J. D. Crowe
Encyclopedia
James Dee Crowe is an American
banjo
player and bluegrass
band leader. He first became known during his four year stint with Jimmy Martin
in the 1950s.
's Sunny Mountain Boys in mid 1950s. He cut his first recordings with Jimmy Martin on December 1, 1956 and his last on August 17, 1960, recording a total of 33 songs on Decca Records
. In the late 1960s, Crowe formed the Kentucky Mountain Boys, principally performing in the Lexington, Kentucky
region. By the early 1970s, Crowe changed the band's name to The New South
and included material from rock
and country music
sources. Crowe's New South band is widely considered one of the most influential bluegrass groups since the 1970s. Many influential musicians have been a part of the band over the years, including Keith Whitley
, Ricky Skaggs
, Tony Rice
, Jerry Douglas
, and Doyle Lawson
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
player and bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
band leader. He first became known during his four year stint with Jimmy Martin
Jimmy Martin
Jimmy Martin was an American bluegrass musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".-Early years:Born James H. Martin in Sneedville, Tennessee. Jimmy Martin was born into the hard farming life of rural East Tennessee. He grew up near Sneedville, singing in church and with friends from surrounding...
in the 1950s.
Biography
Crowe began playing the banjo early on and was offered a job with Jimmy MartinJimmy Martin
Jimmy Martin was an American bluegrass musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".-Early years:Born James H. Martin in Sneedville, Tennessee. Jimmy Martin was born into the hard farming life of rural East Tennessee. He grew up near Sneedville, singing in church and with friends from surrounding...
's Sunny Mountain Boys in mid 1950s. He cut his first recordings with Jimmy Martin on December 1, 1956 and his last on August 17, 1960, recording a total of 33 songs on Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. In the late 1960s, Crowe formed the Kentucky Mountain Boys, principally performing in the Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
region. By the early 1970s, Crowe changed the band's name to The New South
New South (band)
The New South is a bluegrass band formed around 1973 by banjo player J. D. Crowe. Their first two albums, Bluegrass Evolution and the eponymous record known by the album number, "Rounder 0044," established them as a dominant force in bluegrass, though the two albums are wildly different.-Band...
and included material from rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
sources. Crowe's New South band is widely considered one of the most influential bluegrass groups since the 1970s. Many influential musicians have been a part of the band over the years, including Keith Whitley
Keith Whitley
Jackie Keith Whitley , known professionally as Keith Whitley, was an American country music singer. Whitley's brief career in mainstream country music lasted from 1984 until his death in 1989, but he continues to influence an entire generation of singers and songwriters...
, Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs
Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
, Tony Rice
Tony Rice
Tony Rice is an American acoustic guitarist and bluegrass musician. He is considered one of the most influential acoustic guitar players in bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, newgrass and acoustic jazz.Rice spans the range of acoustic music, from traditional bluegrass to jazz-influenced New...
, Jerry Douglas
Jerry Douglas
Jerry Douglas may refer to:*Jerry Douglas , actor, who was on The Young and the Restless for 25 years*Jerry Douglas, country/bluegrass musician*Jerry Douglas , director and writer of adult films such as, Score...
, and Doyle Lawson
Doyle Lawson
Doyle Lawson is an American bluegrass and gospel musician. Doyle is best known as an accomplished mandolin player, vocalist, producer, and leader of the 5-man group Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.-Biography:...
.
Discography
- 1968: Bluegrass Holiday (Lemco)
- 1969: The Model Church (Lemco)
- 1971: Ramblin' Boy (Lemco) - reissued as Blackjack (Rebel)
- 1973: Bluegrass Evolution (Starday)
- 1975: J.D. Crowe & The New SouthJ.D. Crowe & The New SouthJ. D. Crowe & The New South is an album by American banjo player J. D. Crowe and The New South, released in 1975 . It was reissued on CD in 1992....
(Rounder) - 1977: You Can Share My Blanket (Rounder)
- 1978: My Home Ain't in the Hall of Fame (Rounder)
- 1981: Somewhere Between (Rounder)
- 1982: Live in Japan (Rounder)
- 1986: Straight Ahead (Rounder)
- 1994: Flashback (Rounder)
- 1999: Come on Down to My World (Rounder)
- 2006: Lefty's Old Guitar (Rounder)
External links
- J.D. Crowe and the New South
- Feature story on J.D. Crowe at Country Standard Time