Genre: Country
Decades Active: 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s
Bill Monroe is the father of bluegrass. He invented the style, invented the name, and for the great majority of the 20th century, embodied the art form. Beginning with his Blue Grass Boys in the '40s, Monroe defined a hard-edged style of country that emphasized instrumental virtuosity, close vocal harmonies, and a fast, driving tempo. The... [+] Read More
Genre: Country
Decades Active: 80s, 90s
The mandolin has been turned into an instrument of melodic brilliance by Butch Baldassari. A former member of Lonesome Standard Time, Baldassari has continued to explore his six-stringed instrument on his solo albums and recordings with the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. In addition to working with Richard Greene's Grass Is Greener since 1995,... [+] Read More
Genre: Country
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s
Scott Nygaard is one of bluegrass' most eclectic guitar players. A former member of Laurie Lewis and Grant Street, Nygaard has been an essential member of Tim O'Brien's O'Boys since 1991. In addition to occasional sideman gigs with stellar musicians as Tony Furtado, Todd Phillips, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Vassar... [+] Read More