The Grascals
Encyclopedia
The Grascals is a six-piece bluegrass
band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee
. Founded in 2004, the band has since gained a level of notability by playing on the Grand Ole Opry
and in bluegrass festivals around the country.
In 2005 the band won the International Bluegrass Music Association
(IBMA) Emerging Artist of the Year Award, as well as the Song of the Year award for "Me and John and Paul". In 2006 and 2007, they won the IBMA Entertainer of the Year.
The Grascals have released two albums, both on Rounder Records
. The first self-titled debut
featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton
on Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas
". Their 2006 album, Long List of Heartaches
, features artists such as Steve Wariner
, George Jones
, The Jordanaires
, and Dierks Bentley
. Their third album, Keep on Walkin', came out July 15, 2008.
/vocals
Jamie Johnson - guitar
/vocals
Danny Roberts - mandolin
Terry Smith - upright bass/vocals
Kristin Scott Benson - banjo
Jeremy Abshire - fiddle
Terry Eldredge first began to play bass
with Opry
stars such as Lonzo and Oscar
. In 1988, Terry joined the Osborne Brothers
, and soon switched to guitar.
At about the same time, he and other young Nashville band members created the Sidemen, playing the Station Inn regularly on Tuesday nights. Terry took up the bass once again when he joined Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time in the late 1990s. This earned him a nomination in 2003 for Bass Player of the Year.
Eldredge also performed as a member of the Blue-niques with Dolly Parton
. Terry recorded two solo albums for Pinecastle Records, as well as albums with the Osborne Brothers, Cordle, Parton, and the Sidemen. 1
Terry was in a car accident in 2001 that broke his ribs, shattered his left leg, ruptured his spleen
, punctured his lung, and cracked a vertebra in his neck.
. He decided to rejoin the Wildwood Valley Boys. He made his recording debut in 2000 with the Wildwood Valley Boys' I'm a Believer
He began to find success in songwriting, when he co-wrote the title cut of Bobby Osborne's
of Where I Come From in 2002. Of course, he also began to find success as a singer. In 2001, he joined Terry Eldrege in the Sidemen, and made his Opry
debut with Gail Davis
. Terry and Jamie soon found that they had a vocal blend which matched perfectly for bluegrass
. 1
group that toured the country for close to 20 years. The band recorded 10 CDs, made "Seed of Love", the first bluegrass video to feature the banjo
, and even reached number one on the TNN
channel. The band broke up in 2000, but Danny still had a hand with musicians, playing with Marty Raybon
, Larry Cordle
, and Melonie Cannon. He also joined Ronnie Reno's band, the Reno Tradition. He then joined the Grascals, where he was reunited with Jimmy Mattingly. 1
in his early teens, where he began in a family band with his mother (Hazel Smith)father Patrick Smith and brother, Billy Smith. Terry has even played with such legends as Jimmy Martin
, Wilma Lee Cooper
, and the Osborne Brothers
.
Terry and his brother, Billy, recorded an album for CBS, which a number one video on CMT. This was followed by the 1992's Grass Section, and tributes to Bill Monroe
and the Grateful Dead
(Long Live the Dead) in 1996. In 1999, the brothers released Voices of the Mountains. After touring with Grand Ole Opry
member Mike Snyder, Terry joined the Grascals.1
. An interesting fact to mention is that the band believed that this wouldn't really go anywhere, almost as a side job to add a little money for their families.
began to show interest in wanting to play with the Grascals. The Grascals soon became Dolly's opening act, as well as her band. Performing at Dollywood
and eventually, the Grand Ole Opry
, the band quickly became one of the up and coming bluegrass bands of the year.
By the end of the year, the band and Dolly began to play a cover version of Elvis's song, "Viva Las Vegas"
.
However, by the end of 2004, Dolly announced to the Grascals that at the beginning of the 2005 year she would have to let them go.
During the course of the 2005 year, the Grascals appeared numerous times on television spots on the Opry, usually with Dolly Parton. The first album
made it on to the Billboard charts, as well as many country and bluegrass charts. Also on the album covers, Dolly is quoted saying, "One of the greatest albums I've ever heard."
One other big moment while the album was coming out, is the company Vietti began to put the Grascals picture on some of the Vietti chili cans.
