Bluegrass Week: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Grand Ole Opry is extremely important in the world of Country and Bluegrass. Having been around  as the oldest live music radio show it has become over time a symbol of "making it" in the industry. Bluegrass legends, and Opry regulars The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band tell the tale of the Opry in style.

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The Grand Ole Opry Song

Bluegrass Week: Frank Fairfield

Frank Fairfield is an absolute treasure. He is a local Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist who plays old-traditional folk. I've cross sectioned him with Bluegrass week, because his banjo picking is something that any bluegrass connoisseur would enjoy. Having seen Fairfield play several times, in bars, concert halls, and on the street; watching him play is like watching living history. His music is so reminiscent of a style of folk that is so ancient that when heard it seems brand new. This is bindle tying, train hopping music at it's finest which makes Fairfield is a rare gem.

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Nine Pound Hammer

Bluegrass Week: Uncle Dave Macon

When one thinks of pioneers of Bluegrass, one can't possibly forget Uncle Dave Macon. Macon was one of the earliest stars of The Grand Ole Opry. His banjo picking isn't technically amazing, however the passion in which he plays with is what has earned him his rightful place in the history books.

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Whoop Em' Up, Cindy 

Bluegrass Week: The Tallboys

Seattle, home of coffee and Nirvana, not quite the place you'd imagine there would be a thriving bluegrass scene. I vacationed there a few years ago and on one particular day I found myself strolling along Pike Place Market, a bustling place of fresh fruit, fish, and music. Like Venice Beach here in Los Angeles, Pike Place has a ton of buskers positioned throughout the market. Located in front of the original Starbuck's I happened to stumble upon a local old time string band that called themselves The Tallboys. They had attracted a large crowd and for good reason, they were very talented. At the end of their set I threw a few coins in the hat, and bought their CD. It was the first bluegrass album I ever owned. The Tallboys are still around busking up in Seattle. Unfortunately they haven't ever really done an extensive tour, for they are still highly unknown except in Washington. Someone with Rounder Records needs to snatch these guys up, and fast.

Attached is a track of The Tallboys performing one of my favorite bluegrass classics "Cumberland Gap"

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Cumberland Gap

Where it all began...

For the longest time I hated bluegrass. I absolutely could not stand it. I felt it was repetitive superficial and trite. However that all changed when my Uncle (huge bluegrasser) took my Father and I to Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival near the Catskills of New York. I spent the first day walking around, catching a few acts, playing frisbee with strangers, you know, the stuff you do at music festivals. The bands were pretty entertaining, I enjoyed what they had to offer however nothing really blew me away. Until night fell. The headlining band that night was a reformed bluegrass group that date all the way back to the 70's called Hot Rize. Each member of this band is a demigod of their instrument, Tim O'Brien to this day is the best mandolin player I have ever seen. When they closed their set with a cover of the blistering Bill Monroe instrumental tune "Train 45" my jaw dropped to the floor. I could have never imagined a banjo, mandolin, bass and acoustic guitar could convey such power. After that I was hooked to bluegrass like a drug. I couldn't get enough, since then I have attended numerous bluegrass concerts, and have avidly sought out bluegrass of both new and old styles.

Here is the video and attached MP3 of Hot Rize performing "Train 45" at Grey Fox. It may not carry as much of a punch as it for me when I was physically there, but you get the idea.

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Train 45