The Grascals

Last updated
The Grascals
Grascals Dec 22.jpg
Background information
Origin Nashville, Tennessee U.S.
Genres bluegrass, southern gospel
Years active2004–present
Labels
Members
  • Terry Smith
  • Danny Roberts
  • Kristin Scott Benson
  • Jamie Johnson
  • John Bryan
  • Jamie Harper
Past members
  • Dave Talbot
  • Jimmy Mattingly
  • Aaron McDaris
  • Jeremy Abshire
  • Terry Eldredge
  • Chris Davis
  • Adam Haynes
Website grascals.com

The Grascals are a six-piece American bluegrass band from Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in February 2004, the band has gained a level of fame by playing on the Grand Ole Opry and bluegrass festivals around the country, as well as with Dolly Parton. [1] [2]

Contents

Members

Terry Smith

Terry Smith was born June 15, 1960, in Reidsville, North Carolina. He moved to Nashville in his early teens, after starting out playing in a family band with his mother Hazel Smith, father Patrick Smith, and brother, Billy Smith. Terry has played with such legends as Jimmy Martin, Wilma Lee Cooper, and the Osborne Brothers. Terry and his brother, Billy, recorded an album for CBS Records, which evolved to a number one video on CMT with "Blues Stay Away From Me." After touring with Grand Ole Opry member Mike Snider, Terry joined the Grascals and remains as a founding member.

Danny Roberts

Danny Roberts started playing guitar to back up Jimmy Mattingly when they were growing up in Leitchfield, Kentucky. He began to win contests for his guitar playing, and eventually, mandolin. In 1982, he co-founded the New Tradition, bluegrass/gospel group that toured the country for close to 20 years. The band recorded 10 CDs, made "Seed of Love" song, the first bluegrass video to feature the banjo, and even reached number one on the TNN channel. That band broke up in 2000, but Danny still continued to play with others including Marty Raybon, Larry Cordle, and Melonie Cannon. He also joined Ronnie Reno's band, the Reno Tradition. Danny joined the Grascals as a founding member, where he was reunited with Jimmy Mattingly.

Kristin Scott Benson

Kristin Scott Benson grew up in South Carolina in a musical family and joined the Grascals in January 2009. She worked previously with Petticoat Junction, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time and the Larry Stephenson Band. She has won the International Bluegrass Music Awards and Society of the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Banjo Player of the Year numerous times. In September 2018, she was chosen as the recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass with a $50,000 reward. Kristin is married to IIIrd Tyme Out mandolin player Wayne Benson. [3]

John Bryan

John Bryan sings lead vocals and plays guitar with the Grascals. He's been playing and singing bluegrass since he was a teen, with a deep, family connection to the music. John's great grandfather, Willard Watson, was a first cousin to Doc, and a fine old-time musician and dancer in his own right. John was formerly with Larry Efaw and The Bluegrass Mountaineers when he joined the Grascals in April 2015.

Jamie Johnson

Jamie Johnson was an original founding member since February 2004. He was raised in Indiana and now makes his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. After an eight-year break, he has returned to the band on guitar and vocals. The band is looking forward to singing and traveling with Jamie again and performing the incredible songs he has written. [4]

Jamie Harper

Jamie “Harp” Harper plays fiddle for the Grascals and helps out on vocals as of January 2023. He is originally from North Carolina and now makes his home near Portland, TN with his wife Lakyn and son Stetson. “Harp” has a long bluegrass resume performing with Sideline and Junior Sisk among others

Line Up Changes

History

The original concept of the Grascals occurred when the four core members, Terry Eldredge, Jamie Johnson, Jimmy Mattingly, and Dave Talbot, asked Terry Smith and Danny Roberts to join a new group they were wanting to start. They played one of their first shows at the Station Inn in February 2004 with special guest Bobby Osborne. The Grascals began recording their first album in 2004, which would simply be a self-titled album on Rounder Records. This album featured such songs as "Me and John and Paul" written by Harley Allen, "Where Corn Don't Grow" and another popular cover song, "Viva Las Vegas," which featured Dolly Parton. During the recording, Dolly Parton showed interest in wanting to play with the Grascals. The band soon became Dolly's opening act, as well as her bluegrass band. [2] Performing at Dollywood and the Grand Ole Opry, the band and Dolly played a cover version of Elvis's song, "Viva Las Vegas." The first album made it on to the Billboard charts, as well as many country and bluegrass charts. Also on the album cover, Dolly is quoted saying, "One of the greatest albums I've ever heard." [12]

Notable accomplishments

Awards

International Bluegrass Music Awards

The Grascals have won the following 10 International Bluegrass Music Association (International Bluegrass Music Awards) awards. [47] [48]

Society of the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America

The Grascals have also been awarded these 28 awards by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America. [49]

Grammy Nominations

The Grascals have received three Grammy Nominations for the following: [50]

Miscellaneous Honors and Awards

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US Grass US Country US US Heat US Indie
The Grascals 3————
Long List of Heartaches
  • Release date: August 29, 2006
  • Label: Rounder Records
170———
Keep on Walkin'
  • Release date: July 15, 2008
  • Label: Rounder Records
143—24—
The Famous Lefty Flynn's
  • Release date: March 30, 2010
  • Label: Rounder Records
361———
Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin12399214
Dance Til Your Stockings Are Hot and Ravelin'
  • Release date: March 29, 2011
  • Label: Saguaro Road Records
5————
Life Finds a Way10————
When I Get My Pay
  • Release date: November 19. 2013
  • Label: Mountain Home
12————
And Then There's This...
  • Release date: January 8, 2016
  • Label: Mountain Home
149———
Before Breakfast
  • Release date: September 1, 2017
  • Label: Mountain Home
2————
Straighten the Curves
  • Release date: August 30, 2019
  • Label: Mountain Home
—————
Up All Night
  • Release date: August 27, 2021
  • Label: Mountain Home
—————
"—" denotes releases that did not chart in that category.

