Yeah, I read that Carl Smith was one of the first to use drums, the Opry relaxed the rules to allow Buddy Harmon to play with his band, albeit brushes only and from behind a curtain.
That is one of my first bluegrass experiences as well. I have been playing five string banjo since the late seventies. I first fell for the music from the new grass side. Bela, Alan Mundy, Tony Trischka, Sam Bush,Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, David Grisman. Saw The Earl Scruggs Revue and John Hartford at Ontario Place. Got involved in the Toronto bluegrass community. Dennis Lepage with The Dixie Flyers, then Station Road. Big Red Ford, The Humber River Valley Boys. Really went crazy with Bela Fleck who is still one of my heroes and a great guy who I have had the pleasure to spend time with on a few occasions. One of the great experiences of my life was going to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2008. Anyone ever attend the Carlysle Bluegrass Festival? I saw Don Reno, The Seldon Scene, Lester Flatt. Great thread...... Glen
I heard these guys, Ruben and Matt and the Truffle Valley Boys, on the bluegrass program on WHUS this weekend. I'd never have believed the entire band was Italian. Though I suppose one or two Italians have been known to pluck a mandolin before.
I don't mind the silly; bluegrass is in some ways, rather silly. But man they've got the chops to be as silly as they want. I'm at a cross-road in my life, and I may just try to start or latch onto a Bluegrass band. I know y'all know me as a bassist (and I have 36 years on that in the pee bucket under my bed), but I started as a guit-fiddlist in 1977. It might be time to resurrect that, although I never abandoned it. I couldn't possibly play upright bass in a bluegrass band. I'd be bored beyond tears.
Live in Sweden by The White Brothers is one of my all-time Bluegrass favourites. I also love Will The Circle Be Unbroken by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band .
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1459672897384507 If you are not familiar with Larry Keel, I would recomend changing that.
Playing the dog house bass is generally pretty boring work but there are a few that have done it remarkably well. Mark Schatts is right up there as one of the best of all time. Look up "mothers only son" by Yonder Mountain String Band. Overall Ben Kaufman is a very interesting and creative bass player but that is a very bass driven song that goes on for about 17 minutes. I doubt you would find Rob Wasserman boring.
Has anyone heard anything recent about how Tony is doing? I remember his speaking appearance at the Bluegrass awards a year or so ago using his old voice and being amazed...
I just got this CD in the mail and played it Saturday. Over an hour of material, and it's HOT! And the liner notes finally explained the buzz that disturbed some of the songs on the album that was bothering me for decades. It was the microwave oven at the venue that was on the same circuit, and anytime they heated a slice of pizza in it, BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
And get this one also. Some different cuts than the Live in Sweden set, plus Herb Peterson on banjo instead of Alan Munde.
It's been quiet since then. He has turned up at a couple of events to do a signing but that is about it.
I also picked this little rarity up. Great SQ, considering it was remastered from vinyl sources. Ricky Skaggs does a great Monroe "emcee" imitation on the second disc that's hilarious. The band smokes!!!!!!!!!! Their last live performances I believe.