• From Nashville (Antioch), Tennessee.
• Plays banjo with the Jim Buchanon System and the Bob Smiley Band and also performs as a solo artist.
• "A cross between Bela Fleck and Alison Brown" –Bluegrass Unlimited.
• Plays an eight-string banjo which he invented. There are two lower strings and one higher.
• 1998, released first solo project.

• From Northampton, Massachusetts.
• Play "Amphibious Bluegrass," a blend of bluegrass, folk and rock.
• Formed in 1991 by Andrew Kinsey (guitar), Rani Arbo (fiddle), Jeff Kelliher (mandolin), Tim Farnham (banjo). Tony Furtado played banjo in 1995, Dave Dick (formerly with Southern Rail) in 1997.
• Got their name from a unique New England phenomenon: Every spring, yellow spotted salamanders make their way from a local hillside to a nearby bog, and must cross a road in the process, a huge media event.
• Group owes its existence to John Hartford, who failed to show up at a music workshop he was going to conduct in Massachusetts (1991). Workshop participants decided to just do some impromptu jamming, and that's when Salamander Crossing was born.

• From Chillicothe, Ohio. Lives in Nashville.
• Began his music career in Nashville working at Opryland USA doing impressions of country stars like Roy Acuff, Jimmie Rodgers, Eddy Arnold and Lester Flatt. His partner who impersonated Earl Scruggs was a young musician named Steve Chapman (later known as Christian music fans as Steven Curtis Chapman).
• Best known as a songwriter. His country songs have been recorded by Reba McIntyre, Wild Rose, John Anderson, others. He has also written many "top ten" gospel songs and has been nominated for Dove Awards many times.
• Has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Late Night with David Letterman, The Today Show.
• 2004, performed on the IBMA Award-winning "Livin, Lovin' & Losin': Tribute to the Louvin Brothers" CD (in a trio with Carl Jackson and Larry Cordle.)
• 2003, won the SESAC "Country Music Songwriter of the Year" award.
• 2007, released a solo project featuring numerous bluegrass and country stars as guest performers, including Vince Gill, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, Ricky Skaggs, the Oak Ridge Boys and Rhonda Vincent.

• From Kirksville, Missouri.
• Stage name used by the Vincent family bluegrass band: Johnny Vincent (banjo), Carolyn (bass); sons Darrin and Brian (guitar and mandolin respectively), and daughter Rhonda (lead vocals, mandolin and fiddle).
• 1967, began performing on their own TV show called "The Sally Mountain Show," which eventually became the band's name.
• The name "Sally Mountain" comes from a mountain near Worthington, Missouri which the local people called Sally's Mountain, named after Sally Mosely, an old time fiddler who lived on the mountain and claimed to have written the fiddle tune "Sally Goodin'".
• Performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and the Lincoln Center in New York City.
• 2003, recorded "A Family Tradition" CD. Rhonda and Darrin performed on the album, as did Jamie Dailey and Stuart Duncan.
• They host an annual bluegrass festival in Sally Mountain Park.

• From Portland, Oregon.
• Formed in 1993 by mandolinist Jeff Smith (originally from California) who writes much of the band's original material. He wrote "Hard Luck and Trouble" which became a hit for Laurie Lewis and Her Bluegrass Pals.
• 2002 lineup: Smith, Doug Sammons (guitar), Peter Schwimmer (banjo, an original member of Front Range), Pat Kramer (fiddle), Dee Ann Davidshofer (bass).

• From Smithsburg, Maryland.
• Jack Sanbower has played banjo with several Maryland bands, including CC and Company, Chestnut Ridge and the Bluegrass Image. In 1990, he formed the No Leeway Band.
• 1994, guitarist George Garris (formerly of the Garris Brothers Band) joined the band.

• Originally from Alabama; relocated to Milton, Florida.
• Formed in 1989.
• Sand Mountain is a large plateau in northeastern Alabama.
• For years, this group wore white tuxedos decked out with rhinestones.
• Leader and banjo player Gary Waldrep previously performed with the Warrior River Boys and the gospel group, Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters.
• When Gary Waldrep retired, original members Wayne and Jerry Crain (father/son) relocated to Florida and changed the name of the group to Sand Mountain.
• 2000, Waldrep began touring with his own group, "The Gary Waldrep Band."

• From Aberdeen, Maryland.
• 1980, formed his band, the Harford Express.
• Sapp's uncle, Sonny Miller, played fiddle for Del McCoury.
• Sapp plays all the bluegrass instruments, but plays guitar in the band.
• He owns a music store where he teaches and repairs instruments.

• From Dallas, Texas.
• Age 14, played guitar in family group "The Sartains."
• 1989, formed country band "Showdown."
• 1990, moved to Nashville, worked as a sideman with such artists as Wynn Stewart, Little Jimmy Dickens, Gary Stewart, John Wesley Ryles, Box Car Willie, etc.
• 2004, returned to his bluegrass roots with solo CD "Sing Me Back Home."

• From Bright Hope, Tennessee (eastern Tennessee, near Greenville)
• Featured Carl and John Paul (J.P.) Sauceman.
• In the mid-forties, Carl had a band called the Hillbilly Ramblers.
• The brothers recorded together from 1945 until 1952.
• 1952, Carl moved to Carrollton, Alabama and pioneered bluegrass music there with his Green Valley Boys.
• The bothers recorded for Rich-R-Tone and Mercury. Carl and his band recorded for Capitol and Republic Records.
• Carl retired from music in 1962, took over a radio station in Gonzales, Louisiana in 1969.

• From Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
• Saunders is a former Senior Vice President of Piedmont Airlines (now U.S. Air).
• Saunders has a radio program on WPAQ, Mt. Airy, North Carolina.

SAWMILL ROAD

• Based in Carson City, NV.
• Formed in 2006 by Steve Spurgin (bass and lead vocals), Mark Miracle (mandolin), Dick Brown (banjo), Charles Edsall (guitar) and Bruce Johnson (fiddle).
• Spurgin previously was the lead singer with California and is also known as a hit songwriter (Gene Watson, Reba McIntyre, etc.)
• Johnson previously worked with Byron Berline & the LA Fiddle Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and the Laurel Canyon Ramblers.
• Edsall previously worked with Feather River, High Strung and Ron Spears & Within Tradition.
• Miracle previously worked with such bands as Shady Creek and Mountain Therapy.
• Brown previously worked with the Lynn Morris Band, Traditional Bluegrass and Lost Highway.
• 2007, released first CD.

• From Boulder Colorado.
• Played guitar for the group Hot Rize.
• After the group disbanded in 1990, he built "Rancho De Ville" a vintage recording studio in Boulder.
• 1993, was diagnosed with leukemia. He died from the disease in 1999.
• 2001, an album was released posthumously of music recorded at his studio. It was nominated for an IBMA award for Recorded Event of the Year.

