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Summary Characteristics of Bluegrass Generations (680)
October 18, 2005
Download as a Word document here.
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0: Ancestors (30 entries) |
1: Pioneers (118 entries) |
2: Builders (200 entries) |
Born: 1868-1900
Age 12: 1880-1912
Now: mostly deceased |
Born: 1901-1924
Age 12: 1913-1936
Now: mostly deceased |
Born: 1925-1941
Age 12: 1937-1953
Now: 63-80 |
Recorded: 1922-1980
Median 1st recording: 1927
at median age 32.5 |
Recorded: 1927-on
Median 1st recording: 1946
at median age 27 |
Recorded: 1941-on
Median 1st recording: 1959
at median age 25 |
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Born in the South |
Born in Appalachia |
Rural to urban migrants |
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Major contributors to
bluegrass repertoire |
Created bluegrass vocal & instrumental styles |
Fleshed out & explored within classic parameters |
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Preserved & updated 19th century music |
Professional country music entertainers |
Initiated bluegrass festivals |
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Played fiddle, guitar, banjo, slide guitar |
Played guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass |
First to be called "bluegrass" |
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Learned music in communities |
Grew up with radio and phonograph |
Bill Monroe an influence;
23% Blue Grass Boys |
Examples:
Dock Boggs
A.P. & Sara Carter
G.B. Grayson & Henry Whitter
Uncle Dave Macon
J.E. Mainer
Sam & Kirk McGee
Charlie Poole
Jimmie Rodgers
E.V. & Hattie Stoneman
Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith |
Examples:
Roy Acuff
Bill & Earl Bolick
Maybelle Carter
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs
Wade Mainer
Bill & Charlie Monroe
Molly O’Day
Carl Story
Doc Watson
Chubby Wise |
Examples:
Country Gentlemen 1&2
Hazel Dickens
Jimmy Martin
Del McCoury
Jim & Jesse McReynolds
Bob & Sonny Osborne
Don Reno & Red Smiley
Classic Seldom Scene
Carter & Ralph Stanley
Mac Wiseman |
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3: Innovators (246 entries) |
4: Conservators (69 entries) |
5: Explorers (17 entries) |
Born: 1942-1962
Age 12: 1954-1974
Now: 42-63 |
Born: 1963-1976
Age 12: 1975-1988
Now: 28-42 |
Born: 1977-1992
Age 12: 1989-2004
Now: 12-28 |
Recorded: 1953-on
Median 1st recording: 1978
at median age 25 |
Recorded: 1976-on
Median 1st recording: 1991
at median age 23 |
Recorded: 1989-on
Median 1st recording: 1998
at median age 18 |
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Broadest geographic origins |
59% from the South |
59% CA, CO, TN |
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Took bluegrass to new directions & audiences |
Returned to classic
patterns & repertoire |
Data base is thin;
generalizations shaky |
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Many had careers in several genres |
Professional bluegrass musicians |
Reinterpret bluegrass for a new century |
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Fewest fiddlers |
3% Blue Grass Boys,
9% Quicksilver |
Echo characteristics of Gen 0 |
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Grew up with rock ‘n roll |
Grew up with festivals |
Many learned in family contexts |
Examples:
Sam Bush
Rodney Dillard
Jerry Douglas
Bela Fleck
Hot Rize
Laurie Lewis
Tony Rice
Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley
Larry Sparks
Rhonda Vincent |
Examples:
Sidney & Suzanne Cox
Stuart Duncan
Rob Ickes
Alison Krauss
Rob & Ronnie McCoury
Russell Moore
Kenny & Amanda Smith
Adam Steffey
Ronnie Stewart
Dan Tyminski |
Examples:
Chapmans (except Bill)
Michael Cleveland
Ryan Holladay
Sierra Hull
Andy Leftwich
Nickel Creek
Brandon Rickman
Ralph Stanley II
Josh Williams
Gabe Witcher |
