Anyone have the names of any good bluegrass bands? Within the past few years I've really found a love for the energetic banjo and mandolin breaks present in this style, but have explored mostly old-time bands and know little of current bluegrass groups.

I used to consider bluegrass the nastiest form of music on earth....I was punished by actually giving it an "honest" listen a few years ago and finding that it was really good.

A few that I like:
Nickel Creek
Some of Alison Krauss' is considered bluegrass and everything she does sounds like heaven.

My fave BG combo is the Del McCoury Band.
Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver is also good.

- but I'm with you, I prefer old-time, played by small combos, usually family groups.
I grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge (near Mt. Airy, NC - home of WPAQ)... so I'm a little biased.
I don't like many of the famous, modern Nashville acts, but Del rocks... got that Bill Monroe thing goin' on...

To stay up-to-date on some current acts, check out "Backporch Music", produced by our local NPR station:
http://www.wunc.org/backporchmusic/

Also, another decent on-line source is "Bluegrass Country":
http://bluegrasscountry.org/

If ever in NC in late April, you should definitely check out Merlefest:
http://www.merlefest.org/
This year, I saw Doc Watson, Sam Bush, Chatham County Line, the Jerry Douglas Band, Jim Lauderdale, Nickel Creek, etc.
It's not all bluegrass, but it's in "the family" ;)

I wasn't much into bluegrass until I went to the Telluride Bluegrass festival a couple years ago. Though that festival is far from 100% bluegrass. Anyhow, another vote for nickel creek. Sam Bush was cool; is he 'legit' bluegrass?

Sam Bush was cool; is he 'legit' bluegrass?
Many established Nashville acts are more accurately considered performers of "Americana Music", and there is some overlap there.

Lots of performers seemed to jump onto the bluegrass bandwagon after "Oh, Brother Where Art Thou"
- which opened up the market for many of these artists who were considered 'too country' for 'country'...

Many established Nashville acts are more accurately considered performers of "Americana Music", and there is some overlap there.

Lots of performers seemed to jump onto the bluegrass bandwagon after "Oh, Brother Where Art Thou"
- which opened up the market for many of these artists who were considered 'too country' for 'country'...
I know what you mean....the "bluegrass" I like is probably really more "Americana". That was how it was labeled anyway.

Don't forget about the bluegrass influence on "jam bands". There are too many of them out there to list and most are not true bluegrass, but if you like that type of free form music with mandolins, banjos, stand up bass or even cow bell you should check the scene out.

Yes, I myself am rather fond of the bluegrass influence in bands like Phish, Leftover Salmon, and String Cheese Incident.

And by the way, what are some examples of this Americana music? When I think of bluegrass I tend to think, at least in the old-time sense, of people like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, etc.

Yes, I myself am rather fond of the bluegrass influence in bands like Phish, Leftover Salmon, and String Cheese Incident.
Do they all name their bands after foods?

And by the way, what are some examples of this Americana music?
Well, I would classify Americana as a larger genre of traditional, folky, singer-songwriter, acoustic roots music that bluegrass is but one aspect of.

Some performers of this new acoustic music would be some artists already mentioned:

David Grier
The Tony Rice Unit
Bela Fleck
Sam Bush
Jerry Douglas
Peter Ostroushko
Alison Krauss
Tim O'Brien
David Grisman



Do they all name their bands after foods?
of course, they all have the munchies :roflmao:

gillian welch :beer:


not too into bluegrass, but I dig her stuff and she plays some

Well, I would classify Americana as a larger genre of traditional, folky, singer-songwriter, acoustic roots music that bluegrass is but one aspect of.

...

whiskeytown, uncle tupelo, son volt, jay farrar, some wilco stuff, etc :beer: yup

gillian welch :beer:


not too into bluegrass, but I dig her stuff and she plays some
DEFINITELY!! Another great one!!

For me Americana is Richard Buckner and The Gourds.

Oh s***, I forgot Slobberbone.

They're a couple decades old now, but check out Seldom Scene.

Top notch musicians and accessible for beginners, especially Dead fans (they cover a few songs that will sound familiar).

eric lewis and andy ratliff

younder mountain string band and hot buttered rum string band are a couple that get me toe tappin'

plenty of their stuff online for downloading @

http://www.archive.org/audio/etreelisting-browse.php

for on-line, i listen to www.wdvx.com they are out of knoxville, tn it is not all bluegrass there is so old country mixed in also, but that is what i listen to at work and everyday at noon (est) they have a live group play

Alison Krauss + Union Station -- great talent, not so much "pure" bluegrass, but more pop influenced
Del McCroury
Bela Fleck

Oh my gosh, how can you mention Blue Grass and not mention somebody like Ricky Scaggs?