Bluegrass music is a genre of American roots music that developed in the 1940s in the Appalachian region of the United States. The genre derives its name from the band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Like mainstream country music, it largely developed out of old-time music, though in contrast to country, it is traditionally played exclusively on acoustic instruments and also kept its roots in traditional English, Scottish and Irish ballads and dance tunes, as well as incorporating blues and jazz. It was further developed by musicians who played with Monroe, including 5-string banjo player Earl Scruggs and guitarist Lester Flatt. Bill Monroe once described bluegrass music as, "It's a part of Methodist, Holiness and Baptist traditions. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound."
The music of Minnesota began with the native rhythms and songs of Indigenous peoples, the first inhabitants of the lands which later became the U.S. state of Minnesota. Métis fur-trading voyageurs introduced the chansons of their French ancestors in the late eighteenth century. As the territory was opened up to white settlement in the 19th century, each group of immigrants brought with them the folk music of their European homelands. Celtic, German, Scandinavian, and Central and Eastern European song and dance remain part of the vernacular music of the state today.
Low was an American indie rock band from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993 by Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker. The band was a trio from 1993 to 2020, having featured four different bassists. Low disbanded following the death of Parker in 2022.
Old Crow Medicine Show is an Americana string band based in Nashville, Tennessee, that has been recording since 1998. They were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on September 17, 2013. Their ninth album, Remedy, released in 2014, won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. The group's music has been called old-time, folk, and alternative country. Along with original songs, the band performs many pre-World War II blues and folk songs.
Delano Floyd McCoury is an American bluegrass musician. As leader of the Del McCoury Band, he plays guitar and sings lead vocals along with his two sons, Ronnie McCoury and Rob McCoury, who play mandolin and banjo respectively. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2003. In June 2010, he received a National Heritage Fellowship lifetime achievement award from the National Endowment for the Arts and in 2011 he was elected into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Railroad Earth is a bluegrass-influenced Americana band formed in Stillwater, New Jersey in 2001. The band's music combines elements of progressive bluegrass, folk, rock, country, jazz, Celtic and other Americana influences. Recognized as "carrying on the tradition of improvisational, genre-spanning music laid forth by the Grateful Dead," Railroad Earth is known for lyrical songwriting and extensive live improvisation. The band takes its name from the Jack Kerouac prose poem "October in the Railroad Earth". The band also has a song of the same name.
Charlie Parr is an American country blues musician. Born in Austin, Minnesota, he spent part of his childhood in Hollandale before starting his music career in Duluth. His influences include Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, Dave Van Ronk, Mississippi John Hurt, and his self-professed "hero" "Spider" John Koerner. He plays a Mule resonator, National resonator guitar, a fretless open-back banjo, and a twelve-string guitar, often in the Piedmont blues style. He is divorced from Emily Parr, who occasionally adds vocals to his music. He has two children.
The Homegrown Music Festival is Duluth, Minnesota's annual showcase of local music from the Arrowhead region, which includes Minnesota's Iron Range and communities on the north and south shores of Lake Superior. It happens every year during the first week of May. The 27th annual Homegrown is scheduled for April 27 to May 4, 2025.
C'mon is the ninth studio album by American indie rock band Low. It was released on April 12, 2011 on Sub Pop records. The album was recorded at Sacred Heart Studio, a former Catholic church in Duluth, Minnesota, where the band previously recorded 2002's Trust. The album includes guest contributions from Nels Cline, Caitlin Moe of Trans-Siberian Orchestra (violin) and Dave Carroll of Trampled by Turtles (banjo).