Awards took place in October 2005. During this awards, the Grascals won two awards. The first, Song of the Year, was won for the song, "Me and John and Paul", written by Harley Allen
. The second award, Emerging Artist of the Year, was thought to either have been won by the Grascals, or rival bluegrass band Cherryholmes. The Grascals did win this award, while Cherryholmes went on to win Entertainer of the Year. The Grascals were also nominated for Best Album of the Year, but did not win.
In summer of 2005, Rounder
began to talk with the Grascals about making a music video for the song "Me and John and Paul". The video was released in early 2006 and was on circulation on the GAC
channel. Late in the 2005 year as well, Dolly Parton asked the Grascals to open dates for her by the end of the year.
In early 2006, recording began for the Grascals second album, Long List of Heartaches
. The album featured many guests: George Jones
, The Jordanaires
, Steve Wariner
, and Dierks Bentley
. As a treat for letting certain guests on this album, Dierks Bentley asked the Grascals to be a guest on his 2006 release, Long Trip Alone
. The album came out a couple months before the 2006 IBMA Awards, but, because of the time of coming out, was not able to qualify, however, they did qualify for the 2007 Grammy and the 2007 IBMA Awards.
. However, right after their performance, the Grascals were awarded Entertainer of the Year by Vince Gill
. Immediately following them getting the award, Sirius Satellite Radio
got an interview, which went on the bluegrass station.
Soon after the IBMA Awards, the Grascals got to go to Japan for a bluegrass festival.
Almost right after Dave left, the Grascals began to search for a new banjo player. Before the 2007 year even began, the Grascals recruited Aaron McDaris as the new banjo player.
won the award instead.
At the 2007 SPGMA Awards, the Grascals managed to win two awards; Instrumental Group of the Year, and Bluegrass Artist of the Year.
During the summer of 2007, the Grascals became sponsored by Mayberry's Finest, a food company. In August, the Grascals would have a permanent bus with their name on it. The Grascals made a jingle, very similar to the Andy Griffith theme song, and can be heard on the Mayberry's finest website. http://www.mayberrysfinest.com/
but won the Entertainer of the Year honor, winning it two years in a row. Sonny Osborne
presented the award to the Grascals.
, only one guest will be featured, (Vince Gill
). While recording Keep on Walkin, fiddle player Jimmy Mattingly left the band. He was replaced by Jeremy Abshire. Again, because of timing, this album will not qualify for the 2008 IBMA Awards but will qualify for the 2009 Awards.
beginning in January 2009. Kristin Scott Benson will be the replacement in the banjo position following the departure of McDaris.
The second meaning is a hypothetical band in the future, which would have to be, not only of the next generation, but, would have to be the children of the Grascals, or at least have a couple children of the Grascals in it.
There was also a band called the Little Grascals, containing many of the same members as the original Grascals line-up. Many people call this the precursor to the Grascals.
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 hailing from Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. Founded in 2004, the band has since gained a level of notability by playing on the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
and in bluegrass festivals around the country.
In 2005 the band won the International Bluegrass Music Association
International Bluegrass Music Association
The International Bluegrass Music Association, or IBMA, is a trade association to promote bluegrass music.Formed in 1985, IBMA established its first headquarters in Owensboro, Kentucky. In 1988 they announced plans to create the International Bluegrass Music Museum as a joint venture with...
(IBMA) Emerging Artist of the Year Award, as well as the Song of the Year award for "Me and John and Paul". In 2006 and 2007, they won the IBMA Entertainer of the Year.
The Grascals have released two albums, both on Rounder Records
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
. The first self-titled debut
The Grascals (album)
The Grascals created The Grascals album as their debut album, released on Rounder Records in early 2005. Dolly Parton does a guest spot on the song Viva Las Vegas. This album also launched The Grascals career, winning them Song of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year. Also, winning them a...
featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
on Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas (song)
"Viva Las Vegas" is a 1964 song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and recorded by Elvis Presley for his Viva Las Vegas film vehicle of that year...
". Their 2006 album, Long List of Heartaches
Long List of Heartaches
Long List of Heartaches is the second album released by the Grascals and the second album they released on Rounder Records. The album features a variety of guests, from George Jones to the Jordanaires...
