Cybergrass Bluegrass Music News: American Bluegrass Masters at Brooks Center Nov. 16th

BMNN wrote: on Nov. 02, 2009:
American Bluegrass Masters

For the first time in more than 50 years, legendary mandolin player Bobby Osborne and banjo player J.D. Crowe join talents to present a concert of distinctive bluegrass music. "The Brooks Center audience is in for a real treat when these two legends come to town," said Mark Hosler, an expert of country and bluegrass music history at the university. The Brooks Center for Performing Artst is located on the Clemson University Campus in Clemson, South Carolina.

Joining Osborne and Crowe are the next generation of bluegrass stars from the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music Ensemble. "Their performance with a young generation of musicians will give us all an opportunity to witness firsthand a musical ‘passing of the torch,' a tradition as old as bluegrass itself," Hosler added.

Grammy-winning banjoist J.D. Crowe is considered one of American's most influential banjo players. In the 1970s, he was at the forefront of the progressive bluegrass movement, a style that blended the traditional sounds of the music with country, rock, and blues music, helping bluegrass reach a broader, younger audience.

"Crowe was founder to the most revolutionary bluegrass band of its time," Hosler said. "The New South featured an all-star line-up featuring Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, and Ricky Skaggs. This group took a ‘new traditionalist' approach to bluegrass, staying true to the roots of bluegrass, yet contemporary as well."

Crowe has recorded 12 CDs for Rounder and other labels. His most recent release is "Lefty's Old Guitar." Since 2001, he has spearheaded Crowe Fest—the annual J.D. Crowe Bluegrass Festival held in Wilmore, KY.

Mandolin player Bobby Osborne is a long time star of the Grand Ole Opry, making his first appearance in 1964. He was the first to record "Rock Top," a tune that would become the Tennessee state song and the most recorded song in bluegrass history. With a distinctive voice that showcased a soaring high lead, Osborne gained notoriety for his performances with his brother Sonny.

"The Osborne Brothers Band was considered by many to be the one of the most innovative and popular bluegrass bands of the post World War II era," said Hosler. The brothers were the first bluegrass musicians to perform on college campuses. The band also has the distinction of being the first bluegrass band to appear at the White House in 1973.

In 2005, Osborne launched a new band, the Rocky Top X-Press. Then a 2007 Grammy nomination had fans and critics the world over proclaiming him the greatest bluegrass singer in history. Osborne's latest release on Rounder Records is entitled "Bluegrass Melodies."

"I saw Bobby Osborne and his current band perform at the Grand Ole Opry. They received the evening's largest ovation. The playing of his signature tunes—‘Ruby' and ‘Rocky Top'—had the audience on their feet throughout," said Hosler about a recent Nashville performance.

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