Bluegrass Bios M

UNCLE DAVE MACON

From Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
One of the Grand Ole Opry's first superstars.
Joined the Opry in 1926 at the age of 56; last Opry performance, 1941.
One of the first country music performers to feature and popularize the five-string banjo.
Called "The Dixie Dewdrop."
Before joining the Opry, he ran a freight line from Murfreesboro to Woodbury Tennessee—two wagons with three mules to each wagon.
Born Oct. 7, 1870 in Smart Station, Tennessee; he died in 1952 at the age of 81.
Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.

LEROY MACK (McNEES)

From Los Angeles, California.
Former Dobro™ player with the Kentucky Colonels (early 1960's). He appeared on the Andy Griffith TV show and is a favorite at the annual "Mayberry Days" reunions in Mt. Airy, NC.
For more than 20 years, he performed with a Los Angeles area gospel group called The Born Again Bluegrass Band.
Heads an organization called "Businessmen for Christ."
2001, recorded an album with the Canadian band "Jerusalem Ridge."
2004, retired and spends much of his time traveling with his wife across North America in their motor home
2006, worked with Habitat for Humanity in Florida, building homes for the poor. Also released new CD "Scratchin' My Beard" (he plays a Beard resophonic guitar).

KATE MACKENZIE

From Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born in Mason City, Iowa. Grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
While attending University of Minnesota, formed the band Stoney Lonesome. Left that band in 1995.
Has made frequent appearances on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" (PBS).
Was a member of the original "Hopeful Gospel Quartet" with Keillor, Chet Atkins and Linda Williams.
Performs solo and with Chris Silver, a former member of Stoney Lonesome.
1995, won "Best Country or Bluegrass Recording" at the Minnesota Music Awards for her album "Let Them Talk."
1996, formed a band called "The Pocket Fishermen."

BOBBY MACKEY

From Wilder, Kentucky (near Cincinnati).
Since 1978, has owned a night club called "Bobby Mackey's," where he performs and hosts other country acts. Cincinnatti's "classic country" radio station (WAOL) broadcasts live music from there on Friday nights.
Bobby Mackey's (the night club) has also received national attention because of ghosts that are said to inhabit the building.
2002, formed a bluegrass band called "The Pine Hill Pickers" and released an albumin 2004 featuring Rhonda Vincent, Sonya Isaacs and other guest artists. Produced by Adam Steffey.

ROSE MADDOX

From Boaz, Alabama.
Full name: Roselea Arbana Maddox.
Called "The Queen of the West."
Moved with her family to California in 1933 in search of a better life. They traveled by hitching rides in empty railroad boxcars. When they arrived in California, the only work they could find was as migrant "fruit tramps" working the fields and orchards up and down the fertile valleys of California.
1937, began performing with her brothers as "The Maddox Brothers and Rose," one of country music's most successful acts (broke up in 1956).
Was a regular on the Louisiana Hayride.
Voted best female country vocalist by both Billboard and Cashbox magazines.
Her band was called The Foggy Notion Band ("I never had the foggiest notion that I would ever have my own band.")
The first female vocalist to record an all-bluegrass album— "Rose Maddox Sings Bluegrass" on Capitol Records. Included guest artists Bill Monroe, Don Reno and Red Smiley.
Rose has been the subject of several television specials and one book Ramblin' Rose: the Life and Career of Rose Maddox by Johnny Whiteside (Country Music Foundation).
Died April 15, 1998.

WADE AND J.E. MAINER (THE MAINER MOUNTAINEERS)

From Weaverville, North Carolina. Lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A country music pioneer whose mountain string band music of the 1930's helped lay the foundation for bluegrass which developed in the 1940's.
He and his older brother J.E. Mainer began performing together in 1927. They were first known as J.E. Mainer's Crazy Mountaineers. Wade played banjo; J.E. played fiddle. In 1935, they recorded 14 songs for the RCA Bluebird label, including their biggest hit "Maple on the Hill."
1936, formed his own band "Sons of the Mountaineers" with Zeke and Wiley Morris, Clyde Moody, other musicians. From 1935 to 1941, they were one of the most heavily-recorded country artists of that era.
1953, left the music business and moved to Flint, Michigan where he worked for General Motors, retiring in 1972.
1975, began performing again with his wife, Julia May (stage name "Hillbilly Lilly"), who sings and plays guitar.
Mainer plays banjo in the two-finger style popularized by Snuffy Jenkins (who inspired Earl Scruggs to develop his three-finger style.)
2002, appeared at the Grand Ole Opry and was Grand Marshall for the Uncle Dave Macon Days parade in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
2007, Mainer celebrated his 100th birthday.

MALIBU STORM (See THE SCHANKMAN TWINS)

LUBOS MALINA (See also DRUHA TRAVA)

From the Czech Republic.
Pronounced LEW-Bosch Ma-LEEN-a.
Plays banjo with Druha Trava (Second Grass).
Early influences: Larry McNeely and Earl Scruggs; later influences: Bela Fleck and Tony Trischka.
1992, won ‘Best Banjo Player Overall' at Banjo Jamboree Festival (Czech Republic). Has won Banjo Player of the Year every year since 1986.
1999, released first solo album.

MAPLE CREEK

From Powder Springs, Georgia (Originally formed in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).
Formed in 1997 by Brad Oviatt (fiddle) and his wife Dawn (guitar). Brad is a West Virginia fiddle champ and former member of Patent Pending, Beaver Creek, other bands.
2000, released first CD "Maple Creek"
2004, released second CD, produced by Canadian mandolinist Emory Lester.
2004 and 2005, hosted the Canadian Rockies Bluegrass festival.
2006, the Oviatt's relocated to Georgia and re-formed the band there.