, features artists such as Steve Wariner
Steve Wariner
Steven Noel "Steve" Wariner is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has released eighteen studio albums, including six on MCA Records, and three each on RCA Records, Arista Records and Capitol Records...
, George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
, The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
, and Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley is an American country music artist who has been signed to Capitol Records Nashville since 2003. That year, he released his self-titled debut album. Both it and its follow-up, 2005's Modern Day Drifter, are certified platinum in the United States. A third album, 2006's Long Trip...
. Their third album, Keep on Walkin', came out July 15, 2008.
Members
Terry Eldredge - guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/vocals
Jamie Johnson - guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/vocals
Danny Roberts - mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
Terry Smith - upright bass/vocals
Kristin Scott Benson - 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...
Jeremy Abshire - fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
Terry Eldredge
Terry was born on April 18, 1963 to Bud and Maryjane Eldredge. He has one sister Sheri, and two brothers, Grady and Payton.Terry Eldredge first began to play bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
with Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
stars such as Lonzo and Oscar
Lonzo and Oscar
Lonzo and Oscar were an American country music duo originally consisting of Lloyd Leslie George and Rollin Lillian Sullivan , best known for being the first to perform the 1948 song "I'm My Own Grandpa". Lonzo was later portrayed by Johnny Sullivan from 1950–1967 and by David Hooten from...
. In 1988, Terry joined the Osborne Brothers
Osborne Brothers
The Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne and Bobby Osborne , were an influential and popular bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s...
, and soon switched to guitar.
At about the same time, he and other young Nashville band members created the Sidemen, playing the Station Inn regularly on Tuesday nights. Terry took up the bass once again when he joined Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time in the late 1990s. This earned him a nomination in 2003 for Bass Player of the Year.
Eldredge also performed as a member of the Blue-niques with Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
. Terry recorded two solo albums for Pinecastle Records, as well as albums with the Osborne Brothers, Cordle, Parton, and the Sidemen. 1
Terry was in a car accident in 2001 that broke his ribs, shattered his left leg, ruptured his spleen
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
, punctured his lung, and cracked a vertebra in his neck.
Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson was born 16 June 1972, he helped found the group, the Wildwood Valley Boys in the early 90s. In the mid-90s, he joined another band, called the Boys From Indiana, where he sang tenorTenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
. He decided to rejoin the Wildwood Valley Boys. He made his recording debut in 2000 with the Wildwood Valley Boys' I'm a Believer
He began to find success in songwriting, when he co-wrote the title cut of Bobby Osborne's
Bobby Osborne
Bobby Osborne is a bluegrass musician known for his mandolin playing and high lead vocals.Born December 7, 1931 in Leslie County, Kentucky, Bobby Osborne is known primarily for his collaborations with his brother Sonny Osborne in their band, the Osborne Brothers. He was a pioneer in conceiving the...
of Where I Come From in 2002. Of course, he also began to find success as a singer. In 2001, he joined Terry Eldrege in the Sidemen, and made his Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
debut with Gail Davis
Gail Davis
Gail Davis was an American actress, best known for her starring role as Annie Oakley in the 1950s television Western series Annie Oakley.-Life and career:...
. Terry and Jamie soon found that they had a vocal blend which matched perfectly for 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...
. 1
Danny Roberts
Danny Roberts first started to play guitar to back up Jimmy Mattingly when they were growing up. He began to win contests for his guitar playing, and eventually, mandolin. In 1982, he co-founded the New Tradition, bluegrass/gospelGospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
group that toured the country for close to 20 years. The band recorded 10 CDs, made "Seed of Love", the first bluegrass video to feature the 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...
, and even reached number one on the TNN
The Nashville Network
The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows...
channel. The band broke up in 2000, but Danny still had a hand with musicians, playing with Marty Raybon
Marty Raybon
Marty Raybon Marty Raybon Marty Raybon (born December 8, 1959 is an Award Winning American country music artist. He is known primarily for his role as the lead singer of the band Shenandoah, a role which he held from 1985 to 1996. He recorded his first solo album, Marty Raybon, in 1995 on Sparrow...
