with Tim Graves & Cherokee and Wildfire.
2006, released solo project "April's Fool."

DAVID GRISMAN (THE DAVID GRISMAN QUINTET)

From Mill Valley, California. Originally from Hackensack, New York
Called "The Paganini of the Mandolin" by the New York Times.
Bill Monroe once acknowledged David as his "heir apparent" to the mandolin.
Began pro career with Red Allen and the Kentuckians (mid-60's).
Other bands: The Even Dozen Jug Band (with Maria Muldaur and John Sebastian, later of the Lovin' Spoonful), The New York Ramblers (with Jody Stecher and Winnie Winston).
1967, moved to California and formed a rock group with Peter Rowan called "Earth Opera."
1972, performed in Muleskinner with Peter Rowan, Richard Greene and Clarence White.
1973, formed The Great American Music Band, which included at various times, Richard Greene, Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia, Eric Thompson, John Carlini and Joe Carroll. Performed at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
1974, performed with Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements and John Kahn on album "Old and In the Way"—one of the best selling bluegrass albums of all time.
Calls his music "Dawg" music (after the initials in his name.) Jerry Garcia (of The Grateful Dead) gave him the nickname.
One of the first to successfully fuse bluegrass with jazz and classical styles.
Since 1975, has performed with his group, The David Grisman Quintet (or Quartet, depending on the number of musicians). First version of this band included guitarist Tony Rice.
Frets Magazine called David's music "bluegrass-jazz-Gypsy-rock-Middle-Eastern-Hebraic-folk-classical-Grisman." Billboard Magazine has called it "fire-breathing acoustic string music that fuses the emotional freedom of rock to the tight precision of bluegrass."
Has worked on albums by Linda Rondstadt, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Judy Collins, Martin Mull, Tom Paxton, the Pointer Sisters, and the Grateful Dead.
Gave Bob Dylan mandolin lessons.
1976, founded magazine called "The Mandolin World News."
Founder and owner of Acoustic Disc records.
Early influences: Ralph Rinzler (of the original Greenbriar Boys) and Frank Wakefield.
2000, won IBMA awards for Instrumental Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year ("Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza").
2001, his daughter Gillian produced a film for Sony Pictures called "Grateful Dawg,," based on the lives, music and friendship of David Grisman and Jerry Garcia.
2002, formed a bluegrass band called The David Grisman Experience. Also performing with "Old and in the Gray."

GROOVEGRASS (THE GROOVEGRASS BOYZ)

From Nashville.
A recording ensemble which has included the Del McCoury Band, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Terry Eldridge, Wilma Lee Cooper, Steve Kaufman and other musicians.
First recording: the latin dance hit "Macarena" with a bluegrass flavor (1997). Also produced a dance version of "Rocky Top" (using the Osborne Brothers' vocals from the original version). Both recordings reached the Billboard top ten singles chart.
Conceived by Nashville producer Scott Rouse, whose goal is to attract younger listeners to the bluegrass sound.
According the Rouse, the Macarena recording was actually the "reverse" of the GrooveGrass concept (turning a pop tune into a bluegrass tune). The main goal, he says, "is usually to take bluegrass and make it into a pop tune while saving all the bluegrass parts of it."

K. C. GROVES (See also UNCLE EARL)

From Northville, Michigan (near Ann Arbor). She lives in Lyons, Colorado.
Began playing guitar and writing songs in 1991. Also learned mandolin from Colby Maddox (of Special Consensus).
1999, released album "Can You Hear It" produced by the late Charles Sawtelle.
1999, formed an all-female Americana group with singer/songwriter Jo Serrapere called Uncle Earl.