• From Los Angeles, California. Wagner was born and raised in Mississippi.
• Attended the Berklee College of Music (Boston).
• 1999, lived and played bluegrass in New York City.
• 2000, moved to California.
• Plays banjo and fiddle, sings lead in his band, and writes most of their songs.
• Band: The Old #7 includes Craig Ferguson (guitar), Devitt Feeley (mandolin) and Andrew Paddock (bass.)
• 2007, appeared on Fox TV's "The Next Great American Band" (an American-Idol spin-off).

• From Emory Gap, Tennessee, near Knoxville. Lives in Upstate New York.
• Full name: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield.
• Known for his technical virtuosity on the mandolin. Influenced David Grisman and many other mandolin players. One of the first to play jazz on the instrument.
• Learned to play music in rural pentecostal “snake-handling” churches around east Tennessee.
• Grew up on a farm and never went to school. (He learned to read and write when he was 28 years old.)
• 1957, at age 19, moved to Dayton, Ohio and met Red Allen. They formed a group called the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys.
• 1958, worked for a short time with Jimmy Martin.
• 1958, he and Red Allen formed The Kentuckians.
• 1959, briefly worked with the Stanley Brothers.
• 1960, with Red Allen, re-assembled the Kentuckians, this time in Baltimore. Other personnel included banjo players Bill Keith, Don Reno, Bill Emerson, Pete Kuykendall, Eric Weissberg; also fiddlers Chubby Wise, Scott Stoneman, others.
• 1964-68, joined the Greenbriar Boys. While with the Greenbriar Boys, he was seriously injured in an auto accident, putting him in a coma for more than a month.
• 1972, began performing and recording as a solo artist and with his “Frank Wakefield Band.”
• Has performed with the Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage, the Boston Pops Orchestra, Emmylou Harris, many others.
• Hidden talent: he can talk backwards.

• From Northern Virginia; originally from Jolo, West Virginia.
• 1964-66, played with a group called the Page Valley Boys.
• 1967, began professional musical career with Bill Emerson. “Emerson and Waldron” rcorded several albums for Rebel Records, and was the first to record the Manfred Mann song “Fox on the Run” in a bluegrass style.
• Worked briefly with The Shenandoah Cutups before forming The New Shades of Grass (1968-74), a group that recorded seven more albums for Rebel.
• 1974, went to work for the National Park Service.
• 1975, became a Christian and formed a gospel band.
• 1985, had severe health problems which resulted in a kidney transplant.
• 1996, retired from the National Park Service and returned to playing bluegrass music.
• 2001, recorded a gospel album with Paul Williams.

BRADLEY WALKER

• From Athens, Alabama.
• Confined to a wheel chair since childhood, he was born with Muscular Dystrophy.
• Began singing as a child. At age 3, attended an Oak Ridge Boys concert and backstage, sang "Elvira" with them. They were so impressed they invited him to sing on the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon, and he has appeared and performed on that annual broadcast many times.
• 1996, graduated from high school and fell in love with bluegrass
• 1998, formed a band called the Trinity Mountain Boys.
• 2001, joined Lost Horizon, an Atlanta-based group, as their lead singer.
• 2002, first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as a guest of Third Tyme Out.
• 2006, released album on Rounder Records, produced by Carl Jackson.
• 2007, won IBMA award for Male Vocalist of the Year.

CORY AND JARROD WALKER

• From Lithia, Florida (near Tampa)
• They are brothers who began performing together in their teens. Cory plays banjo, guitar and resonator guitar, Jarrod plays mandolin. Their brother Tyler, plays guitar. Ages (June 2006): Cory, age 16; Jarrod, age 14; Tyler, age 10.
• 2003, Cory appeared on the IBMA Awards Show with the "Young American Bluegrass Idols."
• 2004, appeared with Keith Urban on a CBS TV special.
• 2005, appeared on the IBMA's "Kids on Bluegrass" video and were part of the band "Juvenescence" that performed on the IBMA's Fanfest stage.
• 2005-6, appeared on the National Wild Turkey Federation's Award ceremony, opening for Alison Krauss & Union Station and Diamond Rio.
• Perform regularly with the "Bluegrass Parlor Band with Cory and Jarrod Walker" in Florida.
• 2007, Cory performed and recorded with Sierra Hull and Highway 111, playing banjo.