• From Monmouth (Willamette Valley), Oregon.
• Oregon's "original bluegrass band."
• Formed in 1970 by Steve Waller and Mike Eisler. Before then, the two had a group called the Sawtooth Mountain Volunteers. They were both students at Oregon State University at the time.
• Named after a mountain range in Idaho.

• From Calabasas, California (San Fernando Valley).
• Identical twins Dana (banjo) and Lauren (fiddle).
• They have both played the role of "Heather" on the CBS TV soap opera "Young and the Restless."
• Their first "bluegrass" influence: a Donald Duck and Goofy record with "Dueling Banjos" on it.
• They began performing bluegrass music professionally when they were 16 years old.
• An early highlight of their musical career has been performing with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
• Dana won the Topanga Banjo contest and the New York City banjo contest, both at age 14.
• 2002, graduated from UCLA, both majoring in ethno-musicology.
• 2002, signed with Rounder Records.
• 2004, released an album (country) under the name "Malibu Storm"

• From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts (near Boston). Lives in Nashville.
• First band: Mandala, a folk dance group.
• Has played bass with Tasty Licks, Spectrum, the Tony Rice Unit and the Bluegrass Album Band.
• 1990-1997, played bass with Tim and Mollie O'Brien as one of the O'Boys. He continues to work with Tim and Mollie on selected dates.
• Also plays clawhammer-style banjo (his banjo is heard in the theme music for the annual IBMA awards show.)
• Is an accomplished dancer; serves as musical director for the dance troupe Footworks. In 1996, he performed with the hit show Riverdance.
• 1998, formed a just-for-fun band with Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas and Charlie Cushman called "The Flatt Heads."
• 1994, 1995, won IBMA award for "Bass Player of the Year."
• 2003, began performing regularly with Nickel Creek on bass.
• 2006, released a solo album featuring his clawhammer banjo playing & original songs (Missy Raines plays bass on this album).
• 2008, joined the Claire Lynch band.

• From St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Began performing in high school in central South Dakota, performing at VFW and American Legion Halls. She also spent four summers as part of the "Mountain Music Show" in the Black Hills.
• 1997, formed a band called "True Blue."
• 2001-2004, won "Bluegrass/Old Time Artist of the Year" at the Minnesota Music Awards (4 years in a row).
• 2002, released first solo CD "Red Leaf."
• 2005, released "Drifter Like Me" CD.
• 2006, appeared in the movie "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor. She has been a frequent performer on the radio program.
• 2006, formed the Becky Schlegel Band.
• 2007, released "For All the World to See" CD.

• From New York. Lived several years in Colorado before moving to Portland, Oregon.
• Has played with several bluegrass bands from New York to Seattle, including The Virginia Mountain Boys, Del McCoury's Dixie Pals, and Generic Bluegrass.
• 1983-1989, played banjo with Front Range.
• 1985, won the banjo, mandolin and guitar contests at Telluride.
• 1998, joined Sam Hill (an Oregon-based band).

• Born in London, Kentucky. Grew up in the Chicago area. Lives in Nashville.
• A successful songwriter: "Long Time Gone" and "Heartbreak Town" (Dixie Chicks); "Great Day to Be Alive" (Travis Tritt); "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" (Patty Loveless, Brad Paisley); "Born to Fly" (Sara Evans); "When No One's Around" (Garth Brooks).
• 2000, recorded an album of duets with Tim O'Brien.

• From Wautaga, Tennessee. Lives in Gallatin, Tennessee.
• 1972-1973, formed his first band, the Rocky Mountain Boys.
• 1974-1977, The Tennessee Bluegrass Four.
• 1978-1979, The Cumberland Mountain Boys.
• 1980-1982, Carl Story and the Rambling Mountaineers.
• 1982-1986, Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys.
• 1986, formed Mike Scott and The All American Band.
• 1987-1991, performed part-time with Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass.
• 1995, married Brenda Marshall (formerly of the Marshall Family, a gospel group).
• 2002, joined Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition (as well as performing with Danny Davis and his own band.)
• 2005, recorded several instrumental albums ("Star Spangled Bluegrass," "Mountain Valley Bluegrass," and "Applachian Sunday Bluegrass") for Homestead Music, a Nashville label specializing in the gift shop market.
• He is also an expert wordworker who restores vintage homes.
• Nickname given to him by Bill Monroe: "Mike the Smilin' Scott."

• From San Diego, California.
• Included Chris Hillman (who was still in high school), Larry Murray, Kenny Wertz, Ed Douglas and Gary Carr.
• 1963, recorded a now-legendary album called "Blue Grass Favorites" on Crown Records.
• Kenny Wertz (banjo) later played with the Country Gazette and the Flying Burrito Brothers. He still lives in San Diego and plays with a local band.
• Wertz was replaced in the Squirrel Barkers by Bernie Leadon (later a member of the Eagles.)
• Chris Hillman (mandolin) left this group to form The Hillmen and later The Byrds and the Desert Rose Band. He is a member of the rock music Hall of Fame.
• Larry Murray (Dobro™) later formed the folk-rock group Hearts and Flowers.
• Ed Douglas (bass) later managed the rock group The Stone Ponies (with Linda Ronstadt).
• Gary Carr (guitar, lead vocals) later performed with Geoff Stelling's "Hard Times" bluegrass band (late 1970's) and died a few years later of an alcohol-related illness.

• From Shelby, North Carolina. Lives in Madison, Tennessee.
• Full name: Earl Eugene Scruggs.
• Credited with being the first master of the three-finger style of banjo-playing which characterizes bluegrass music and which bears his name. Every bluegrass banjo player plays a variation of "Scruggs-style" banjo.
• First pro job: Age 15, played banjo with Zeke and Wiley Morris, the Morris Brothers.
• 1945, age 21, joined Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.
• 1948, Earl and Lester Flatt left Monroe's band to form their own group: Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys.
• 1969, Parted company with Lester Flatt to form a new country-rock band with his sons, Gary, Randy and Steve: The Earl Scruggs Revue. Disbanded ten years later.
• 1992, was presented with a National Medal of Artistic Achievement by President George Bush in a ceremony at the White House.
• 1994, received the Million-Air Award from BMI representing one million broadcast performances of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."
• 1996, underwent hip replacement surgery and suffered a heart attack requiring bypass surgery, all in the same month (October).
• 1997, returned to the stage, performing at the IBMA Awards Show, the Grand Ole Opry (with Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart and Alison Krauss), and selected festivals. Also played on son Randy's solo album, and was nominated for Banjo Player of the Year (1998 IBMA Awards).
• 2002, won Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" from his "Earl Scruggs and Friends" album.
• 2003, received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 2003, recorded and performed with Doc Watson and Ricky Skaggs as "The Three Pickers."
• Quote from John Hartford: "Who was the first three-finger style banjo picker? It doesn't really matter, because without Earl no one would be asking that question."
• Quote from Sammy Shelor: "Without Earl Scruggs, none of us would be here."
• 2004, was given a star-studded 80th birthday party at the Country Music Hall of Fame (January 6).
• 2005, the Country Music Hall of Fame presented a year-long special exhibit titled "Banjo Man: the Life and Legacy of Earl Scruggs."
• 2005, appeared on the David Letterman show with Steve Martin, Peter Wernick and other banjo players in a group called "Men With Banjos Who Know How to Use Them." They played "Foggy Mountain Banjo" together.
• 2008, received Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.