Pert Near Sandstone is an Americana/Roots band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and an influential part of the Minnesota Roots Music scene that includes contemporaries Charlie Parr, Trampled By Turtles, and The Cactus Blossoms. Since forming in 2004, Pert Near Sandstone has recorded eight full-length albums, two live albums, and several singles. They have toured the United States extensively with several tours through Europe. Former full-time member Ryan Young plays fiddle with Trampled By Turtles. Dave Simonett of Trampled By Turtles has cited Pert Near Sandstone as one of his favorite contemporary bluegrass acts in the United States. Beginning in 2015, Pert Near Sandstone has curated and hosted the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, attracting acts such as The Avett Brothers and Mike Gordon of Phish. Pert Near Sandstone have shared the stage with many legendary musical talents such as Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Wilco, and Yonder Mountain Stringband.
Blue Sky and the Devil is the second studio release of Duluth, Minnesota bluegrass group Trampled by Turtles. In 2020, a vinyl edition was released through their record label Banjodad Records. The album was recorded at Dirty Old Town Studios. All song are written by Dave Simonett except for 'Dog On A Leash' and 'Higher Calling' which were both written by Erik Berry.
Duluth is the fourth studio release by Duluth, Minnesota, group Trampled by Turtles. All songs written by Dave Simonett, except for where noted. This was the first album from the band to chart. It reached number 8 on the US Bluegrass Chart. The album was released on October 30, 2008.
Palomino is the fifth album by the Duluth, Minnesota-based band Trampled by Turtles. It was released on April 13, 2010, through their record label, Banjodad Records. The album reached number one on the US Billboard bluegrass chart, and maintained a top ten position on the chart for 52 consecutive weeks.
Sleepy Man is a bluegrass music band from Lebanon Township, New Jersey, United States. It is composed of the Mizzone brothers: Jonny, Robbie and Tommy as well as bass player Josh Thomas.
Stars and Satellites is an album by Minnesota-based bluegrass group Trampled by Turtles, released April 10, 2012, on their label BanjoDad Records.
The 4onthefloor is an American rock and roll band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 2009. The group is known for each member playing a bass drum and for writing all their songs in 4/4 time, evoking their namesake. Their music has been featured in such television shows as ABC’s Nashville and A&E’s Duck Dynasty, including a feature as the main theme on the Season 1 DVD. The group has produced five original albums and has been featured on a number of compilation albums, including American Buffalo. The 4onthefloor’s debut record, 4×4, has been called “one of the best rock and roll records of 2011,” by Indie Media Magazine. Their live show is known for keeping “packed crowd[s] intensely involved for an entire show”, with “call-and-response choruses” and “meaty guitar riffs.” Their sound has been reviewed as “heavy-stomping blues-rock.”
The Blind Owl Band is an American bluegrass-rock-country-folk band formed by four friends in Saranac Lake, New York, in 2011. The members of the band are Arthur Buezo, Christian Cardiello (bass), James Ford, and Eric Munley,. When the band formed, their ages ranged from 20 to 22. None of them were planning to have a music career until they met at Paul Smith's College in the Adirondacks. The band got its name from an incident that occurred at Paul Smith's College. They had just finished playing a song, when a saw-whet owl flew into a window. The owl got up and just stared at them for a minute, then flew away. A saw-whet is also called a "blind owl," and so the band was named.
The Dead South is a folk-bluegrass musical ensemble based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The band was initially formed in 2012 as a quartet by Nate Hilts, Scott Pringle, Danny Kenyon and Colton Crawford (banjo). Crawford left the band in 2015 and was replaced by studio musician Eliza Mary Doyle before rejoining in 2018.
Life Is Good on the Open Road is the eighth studio album by Minnesota-based bluegrass group Trampled by Turtles, released on May 4, 2018.
Crooked Tree is the third studio album by American bluegrass singer and musician Molly Tuttle. Released on April 1, 2022, it is Tuttle's first album for Nonesuch Records and the first to feature her band Golden Highway, who receive star billing. The album was co-produced by Tuttle and dobro player Jerry Douglas and includes collaborations with Margo Price, Billy Strings, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sierra Hull, Dan Tyminski and Gillian Welch. It was preceded by the single "She'll Change", which was released on November 17, 2021.
