New South (band)

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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.

Second (most common) album cover from Rounder 0044; the first (rare) cover was a similarly posed photo in which J. D. Crowe was flipping the bird.

1 Band members
2 Key recordings
- 2.1 Bluegrass Evolution
- 2.2 Rounder 0044
3 Discography
4 External links

[edit] Band members

The New South have recorded and toured with a variety of different lineups. One of the most notable lineup changes came in 2002 when the entire band quit out of desire for a more active performing schedule, forming the band Wildfire. Crowe quickly found replacements (rehiring mandolinist/vocalist Dwight McCall and guitarist/ vocalist Rickey Wasson who had both been members previously) and the New South has continued a moderate performance schedule.

Current and past members include: J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, Larry Rice, Bobby Slone, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Keith Whitley, Jimmy Gaudreau, Steve Bryant, Tony King, Phil Leadbetter, Robert Hale, Darrell Webb, Curt Chapman, Barry Crabtree, Dwight McCall, Rickey Wasson, Harold Nixon, and Ron Stewart.

[edit] Key recordings

[edit] Bluegrass Evolution

The original New South lineup was essentially a carryover from Crowe's previous band, the Kentucky Mountain Boys, consisting of Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, and Larry Rice. This album seems to have been influenced by the Osborne Brothers and by more mainstream country music; it incorporates drums, pedal steel and electric instruments to a far greater degree than most bluegrass bands of the period.

[edit] Rounder 0044

After the first New South album, Lawson left to head his own band, Quicksilver. A young Ricky Skaggs replaced him, and Jerry Douglas also joined the group. Stylisticly this album marked a sharp turn from Bluegrass Evolution, taking a very traditional sound, and incorporating more traditional songs such as "Old Home Place," "Some Old Day," and "Sally Goodin." This is the "bluegrass sound" that most current bluegrass musicians grew up with, and today this album is considered a landmark in bluegrass music without which no collection is complete.