• From China Grove, North Carolina..
• Real name: John Ray Sechler.
• First band: The Yodeling Rangers, with his brothers (1935).
• 1939, joined Charlie Monroe's band, playing banjo and guitar. (Bill Monroe had split with Charlie to form his own band, The Blue Grass Boys.)
• 1948, joined Mac Wiseman in a group called the Smokey Mountaineers.
• 1949, joined Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys. Stayed one year, then left to work with a number of other bands, including Jim and Jesse.
• 1952, returned to The Foggy Mountain Boys and stayed with them for ten years.
• 1962, retired from music and started a trucking business.
• 1973, un-retired to join Lester Flatt and The Nashville Grass. Lester died in 1979, but at Lester's request, took over the Nashville Grass and kept the group going until 1994 (He formed a partnership with lead singer Willis Spears, who joined the group in 1981).
• Made his last recording in 1995 titled "Sixty Years of Bluegrass with My Friends."
• 1996, received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA.
• 2004, was inducted into the IBMA's Hall of Honor. He performed on the show with J.D. Crowe and the New South.

• From Nashville, Tennessee (originally from Titusville, Pennsylvania)
• Nickname: Miss Country Soul.
• Moved to Los Angeles in 1962, worked as a record company secretary and appeared on a local TV show, "Country Music Time."
• 1965, moved to Nashville, signed by Monument Records.
• Considered responsible for changing the image of the female country singer when she appeared on stage wearing a miniskirt and blonde wig.
• 1966, had first chart hit "Don't Touch Me." Won a Grammy award for Best Country Female Performance.
• 1967, became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and a regular on the Wilburn Brothers TV show. She also made appearances on Porter Wagoner's TV show.
• 1969, married Hank Cochran, signed by Decca Records and became part of the Jack Greene show. She and Greene recorded and toured together for 10 years.
• Had several other hit records through 1974, but little chart success after that. She has continued as a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 2003, recorded first bluegrass album "Life's Highway."

• From Washington, D.C.
• Formed in 1971 by John Duffey (mandolin), John Starling (guitar and lead vocals), Ben Eldridge (banjo), Mike Auldridge (Dobro™), Tom Gray (bass).
• Name "Seldom Scene" was originally chosen because the group decided to stay at home and play once a week at a local club near their homes and day jobs.
• First gig: The Rabbit's Foot (a bar) in Washington, D.C. (November, 1971). Quit because the bartender wouldn't turn down the TV.
• Performed for several years on Thursday nights at the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland; then moved to the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia.
• Mandolinist Duffy had previously worked with the Country Gentlemen.
• Lead singers: John Starling (he was both the first and the fourth), Phil Rosenthal, Lou Reid, Moondi Klein, Dudley Connell.
• 1988, T. Michael Coleman replaced Gray after having worked with Doc and Merle Watson.
• November 10th, 1986, celebrated their 15th anniversary at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center. Special guests: Ricky Skaggs, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, the Whites, Jonathan Edwards and presidential press secretary James Brady, who brought congratulatory greetings from then-President Ronald Reagan.
• Career highlight: performing for President Jimmy Carter at the White House.
• 1992, John Starling returned to the band as lead singer. Was replaced by Moondi Klein in 1994.
• 1995, Moondi Klein, Mike Auldridge and T. Michael Coleman left to devote full time to their new band, Chesapeake.
• 1996, Klein, Auldridge and Coleman were replaced by Dudley Connell (guitar/lead vocals), Rickie Simpkins (bass) and Fred Travers (Dobro™).
• Sept. 1996, John Duffey was inducted in the IBMA Hall of Honor with the "Classic Country Gentlemen."
• Sept. 1996, Connell underwent surgery to remove a growth from his vocal chords.
• 1996, John Duffey died of a heart attack.
• 1997, Lou Reid rejoined the group, replacing Duffey on mandolin.
• 2000, Connell won IBMA award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
• 2003, the "original" Seldom Scene re-united for several concerts (calling themselves "The Seldom Seniors") with Larry Stephenson taking John Duffy's spot.

• Guitarist and singer from Berkeley, California.
• Former editor of the Folk Music magazine "Sing Out!"
• 1978, formed a duo with Howie Tarnower (mandolin) called the Fiction Brothers.
• Former member of High Country.
• 2001, joined a California band called The Bluegrass Intentions. Also performs with The Earls, the Aux Cajunals, and the Blue Flame Stringband.
• He is a Zen Buddhist priest.

KEITH SEWELL

• From Duncanville, Texas.
• Began playing fiddle at age 3. Also plays banjo and mandolin, but is best known as a guitarist and songwriter.
• Early years, played with his grandfather's band, "The Shady Grove Ramblers" (Texas).
• Moved to Nashville shortly after high school. Has worked with James Taylor, the Dixie Chicks, Earl Scruggs, Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs (he played in Ricky's country band at age 19.)
• His songs have been recorded by Montgomery Gentry, Steve Wariner, Alison Krauss, BR-549, Ricky Skaggs ("Brand New Strings"), other country and bluegrass artists.
• 2002, toured with the Dixie Chicks (performed on their "Top of the World" Tour).
• 2004, joined Jerry Douglas' band, playing guitar.
• 2006, joined the Sam Bush band, playing guitar.
• 2006, released album "Love is a Journey" on Skaggs Family Records.
• 2007, toured with Lyle Lovett.

CHRIS SEXTON

• From Manassas, Virginia.
• Graduated from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA with a degree in music performance.
• Plays classical violin (in orchestras) as well as fiddle.
• As a teen, was a member of his father's group "The East Coast Bluegrass Band."
• 2000, joined Nothin' Fancy.
• When not touring with the band, he teaches music in Chantilly, Fredericksburg and Falls Church VA, as well as recording for the Discovery Channel and participating in numerous session projects.
• 2005, released solo project on Pinecastle Records.

• From Florida.
• Guitarist with Mark Johnson and Clawgrass.
• 1997, won 1st place at the National Guitar Championship at Winfield, Kansas. (Won 2nd in 1996).
• 1997, won 1st place at the First Annual Flatpick Guitar Contest held at Steve Kaufmann's guitar camp.
• Previously worked with the Front Porch String Band.

