| Benny Martin:
"The Big Tiger Roars Again 'Part 1' is a collection of all new recordings written and performed by one of country and bluegrass music's most influential artists, Benny Martin. Known in bluegrass music circles as perhaps the greatest fiddle player the genre has ever known, Benny Martin was also at one time one of the brightest stars of country music. He was a member of The Grand Ole Opry, a top selling recording artist for Mercury Records, a songwriter, and an instrumental virtuoso whose charisma and stage presence matched his skills... Read more about Benny Martin |
| Vassar Clements:
Vassar Clements is one of the most celebrated fiddlers of all time, and one of the most revered instrumentalists in bluegrass music. Although he grew up listening to jazz and swing music, Vassar Clements became one of Bill Monroe's "Bluegrass Boys" in 1949 at the age of 14. He became a session player in the 1960's and in the early 1970's after a stint with the Earl Scruggs review, Clements helped to expand the scope of bluegrass by joining in the creation of two legendary albums: "Old and in the Way" which included The Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Read more about Vassar Clements |
| Bobby Osborne:
Bobby Osborne is one of the best known voices in bluegrass music. He and his brother Sonny are known as "The Osborne Brothers," and as members of The Grand Ole Opry they have long been one the most popular groups in bluegrass and country music. They are also members of the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Hall of Honor... Read more about Bobby Osborne |
| Kenny Baker:
To many fiddlers and bluegrass music historians, Kenny Baker is considered to be the most influential fiddle player in modern times. Kenny was the long-time fiddler for Bill Monroe, and In 1970 provided the fiddle parts for Monroe's hugely influential album Uncle Pen. His long series of solo albums for independent County Records had an immeasurable impact on Bluegrass fiddling. Many of Kenny's albums were sold at record tables at festivals, and according to historian Charles Wolfe, his records often outsold Monroe's... Read more about Kenny Baker |
| Josh Graves:
When Josh Graves joined Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys in the early 1950's, it changed bluegrass music forever. Josh's Dobro™ gave the music the polish it needed to compete with the newly electrified country music of the day, and Josh's virtuosity complimented that of Earl Scruggs, as they played off of each other with aplomb. Without a doubt it was an exciting time for the music, and also a time that can be referred to historically as the early pinnacle of bluegrass music... Read more about Josh Graves |
| Johnny Russell:
As a host and member of Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, Johnny Russell was one of Country Music's most popular entertainers before his death in 2001. As a recording artist and songwriter he was also one of its most influential practitioners. This was Johnny Russell's final recording before his death, and serves as a fitting tribute to one of country music's great performers. On this "all-acoustic" bluegrass pickin' party, Johnny is joined by an all-star group of country music friends, including Dolly Parton, Buck Owens, Crystal Gayle, Earl Scruggs, Marty Stuart, Bobby Osborne, The Whites, and Bobby Bare... Read more about Johnny Russell |
| Pam Gadd:
Pam Gadd was first noticed by the country music audience in 1989 when the single “Breaking New Ground” hit the top ten for her country group Wild Rose. Pam was the lead singer for the group, as well as a crack musician and influential songwriter. This “all girl” group recorded for MCA records, and they came to Nashville long before the Dixie Chicks... Read More about Pam Gadd |
| Bill Henry:
From the vibrant bluegrass/acoustic folk scene in New England emerges Bill Henry. For over 20 years Bill has been the lead singer/guitarist for the bluegrass/newgrass group Northern Lights. On this solo recording Bill gathers a powerful group of instrumentalists and singers and a satchel of perfectly suited songs to construct a diverse array of tracks... Read More about Bill Henry |
| Billy Troy:
From his days as a 16 year old host of WSM Radio's "Young Country" and his 41 appearances on the famous Grand Ole Opry, Billy Troy has been considered one of the inside talents of Country Music. As a songwriter his songs have been recorded by artists including Gene Watson, David Frizzell, Janie Fricke, Terri Gibbs and others... Read More about Billy Troy |
| Glen Duncan:
There are only a handful of instrumentalists that have been as influential in bluegrass and country music in the last few years as fiddler Glen Duncan. He has been in three of the hottest bluegrass groups during this period, including Longview, Rock County, and Lonesome Standard Time. He has been a contributor to some of the biggest selling records in country music as one of the most popular session recording artists, and most recently he was widely featured on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Volume 3)" release on Columbia Records... Read More about Glen Duncan |
| Jeannie Seely:
To Grand Ole Opry veteran Jeannie Seely, it's still a thrill and an honor every time she performs on the world-famous Opry stage. "I feel very fortunate to be part of the Opry tradition," the Grammy-winning singer says, "and I truly am indebted to all the fans who have supported me over the years." The year 2002 will mark Jeannie's 35th anniversary as an Opry member... Read more about Jeannie Seely |
| Doyle Holly:
In the 1960's Buck Owens and the Buckaroos were hitting their stride as the best country band, and probably the best band period, in the USA. The "freight-train" Bakersfield sound they created was becoming more and more natural, and the fluency with which they applied it to their songs grew more and more exciting. "Together Again" is a 21st century tribute to the music of Buck Owens by longtime "Buckaroo" Doyle Holly... Read more about Doyle Holly |
| Buddy Spicher:
Buddy Spicher has been one of "Music City's" most in-demand studio musicians for over three decades and he helped define modern country music. He is known as the consummate professional musician; versatile and creative and able to provide arrangements that have stood the test of time. Read more about Buddy Spicher |
| Jesse McReynolds:
Jesse McReynolds is universally considered one of the finest instrumentalists in bluegrass music. Along with his brother, they formed the duo Jim & Jesse, and with their band The Virginia Boys they recorded dozens of albums including several top-ten country singles. Jim and Jesse became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1964, and Jesse remains a member since Jim’s death in 2003. Read more about Jesse McReynolds |
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