WIL MARING

From Waterloo, Iowa. Grew up in Makanda, Illinois.
Given name: Lillian Maring (Wil is a nickname acquired in grade school)
1989, she and German-born husband Mark Stoffel founded a band called Shady Mix in Illinois.
1992, they moved to Germany and re-formed Shady Mix there, becoming very popular in Europe.
2001, moved back to Illinois and re-formed Shady Mix once again with some of the original band members.
In 1998, she won the Chris Austin song writing contest at MerleFest.
Has a master's degree in anthropology.

TAD MARKS

From Cooksville, Maryland.
1990-1992, played fiddle for the Del McCoury Band.
1992-1993, the Lynn Morris Band.
1994, the Kate McKenzie Band.
1995-1997, the James King Band.
2000, worked with Scottish folksinger Charlie Zahm.
2003, singer/fiddler with Washington D.C. band "Big Hillbilly Bluegrass." Appeared in Chris Rock movie "Head of State."

THE MARKSMEN QUARTET

From Murrayville, Georgia.
A gospel quartet that formed in the early 1970's.
Members: Earle Wheeler (bass), his son Mark Wheeler (guitar/banjo), Darrin Chambers (guitar/Dobro™), Tommy Dutton (mandolin.)
1991, won Video of the Year for "Grandpa Was a Farmer (Independent Country Music Awards).
1992, won "Telly" award for their video "Wagon Tracks."
1993-95, won SPBGMA award for Best Bluegrass Gospel Group.

MIKE MARSHALL

From the San Francisco Bay area.
He is of Italian descent; his family name is Marciarelli, which was shortened to Marshall.
1979, was an original member of the David Grisman Quintet.
1983, formed the Montreux Band, a new age jazz ensemble.
1987, formed the Modern Mandolin Quartet.
1995, traveled to Brazil and studied Brazilian choro music.
1996, formed Psychograss with Darol Anger, David Grier, Todd Philips and Tony Trischka.
1999, recorded and performed with Edgar Meyer, Joshua Bell and Sam Bush
2000, recorded and performed with NewGrange.
2002, recorded an album of duets with Chris Thile.

BENNY MARTIN

From Sparta, Tennessee. Full name: Benny Edward Martin, Sr.
Often called "The World's Greatest Unknown Fiddle Player."
One of the pioneers of the bluegrass fiddle.
1944, began musical career with Big Jeff and the Radio Playboys.
1946, Milton Estes and His Musical Millers (on the Grand Ole Opry.)
1947, joined Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.
1947, worked with Roy Acuff.
1952-1954, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
1954, Johnny and Jack.
1955, embarked on a solo career as a vocalist. Signed by Mercury Records. Act was called "Big Tige and the Little Tigers."
1956, joined the Grand Ole Opry.
Had the same manager as Elvis Presley, Col. Tom Parker.
Opened for Elvis Presley on 35 shows.
Was a close friend and drinking buddy of Hank Williams, Sr.
Invented an 8-string fiddle which never caught on. The only other performer to use it professionally was John Hartford.
1997, received an IBMA Award of Merit for his contributions to bluegrass music.
2001, died on March 13. Sadly, one of his closest friends, John Hartford, also died the same year.
2005, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Honor.

JIMMY MARTIN (AND THE SUNNY MOUNTAIN BOYS)

From Sneedville, Tennessee.
Nicknames: "Mr. Good 'n Country" and "The King of Bluegrass Music."
1949, went to the Grand Ole Opry and auditioned for Bill Monroe. Was hired on the spot. Worked with Monroe until 1951.
Sang lead on Monroe's first recording of "Uncle Pen."
1954, formed Jimmy Martin and the Osborne Brothers (with Bobby and Sonny).
1955, formed "The Sunny Mountain Boys," named after one of Jimmy's songs, "Sunny Side of the Mountain."
Was a featured artist on both of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Grammy-award winning albums, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."
Favorite sport: coon-hunting. Over the years, he has kept a large stable of coon-dogs, most of them named after country-music stars.
Most cherished award: "Distinguished Citizenship Award" (1964) from Nashville's Mayor Beverly Briley, after Jimmy risked his life to pull a mother and her three children to safety from a flaming automobile that was involved in an accident.
1995, inducted into the IBMA's Hall of Honor.
1999, was the subject of book by music critic Tom Piazza titled True Adventures with the King of Bluegrass, published by the Country Music Foundation.
1999, designed his own granite tombstone, six feet high with a 12 x 12 photo of himself, and had it put in place at his future gravesite.
2002, semi-retired, performing select dates in the late spring and summer months.
Died May 14, 2005 from cancer of the bladder.

MAC MARTIN (AND THE DIXIE TRAVELERS)

From Pittsburgh, PA.
First band: the Pike County Boys (1948).
Real name: Bill Colleran. His first band had three Bills in it, so he adopted the stage name of "Mac Martin" and the name stuck.
Formed the Dixie travelers in 1954 with Mike Carson (fiddle) and Billy Bryant (banjo). Bryant died in 1994.
Martin is named on the IBMA's list of bluegrass music's "first generation" pioneers.
Martin plays mandolin with the DT.
They were regulars at a Pittsburgh club called Walsh's Lounge (19 years).
1972, mandolinist (and bluegrass historian) Bob Artis led the Dixie Travelers when Martin semi-retired. Martin returned in 1977.
Martin's "day job" was as an accountant.