• From Starkville, Mississippi
• Wallace plays banjo, a former member of Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys (10 years).
• 2002, played the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
• 2003, performed at an event featuring Vice President Dick Cheney.
• 2004, performed with Tom Ewing on RFD-TV.

• From Washington, D.C. Lives in Richmond, Virginia.
• Son of Charlie Waller (Country Gentlemen). When Randy was four years old, his father made a promise to give him his famed guitar, a promise which was kept on ChristmasDay, 2002.
• 2003, joined his dad in the Country Gentlemen and has continued leading the band after Charlie’s death in 2004.
• 2004, released first solo project.

MARTY WARBURTON (MARTY WARBURTON BAND)

• From Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Plays banjo and guitar. Was a member of Dry & Dusty (with Butch Baldassari) and Sagegrass.
• Former president of the Southern Nevada Bluegrass Music Society; also hosted a radio program on KNPR, Las Vegas.
• 1996, the Marty Warburton band won the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown (Louisville, KY).
• 1997, recorded first album for Pinecastle Records.

• From Fountain City, Indiana.
• Began playing banjo at age 11.
• 2000, joined first band at age 12, an Ohio group called Simple Tymes.
• 2001, age 13, joined Gerald Evans and Paradise.
• 2003, recorded first album of banjo instrumentals. Also performed on the Grand Ole Opry.
• 2004, played dates in a band called "Higher Crossing" with Dennis Crouch, Ray Craft, Randy Kohrs and Aubrey Haynie.
• 1005, worked with Don Rigsby and Midnight Call.
• 2007, joined Audie Blaylock and Redline.

• From Alabama.
• Original band formed in 1960, but broke up a few years later. Reorganized in 1980.
• Leader of the band: David Davis (mandolin.)
• Included fiddler Charlie Cline—formerly with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, Bill Monroe, and The Stanley Brothers (1986-1991).

ABIGAIL WASHBURN (See UNCLE EARL)

• From Clay City, Kentucky.
• 1984, formed a group called Southern Blend.
• Owns a music store in Clay City.
• Filled in as guitar player in Alison Krauss' band for a short time.
  • Began playing bluegrass when he was four years old. He says that he never knew there was any other kind of music until he was 10.
• 1998, joined J.D. Crowe and the New South, singing lead.

• From Alabama.
• 1976, formed the Homemade String Band at age 16. Won the North Alabama Banjo Championship.
• 1978, joined the Front Porch String Band and performed on their landmark debut album (1980).
• Has also worked with the Lonesome River Band, Mark Johnson and Clawgrass, Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike.
• 2002, formed his own “Allen Watkins Band” with his wife Anne. Has also performed with his wife in a group called “The Other Guise.”

• From Longmont, Colorado.
• A duo featuring Dawn Watson (mandolin) and Dave Hardy (guitar). They are married.
• Both are former members of Country Gazette and taught at South Plains College.
• Hardy is also an actor; was in a made-for-TV movie starring William Shatner.
• Their live show is called “Party of Two.”
• Watson has several mandolin instructional videos to her credit. She conducts mandolin workshops and performs with a classical group called the New Mandolin Quartet.

• From Deep Gap, North Carolina.
• One of America's best known folk singers and flat-pick guitarists.
• Real name: Arthel Lane Watson.
• 1960, “discovered” by folklorist Ralph Rinzler.
• Was born with a defect in the main vessels that carry blood to the eyes, causing him to permanently lose his vision as a small child.
• Although Doc is blind, he is able to perform tasks that seem almost impossible without vision. For example, he completely wired his house for electicity. It was passed by the county building inspector and written up in an electrical journal.
• 1953-1962, played with a North Carolina group called “Jack Williams and the Country Gentlemen.”
• Doc's first bluegrass recording: a 1965 album of instrumentals with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
• For more than 25 years, Doc traveled and performed with his son Merle. Merle was killed in a tractor accident on the Watson farm in 1985.
• Since Merle’s death, guitarist Jack Lawrence has served as Doc’s right-hand man on stage and on the road.
• 1965, performed at the first bluegrass festival, Carlton Haney’s Fincastle, VA festival.
• September, 1997, received the National Medal of Arts from President and Mrs. Clinton at the White House.
• 2000, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Honor.
• Has recorded more than 40 albums and has won five Grammies.
• 2003, recorded and performed with Earl Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs as “The Three Pickers.”