• From Chapel Hill, North Carolina..
• Formed in 1981.
• Have toured Europe several times.
• Sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Southern Arts Federation.
• Guitarist Jerry Brown previously recorded with a Holland group called the Dixie Wondertones.

CARMEL SHEERIN AND THE RAVENS

• From County Westmeath, Ireland (center of the country).
• 2005, voted #1 European Bluegrass Band 2005-2006 at the European World of Bluegrass Awards.
• 2005, released first CD, produced by Grammy winner Bil VornDick.
• A family band, featuring Carmel and her brothers Danny, Des and Tom Sheerin. Carmel sings lead.
• Banjo player Tom Hanway performed with this band 2004-2006.

• From San Francisco.
• Fiddler who has worked with the Good Old Persons (12 years), John Reischmann, Jann Browne, Laurie Lewis and Grant Street, Lost Highway, the Walden Dahl Band, the Rhythm Brothers (at Disneyland) and other California-based groups.
• 1975, 1981 won the California State Fiddle Championship.
• 1996-2004, played fiddle for Lost Highway..
• 1999, recorded a solo fiddle album.
• 2004, joined the David Thom Band (a bay area group).

• From Ferrum, Virginia.
• 1967, started playing banjo at age 5. First band: Posey Boyd family band at age 16.
• 1980-81, played with Interstate Exchange (later became Summer Wages), and the Heights of Grass.
• 1983-1989, founding member of the Virginia Squires.
• 1990, joined the Lonesome River band
• 1992, did a six-month stint with the country group Matthews, Wright and King. Toured with Reba McIntyre.
• 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, won IBMA award for Banjo Player of the Year. (Co-winner in 1996 with Scott Vestal.)
• 1997, released first solo album "Leading Roll."
• 2002, became the leader of the Lonesome River Band.

• Legendary banjo player who began his career with Mac Wiseman in the early fifties, then Jim Eanes and the Shenandoah Valley Boys.
• Best known for his work with Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys (1959-1966).
• Left music to work as a pipe fitter at a nuclear power plant for the Tennessee Valley Authority—primarily to earn enough money to put his four kids through college. Returned to work again with Jim and Jesse in 1983 (playing the five-string Dobro™) and then retired from music again in 1989.
• 2004, came out of retirement to play with Jesse McReynolds.

• From Temple, Texas.
• 1955 to 1963, played banjo with a Dallas group called the Country Cutups.
• 1965 to 1968, lived in Oklahoma City and played in various ensembles with Byron Berline, Bobby Clark, Vince Gill, David Ferguson, Buck White, Alan Munde, Johnny Sanders and other area musicians.
• Alan Munde credits Eddie as a major influence on his playing.
• 1968, Lester Flatt invited Eddie to replace Earl Scruggs when Lester and Earl split up. Turned it down.
• Performed for several years with Leon Valley Bluegrass, a band from Copperas Cove, Texas.
• Died December 31, 1999.

• From Kingsport, Tennessee. Lives in Church Hill, Tennessee.
• 1994-present, guitarist with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
• Previously performed with: The Bluegrass Travelers, the Larkin Brothers, the Southern Grass, Flint Hill.

• From eastern Kentucky.
• Performs gospel music in the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana area.
• Has worked at Renfro Valley with David Marshall.
• Did a brief stint as a member of Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers.
• Also had an Ohio-based gospel group called the Beacons.
• 2000, recorded a solo album with the Isaacs.
• 2001, formed a gospel group called NewFound Road.

• From Winchester, Virginia.
• Formed in 2002 by Scott Walker and Dave Probst.
• Walker (banjo) and Probst (mandolin) previously worked with Paul Adkins and the Borderline Band and Fastest Grass Alive.
• Probst (leader/mandolin) formerly performed with Leon Morris, Paul Adkins, Special Blend, The Travelers.

• From Longview, Texas.
• First group: "Stringbean and His Mountain Playboys" (in high school).
• Early career: was a pipeline inspector for a major gas company and an aide for a state hospital.
• 1980-87, formed a group called Southern Heritage.
• 1990, joined the Sullivan Family (gospel group).
• 1993, formed Big Country.
• Specializes in re-creating classic bluegrass circa 1949, with retro outfits, one mike, even toured in a 1947 Chrysler New Yorker with a bass tied to the top.
• 2001, won IBMA award for Emerging Artist of the Year.

GEORGE SHUFFLER

• From Valdese, North Carolina.
• Best known as the man who made the guitar solo an integral part of the "Stanley Sound" when he was with The Stanley Brothers in the fifties and early sixties.
• 1950, was in a comedy group called Mustard and Gravy.
• 1951, worked in a band with Jim and Jesse McReynolds and Hoke Jenkins
• Worked with the Stanley Brothers off and on throughout the 1950's. Developed his "cross-picking" style on the guitar to compliment Carter's singing.
• After Carter's death in 1966, he worked with Ralph for a short time, then joined Don Reno and Bill Harrell until 1970.
• 1970, formed the Shuffler Family Band, with his brothers and children, playing traditional southern gospel music.
• 1996, received IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award.
• 1999, came out of retirement to work with Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys, playing bass (replaced Jack Cooke for several months, when Jack had health problems).

• From Nashville, Tennessee.
• A group of side musicians, most of whom work regularly with other bands.
• Perform on Tuesday nights at Nashville's Station Inn when they are not on the road.
• Members often include: Terry Eldridge, Mike Bub, Jimmy Campbell, Ronnie McCoury, Gene Wooten, Ed Dye and Larry Perkins.

• From Saratoga, California (near San Jose).
• Formed in 1979.
• For 14 years, was an all-female band. Went "co-ed" in 1993 and changed the name to "Sidesaddle and Co."
• Original members: Kim Elking (fiddle) and Lee Anne Welch (mandolin). Other members: Beth McNamara (bass), Jerry Ashford (guitar), Bob Smith (banjo).

• From River Falls, Wisconsin.
• 1987-1992, played guitar and mandolin with Stoney Lonesome.
• Mid-1990's, toured with Kate McKenzie.
• Late-1990's, formed two bands: "Tangled Roots" (bluegrass) and "Ruby Boots" (country/acoustic.)
• 2003, recorded first solo project.

• From Christiansburg, Virginia. Lives in Nashville.
• Learned fiddle at age six.
• Age 9, played fiddle on stage with Flatt and Scruggs in his home town.
• First band: Upland Express.
• First pro job: 1979 with the McPeak Brothers.
• 1981, joined the Heights of Grass which evolved into the Virginia Squires.
• 1983, joined the Tony Rice Unit.
• 1996, joined David Parmley, Scott Vestal and Continental Divide.
• 2000, joined the Lonesome River Band.
• 2001, joined the Isaacs.
• 2002, toured with the Gaithers.