MARY AND MARS

From Santa Fe, New Mexico.
An "acoustic trio" formed in 2002 to explore the outer limits of bluegrass. They play everything from bluegrass classics to Motown and reggae.
Members: Sharon Gilchrist (mandolin), Ben Wright (guitar) and Josh Martin (bass).
Gilchrist previously played mandolin and bass with the Dixie Chicks. She has a degree in Mandolin Studies from Belmont University in Nashville. Also studied mandolin in Savona, Italy with master Carlo Aonzo.
2004, this band broke up. Gilchrist went on to work with Uncle Earl, The Peter Rowan and Tony Rice Quartet, and (2007) The Santa Fe All-Stars (with Mary and Mars bandmate Ben Wright.)

THE MASHVILLE BRIGADE

From Nashville.
Like "The Sidemen," this group performs regularly at the Station Inn on Tuesday nghts.
All of the members are sidemen in other bands: Aaron McDaris, banjo (The Grascals), Darrell Webb, guitar (Rhonda Vincent); Ashby Frank, mandolin (The Special Consensus); Jim Van Cleve, fiddle (Mountain Heart) and Randy Barnes, bass (NewFound Road.)
2008, released album "Bluegrass Smash Hits, Volume 1" on Rural Rythm Records, recorded at the Station Inn.

JIMMY MATTINGLY (See also THE GRASCALS)

From Leitchfield, Kentucky.
1981, won Grand Masters fiddle championship.
1981, joined Spectrum.
Early 80's, worked with the Forrester Sisters and Steve Wariner.
1989-1993, worked with Dolly Parton.
1993, worked with the Osborne Brothers.
1995, played fiddle with Garth Brooks until Brook's retirement from music (2001).
2002, worked again with Dolly Parton. Also did some fill-in work with the Sidemen.
2004, formed The Grascals with Terry Eldridge, David Talbot, Danny Roberts, Terry Smith and Jamie Johnson.

KEVIN MAUL

From Round Lake, New York.
1990-2000, played Dobro™ with Robin and Linda Williams as one half of "their Fine Group."
Previously played in a Massachusetts band with Joe Perry of Aerosmith called "P-town Jug Band."
Worked with Chet Atkins and Johnny Gimbel on Austin City Limits.
Has recorded with Vince Gill.

PATRICK MCAVINUE

From Hereford, Maryland.
Began playing fiddle at age 7.
At age 12, formed first band "The Salem Bottom Boys."
Won the Delaware State Fiddle Championship.
2006, joined Audie Blaylock and Redline.
2007, released solo project "Grave Run."

DWIGHT MCCALL

From Cincinnati, Ohio (born in Maryland).
Began playing mandolin as a teenager.
First pro job: Vernon McIntyre's Appalachian Grass.
1992-1995, had a band called Union Springs.
1995, worked with Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen.
1996, joined J. D. Crowe and the New South.
1999, released first solo project.

DEL MCCOURY (THE DEL MCCOURY BAND)

From Bakersville, North Carolina. Lives in Nashville.
Began playing banjo at age 14.
1963, played banjo with a Baltimore group, The Virginia Playboys.
1963-1964, worked with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Hired by Monroe to play guitar and sing lead, but McCoury didn't even own a guitar. Monroe gave him two weeks to get one and learn to play—and he did.
1964, moved to California to join The Golden State Boys with Vern Gosdin and Don Parmley; also worked with another California band, The Shady Valley Boys.
After California, moved back to North Carolina and worked in his father's sawmill.
1967, formed The Dixie Pals.
1987, changed the name of the band to The Del McCoury Band. His two sons Ronnie and Robbie are also in his band.
Known as the "most awarded band in the history of bluegrass."
1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, won IBMA award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 won IBMA award for Entertainer of the Year.
1996, 1997, band won IBMA award for Instrumental Group of the Year.
1993-2000, Ronnie won the IBMA award for Mandolin Player of the Year for eight consecutive years.
1995, Ronnie and Rob McCoury recorded a duet album featuring their individual talents.
1997-8, recorded toured and recorded with country singer Steve Earle.
1998, appeared on CBS-TV special called "To Life: America Celebrates Israel's 50th." They played with a Klezmer band to show the similarities between traditional American music and traditional Israeli music. Also on the program: Stevie Wonder, Harry Connick, Jr., Natalie Cole, Michael Douglas, Kevin Costner.
1998, recorded with Doc Watson and Mac Wiseman as the "GrooveGrass Boyz."
2001-2, toured with the "Down from the Mountain" tour.
2002, won IBMA award for Song of the Year ("1952 Vincent Black Lightning")
2003, national tour with Leftover Salmon, acquiring thousands of young new fans known as "DelHeads."
2003, October 25 – became a member of the Grand Old Opry. Surprise announcement was made by Sonny Osborne and Ricky Skaggs on October 2 at the IBMA Awards on McCoury's acceptance of his 8th Entertainer of the Year award.
2003, started his own record label, McCoury Music.
2004, won IBMA award for Album of the Year (for "It's Just the Night")
2006, Del began doing a weekly show on Sirius Satellite Radio called "Hand Picked."
2007 (summer), 18-city tour with Vince Gill.

RONNIE AND ROB MCCOURY (See THE DEL MCCOURY BAND)

THE MCCORMICK BROTHERS

From Westmoreland, Tennessee.
A family band that began performing together in 1945 (they ranged in age from 7 to 19 at that time.)
Featured brothers Lloyd (guitar), Haskell (banjo), Kelly (mandolin) and William Harold (bass.)
Recorded for Fred Rose's Hickory record label. They were heard by Ernest Tubb who was flying over Gallatin in a small plane and heard them on the radio. Tubb urged Rose to sign them and he did.
1955, recorded the original version of "The Bugle Call Rag." Their signature song was the lighthearted "Red Hen Boogie."
1970, recorded an album for Metromedia Records called "Brass Meets Grass" featuring horns with bluegrass instrumentation.
Haskell also worked with country singer Marty Robbins and played banjo with Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass (1971-1973). While with Lester, he recorded two originals: "McCormick String Picnic" and "The Haskel Stomp."
Kelly died in January, 2005.