• From North Carolina.
• A founding member of the Red Clay Ramblers.
• 1988, joined Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group, playing bass.
• Also performs with a group called Pinky LaCrosse and Duke Wyoming, and with a bluegrass band called the Green Level Entertainers.

• From the New York/New England area.
• An eclectic group featuring Matt Glaser, Andy Statman, Tony Trischka, John McGann and Jim Whitney.
• A “genre-bending group” combining elements of jazz, bluegrass, folk, Klezmer, Celtic and chamber music.
• 2001, released first album with guests Rhonda Vincent, Ralph Stanley, Tim O’Brien, Laurie Lewis, others.

• From Scottsdale, Arizona.
• Formed in 1986 by Ron Block (banjo), Eric Uglum (guitar/mandolin) and Mike Bub (bass). Later joined by Butch Baldassari (mandolin) and Chris Jones (guitar).
• Moved to Nashville in 1989, but disbanded shortly thereafter.
• Where are they now? Ron Block is with Alison Krauss, Mike Bub is with Del McCoury, Butch Baldassari is with the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, Chris Jones performs with The Night Drivers. Eric Uglum is with Lost Highway.
• 2003, Block, Bub, Baldassari and Jones reunited for several performances.

• From West Virginia.
• Mandolin player who has worked with The Lonesome River Band (replaced Dan Tyminski the first time he left LRB) and J. D. Crowe and the New South.
• 1999, released first solo project.
• 2000, joined a group called New Reflections, then returned to J.D. Crowe’s New South for a short time, then formed Wildfire with New South bandmates Phil Leadbetter, Robert Hale and Barry Crabtree.
• 2003, performed on Dolly Parton's "Halos and Horns" project.
• 2007, joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, playing guitar (replaced Josh Williams).

TOMMY WEBB

• From Langley, Kentucky.
• Sings lead and tenor vocals, plays guitar and clawhammer banjo.
• Began performing in high school with The Pine Top Ramblers. Other bands: South Creek, Onlyne, Clyde Bowling and the Southern Bluegrass Boys.
• 2005, formed his own band and released "Now That You Are Gone" CD.
• 2007, released "Eastern Kentucky" CD.

• From Ravenswood, West Virginia. Currently lives in Nebraska.
• Started driving trucks and playing guitar when he was 14.
• Has a syndicated radio program called “Big Al’s Bluegrass Show.” His first radio job was in 1987 at Ohio University. Currently works at KRVN in Lexington, Nebraska.
• 2002, produced album of bluegrass truck driving songs with many notable musicians including Dave Dudley (“Six Days on the Road”) and Leroy Van Dyke (“The Auctioneer”).

• From New York.
• The duo who recorded the instrumental “Dueling Banjos” for the hit movie Deliverance.
• Weissberg played banjo; Mandel played guitar.Weissberg studied string bass at the famous Julliard School of Music. Worked as a studio musician and performed with The Tarriers and the Greenbriar Boys. Has also performed on double bass with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Weissberg recorded a classic banjo album in the 1960's called “New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass” which popularized “melodic” style (a.k.a. Keith-style or chromatic-style) banjo-picking.
• Mandel was a member of a New York City bluegrass group called the Garrett Mountain Boys—a group which also included David Grisman.
• “Dueling Banjos” was not composed by them. Originally the song was called “Feuding Banjos” and was written by Arthur Smith and Don Reno. It was later re-named and recorded by The Dillards as “Duelin' Banjos.”
• 1995, formed new band with Jim Rooney and Bill Keith called The New Velvet Band.
• Since 1998, has been touring as a member of Art Garfunkel’s band, playing guitar.

• From New York City; grew up in West Los Angeles; moved to Nashville in 1992.
• Her parents were writers for the Carol Burnett TV series.
• 1988, attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.
• While in Boston, met her current singing and writing partner, David Rawlings.
• Her songs have been recorded by Emmylou Harris, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Tim and Mollie O’Brien, Valerie Smith.
• Her debut album “Revival” was produced by T-Bone Burnett.
• 2000, she acted and performed in the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou,” starring George Clooney.
• 2001, her duet with Alison Krauss “I’ll Fly Away” (from the O’ Brother soundtrack) won the IBMA award for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year.

