I thought I knew Bluegrass, I was wrong

[Brent.H]

If you watched Game of Thrones, you’ll recognize the line “you know nothing John Snow.” Well, that’s me with Bluegrass. I grew up listening to WXGI, the 'ol country & bluegrass station my dad had playing out in the garage on weekends. Therefore, I thought I knew Bluegrass. BUT, since I joined this Forum a few years ago, I’ve realized I know nothing. I just found out recently The Dillard’s wrote and first recorded Old Home Place. Lately I’ve been listening to Reno and Smiley. I recognized many of their songs, I just had no idea it was them. And now I know that Don Reno can do more on 1 string than I’ll ever be able to do with 5. Anyway, I love it and just wanted to get on here and share a little bit of the journey.

[Oldhat2]

That’s great Brent.

Back in the early 70s my parents use to drag me around to bluegrass fests in S Ohio, Ashland KY, and Huntington WV. I wasn’t into it so much, actually hated it… but did get to see John Hartford acting a fool playing fiddle while on his paddle wheel he owned on the Ohio river. It was docked somewhere close to where we lived, he put on a show.

I ignored and pretty much despised bluegrass until I was at least 30…then I started learning more about music…and here I am.

I’ve taken a break over the past 3 years or so from bluegrass. I “backed up” and went back to the basics. Within the next 6 months (once I get the last one out of house and move) I am “coming back to bluegrass”. I intend on burning up all of Ben’s lessons soon enough… that’s the sound I want.

That’s my journey…it’s really just beginning.

[BanjoBen]

I didn’t grow up around it either, @Brent.H. I’m learning all the time.

[Tim_C]

I listened to CKLW The Big 8. They played a variety of music but the closest to bluegrass was country. I hope I don’t get thrown off the forum for saying that. I watched shows like Mayberry RFD and saw the Darlings (Dillards) play. Also watched Hee Haw (Who hasn’t). Anyway I eventually listened to more Bluegrass and I really enjoy it.

[JKL]

I was an Army brat, so we moved around a lot. My dad liked to acquire stereo equipment back when post exchanges were a good deal, so I started listening to my dad’s tapes and records—Marty Robbins, Eddie Arnold, Jim Reeves, Tennessee Ernie Ford, etc.—what they called cowboy songs. Then I liked whatever was popular on the AM stations. In high school I played sax in a jazz band, so really got into Maynard Ferguson, Bill Chase, etc. But still liked the radio as well (but graduated to FM by then). Then John Travolta and “Saturday Night Fever” caused Disco to take over the airwaves. So I switched to country in college until Travolta ruined that with the movie “Urban Cowboy” (not a fan of Travolta by the way). Then I settled in with mostly songwriter stuff (Jim Croce, James Taylor, etc). Only recently have discovered bluegrass. Really enjoying the Journey.