AARON MCDARIS

From Hartsville, Missouri.
Began playing banjo at age 12.
Age 14, began performing with regional bands Second Exit and New Tradition.
2000, joined the Larry Stephenson Band.
2005, released first solo album.
2006, joined The Grascals, replacing David Talbot.

JOHN MCEUEN (See also THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND)

From Orange County, California. Lives in Aspen, Colorado.
Founding member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Began his show-business career at age 16 with comedian Steve Martin doing magic tricks at Disneyland. (John taught Steve how to play the banjo during that time.)
Inspired musically by Doug Dillard (The Dillards).
Left the NGDB in 1987 to spend more time with his family and to pursue other career opportunities.
Made numerous appearances on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and "Nashville Now" (TNN) which he has also hosted.Wrote the score for one feature film—"The Man Outside" with Levon Helm, as well as several NBC-TV specials.
1989, produced a full-length documentary on the original Dillards called "A Night in the Ozarks."
1994, won "Best Traditional Western Album" (for "The Wild West") at the Western Heritage Awards Show in Oklahoma City.
1994, wrote and produced the music for "The Good Old Boys", a TV movie starring Tommy Lee Jones and Sissy Spacek.
1996, wrote his autobiography, titled The Dirt Road.
2001, re-joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to tour and record again.

JOHN MCGANN

From Boston; born in Morristown, New Jersey.
Founding member of the Beacon Hillbillies, a Boston band (1991-1995).
Plays guitar and mandolin.
1982, played with a band called Lost in the Shuffle.
1985, won the mandolin championship in Winfield, Kansas.
1984-1990, played with local bands The Stringbusters and Off Center.
1992, formed a group called Rust Farm (formerly Flywheel) with mandolinist Chris Moore.
Also performs with a variety of fiddle bands, traditional Irish and Celtic groups.
2001, performed and recorded with The Wayfaring Strangers, a jazz-bluegrass fusion with Matt Glaser, Andy Statman, Tony Trischka and others.

THE JAMES & ANGELA MCKINNEY BAND

From Dallas, Texas.
James is originally from Ft. Payne, Alabama.
Age 15, James won southern states banjo championship.
Age 19, he moved to Nashville and directed Opryland's bluegrass show. Also worked as a studio musician.
1980, toured with Vassar Clements.
1982, won the National Banjo Championship in Winfield, Kansas.
1987, moved back to Dallas and formed "Danger in the Air" with wife Angela.
1990, moved back to Nashville.
2004, released first album "A Clear View."

THE MCKRELLS

From Saratoga Springs, New York.
Founded by guitarist and vocalist Kevin McKrell (formerly with Donnybrook Fair).
A regional band, they blend Irish/Celtic music with bluegrass/newgrass.
1996, won the band contest at the Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival.
Perform regularly at the Night Eagle Café in Oxford, New York.
Have played Carnegie Hall, opened for such acts as Lonestar, toured Ireland.

THE MCLAIN FAMILY BAND

From Berea Kentucky.
Performed 1972 through 1989.
Were associated with the armed forces which took them to more than 80 foreign countries as "America's Ambassadors of Traditional Music."
Often performed with symphony orchestras.
Bought the Big Hill Farm near Berea and for 13 years hosted the first "international" bluegrass festival featuring bands from the U.S. and abroad.
Included Raymond K. McLain, father of the McLain Family Band and a professor of musicology at Berea College (he died in 2003); Raymond W. McLain, Michael K. McLain, Ruth McLain Riopel, Michael Riopel, and Nancy Ann McLain.
Recorded more than a dozen albums on their own label, Country Life Records.
Raymond K. McLain passed away in 2004.

RAYMOND W. MCLAIN (See also THE MCLAIN FAMILY BAND)

From Berea, Kentucky.
1969-1989 performed with his family, The McLain Family Band.
1990-1997, played banjo with Jim and Jesse McReynolds (since 1990)
1997, formed a new group with brother Michael and Michael's wife Jennifer called The McLains.
2000, joined the music faculty of East Tennesse State University (he was formerly on the faculty of Belmont University in Nashville, teaching music.)
2005, recorded an album of duets with Canadian harmonica player Mike Stevens.

MICHAEL AND JENNIFER MCLAIN BAND (See also THE MCLAIN FAMILY BAND)

From Berea, Kentucky.
Michael plays banjo, Jennifer plays mandolin. A husband-wife duo, they began performing together in 1997 as the McLains with Michael's brother Raymond. Raymond departed the band in 2000.
Michael formerly worked with the McLain Family Band, Sam Hill (which became Crucial Smith), Claire Lynch and the Front Porch String Band.

DAVID MCLAUGHLIN (See THE JOHNSON MOUNTAIN BOYS; JOSH CROWE AND DAVID MCLAUGHLIN; SPRINGFIELD EXIT)

PETER MCLAUGHLIN (See also LAURIE LEWIS AND GRANT STREET)

From Tucson, Arizona.
Began professional career playing guitar with Laurie Lewis and Grant Street.
He is the older brother of former Johnson Mountain Boy, David McLaughlin.
Recorded a solo album in 1996. Also recorded with a group called The Frog Mountain Trio (Tucson).
2000, joined Chris Brashear and the Perfect Strangers.

JOSH MCMURRAY

From Church Hill, Tennessee
Began playing banjo at age 13.
1998, joined Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers at age 18.
2003, released first solo project.