• From Clayton, North Carolina
• A family band. Gary (dad) plays bass. Debi (mom) plays guitar. Three daughters: Sara (banjo), Jade (mandolin) and Eden (fiddle).
• 2003, performed two songs for the movie/sound track for “Bell Witch: The Movie.”

• From New York City. Lives in Niwot, Colorado.
• Known as “Dr. Banjo” because of a best-selling banjo instruction book he authored (over 200,000 copies sold).
• Has an earned doctorate from Columbia University in sociology.
• While at Columbia University, organized his first bluegrass band called the Orange Mountain Boys.
• 1969, moved west and joined High Country, a San Francisco-based bluegrass band. Also worked briefly with Vern Williams and Ray Park.
• 1970-1975, returned to Ithica, New York to complete his Ph.D. work and teach at Cornell University. Also performed with Country Cooking (with Tony Trischka).
• 1976, moved to Colorado (where he met his wife Joan). There he met up with Charles Sawtelle and they formed a band called the Drifting Ramblers, or the Rambling Drifters (they couldn't make up their mind.) In 1978.
• 1978, formed Hot Rize, a very popular band which won the very first IBMA award for Entertainer of the Year in 1990. The group broke up the same year.
• With “Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers” (a country-western band that was actually Hot Rize in disguise), Peter played the steel guitar as “Waldo Otto”.
• 1986, became the IBMA’s first president (stepped down in 2001 due to new term limits.)
• Conducts “banjo camps” for musicians who want to improve their technique on the banjo.
• Was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 232—a DC-10 that crashed at Denver's Stapleton Airport in 1988. While his banjo was destroyed, he and his family survived the fiery crash and he was back performing with Hot Rize (with a new banjo) two days later.
• Is president of the “Family of Humanists.”
• 1995, formed The Live Five—doing what Pete calls “Virtual Bluegrass.”
• 2004, a song from his album “Dr. Banjo Steps Out” titled “Big Rock in the Road” was played on the planet of Mars to “wake up” NASA’s landing craft Spirit Rover on February 27, making this the first bluegrass tune to be heard on another planet.
• 2004, began hosting a show on XM Satellite Radio. Calls his format "Flexigrass."
• 2005, performed with Earl Scruggs, Steve Martin and other banjo players on the David Letterman show.

• From Wichita Falls, Texas. Moved to Nashville in 1971.
• 1976, began performing in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a family band as “Buck White and the Down Homers” (later changed to “Buck White and the Down Home Folks.”) Included Buck and Pat White and their young daughters Cheryl and Sharon.
• Big break: 1979, opened for Emmylou Harris on her “Blue Kentucky Girl” album tour. Led to a recording contract with Capitol Records.
• 1979, changed their name to “The Whites.”
• 1981, Sharon White married Ricky Skaggs.
• 1984, joined the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1999, signed with Ricky Skaggs’ Ceili Records label.
• 2000, appeared in the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou” starring George Clooney.

• From Syracuse, NY; grew up in Northern Indiana.
• A member of Vince Gill’s band since 1992.
• First band: worked with David and Melody Johnson; won the KFC band contest in 1981.
• Former member of Alison Krauss and Union Station and Weary Hearts. Also worked with Tim O’Brien.
• 1998, performed with Tim O’Brien, Charlie Cushman, Mark Schatz and Jerry Douglas in a Nashville group called The Flattheads.
• 2001, worked with the Dan Tyminski Band.
• 2002, recorded with the Chieftains.

• From Maine. Grew up in California. Lives in Nashville.
• First band: The Country Boys with his brothers Clarence and Eric (began in Maine, continued in California.)
• 1956, formed the Kentucky Colonels with brothers Clarence and Eric, and Billy Ray Lathum.
• 1967, joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, playing guitar.
• 1969, joined Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
• 1973, re-joined brothers Eric and Clarence to form the New Kentucky Colonels (with Herb Pederson and Alan Munde.)
• 1974, joined the Country Gazette.
• 1987, joined the Nashville Bluegrass Band.
• 2001, left the Nashville Bluegrass Band to perform on with his wife Diane Bouska as “The Roland White Band.”