, Larry Cordle
Larry Cordle
Larry Cordle was born in eastern Kentucky and is an American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter. Cordle is most famous for his song "Murder on Music Row", which was recorded by George Strait and Alan Jackson and received the CMA Award for Song of the Year in 2000.-Career:Cordle has written...
, and Melonie Cannon. He also joined Ronnie Reno's band, the Reno Tradition. He then joined the Grascals, where he was reunited with Jimmy Mattingly. 1
Terry Smith
Terry Smith born [June 15, 1960], Reidsville, NC. He moved to NashvilleNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in his early teens, where he began in a family band with his mother (Hazel Smith)father Patrick Smith and brother, Billy Smith. Terry has even played with such legends as 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...
, Wilma Lee Cooper
Wilma Lee Cooper
Wilma Lee Leary , known professionally as Wilma Lee Cooper, was an American bluegrass-based country music entertainer.-Biography:...
, and the Osborne Brothers
Osborne Brothers
The Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne and Bobby Osborne , were an influential and popular bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s...
.
Terry and his brother, Billy, recorded an album for CBS, which a number one video on CMT. This was followed by the 1992's Grass Section, and tributes to Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe
William Smith Monroe was an American musician who created the style of music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader...
and the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
(Long Live the Dead) in 1996. In 1999, the brothers released Voices of the Mountains. After touring with Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
member Mike Snyder, Terry joined the Grascals.1
Kristin Scott Benson
Kristin Scott Benson grew up in South Carolina in a musical family. She was a member of the Larry Stephenson Band for seven years before replacing Aaron McDaris in the Grascals in late 2008. She won the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009. She and Ronnie Stewart tied for Banjo Player of the year in 2011.Jeremy Abshire
Abshire, The youngest member of the Grascals (born September 1, 1981), replaced Jimmy Mattingly in Spring 2008. He had previously performed with Billie Renee and Cumberland Gap and IBMA Award winning Dale Ann Bradley.Beginnings
The Grascals were first made up of the four founding members, Terry Eldredge, Jamie Johnson, Jimmy Mattingly, and Dave Talbot. These four then asked Terry Smith and Danny Roberts to join the band. They played one of their first shows at the Station Inn that summer with special guest Bobby OsborneOsborne Brothers
The Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne and Bobby Osborne , were an influential and popular bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s...
. An interesting fact to mention is that the band believed that this wouldn't really go anywhere, almost as a side job to add a little money for their families.
The Dolly Parton era
In summer 2004, it became clear that Dolly PartonDolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
began to show interest in wanting to play with the Grascals. The Grascals soon became Dolly's opening act, as well as her band. Performing at Dollywood
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
and eventually, the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
, the band quickly became one of the up and coming bluegrass bands of the year.
By the end of the year, the band and Dolly began to play a cover version of Elvis's song, "Viva Las Vegas"
Viva Las Vegas (song)
"Viva Las Vegas" is a 1964 song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and recorded by Elvis Presley for his Viva Las Vegas film vehicle of that year...
.
However, by the end of 2004, Dolly announced to the Grascals that at the beginning of the 2005 year she would have to let them go.
The first album
The Grascals began recording their first album in early 2005, which would simply be a self-titled album. On this album, it featured such songs as "Me and John and Paul", "Where Corn Don't Grow", and the popular cover song, "Viva Las Vegas", which featured Dolly Parton.During the course of the 2005 year, the Grascals appeared numerous times on television spots on the Opry, usually with Dolly Parton. The first album
The Grascals (album)
The Grascals created The Grascals album as their debut album, released on Rounder Records in early 2005. Dolly Parton does a guest spot on the song Viva Las Vegas. This album also launched The Grascals career, winning them Song of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year. Also, winning them a...
made it on to the Billboard charts, as well as many country and bluegrass charts. Also on the album covers, Dolly is quoted saying, "One of the greatest albums I've ever heard."
One other big moment while the album was coming out, is the company Vietti began to put the Grascals picture on some of the Vietti chili cans.
IBMA 2005 and the music video
The IBMAInternational Bluegrass Music Association
The International Bluegrass Music Association, or IBMA, is a trade association to promote bluegrass music.Formed in 1985, IBMA established its first headquarters in Owensboro, Kentucky. In 1988 they announced plans to create the International Bluegrass Music Museum as a joint venture with...
