I know this from Buck Owens and also some damn hippie San Fransisco rock band, but here's a bluegrass version:
My entry into Bluegrass (like many coming from rock I assume) was the Flecktones. I know there are a lot of 'true' Bluegrass fans that don't think this is the real stuff, but I like it. Bela, Chris Thile with or without Nickel Creek or Punch Brothers.
Bill Emerson is still putting out albums! Here's one of my favorites, Bill's first instrumental album featuring Tony Rice, Jim Buchanan, Jimmy Gaudreau, Jerry Douglas and Mark Schatz. Home of the Red Fox Rebel Records CD or Cassette 1651 ( I have the vinyl.) Home of the Red Fox Old Times in Virginia Appalachian Stonewall Country Cowboys and Indians Theme Time Sweet Dixie Down to the Wire Welcome to New York
The late great Bill Keith, representing the East Coast on the banjo! Many feel that Bill was second only to Earls Scruggs on banjo, and he similarly invented a banjo tuning system. Bill was introduced in concert as "Brad" when he played in Bill Monroe's band in the 1960's, because Monroe's ego couldn't have two Bills in the band! Here's an early Rounder release and it's noted for the first time that Tony Rice and David Grisman came together in the recording studio. Great vocals by late folk artist Jim Rooney, who produced Iris Dement's early albums. Mandatory purchase for bluegrass fans!
Yep, that Jody Stecher album is one of the all time unsung recordings of stringband music! A classic from start to finish!
I've got that one as well, it good. I think I'm pretty close to having every recording Tony has played on. There is a very good list compiled in is "auto" biography.
The Russ Barenberg reference reminds me of a great pickin' album Skip, Hop & Wobble with Edgar Meyer and Jerry Douglas.
There is so much new Bluegrass music going on right now it is crazy. This kid "Billy Strings" is one of the best flat pickers I've ever seen.
We should compare notes! Tony's brother Ron, who used to post here, got me an autographed copy of the book! That book's discography helped me locate some releases that were off my radar, like "The Bluegrass Suspects." I just discovered the live JD Crowe release I talked about in my first post in this thread, and can't wait for it to arrive in the mail. Nothing like hearing some Rice recordings for the first time! I was lucky enough to see Tony a bunch of times, the first with the Grisman Quintet at the Keystone Palo Alto in 1979, just before Tony left the band. Tony could blaze away on the Martin, but also played some tasty slower tempo tunes, like one of my favorites, Shenandoah. And, he always looked "mahvelous", as Sam Bush would say of his concert dress.
Wood and Wire, fantastic band out of Texas. Billy Bright, who played with Tony and Peter until he divorced the bass player in that band, it in this group.
That is awesome! The first DGQ album might be my favorite of all time. I didn't discover Tony until the Pizza Tapes were released. I think I've seen him close to 20 times since that point.