• From Blountville, Tennessee. Originally from Roanoke, Virginia.
• A graphic artist by trade. Among his accomplishments: the painting of a huge mural in Bristol, Tennessee designating Bristol as “The Birthplace of Country Music. He also designed and painted a new logo for the side of Ralph Stanley’s bus.
• Has led several regional bands including Troublesome Hollow and The Beagles.
• Plays with the VW Boys, a group that combines bluegrass with comedy and magic.
• 2006, executive coordinator and host of "Song of the Mountains," a syndicated weekly music TV show which airs on many PBS stations.
• He is host of a 2 hour syndicated bluegrass and old-time country radio show which airs on several stations from Georgia to North Dakota.
• Serves as president of the ACMA (Appalachian Cultural Music Association) dedicated to the preservation of the music and culture of the Appalachian region.
• Helped establish the Mountain Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia and hosts a local two hour live program from there called "The Pickin Porch".

• From White House, Tennessee.
• A “special event” band formed in 2002 featuring members of other groups: David Parmley (Continental Divide), Larry Stephenson, Missy Raines, Charlie Cushman (Mike Snider Band) and Jason Carter (Del McCoury Band). All of them live in White House, Tennessee (near Nashville.).

• From Nashville.
• Formed in 2004 by Tony King, former guitarist and lead singer with J.D. Crowe’s New South. Has had a successful country music career, working with such artists as Ricky Van Shelton and Brooks and Dunn.
• Other band members: Elmer Burchett (banjo), Shayne Bartley (mandolin), Jason Hale (bass), Matt Arnold (fiddle).

• From Nashville.
• 1995, appeared with Bill Monroe on the Grand Ole Opry.
• Led by Brad Davis, who played lead guitar with Marty Stuart from 1990-1999.
• Had a monthly radio show on WSM called “White Water Wednesday.”

• From Sandy Hook, Kentucky.
• 1970, at age 15, began his professional musical career when he and his friend Ricky Skaggs worked with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. That same year, Keith and Ricky recorded a duet album.
• 1973, worked with Jimmy Gaudreau in a short-lived band called “The Country Store.”
• 1975, returned to Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys as lead singer and guitarist.
• 1981, worked with J.D. Crowe and the New South.
• Embarked on solo career in 1985; hit the charts with his RCA single, “Miami, My Amy” in 1986.
• Boyhood idol: George Jones.
• Died on May 9, 1989 in Nashville of alcohol poisoning. He was 35 years old.

• From Colfax, Louisiana.
• A due featuring Bob (guitar) and Charles (mandolin).
• Sing duets in the style of the Louvin Brothers, the Delmore Brothers, and the Blue Sky Boys.
• 1964-65, worked with Faron Young and Porter Wagoner.
• Were absent from the music scene until the mid-1980's, when they began performing and recording again.
• Called “the second-coming of the Louvin Brothers” by Charlie Louvin.
• Recorded three albums before breaking up in 1991. Reunited briefly in 1993.
• Charles performs occasionally with Charlie Louvin, recreating the Louvin Brothers sound.
• Bob Whitstein died in 2001.
• 2003, Charles joined Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys.

• Originally from Austin, Texas.
• Plays bass with the Lynn Morris band.
• First instrument: banjo.
• 1982, joined Whetstone Run. It was then that he met Lynn Morris; they eventually married and formed a partnership.
• Has also worked with Jimmy Martin and the Johnson Mountain Boys.
• 1988, with his wife formed the Lynn Morris band.
• 1998, voted Bass Player of the Year by Bluegrass Now’s Fan’s Choice awards.
• 1999, released an album of bass instrumentals accompanied by banjo.
• 2006, formed new band with Dudley Connell, Tom Adams, David McLaughlin and Sally Love called Seneca Rocks.

WILD AND BLUE

• From White House, Tennessee.
• Formed in 1988.
• Features a “sisters duet”–Jan Harvey and Jill Snyder, who are actual sisters.
• David Harvey (mandolin) formerly worked with Red Allen, The Reasonable Band (from Colorado) and Larry Sparks. In 1980, he won the National Mandolin Championship in Winfield, Kansas.
• 2000, group disbanded. Jill Snyder is working full-time in the IBMA office. David Harvey joined Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time.

• From Knoxville, Tennessee.
• Best known for a novelty song called “The Possum Crawls Tonight” (to the tune of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”).
• Perform mostly at local events around east Tennesseee (Dollywood, UT football games, etc.)