Awards took place in October 2005. During this awards, the Grascals won two awards. The first, Song of the Year, was won for the song, "Me and John and Paul", written by Harley Allen
Harley Allen
Harley Lee Allen was an American bluegrass and country singer and songwriter.-Early life:He was born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of the bluegrass performer Red Allen.-Film career:...
. The second award, Emerging Artist of the Year, was thought to either have been won by the Grascals, or rival bluegrass band Cherryholmes. The Grascals did win this award, while Cherryholmes went on to win Entertainer of the Year. The Grascals were also nominated for Best Album of the Year, but did not win.
In summer of 2005, Rounder
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
began to talk with the Grascals about making a music video for the song "Me and John and Paul". The video was released in early 2006 and was on circulation on the GAC
Great American Country
Great American Country , is a Nashville, Tennessee-based country music cable television network.-History:The station launched December 31, 1995 and Garth Brooks' video "The Thunder Rolls" was the first video to air on GAC....
channel. Late in the 2005 year as well, Dolly Parton asked the Grascals to open dates for her by the end of the year.
Long List of Heartaches
At the SPGMA Awards in February 2006, the Grascals won four of seven awards. Also, the Grascals were nominated for a Grammy, but did not win.In early 2006, recording began for the Grascals second album, Long List of Heartaches
Long List of Heartaches
Long List of Heartaches is the second album released by the Grascals and the second album they released on Rounder Records. The album features a variety of guests, from George Jones to the Jordanaires...
. The album featured many guests: George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
, The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
, Steve Wariner
Steve Wariner
Steven Noel "Steve" Wariner is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has released eighteen studio albums, including six on MCA Records, and three each on RCA Records, Arista Records and Capitol Records...
, and Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley is an American country music artist who has been signed to Capitol Records Nashville since 2003. That year, he released his self-titled debut album. Both it and its follow-up, 2005's Modern Day Drifter, are certified platinum in the United States. A third album, 2006's Long Trip...
. As a treat for letting certain guests on this album, Dierks Bentley asked the Grascals to be a guest on his 2006 release, Long Trip Alone
Long Trip Alone
Long Trip Alone is the third studio album of country music singer Dierks Bentley. It was released October 17, 2006 . His third album for Capitol Records Nashville, it has produced four singles to date on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: "Every Mile a Memory", the title track, "Free and Easy...
. The album came out a couple months before the 2006 IBMA Awards, but, because of the time of coming out, was not able to qualify, however, they did qualify for the 2007 Grammy and the 2007 IBMA Awards.
IBMA 2006
For the 2006 IBMA Awards, the Grascals were nominated for two awards, Best Vocal Group of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. The Grascals lost Vocal group to Doyle LawsonDoyle 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:...
. However, right after their performance, the Grascals were awarded Entertainer of the Year by Vince Gill
Vince Gill
Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
. Immediately following them getting the award, Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
got an interview, which went on the bluegrass station.
Soon after the IBMA Awards, the Grascals got to go to Japan for a bluegrass festival.
A line-up change
Throughout 2006 and even into 2007, Dolly Parton had been using Dave Talbot and Jimmy Mattingly, not only to open shows, but to play in her band. In late 2006, Talbott was told by the Grascals that he had to choose between them or Dolly. Dave left the Grascals by the end of the year. Mattingly however chose to remain.Almost right after Dave left, the Grascals began to search for a new banjo player. Before the 2007 year even began, the Grascals recruited Aaron McDaris as the new banjo player.
2007
Aaron McDaris learned much of the Grascals material quickly as the band began to play across the country. Once again, they were nominated for a Grammy, but Ricky SkaggsRicky 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:...
won the award instead.
At the 2007 SPGMA Awards, the Grascals managed to win two awards; Instrumental Group of the Year, and Bluegrass Artist of the Year.