• One of the pioneers of bluegrass fiddling.
• Played fiddle with Flatt and Scruggs in 1949-50.
• Sang lead on the classic F&S recording of "Salty Dog Blues."
• Played fiddle on the original recording of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."

• From Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
• A vocalist who performs with her band Cumberland Plateau. Her sister Teressa also sings with her.
• Her husband Dave Higgs plays guitar in the band. He is also co-owner of Bell Buckle Records and has a syndicated radio program "Bluegrass Breakdown."

• From Ferrum, Virginia (born in Arlington).
• Began performing at age 16, playing bass with local bands around Virginia. Eventually switched to guitar.
• 1995, worked with Wyatt Rice and Santa Cruz with his cousin, Tim Massey (writer of the Ronnie Bowman hit "Cold Virginia Night").
• 1998-2001, lead singer with Rambler's Choice, a band he formed with Massey, Elmer Burchett, Jimmy VanCleve and Allan Perdue.
• 1998, was featured on the Doobie Shea "A Stanley Tradition" album.
• 2001, he and his wife Susan were in a serious auto accident. He suffered minor injuries, but his wife had multiple surgeries and a long recovery.
• 2001, worked with the Lost and Found.
• 2002, joined Baucom, Bibey and BlueRidge.
• 2007, re-formed Rambler's Choice with Massey, Darrell Wilkerson (banjo), Chris Harris (mandolin), and Billy Hawks (fiddle).
• 2008, signed with Rebel Records.

• From Fredericktown, Missouri.
• Formed in 1990.
• Denny (guitar) and Candy Sitze and their three sons: Dennijo (mandolin), Chad (banjo) and Andy (bass).
• 1994, won the "National Old Time Band Championship" (National Traditional Country Music Asssociation).
• 1996, won the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

• From Magofin County, (eastern) Kentucky.
• 1976, began performing with his father in a local bluegrass band and also worked briefly with the Goins Brothers.
• 1997, at age 17 replaced Keith Whitley as guitarist and lead singer with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys (1977-86).
• 1986, left the Clinch Mountain Boys to form his own band and to return to school.
• 1990, graduated from the University of Kentucky at the top of his class. The only bluegrass artist to play the Grand Ole Opry and deliver a college commencement address—all in the same year.
• After college, he moved to Nashville and wrote songs for Paul Craft Music. Artists who have recorded his songs include Ralph Stanley, Jimmy Martin, Doyle Lawson and Del Reeves.
• After finishing law school in 1994, he opened a private law firm in Goodlettsville, Tennessee and continues to maintain a successful career as an attorney.
• 2007, returned to performing with a new band and a new album "Good News" on Rounder Records.

• From Leighton, Alabama (near Mussel Shoals). Lives in Roanoke, Virginia.
• 1957-1965, played mandolin with the Alabama-based group, The Dixie Gentlemen (with Jake Landers and Rual Yarbrough). Recorded for United Artists.
• Other bands: The Boys from Shiloh (‘66), Jimmy Martin (‘67-68), The Shenandoah Cut-ups (‘69-74), Country Grass (‘74-'76), Del McCoury's Dixie Pals (‘78-'79), The Bluegrass Cardinals (‘91-'95).
• 1995, formed the Herschel Sizemore Band.
• Wrote the classic mandolin instrumental "Rebecca," named after his mother.

• From Cordell, Kentucky.
• Learned to play mandolin at age 5.
• Age 7, performed on Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs' TV show.
• First pro job: age 15 with Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. Keith Whitley also was in that group.
• 1970, he and Whitley recorded a duet album called "Second Generation Bluegrass."
• 1971-73, lived in Washington D.C. and worked with the Country Gentlemen, playing fiddle.
• 1974, played mandolin and fiddle in J.D. Crowe's band, The New South.
• 1975, formed his own band—Boone Creek—with Terry Baucom, Jerry Douglas and Wes Golding.
• 1978, left Boone Creek to join Emmylou Harris' "Hot Band" singing background vocals and playing guitar, fiddle and mandolin.
• 1979, recorded "Sweet Temptation" album which launched his career in country music.
• 1982, won CMA Horizon award and Male Vocalist of the Year award.
• 1982, married Sharon White (of the Whites). They have four children.
• 1984, joined the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1985, won CMA award for Entertainer of the Year.
• His recording of Bill Monroe's "Uncle Pen" was the first bluegrass recording to make #1 on the country charts since "The Ballad of Jed Clampett.
• As a country artist, he had 18 top ten songs, 12 number one hits, 8 Grammies, 8 CMA Awards, 4 gold albums, 1 platinum album.
• 1995-97, host of TNN's "Live at the Ryman" series.
• 1996, formed new bluegrass band "Kentucky Thunder."
• 1997, released "Bluegrass Rules," his first bluegrass album since "Family and Friends" (1982).
• 1998, won IBMA award for "Album of the Year" (for "Bluegrass Rules").
• 1999, won Grammy for "Bluegrass Rules" (Best Bluegrass Album).
• Hosted the IBMA Awards show for four consecutive years (1995-1998). Also co-hosted the show in 2002 with Patty Loveless and in 2005 with Alison Krauss.
• Hobbies: photography, fishing, collecting pocketwatches, old Marx Brothers and Three Stooges videos.
• 2000, toured with the Dixie Chicks.
• 2001, won Grammy for "Soldier of the Cross" (Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album).
• 2002, performed on the "Down from the Mountain" tour.
• 2003, performed and recorded with Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs as "The Three Pickers." The live concert was televised nationally on PBS.
• 2004, inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame (Renfro Valley).
• 2004, won Grammy Award for "A Simple Life" (Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal).
• 2004, became "Dr. Ricky Skaggs." Was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities from Eastern Kentucky University.
• 2005, won Grammy Award for CD "Brand New Strings" (Best Bluegrass Album).
• 2006, he and his band Kentucky Thunder won the IBMA Award for "Instrumental Group of the Year" for the 8th time. (Also won in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. In 2001, the award was won by Nickel Creek.)
• 2007, won the Grammy Award for CD "Instrumentals" (Best Bluegrass Album)
• 2008, won the Grammy (his 13th) for "Salt of the Earth" with the Whites (Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel).
• 2008, received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee School of Music (Boston).

SKEETER AND THE SKIDMARKS

• From Virginia.
• Formed in 1992 by Willard Gayheart and his son-in-law, Scott Freeman.
• Performed both bluegrass and old-time music, featuring the clawhammer banjo of Edwin Lacey. Recorded one CD for Hay Holler Records.
• Disbanded in 1997.
• Gayheart and Freeman formed a new group, Alternate Roots.
• Gayheart is also an accomplished pencil artist, with a gallery in Woodlawn, Virginia.
• Lacey went to seminary and became a Presbyterian minister in Indiana.