• From East Tennessee.
• Formed in 2000 by members of J.D. Crowe’s band The New South who worked both bands until 2001, when they left Crowe’s band for good.
• Original members: Phil Leadbetter, Robert Hale, Darrell Webb, Barry Crabtree and Curt Chapman.
• Have recorded numerous soundtracks for the Home and Gardens television network.
• Perform frequently at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge. Hale and Webb also worked with Dolly Parton on her “Halos and Horns” project.
• 2006, Leadbetter resigned from the band.

• From Speedwell, Tennessee. Originally from Chicago.
• An all-female band. Formed in 1977.
• Style: “Bill Monroe-based, aggressive bluegrass, with women's voices.”
• Name: comes from the Carter Family song “Wildwood Flower.” Original band wore blue and white checked blouses like the original Carter Sisters.
• Led by Kim Clawson (banjo), the only original member.
• Have made four overseas tours for the U.S. Department of Defense.
• Are regular performers at Dolly Parton's “Dollywood” theme park.

• From Milan, Indiana.
• Originally formed in 1992, then re-formed in 1997.
• A band “born from the Boys from Indiana.” Includes three sons of that legendary group: Tony Holt (son of Aubrey), Jeff Holt (son of Jerry) and Harlan Gabbard (son of Harley).
• Other members of the group formerly played with the Traditional Grass (Gerald Evans, Jr. and Glen Inman.)
• 1999, released first album.

• From Nashville.
• Formed in 2002 by banjo player Blake Williams and mandolin player Bobby Clark. Also in the group: Wayne Southards (guitar) and Kimberly Williams (bass).
• Williams and Clark previously worked together as members of the Mike Snider band. Southards is a former member of the Tennessee Gentlemen. Southards is from Salem, Missouri (also hometown of the Dillards).
• Original name: New Ground. Changed after first album was released because the name was already in use by a gospel group.
• 2003, 2004, were nominated for IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year award.

• From Sparta, Tennessee (also the birthplace of Lester Flatt). Lives in Nashville.
• 1981-1991, played banjo for Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys.
• 1972-1979, worked with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
• 1991-2001, played bass with Mike Snider’s band.
• 2002, formed a band with mandolinist Bobby Clark called the Williams & Clark Expedition.
• Nickname: “The Sparta Flash.”

• From Danville, Virginia.
• Formed a group in 1989 as “Clearwater.” Changed name to “Jeannette Williams and Clearwater” in 1996.
• For most of her career, she has performed with her husband Johnny, an accomplished guitarist and songwriter. In 2007, he joined the "Big Country Bluegrass" band.
• 1994, Jeannette was awarded “Female Vocalist of the Year” from the Virginia Folk Music Association.
• 1997, won third place at SPBGMA band contest in Nashville.
• 1998, Jeannette was signed by Doobie Shea Records, and went to work for the label in radio promotions. Since the label folded, she has done promotion for other labels.
• 1999, recorded first solo album.
• 2001, formed The Jeannette Williams Band
• 2006, Johnny Williams joined the band Big Country Bluegrass.
• 2007, won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (first place) at Merlefest, for her song "Enough of You."

JOHNNY WILLIAMS (See JEANNETTE WILLIAMS)

• From Benton, Kentucky.
• Was one of bluegrass music’s child prodigies. Gained national recognition when he appeared on the 1993 IBMA Awards show in the “Bluegrass Youth All-Stars” band with Chris Thile, Cody Kilby and Michael Cleveland.
• Plays all the bluegrass instruments, but began as a banjo player at age 8. Alison Brown gave him lessons.
• 1990, formed his first band (at age 10).
• 1991, recorded first album.
• 1994-1998, performed with The Young Acoustic All-Stars.
• 1996, formed his own band, High Gear.
• 1998, played with a group called Hyperdrive (with Jonathan Jones, Chris and Scott Thile).
• 2000, played mandolin and fiddle with The Special Consensus.
• 2003-7, played guitar with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
• 2008, formed The Josh Williams Band. He is also working dates with Alecia Nugent and the Larry Stephenson Band.