LARRY MCNEELY

From Indiana.
Began his career playing banjo with Charlie Collins and the original Pinnacle Mountain Boys, a Tennessee group.
Age 17, he and Collins landed a job playing banjo and guitar respectively with Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys on the Grand Ole Opry.
Lost job with Acuff because his Scruggs-style playing didn't fit Roy Acuff's mountain-style music.
Known for his mastery of the "chromatic" or melodic-style banjo technique.
Replaced John Hartford as Glen Campbell's banjo player on the CBS-TV show "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour."
Late 60's, recorded two albums for Capitol Records.
1970's formed The Larry McNeely Band in Los Angeles.
Played the soundtrack to the TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard."
1985, moved back to Nashville and again joined Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys until Acuff's death in 1992, playing guitar.
1992-1995, worked with The Wood Brothers at Opryland USA.

LEROY MCNEES (See LEROY MACK)

LUKE MCNIGHT

From Nashville, Tennessee.
Grandson of Jesse McReynolds (of Jim and Jesse).
Began playing mandolin (a gift from his grandpa) at age 9.
1996, debuted on the Grand Ole Opry with Jim and Jesse at age 14 (he did some "bluegrass break-dancing" and got an encore!)
2001, recorded first solo album at age 18.
2002, formed his own band "Thunder Road."

THE MCPEAK BROTHERS

From Wytheville, Virginia.
Original band formed in 1963, with Udell, Larry and Dewey McPeak. Udell dropped out in 1966 and the youngest McPeak brother, Michael took his place.
1974, discovered by country music star Mel Tillis, who arranged for them to record an album called "Bluegrass at its Peak" on RCA Records.
After several years of inactivity, the McPeak Brothers came out of retirement in 1992 and have been recording and performing.
1998, Larry McPeak formed The VW Boys with Tim White and Dave Vaught.
2001, Larry received a liver transplant after being on a waiting list for more than a year and half.

CURTISS MCPEAKE (AND THE NATCHEZ EXPRESS)

From Nashville.
Played banjo with Bill Monroe, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper and other bands.
For over 20 years, played banjo for Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass. He left Davis in 1987 to start his own band.
Was the "staff banjo player" for the Grand Ole Opry in the early 1960's.
Subbed for Earl Scruggs in the Foggy Mountain Boys when Earl was injured in an automobile accident.
Owns a music shop in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee called "McPeake's Unique Instruments."

JIM AND JESSE MCREYNOLDS (See JIM AND JESSE)

ALECIA MCRIGHT (See ALECIA NUGENT)

MERIDIAN

From East Tennesee/West Virginia.
Formed in 2002 by Will Parsons (banjo), Megan Gregory (fiddle), Steve Acord (mandolin), & Shane Ingram (bass).
2003, appeared on PBS show Mountain Stage.
Often perform on behalf of environmental causes.

BUDDY MERRIAM (AND BACK ROADS)

From Sound Beach, New York (Long Island).
A musical instrument repairman by trade. (Has a college degree in Musical Instrument Technology.)
Formed his own band "Back Roads" in 1980. Has also worked with the Sykes Brothers, the Fox Family Band, the Berkshire Mountains Festival Band, and others.
Turning point in his life: met Bill Monroe at 1976 Berkshire Mountains Bluegrass Festival (the first he ever attended) and was struck by lightning at the same festival. He was hit in the neck and thrown ten feet in the air. His heart and lungs stopped and both eardrums were punctured. He was revived and while recuperating in the hospital, Monroe called him to wish him well. They later became friends.
Also has a radio program called "Blue Grass Time" (WUSB-FM, Long Island, NY)

LIZ MEYER

From Washington D.C. Lives in the Netherlands.
For more than a decade (70's and 80's) she was a very popular Washington D.C. area bluegrass, folk and country artist with her own band.
1987, went to Holland on tour and while there married Peter Groenveld, owner of Strictly Country Records. She had a baby and became a full-time mom.
1995, began performing and recording again.
1998-2003, performed in a duo with guitarist Mark Cosgrove.
Has recently toured with the Austrian group Nugget, the Berlin-based Hot String Quartet, and the Czech band Fragment.
Performs with her own band Big City Bluegrass.
She has recorded several albums accompanied by many of the top musicians in bluegrass: Ron Block, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Byron Berline, David Parmley, Emmylou Harris and many others.
2005, released album "The Storm."
Since 2001, she has been battling breast cancer.

EDGAR MEYER

One of the world's top classical string bass players.
1985, became the first regular bass player for the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.
Was the first bass player to be featured as a bowed soloist on a country record: Kathy Mattea's Grammy-award winning "Where Have You Been." (1990).
Has recorded with Garth Brooks, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Reba McIntyre, Hank Williams, Jr., Travis Tritt, many others.
Performed and recorded with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck and Mark O'Connor in "Strength in Numbers."
Wrote and performed a bass concerto with the Minnesota Orchestra. Many other classical compositions and performances to his credit.
Sometimes performs in a trio with Jerry Douglas and Russ Barenberg.

WALT MICHAEL & COMPANY

From Westminster, Maryland.
Formerly performed with Bottle Hill.One of the top hammered dulcimer players in the U.S.
Band performs bluegrass, old time, Celtic, folk and New Age music.
Performed the music used for the closing ceremonies of the 13th Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

MIDDLE SPUNK CREEK BOYS

From Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. There actually is a Middle Spunk Creek near Minneapolis, after which the band was named.
Formed in 1968 by Alan Jesperson, the only remaining member of the original band.
Have performed on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion."
Peter Ostroushko is a former member of this group.