• An instrumental trio featuring Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenberg and Edgar Meyer.
• The name comes from the title of a 1957 Jimmy Martin song. Also the title of the trio's 1994 album.

• From New York City.
• Led by banjo whiz Tony Trischka.
• Formed in 1982, broke up in 1989—after six European tours, two Japanese tours, and four albums.
• Members included Trischka (banjo), Larry Cohen (bass), Dede Wyland (vocals), Danny Weiss (guitar), and Barry Mitterhof (mandolin). Wyland left the group in 1988 and was replaced by Rachel Kalem.

SKYLINE DRIVE

• From Ridgeway, Virginia.
• Formed in 2002.
• Features the lead vocals of bass player Belinda Wright.
• 2006, released first CD.

• From Nashville, Tennessee (originally from Reidsville, North Carolina).
• Billy plays guitar, Terry plays bass.
• Terry played bass for several years with the Osborne Brothers.
• After coming to Nashville in the early 70's, they worked on Bill Monroe's farm.
• Have recorded several albums for the K-Tel label.
• Bill Monroe's last recording was made with the Smith Brothers (2/21/96). He sang "Blue Moon on Kentucky" and played mandolin on their "Bill Monroe Tribute" album. Two days later he was hospitalized, and never returned to performing.
• 2004, Terry joined the Grascals, playing bass.

• From San Bernardino, California. Lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
• One of bluegrass music's top session banjo players.
• 1976, played with a California group called Wild Hickory Nuts.
• Moved east to work with The Country Gentlemen, Charlie Moore, Jim Eanes.
• 1980, formed Summer Wages.
• 1990, formed ASH & W.
• 1997, recorded first solo album.
• 1998, joined Laurie Lewis' "Bluegrass Pals."

• From Alexandria, Virginia.
• Dick Smith (banjo) has also worked with The Country Store, The Del McCoury Band, The Country Gentlemen, The Lynn Morris Band, and Bill Clifton.
• Mike O'Reilly (guitar), a Canadian, is a bluegrass DJ and emcees many bluegrass festivals and events. Has also worked with his band "Cody" and has won "Entertainer of the Year" at the Canadian Bluegrass Awards seven times.

FRED E. SMITH

• From Marshall, North Carolina.
• A legendary country comedian and guitarist who with his cousin Red Rector (mandolin) performed as "Red and Fred."
• 1942, recorded in New York City the "Old Chisholm Trail" with Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives, J.E. and Wade Mainer for the BBC.
• Also worked with Archie Campbell, Boots Randolph, Grandpa Jones, Kenny Baker, Jimmy Martin and many other country and bluegrass artists.
• During the last years of his life performed at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and recorded with the VW Boys.
• 2006, passed away at the age of 81.

• Kenny is from Nine Mile, Indiana. Amanda is from Davisville, West Virginia. They live in Meadows of Dan, Virginia.
• 1992, Kenny won the guitar contest at Merlefest. Placed at Winfield in ‘92, ‘93, and ‘94.
• 1993-4, Kenny was a member of Claire Lynch's Front Porch String Band.
• 1994, Kenny joined the Lonesome River Band.
• 1997, Kenny released first solo album.
• Kenny's hobby: collecting old glass marbles and restoring bicycles.
• 1998, 1999, Kenny won IBMA award for Guitar Player of the Year.
• 2001, Kenny left the Lonesome River Band to perform in a duo with his wife Amanda. They met in 1995 at a Lonesome River Band concert and married soon thereafter.
• 2003, Kenny and Amanda won IBMA Award for Emerging Artist of the Year.

• From Kernersville, North Carolina.
• Began playing fiddle at age 10. Had a group in high school called The Country Five and The Teenage Travelers.
• 1974, won first place in fiddle contest at Lester Flatt's Pinnacle, NC festival, which entitled him to play with Lester and the Nashville Grass on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1977, won first place in the fiddle contest at Galax, Virginia.
• 1978, won first place in the fiddle contest at Union Grove. North Carolina.
• 1975-1978, worked with L.W. Lambert and the Blue River Boys.
• 1976, worked with a Florida group called the Poindexter Band.
• 1979-1982, worked with The Bluegrass Cardinals.
• 1982-present, free-lanced with numerous bands: Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, Del McCoury, the Lost and Found, the Virginia Squires, Wes Golding, The Country Gentlemen.
• Has recorded albums with James King, Larry Stephenson, the McPeak Brothers, Jim Eanes, Blue Ridge, many others.
• Has recorded four solo albums.
• 2000, formed a new band with Les Deaton, Eric Ellis and Wes Golding called "First in Line."
• 2007, joined the Gospel group "The Churchmen."

• From Holt, Missouri. Lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Began performing at age 11 at the Gas Station Garage in her hometown.
• While in high school, she performed on shows with Vince Gill, John McEuen and Vern Gosdin.
• Studied at the University of Missouri's Conservatory of Music. Graduated in 1989.
• Was an elementary school teacher before moving to Nashville in 1992.
• Performs regularly at the Bell Buckle Cafe and Music Parlor (in Bell Buckle, Tennessee).
• 1997, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as a guest of Charlie Louvin.
• 1997, recorded first album, produced by Alan O'Bryant.
• 1998, formed her band "Liberty Pike,"
• 2001, Valerie's mandolin player, Eddie Lee Miller, died in an auto accident on the way to the IBMA trade show.
• 2005, Valerie and her band performed on the sound track to "Bell Witch: the Movie."
• 2006, underwent surgery to remove cysts from her vocal chords. She has since gone through a vocal rehabilitation program and has returned to performing with her band.

• From Nashville.
• A "trademarked" recording group that has been a property of MCA (Decca) records since 1950. The group included Lefty Jenkins, Luke Rogers, Sonny Wyatt and Bill Jackson, all of whom are now deceased. They did an album called "Songs of the Old West." They were also stunt men in Hollywood westerns.
• The second generation of Smokey River Boys were trademarked by MCA/Universal in 1963. They recorded two successful albums called "Dueling Banjos" and "Best of Banjo" which were marketed as a Time-Life series and sold through Readers Digest. Those albums were re-released in 1999 by MCA/Universal as a result of the O Brother movie phenomenon and have continued to sell in the millions. As of 2002, only two members of that group are still alive, Larry Lee and Len Chapman.
• The 2002 (third generation) of the Smokey River Boys includes Robert Metzger, Stephen Hill, Woody Wright and Doug Clements. Still on MCA/Universal, they released a single with the title "O Brother" which entered the Billboard charts in November 2002 at #37 with a bullet. Their publisher is Walt Disney Music.

• From Gleason, Tennessee.
• A member of the Grand Old Opry, and a regular on the "Hee Haw" television show and other TNN country-music shows.
• Winner of the national banjo championship in Winfield, Kansas; also a gifted comedian and storyteller.
• His entire home town (Gleason, Tennessee) came to Nashville to watch him perform for the first time on the Grand Ole Opry.
• Well-known for his heavy southern drawl: "Heck no, it ain't no put-on! My daddy's talked like this all his life," he says.