• From Wythe County, Virginia. Lives in Morristown, Tennessee.
• Real name: Paul Humphrey.
• 1951, joined the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers as a teenager. When he and his brother Jimmy auditioned for that job, they called themselves “The Williams Brothers.” He has been known as Paul Willians ever since.
• 1957, after a stint in the Air Force, joined Jimmy Martin to form The Sunny Mountain Boys. He is best known for his work with this group, including many songs which he wrote for Martin. (Jimmy Martin is also his brother-in-law).
• 1963, left Martin’s band to work for the U.S. Postal Service. Continued to write gospel songs and lead the choir at his church in Morristown, Tennessee.
• 1995, formed “The Victory Trio,” a gospel group.
• 1996, retired from the Postal Service to perform full-time.
• 2000, nominated for a Grammy for "Old Ways & Old Paths" (Best Bluegrass Gospel Album).
• 2001, recorded a gospel album with Cliff Waldron.
• 2004, was featured on the Grammy nominated album "A Tribute to Jimmy Martin: The King of Bluegrass."
• 2007, won SPBGMA Award for "Bluegrass Gospel Traditional Group of the Year"

• From Millbrook, Virginia (Shenandoah Valley).
• Gained national recognition while performing as regulars on Garrison Keillor's “A Prairie Home Companion” on public radio.
• They also tour as members of Keillor’s “Hopeful Gospel Quartet.”
• 1993, began touring with Mary Chapin Carpenter.
• 2002, Robin became a “Justice of the Peace” for one day and performed Mary Chapin Carpenter’s wedding.
• “Their Fine Group” includes Jim Watson on bass, Jimmy Gaudreau on mandolin (replacing Kevin Maul on dobro in 2000).
• 2006, appeared in the movie "A Prairie Home Companion."

• From Danville, New Hampshire.
• An accomplished Dobro™ player.
• 1975, worked with Don Stover and the White Oak Mountain Boys.
• 1976, Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys.
• 1975, the Lilly Brothers Band (sons of the original Lilly Brothers); the Berkshire Mountain Boys.
• 1979, White Mountain Bluegrass.
• 1994, Southern Rail.

• Originally from Newton County, Arkansas; moved to California in the 1950's.
• Began playing bluegrass in northern California with fiddler/guitarist Ray Park. “Vern and Ray” became one of California's most popular bluegrass acts. Broke up in 1974.
• 1981, formed “The Vern Williams Band” with his son Delbert. Recorded one album for Rounder and backed Rose Maddox on two others.
• Retired from performing in the late 1990's due to failing health. Died June 2006.

• From Kenova, West Virginia. Lives in Nashville.
• Worked with Dave Evans, Redwing, Glen Duncan and Phoenix, other bands before striking out on his own in 1992.
• A second-generation bluegrass performer, the son ot Jerry Williamson (who fronted “The Outdoor Plumbing Company” and “Redwing.”)
• Plays guitar and sings primarily self-penned original songs with Shadow Ridge.
• Married to Debbie, who sings both lead and harmony vocals in the band. She has also released a solo album.

• From Siler City, North Carolina.
• Tony is a well-known mandolin virtuoso, with several solo projects to his credit.
• Their grandfather was in Company B, 52nd Regiment of the North Carolina Troops who marched with General Lee up Seminary Ridge, July 3, 1863 in the Battle of Gettysburg. He survived.
• First band: The Bluegrass Gentlemen (1970) which made the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.
• Gary earned his Ph.D in educational research from Stanford University. He works full-time for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
• 1977, Gary was a member of the Bluegrass Alliance and also worked with Richard Greene.
• Tony owns a musical instrument company called Mandolin Central.
• 1994, Tony performed with a one-man show called “The Sound of the American Mandolin.” He has a degree in music from the University of North Carolina.
• 1995, the brothers formed a duo.
• Tony formerly played with ASH&W (He was the “W”).

• From Victor, Idaho.
• A former member of the Wyoming-based group, Loose Ties.
• 1997, released a solo album and joined the Judith Edelman Band.
• Also performs with a local rhythm and blues band.
• 2002, joined Kane’s River.

• From Lake City, Florida.
• Real name: Robert Russell Dees. He was adopted by his father's sister, whose husband's name was Wise.
• Nicknames: “The Dean of Bluegrass Fiddlers”; also “The Original Bluegrass Fiddler.”
• Co-author of the “Orange Blossom Special.” At age 18, Wise moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he drove a taxicab by day and played fiddle in bars by night. It was there that he met fiddler Ervin Rouse in 1939 and together they composed “The Orange Blossom Special” in about 45 minutes. When Rouse suggested that they go get it copyrighted, Wise said, “Ervin, I haven't got time to fool with a fiddle tune. If you can do anything with it, buddy, it's yours.”
• 1942, joined Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, replacing Howdy Forrester. Was a member of Monroe’s “original bluegrass band” of 1945-1948 (Monroe, Flatt, Scruggs, Watts and Wise).
• 1949, left Monroe to work with the York Brothers in Detroit, and later, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs (1951).
• Has also worked with Jimmy Martin, Sam and Kirk McGee, Uncle Dave Macon, Hylo Brown, Mac Wiseman, Hank Snow and Merle Haggard.
• 1994, named “Old Time Fiddler of the Year” at the SPBGMA awards.
• Died January 6, 1996.
• 1998, was inducted in the IBMA’s Hall of Honor.