CLINT MILLER

From Escondido, California (near San Diego). Was born in Wessington Springs, South Dakota.
Is pastor of the North County Baptist Church in Escondido.
Before going into the ministry, he owned a chain of service stations. Also worked in radio and television in Los Angeles.
Has recorded several albums of Gospel songs on which he sings and plays guitar with backing from the Del McCoury Band, the Whites, other bluegrass stars.
His friend and record producer is John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter.

BILL AND WILMA MILLSAPS (AND SNOWBIRD MOUNTAIN BLUEGRASS)

From Robbinsville, North Carolina.
Bill is a distant relative of Daniel Boone.
Began performing together shortly after marriage in 1967.
1969, formed "The Snowbird Mountain Boys," then the "Snowbird Mountain Trio."
Snowbird Mountain is an actual mountain on the NC-Tenn state line (just below the Smokies).
Bill has worked with Carl Story and his Rambling Mountaineers; also with Kenny Baker and Josh Graves.

JIM MILLS

From Raleigh, North Carolina.
Has been playing banjo all his life (says he can't remember not playing the banjo.)
After high school, joined Summer Wages with Barry Berrier.
1988-1993, worked with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
1993, took job with Sugar Hill Records as shipping manager.
1994, joined Bass Mountain Boys.
1997, joined Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
1999, won IBMA award for "Instrumental Recording of the Year" ("Bound to Ride").
1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, won IBMA award for "Banjo Player of the Year."
Is a collector and dealer of vintage pre-war Gibson banjos.

PATTY MITCHELL

From Perrin, Texas (moved to Nashville in 1999).
Began singing and recording at age seven.
Early 1990's, played bass and mandolin with the Dixie Chicks when they won the band contest at Telluride.
Recorded for Electra Records with her trio "The Domestic Science Club."
Was a founding member of the band Red Oak.
Sang the National Anthem at World Cup Soccer matches.
Sang with Ralph Stanley on his "Clinch Mountain Sweethearts" album, with Emmylou Harris on her "Caught in the Web" album, and with Gail Davies on her "Live and Unplugged at the Station Inn" album.
2003, recorded solo project.

BARRY MITTERHOFF (See also SKYLINE)

From New York City. Lives in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Began playing bluegrass while at Rutgers University. Formed a band called Bottle Hill.
Has played mandolin with Tony Trischka and Skyline, Peter Rowan and Tex Logan, the Lynn Morris Band.
Has also performed with the New York City Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera.
1998, joined Chris Jones' band, the Night Drivers.
2002, joined Hot Tuna featuring Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy (formerly with rock band Jefferson Airplane).
Also has a band called the Klezmer Cowboys (combining country/bluegrass music with Jewish Klezmer music from Europe.)

KATSUYUKI MIYAZAKI

From Kyoto, Japan.
Most people call him "Katsu."
One of Japan's top mandolin players. Has won many awards in Japan for his playing, including Moonshiner magazine's Mandolin Player of the Year award (1988).
1985, formed a group in Japan called Birdland.
1988-1989, hosted a bluegrass radio show in Kyoto.
1991 and 1996, placed third at the U.S. National Mandolin Championship in Winfield, Kansas.
1997, recorded and toured with Ronnie McCoury, Rickie Simpkins, Richard Bailey and Gene Libbea.

MOLASSES CREEK

From North Carolina.
Formed in 1993.
Live on a tiny island 23 miles off the coast of North Carolina (Ocracoke Island).
Tour under the auspices of the North Carolina Performing Arts Council.
1998, their album "Citybound" was the #1 album on the European Country Music charts.

BRUCE MOLSKY

From Ithica, New York.
Began playing guitar at age 10. Added banjo and fiddle to his repertoire during his teen years. He is best known as a fiddler.
He is a regular instructor at Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp, Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon and Sierra Fiddle Camps, Swannanoa Gathering, and others.
1973, went the Galax Fiddler's Convention and heard old-time music for the first time. Got hooked.
Attended Cornell University, became a mechanical engineer.
1994, performed with "Fiddles on Fire," a national tour.
2003, performed and recorded with "Fiddlers 4" with Darol Anger, Michael Doucet and Rushad Eggleston.
2004, released solo project "Poor Man's Troubles" on Rounder Records which won a 2001 "Indie" award for Best Traditional Folk Recording
2006, toured with "Highlands, Heath and Holler" with Martin Hayes & Alasdair Fraser.
2006, released solo project "Soon Be Time" on Compass Records.
2007, he is also part of an international musical ensemble called "Mosaic."

BILL MONROE (AND THE BLUE GRASS BOYS)

