| J. D. Crowe | |
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J. D. Crowe performing with the New South on August 8, 2008 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Dee Crowe |
| Born | August 27, 1937 Lexington, Kentucky |
| Genres | Bluegrass, Progressive bluegrass |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | banjo, vocals |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Labels | Rounder, Starday, Rebel, Lemco |
| Associated acts | New South |
| Website | http://www.jdcrowe.net/ |
James Dee Crowe (August 27, 1937 in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American banjo player and bluegrass band leader. He first became known during his four year stint with Jimmy Martin in the 1950s.
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Crowe began playing the banjo early on and was offered a job with Jimmy Martin'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.
Some banjo bridges have "Crowe" spacing. The strings remain equally spaced, but the outside strings are then, at the bridge, 1/8" farther apart. Thus, each string is 1/32" farther apart than for standard spacing.
Some players say this improves tone by reducing overtones. The wider spacing is usually chosen, however, because it is slightly easier to play. Some players claim it is not easier, however, and slows them down. Some banjos are made with a slightly wider neck to keep the strings solidly over the fretboard with Crowe spacing.
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