• From Crimora, Virginia. Lives on Percy Priest Lake, near Nashville.
• Was born in 1925, the same year the Grand Ole Opry started.
• 1944, began his career as a DJ in in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
• 1946, worked with Molly O'Day.
• 1948, was an original member of Flatt and Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys.
• 1949, worked with Bill Monroe.
• 1952-1956, with his band “The Country Boys” recorded several hits for Dot Records including “Jimmy Brown the Newsboy,” “Love Letters in the Sand,” “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.”
• 1957-1963, worked as an A & R man (Artists and Repertoire) for Dot Records and ran the company's country-music department. While at Dot, he was instrumental in the success of Pat Boone's career. It was Mac who suggested that Pat record the song “Love Letters in the Sand” which became a smash hit for the young singer.
• 1958, was one of the founders of the Country Music Association (CMA) and its first secretary.
• 1965, performed at the first bluegrass festival in Fincastle, Virginia.
• 1966, managed WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia.
• 1969, had a hit record with “Johnny’s Cash and Charley’s Pride” (RCA Victor).
• 1990, elected president of R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) in Nashville. One of the goals of the organization is to build a retirement home for country music entertainers.
• 1991, worked at the revived Old Dominion Barn Dance, Richmond, Virginia.
• 1992, worked at the Willie Nelson Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
• 1993, was inducted into the IBMA’s Hall of Honor.
• 1997, recorded with “The Groove Grass Boyz.”
• 2001, recorded a duet with his old friend Johnny Cash: “When It’s Reveille Time in Heaven.”

• From Granada Hills, California.
• Formed by Dennis (guitar/mandolin) and Gabe (fiddle) Witcher, who are father and son, not brothers. They began performing together in 1985, when Gabe was only six years old. Michael Witcher (the younger brother) joined later, playing Dobro™.
• Dennis is an aerospace engineer.
• Gabe also is the fiddle player with The Laurel Canyon Ramblers and (2002) the Jerry Douglas Band. In 2001, he played bass with the rock band Eve 6. He is also a busy session musician and actor in Hollywood.

• From Nashville; originally from Rittman, Ohio.
• Formed in 1974 by Ricky and Mike Wood.
• 1976, Mike was killed in a hunting accident, but Ricky has kept the name “The Wood Brothers” alive with his own band.
• 1979, began playing regularly at Sea World (Ohio) and then Sea World (Florida).
• Were members of the Wheeling (West Virginia) Jamboree.
• 1988, began working at Opryland, USA in Nashville. Appeared on the General Jackson Showboat and were the “check in-check out” band in the lobby of the Opryland Hotel.
• 1990, album “Hooked on Bluegrass” was nominated for a Grammy Award.
• 1995, became regular performers at the MGM Grand Adventure Theme Park in Las Vegas.

• From Nashville.
• A highly regarded Dobro™ player, who worked with Wilma Lee Cooper's Clinch Mountain Clan, Country Gazette, the Sidemen, others.
• 1992, joined the Osborne Brothers' band.
• Died in 2001 of cancer.

• From Virginia.
• 1991, both left The Country Gentlemen to form their own band.
• Wright has also worked with The Bluegrass Cardinals and Bill Harrell and the Virginians.
• Church plays banjo, and is the son of banjo player, Porter Church, who once was a member of Bill Monroe's band, The Blue Grass Boys.
• 1998, changed name of their band to The Travelers.

• From Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
• 1975, was lead singer for Milwaukee band Grass, Food and Lodging.
• 1980, joined Tony Trischka and Skyline.
• 1995, formed Acoustic Outlet with Mike Mumford, Chris Stifel, Akira Otsuka and Fred Smith.
• 2000, formed the Dede Wyland Band.
• Is a professional vocal coach.