From Rosine, Kentucky.
Born September 13, 1911. Died September 9, 1996.
Full name: William Smith Monroe.
He is known as "the Father of Bluegrass Music."
Mentors: "Uncle Pen" (Pendleton) Vandiver, a fiddler; and Arnold Schultz, a black guitarist and fiddler whom Monroe credits with inspiring the blues in bluegrass.
Began playing music when he was eight years old. His brothers and sisters played fiddles and guitars, and Bill wanted to do the same. But since he was the youngest, he was given the mandolin.Lived with his Uncle Pen Vandiver (his mother's brother) after his parents died (they both died before Bill was 17). He learned fiddle music from him.
1929, at age 18, began performing with his brothers Birch and Charlie in east Chicago, while working at the Sinclair refinery (during the Great Depression.)
1934, formed "The Monroe Brothers"—a duo with brother Charlie. Signed by on RCA Victor's "Bluebird" label and made first record on February 17, 1936.
1938, moved to Little Rock, Arkansas and formed "The Kentuckians." Later moved to Atlanta and formed "The Blue Grass Boys," named after the nickname of his home state.
1939, auditioned for the Grand Ole Opry and was hired on the spot.
First song sung on the Grand Ole Opry: "The Muleskinner Blues."
1940's, traveled with a professional baseball team that played local semi-pro teams in exhibition games preceding the concert.
Experimented with various musicians during the early 40's, including an accordian player and a clawhammer style banjo played by David "Stringbean" Akeman.
1945, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs joined Monroe's band and bluegrass music as we know it today was born. Other members of the original "bluegrass" band: Chubby Wise on fiddle, and Howard Watts on bass.
The only bluegrass artist to have remained with a major record label throughout his career. He began on RCA, but switched to Columbia Records in 1945 because he didn't want to be on the same label with his brother, Charlie. In 1950, he switched again to Decca (now MCA) because he didn't want to be on the same label with Flatt and Scruggs who left his band to form their own. While he did not record new material during the latter part of his life, MCA claims that he was still with their label until his death in 1996.
1951, purchased the Brown County Jamboree in Bean Blossom, Indiana and hosted bluegrass festivals there since 1967.
1966, was made an honorary Kentucky Colonel.
1970, elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
1981, survived a bout with cancer.
1986, U.S. Senate passed resolution recognizing and honoring Monroe's contribution to American music.
1989, awarded the first Grammy Award in the newly-created "Bluegrass Music" category.
1991, had double heart by-pass surgery.
1991, inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in Owensboro, Kentucky.
1993, awarded a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the NARAS (National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences) at the Grammy Awards—the highest honor that can be presented to a recording artist.
1995, awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President Clinton at the White House.
1997, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Died of complications from a stroke, September 9, 1996, just 3 days short of his 85th birthday.
Last recording of an original song: "The Days Gone By" (on his 1988 "Southern Flavor" album). Last recording session: Feb. 21, 1996, sang harmony on album by Billy and Terry Smith: "Bill Monroe Tribute" (K-Tel Records).
Last live performance: The Friday night Opry, March 15, 1996. Last song performed: True Life Blues.

CHARLIE MONROE (AND THE KENTUCKY PARTNERS)

From Rosine, Kentucky.
The older brother of Bill Monroe. (According to Sam Bush, that makes him the "uncle" of bluegrass.)
1934-1938, Bill and Charlie recorded and performed as the Monroe Brothers.
1938, after Bill left to form The Blue Grass Boys, Charlie formed The Kentucky Partners and remained very popular, performing on radio stations all over the south. Made over 120 recordings on RCA Victor and Decca Records. Lester Flatt and his wife Gladys (aka Bobbie Jean) were members of this group before Lester teamed up with Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs in 1945.
1960, retired from music.
Died in 1975.

MONROE CROSSING

From the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul), Minnesota.
Formed in 2000.
One of the few full-time bluegrass bands in Minnesota.
Members: Art Blackburn (guitar), Matt Thompson (mandolin), Graham Sones (banjo), Mark Anderson (bass), Lisa Fuglie (fiddle).
2003, won Best Female Vocalist, Best Guitar, Best Mandolin and Best Banjo from the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association at their 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet.
2003, received the Minnesota Music Academy's Bluegrass Album of the Year Award, and was one of only six artists statewide (and the first Bluegrass band EVER) to be nominated as Artist of the Year
2007, inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

JAMES MONROE (AND THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS)

From Rosine, Kentucky.
Son of Bill Monroe.
Began his musical career as bass player for the Blue Grass Boys in 1964. Became lead singer and guitarist in 1969.
1971, formed his own band, The Midnight Ramblers.
James oversees the Monroe Estate, including Monroe Talent Enterprises. He also produces the Bill Monroe Memorial Festival held in Rosine, Kentucky every Memorial Day weekend.

CHARLIE MOORE (AND HIS DIXIE PARTNERS)

From Piedmont, South Carolina; later, Richmond, Virginia.
Began performing at age 17 (1952) with his group The Dixie Partners
1960, formed a partnership with Bill Napier and performed as Moore and Napier. Recorded several albums for King Records. Famous for their "truck driving" songs which got heavy juke-box play.
1969, re-formed The Dixie Partners and recorded several more albums.
Wrote many well-known songs, including "The Legend of the Rebel Soldier" based on the life of his great grandfather.
Had his own TV show in the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC region. Also was a country DJ.
Died at the age of 44 in 1979.

JOHN MOORE (See also CALIFORNIA, BLUEGRASS ETC.)

From Vista, California (near San Diego). Lived for several years on Palomar Mountain, near the famous Observatory; 1997, moved to Colorado.
Began performing at age 12 with Stuart Duncan in a kid band called "The Pendleton Pickers." This band won a radio station talent contest in 1973 and played the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Has had a San Diego-based band called Bluegrass Etc. for more than 20 years. Was also a member of the group California.
Gave Chris Thile mandolin and guitar lessons.
A professional cowboy. He breaks and trains horses on ranches both in the US and abroad.

NANCY MOORE

From Crawfordville, Florida.
In high school, she played flute and oboe in her school band and was a drum major and band director. She started singing as a child in church.
Her "big break" came when she was introduced to Tom T. Hall at his Florida home on St. George Island. Her first album "Local Flowers" became a project for Tom T. and wife Dixie, as they wrote the songs and produced the album.

RUSSELL MOORE (See also IIIrd TYME OUT)

From Pasadena, Texas. Lives in Cumming, Georgia.
First band: the Bluegrass Ramblers in Cleveland, Texas.
1983, formed Southern Connection in Arlington, Texas (with Scott Vestal).
1985, joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Appeared on 7 Doyle Lawson albums as lead singer.
1991, formed IIIrd Tyme Out.
1994, 1997, won IBMA award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
2007, began performing as "Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out."