Music Videos

YearVideoDirector
2006"Me and John and Paul"Lark Watts
2010"Last Train to Clarksville" Marcel Chagnon
2011"I Am Strong" (with Dolly Parton)David Corlew
2013"American Pickers" (with Dierks Bentley)Zack Wilson

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References

  1. ↑ "About | The Grascals". grascals.com. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  2. 1 2 "The Grascals open Dolly Parton's "The Vintage Tour"". Bluegrass Today. 2005-11-23. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  3. ↑ "Kristin Scott Benson talks about the Steve Martin Prize". Bluegrass Today. 2018-09-26. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  4. ↑ "The Grascals Welcome Back Founding Member, Jamie Johnson, and Look Toward 20th Anniversary". IVPR. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  5. ↑ "Bluegrass Bands Change Lineups". CMT News. 2006-12-08. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  6. ↑ "Jeremy Abshire to The Grascals". Bluegrass Today. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  7. ↑ "The Bluegrass Special | January 2009 | Features: The Grascals". www.thebluegrassspecial.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  8. ↑ "Adam Haynes to The Grascals". Bluegrass Today. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  9. ↑ "John Bryan to The Grascals". Bluegrass Today. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  10. 1 2 3 "Chris Davis to The Grascals". Bluegrass Today. 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  11. ↑ "The Grascals Welcome Back Founding Member, Jamie Johnson, and Look Toward 20th Anniversary". IVPR. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  12. ↑ "The Grascals Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  13. ↑ "The Grascals". Grand Ole Opry. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  14. ↑ "2 Cups. 4 Cups. 6 Cups, a Winner – The Grascals Make 115th Opry Appearance". www.cybergrass.com. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  15. ↑ Brance (2006-03-31). "The Grascals To Perform at Kennedy Center". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  16. ↑ "Grascals' New Album to Feature Dierks Bentley, George Jones". CMT News. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  17. ↑ "Long Trip Alone", Wikipedia, 2019-02-02, retrieved 2019-05-02
  18. ↑ "Outdoor Japan Magazine – Country Gold". www.outdoorjapan.com. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  19. ↑ "Grascals on CMT this Sunday". Bluegrass Today. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  20. ↑ "Grascals/Dierks TV repeat tonight". Bluegrass Today. 13 March 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  21. ↑ "Capitol Christian Music Group". www.capitolchristianmusicgroup.com. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  22. ↑ "Grascals on CBS". Bluegrass Today. 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  23. ↑ "Grascals on CBS Early Show". Bluegrass Today. 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  24. ↑ "The Grascals: Keep on Walkin'". PopMatters. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  25. ↑ "Grascals to greet troops, President Bush". Bluegrass Today. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  26. ↑ "Grascals to greet troops, President Bush". Bluegrass Today. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  27. ↑ Evans-Price, Deborah. "The Grascals Strike 'Black Gold'". The Boot. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  28. ↑ "Mobil Delvac to Sponsor The Grascals". www.businesswire.com. 2009-09-28. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  29. ↑ "Grascals to play on Jerry Lewis telethon". Bluegrass Today. 2009-08-27. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  30. ↑ Conaway, Alanna. "Hank Jr. Recruits 'Rowdy Friends' for 2010 Tour". The Boot. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  31. ↑ Wayne-Turner, Shannon. "Grascals Slay at Ryman Bluegrass Series With Mix of Old and New". The Boot. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  32. ↑ "Grascals do the NFL". Bluegrass Today. 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  33. ↑ "The Grascals & Friends Coming to Cracker Barrel". grascals.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  34. ↑ "The Grascals & Friends from Cracker Barrel". Bluegrass Today. 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  35. ↑ "Grascals on Fox & Friends". Bluegrass Today. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  36. ↑ Dunham, Nancy. "The Grascals Celebrate Mayberry Music". The Boot. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  37. ↑ "The Grascals Head To CBS' The Talk". All Access. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  38. ↑ "Vedeo: Grascals Sign With Mountain Home". www.cybergrass.com. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  39. ↑ "Vietti Chili Says "Yes We Can"". 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  40. ↑ "Vietti Foods". www.cybergrass.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  41. ↑ Thompson, Richard (2013-01-21). "Grascals play Inaugural Ball and Leno". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  42. ↑ "Grascals on Marie". Bluegrass Today. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  43. ↑ Mann, Dale. "The Grascals and Dierks Bentley Sing About American Pickers". GATOR 99.5. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  44. ↑ "The Grascals to Appear on Chevrolet Riverfront Stage during the 2013 CMA Music Festival". grascals.com. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  45. ↑ "Song of the Mountains". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  46. ↑ "The Grascals Return to The Andrea Roberts Agency". www.cybergrass.com. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  47. ↑ "Recipients & Inductees". International Bluegrass Music Awards. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  48. ↑ "The Grascals". International Bluegrass Music Awards. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  49. ↑ "Archives". www.spbgma.com. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  50. ↑ "The Grascals". grammy.com. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  51. ↑ Conger, Bill (2016-07-05). "Grascals' Danny Roberts Receives Special Honor". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  52. ↑ "Russell Moore and The Grascals win awards from UDMD". Bluegrass Today. 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  53. ↑ "Kristin Scott Benson talks about the Steve Martin Prize". Bluegrass Today. 2018-09-26. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
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