• A fictional trio that performed in the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou" in 2001.
• In the movie, the "Boys" were actors George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson.
• On the soundtrack recording, the "Boys" were Dan Tyminski, Pat Enright and Harley Allen, with backing musicians Ron Block, Barry Bales, Jerry Douglas, Chris Sharp, Mike Compton and Stuart Duncan.
• Tim Blake Nelson sang lead on one song: "In the Jailhouse Now."

FRANK SOLIVAN II

• From Modesto, California. Lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
• Began playing fiddle and banjo as a youngster. In high school studied the cello and was second chair in the California All-State Honor Orchestra.
• 1995, moved to Alaska. Taught fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Played first chair violinin the University of Alaska Symphony Orchestra. Helped the Alaskan group Bearfoot Bluegrass get their start.
• 1996, toured with the Doug Dillard Band.
• 2002, recorded solo project "I Am A Rambler."
• 2003, joined Country Current, playing mandolin.

• From Horse Cave, Kentucky.
• Formed in 2001 by Debbie Heavers (bass) and David Foster (guitar).
• Heavers and Foster are married. Heavers is originally from New York, Foster from Virginia. They met will working on a project for the Tennessee Nature Conservancy. They are directors of the American Cave Conservation Association.
• Name was given to them by John Cowan (he heard them at an early concert and said he liked their "soul grass." The name stuck.)
• Curtis Burch (Dobro™) performs regularly with this band.
• 2002, added Mike Schroeder on mandolin.
• 2003, added Billy Ray Lathum (Kentucky Colonels, Dillards) on banjo

THE SOUL PICKERS

• From Hazel Green, Alabama (near Huntsville)
• Formed in 2003.
• Members: Shane Norman (mandolin), Daniel Wiseman (guitar), Tyler Anderson (banjo), Wayne Clemons (bass).
• Perform gospel music, primarily at churches and gospel music events.
• 2007, released first CD on Tom T. and Dixie Hall's "Blue Circle" record label.

• From Salem, Missouri. Resides in Nashville.
• Played guitar and sang tenor with the Tennessee Gentlemen, a Memphis-based group.
• Has also performed with Lonesome Standard Time and The Kathy Chiavola Band.
• 2002, formed a band with Blake Williams and Bobby Clark, "The Williams and Clark Expedition."

• From Clay City, Kentucky.
• Formed in 1984.
• Lead singer Ricky Wasson served a short stint with Alison Krauss and Union Station.
• Wayne Fields (banjo) has alsoworked with J.D. Crowe and The Boys from Indiana.
• Shayne Bartley (mandolin) is a former member of Dave Evans and the River Bend, the Lost and Found and The Charlie Sizemore Band.
• 1998, Wasson joined J.D. Crowe and the New South.

• From Concord, North Carolina.
• Formed in 1990.
• Features Bob Shue (banjo) and his sons Terry (bass) and Todd (mandolin). Also in the band: Mack Watson (guitar), Eddie Carr (fiddle).
• Appear in the movie "This Moment in Country" which is shown at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

SOUTHERN RAIL

• From Watertown, Massachusetts. Formed in 1979.
• Guitarist Jim Muller is from Virginia; married to bass player Sharon Horovitch, a Canadian.
• Call their sound "Modern Traditional.
• Muller writes a column called "Plugged In" (dealing with sound reinforcement) for "Bluegrass Now" magazine.

• From Harlan, Kentucky.
• Has the distinction of being only the second banjo player to perform as a member of the Clinch Mountain Boys (Ralph Stanley being the first.)
• 1994, at the age of 22, he filled in for Ralph Stanley when Ralph broke his hip and was unable to hold the banjo on stage. When Ralph's hip healed, he decided to keep Steve as a member of the band. Steve does most of the banjo playing now.

• From southern Ohio. Lives in Greensburg, Indiana.
• Began singing and playing bluegrass when he was 5 years old, learning the guitar from his sister Bernice.
• 1965, first professional job (at age 18): guitarist with the Stanley Brothers, replacing George Shuffler. After Carter died (December 1966) he took over the lead singing duties. He was the first lead singer with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
• 1969, formed his own band, The Lonesome Ramblers, which has undergone numerous and frequent personnel changes over the years.
• Nickname: The Elvis of Bluegrass.
• 2004, 2005, won IBMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
• 2005, won IBMA for Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year for his album "40," celebrating his 40th year in bluegrass music.

• From eastern Kentucky.
• First band: The Wilson Brothers, playing guitar.
• Also played with Redwing and Unlimited Tradition.
• Performed on the award-winning "Stanley Tradition" albums.
• 1999, released first solo album.
• 2000, joined Dave Evans and Riverbend.
• 2002, joined The Lost and Found

• From West Valley City, Utah.
• 1970's, played in a band called "Obadiah's Organic Bluegrass Band."
• 1976-1993, played rock and country music.
• 1990, had a band called Bluegrass Conspiracy.
• 1995, formed Within Tradition, which broke up after one year; re-formed in 1999.
• 1999, worked briefly with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
• Has written songs recorded by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Third Tyme Out, Lou Reid, the Bluegrass Cardinals, others.
• 2004, Within Tradition was disbanded and Spears joined The Special Consensus, replacing Josh Williams on mandolin.
• 2007, left Special Consensus to briefly join Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Later in the year, joined David Parmley and Continental Divide.
• He is also a champion "yo-yo man" (won Utah State Grand Championship) and a ventriloquist.

• From Chicago, Illinois.
• Name "Special Consensus" comes from the writings of Carlos Casteneda, an anthropologist who wrote about the mystical and spiritual beliefs of a Mexican Indian tribe. The "special consensus" was a state of mind for the Yaqui Indians where "all the good things in life connect with the good things of the spirit."
• Led by banjo-virtuoso Greg Cahill, who formed the group in 1975 and has been the one constant member.
• Cahill's early influences: polka music (he played an accordian himself at age 8). 1960's, heard Flatt and Scruggs, fell in love with the banjo. Has been a full time banjo player since 1975.
• Cahill has a master's degree in social work.
• 1998, Cahill played banjo on the John Lithgow "Discover Card" commercials. Has also played on several Coke commercials.
• 2000, celebrated 25th anniversary with a new album release.
• 2002, survived a serious bus accident in April near Texarkana, Texas. Bus was totaled.
• 2006, Cahill was elected president and chairman of the board of IBMA, replacing David Crow who resigned after the IBMA Awards Show. Cahill had previously served as vice-chairman of the board and chaired IBMA's "Bluegrass in the Schools" committee.
• 2008, Cahill appeared on the Jerry Springer Show (NBC) in a hillbilly-themed segment.