During the summer of 2007, the Grascals became sponsored by Mayberry's Finest, a food company. In August, the Grascals would have a permanent bus with their name on it. The Grascals made a jingle, very similar to the Andy Griffith theme song, and can be heard on the Mayberry's finest website. http://www.mayberrysfinest.com/
IBMA 2007
The IBMA Awards were held October 4, 2007, at the Grand Ole Opry. The Grascals were up for two nominations: Gospel Song of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. They lost Gospel Song to Doyle LawsonDoyle 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:...
but won the Entertainer of the Year honor, winning it two years in a row. Sonny Osborne
Sonny Osborne
Sonny Osborne is a bluegrass singer and five-string banjo player. A master of the style developed by Earl Scruggs, called the "Scruggs style", he is best known for his collaboration with his brother Bobby Osborne as the Osborne Brothers.-Biography:Sonny Osborne began playing the banjo at the age...
presented the award to the Grascals.
Keep on Walkin'
The Grascals went into the studio to record their third album which has been called Keep on Walkin'. It will be released July 15, 2008. The album is different from the previous one since instead of having many guests as with Long List of HeartachesLong List of Heartaches
Long List of Heartaches is the second album released by the Grascals and the second album they released on Rounder Records. The album features a variety of guests, from George Jones to the Jordanaires...
, only one guest will be featured, (Vince Gill
Vince Gill
Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
). While recording Keep on Walkin, fiddle player Jimmy Mattingly left the band. He was replaced by Jeremy Abshire. Again, because of timing, this album will not qualify for the 2008 IBMA Awards but will qualify for the 2009 Awards.
Latter Half of 2008
Following the release of their third album, the Grascals became faced with a couple new problems. At IBMA 2008, they were nominated for two awards but did not take home either. Soon afterwards, it was announced that Aaron McDaris would leave the Grascals to join Rhonda VincentRhonda Vincent
Rhonda Lea Vincent is a bluegrass singer, songwriter, mandolin player, guitarist, and fiddle player.Her musical career started as a child in her family's band, The Sally Mountain Show, and has spanned almost four decades...
beginning in January 2009. Kristin Scott Benson will be the replacement in the banjo position following the departure of McDaris.
The Little Grascals
The Little Grascals have two meanings. The first and most common meaning is the actual children of the members of the Grascals.The second meaning is a hypothetical band in the future, which would have to be, not only of the next generation, but, would have to be the children of the Grascals, or at least have a couple children of the Grascals in it.
There was also a band called the Little Grascals, containing many of the same members as the original Grascals line-up. Many people call this the precursor to the Grascals.
Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Grass | US Country | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
US Indie Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
||
| The Grascals The Grascals (album) The Grascals created The Grascals album as their debut album, released on Rounder Records in early 2005. Dolly Parton does a guest spot on the song Viva Las Vegas. This album also launched The Grascals career, winning them Song of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year. Also, winning them a... |
|
3 | — | — | — | — |
| Long List of Heartaches Long List of Heartaches Long List of Heartaches is the second album released by the Grascals and the second album they released on Rounder Records. The album features a variety of guests, from George Jones to the Jordanaires... |
|
1 | 70 | — | — | — |
| Keep on Walkin' |
|
1 | 43 | — | 24 | — |
| The Famous Lefty Flynn's |
|
3 | 61 | — | — | — |
| Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin |
Cracker Barrel Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is an American chain of combined restaurant and gift stores with a Southern country theme. The company was founded by Dan Evins in 1969 and its first store was located in Lebanon, Tennessee, where the company is now headquartered... |
1 | 23 | 99 | 2 | 14 |
| Dance Til Your Stockings Are Hot and Ravelin |
|
5 | — | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Me and John and Paul" | Lark Watts |
| 2010 | "Last Train to Clarksville Last Train to Clarksville "Last Train to Clarksville" was the debut single by The Monkees, released August 16, 1966, and later included on the group's 1966 self-titled album, that was released on October 10, 1966. The song was recorded at RCA Victor Studio B in Hollywood, on July 25, 1966... " |
Marcel Chagnon Marcel (singer) Marcel Francois Chagnon is an American country music singer and songwriter known by the singular name Marcel. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, he released his debut album You, Me, and the Windshield that year and charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts with the single "Country... |
| 2011 | "I Am Strong" (with Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk... ) |
David Corlew |
External links
- The Grascals, official website
- The Grascals at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Mayberry's Finest, official website
- The Grascals, "The Famous Lefty Flynn's" by BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...