WAYNE MOORE

Lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Born in Livingston, Kentucky and spent most of his musical career in Southern California.
A journeyman guitarist and singer who was part of the early "country-rock" music scene during the sixties. Worked with Clarence White, Gib Gilbeau, Gene Parsons, Vern Gosdin, Glen Campbell and other influential musicians of that era.
Has had a long relationship with famed record producer Gary Paxton.
Played in bands such as "The Four Young Men" (1959-1963), "The Castaways" (1963-1966), "The New Hollywood Argyles" (1966), "Nashville West" (Also known as "The Reasons" 1967), "The Gosdin Brothers" (1969), "The Flying Burrito Brothers" (1971) and several others.
2003, recorded an album of bluegrass gospel music, playing banjo, Dobro™, mandolin, guitar and dulcimer.

LYNN MORRIS (THE LYNN MORRIS BAND)

From Lamesa, Texas. Lives in Winchester, Virginia.
Learned to play guitar at age 12 from the same man who taught Buddy Holly to play.
Went to school in Colorado, and there began playing banjo in a bluegrass band. Her first "professional" gig was performing at a local McDonald's restaurant for $10 a day.
Won the national banjo championship at Winfield, Kansas twice (1974 and 1981) while a member of the Denver-based group "City Limits Bluegrass." (She was the first person to win the Winfield contest twice. Tony Furtado is the second.)
1980-1986, performed with a Pennsylvania band called "Whetstone Run." Her husband Marshall Wilborn also played in that band.
1987, worked for a short time with Laurie Lewis and Grant Street.
1988, formed the The Lynn Morris Band with husband Marshall Wilborn when the Johnson Mountain Boys broke up. Joining them in the band were banjo player Tom Adams and mandolinist David McLaughlin who had also been with the JMB.
Was the the first woman elected to the board of the IBMA.
Notable appearances: On the steps of the Library of Congress, the Grand Ole Opry, The Aladdin Hotel (Las Vegas), Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary.
1996, 1998, 1999, won "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the IBMA Awards.
1996, her recording of "Mama's Hand" (by Hazel Dickens) was voted "Song of the Year" at the IBMA Awards.
She is an animal activist. She has adopted many abandoned animals and is sponsored by SPAY/USA, an organization that provides affordable spay/neutering services for house pets.
2003, suffered a stroke following a knee operation that has affected her ability to sing and play.

HAROLD MORRISON

From High Lonesome, Missouri, near Springfield.
One of a long line of country performers to combine banjo virtuosity and country humor. (One of the latest: Mike Snider)
Worked with Jimmy Gately at the WWVA Jamboree (1953-54).
Mid-50's, was a regular on Red Foley's Ozark Jubilee.
1957, moved to Nashville to work with Johnny and Jack and Kitty Wells.
Toured with Red Foley, the Browns, George Jones and Porter Wagoner. Starred on the Wilburn Brothers TV show.
1976, formed his own band called "Smokin' Bluegrass."
1992, worked with Mac Wiseman in Branson, Missouri.
Died December 21, 1993.

JUSTIN MOSES

From Madisonville, Tennessee.
Plays all the bluegrass instruments.
After high school, played with a band called Kentucky Wind.
2000, formed Blue Moon Rising with Kentucky Wind bandmates Tim Tipton and Keith Garrett.
2004, joined Sierra Hull and Highway 111.
2006, re-joined Blue Moon Rising, playing Dobro™ and fiddle.

MOUNTAIN HEART

Formed in 1998 by Adam Steffey, Steve Gulley, Barry Abernathy, Jimmy Van Cleve and Johnny Dowdle. Steffey was replaced during the recording of the band's first album by Alan Perdue.
Gulley worked for 15 years at Renfro Valley, a Kentucky music park. Mid-90's, worked with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (three albums). His father Don founded the Pinnacle Valley Boys.
Abernathy: formerly with Silver Creek, Third Tyme Out, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
Van Cleve: also with Rambler's Choice, formerly Doyle Lawson, Ric-O-Chet, Lou Reid and Carolina.
Jason Moore replaced Dowdle on bass. Moore formerly worked with James King.
Guitarist Clay Jones joined the band in 2003.
1999, released first album.
1999, won IBMA award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
2001, mandolinist Adam Steffey returned to the group (after a stint with the Dixie Chicks).
2002, won IBMA award for Gospel Recording of the Year ("The Journey")
2006, Gulley left the band to form "Grasstowne" with Phil Leadbetter and Alan Bibey. He was replaced by bluegrass newcomer Josh Shilling.
2007, Jones left the band and was replaced by Clay Hess.
2007, Steffey left the band and was replaced by Aaron Ramsey.

JOE MULLINS (See THE TRADITIONAL GRASS, LONGVIEW)

ALAN MUNDE ( See also THE COUNTRY GAZETTE)

From Norman, Oklahoma.
1969, Began playing banjo professionally at age 22 with 16-year-old Sam Bush called "Poor Richard's Almanac."
1970, joined Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys.
1972, moved to Los Angeles and formed The Country Gazette.
Also performed with The Flying Burrito Brothers, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
Has written and recorded numerous banjo instruction books, tapes and videos.
Teaches music at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, the only college in America offering a degree in bluegrass music.
1994, formed a duo with former Country Gazette member Joe Carr (guitar, mandolin) They perform what they call "Border Bluegrass," a mix of bluegrass with Tex-Mex influences.
2004, formed "The Alan Munde Gazette."
2007, announced his retirement from teaching at South Plains College.