• A late-70's band which included Glenn Lawson (guitar and lead vocals), Bela Fleck (banjo), Jimmy Gaudreau (mandolin), and Mark Schatz (bass.)
• Jimmy Mattingly also played fiddle with this band for a short time.
• Broke up when Fleck joined the New Grass Revival.

• From Perryville, Ohio.
• The eldest son of JB and Barbara Spencer of "The Spencers," a well-known southern gospel group.
• He lives on a farm; has a horse named "Flicka."
• Puts on two gospel music festivals each summer: The Indiana and Ohio Amish Country Jubilees.
• Plays mandolin. Recorded first bluegrass album in 2003

• From Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
• Formed in 1992.
• Features brothers Allan (guitar) and Rick (banjo), born the same day in August, one year apart (1965 and 1966).
• 1995, won "Band of the Year" at the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards.
• Recorded two albums as "The Spinney Brothers and Close Company" but shortened the band name to "The Spinney Brothers" in 2002.
• 2005, their CD "If I Were Your Brother" won "Recording of the Year" at the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards.

SPRINGFIELD EXIT (See also APPALACHIAN TRAIL)

• From Virginia.
• Formed 2003 by Linda and David Lay (Appalachian Trail) and David McLaughlin (formerly with the Johnson Mountain Boys) to record a project for the Cracker Barrel record label.

BLAINE SPROUSE

• From Martinsburg, West Virginia.
• Played fiddle with several bands including Osborne Brothers, Jim and Jesse, Jimmy Martin, Charlie Louvin, The Blue Grass Band, The Dreadful Snakes. Currently performs part-time with the Cluster Pluckers.
• Age 13, heard Kenny Baker play the fiddle and decided he wanted to be just like him. 20 years later, recorded a duet album with Baker.
• 1990, quit full-time music to pursue a law degree. Went into private practice and later joined the staff of the Tennessee State Attorney General.

STEVE SPURGIN (See also CALIFORNIA and SAWMILL ROAD)

• From McKinney, Texas (near Dallas). Now living in Carson City, Nevada.
• Played bass and sang lead with California and (for a short time) Bluegrass Etc.
• An accomplished solo performer and songwriter. Wrote "Speak Softly, Your Talkin' to My Heart", a hit record for Gene Watson.
• He and his wife also have a graphic design business called "Bob Cat Design."
• Before joining California, played drums with a Texas group called "Wild Oats."
• 2002, released album "Tumbleweed Town."
• 2006, formed Sawmill Road.

JOHNNY STAATS (THE JOHNNY STAATS PROJECT)

• From Jackson County, West Virginia. Lives on a 20 acre farm.
• Started playing mandolin at age seven. Also plays guitar and fiddle.
• At age nine, formed his first band called "Bluegrass Heritage."
• After graduation from high school, pursued a music career in Nashville, but things didn't work out. Returned home and took a job with United Parcel Service (UPS).
• 1992, formed a group called The Cross Roads Band, performing mostly gospel music. After touring Taiwan, the group broke up.
• Does studio work in West Virginia and tours with his new band "The Johnny Staats Project."
• 1992, 1993, won the Ohio State Guitar Championship.
• 1995, won the guitar championship at MerleFest.
• 1995, Cross Currents Band won band contest at Winterhawk.
• 1996, 1997, 1999 won the mandolin and guitar championships at Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, West Virginia.
• Hobby: coon hunting.
• 2000, released a solo album "Wires and Wood" on Giant Records featuring his mandolin playing and vocals, backed by John Cowan, Scott Vestal, Sam Bush, Kathy Mattea, Jim Hurst, Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas, others.
• Has appeared on the Today Show (NBC) and the CBS News with Dan Rather.

TIM STAFFORD (See also BLUE HIGHWAY)

• From Kingsport, Tennessee.
• 1990-1993, played guitar with Alison Krauss and Union Station. Appeared on the Grammy winning album "Every Time You Say Goodbye." Says he decided to quit when he returned from a long tour and his son didn't recognize him.
• Early in his career, performed with Dusty Miller, The Boys in the Band, the Hazel Dickens Band, others.
• An original member of the IBMA board of directors.
• Taught history at East Tennessee State University and came close to getting his Ph.D.
• 1994, formed Blue Highway.
• 2004, released first solo project.

ART STAMPER

• From Hindman, Kentucky.
• One of bluegrass music's pioneer fiddle players.
• As a teen, he began professional career working with Jim and Jesse and The Sauceman Brothers.
• Early 1950's, worked with the Stanley Brothers and recorded some of their classic songs.
• 1956, worked with Red Allen and the Osborne Brothers.
• Late fifties, quit music to become a hairdresser in Louisville, KY. Re-emerged in early 80's to work with the Goins Brothers.
• 1982, recorded LP "The Lost Fiddler" (after the nickname he picked up after returning to music.)
• 2004, recieved the Distinguished Achievement Award from the IBMA.
• Died January, 2005 of throat cancer.

THE STANLEY BROTHERS

• From McClure, Virginia.
• Carter and Ralph Stanley were among the most influential of the first-generation bluegrass bands.
• First began recording "hillbilly music" in the 1940's.
• Late 40's, signed with Columbia and developed a bluegrass sound which was patterned after Bill Monroe's. (This resulted in Bill Monroe's leaving Columbia for Decca.)
• 1953-1958, recorded for Mercury Records. (In the early years of bluegrass, there was kind of a record company "musical chairs" being played among Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers—involving Mercury, Columbia and Decca.)
• 1958, were assigned to Mercury's subsidiary label, Starday. Later recorded for Wango and King Records.
• One of the first bluegrass bands to feature the guitar as a lead instrument, to set themselves apart from other bluegrass acts. Bill Napier, George Shuffler, Curley Lambert and Larry Sparks all played lead guitar for the Stanley Brothers.
• Rose to prominence on the popular radio show "Farm and Fun Time" broadcast over WCYB in Bristol, Tennessee.
• Their recording of "The Orange Blossom Special" landed them the "Instrumental Group of the Year" award at the 1955 Nashville Disc Jockey's Convention (later to become the Country Music Association Awards Show.)
• Their recording of "How Far to Little Rock" was their only "top 20" song. In March of 1960, it entered the Billboard country music charts and peaked at #17. It stayed on the chart for 12 weeks.
• Carter Stanley wrote some of his songs under the pseudonym "Ruby Rakes."
• Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley were first attracted to bluegrass music by the music of the Stanley Brothers and performed with them before Carter's death.
• Carter died in 1966, at age 41, of liver cancer.
• Carter is best remembered by a wealth of great songs which are still performed and recorded by almost every bluegrass band, and by such artists as Ricky Skaggs and Emmylou Harris.
• 1992, were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Museum's Hall of Honor.