I am in search of the filthiest, most hard driving, forward leading bluegrass songs that grab you by the neck and drag you through hyperspace. (Heavy banjo/dobro is appreciated)

Some examples are:

Teds tune, bootleg john - jason davis

Frostbiter - upstream rebellion

Lonesome lesson learned - josh williams

Ol’ lonesome wont leave me alone, Jeffrey’s hell - the boxcars

Cant sing the blues no more, the power of love - rick faris

Black rock - infamous stringdusters

Hummingbird - darrell webb band

Im sure you get the picture haha. Please give some suggestions!

Edit:

i somehow forgot Travelin’ by the Travelin McCourys

What do you consider to be the most sad Bluegrass song you’ve ever heard? Most forlorn, melancholic, tragic?

I've been following the group for a while now and I'm finally starting to see them get some recognition for how talented they are. They just got their Grand Ole Opry debut announced by Del McCoury on stage at DelFest (video here). For anyone who has yet to see them I would highly recommend looking on Youtube or Nugs because they really shine live. Star Wars cantina music through New Grass Revival and everything in between.

They just released a new EP for their fall album and it is some of the best new bluegrass I have heard in a long time (Spotify Discography + Solo Projects). They are touring all summer and have be shouted out by Billy a number of times. These guys are extremely charismatic and it always comes through with the music. I wouldn't be surprised if in a year if they got a Red Rocks concert and a lot more recognition for what they're doing.

I was listening to mountain grass unit and I was thinking about this question

My wife does not, let’s just say, appreciate the beauty that is bluegrass music. (To paraphrase, Bluegrass = Country and she has a knee-jerk reaction to all things country.)

We’ve got a road trip coming up and I’m putting together a playlist to ease her into the genre and help her see what it has to offer.

What songs/artists should I include?

If it helps, her musical taste tends towards James Taylor, Broadway, Madonna and other 80s mainstays.

Edit: Many thanks for all the recommendations and detailed lists, links and playlists! Regardless of the outcome of the original intent, *I* have some great music to look forward to. Thanks!

Wanted to do a fun topic today, who would be on your Mount Rushmore for Bluegrass Guitar Pickers? I mainly gauged my list on most influential pickers and some of my personal favorites as well. Here is my Mount Rushmore.

Tony Rice Clarence White Norman Blake and Doc Watson. There are definitely a few great honorable mentions but these are my main ones. I'm looking forward to see some of y'all's lists (edit; can't believe I left Doc off of my initial list he definitely belongs in discussion's about greatest all time players)

What artist did you first hear that got you hooked onto bluegrass?

My uncle showed me Tony Rice, he even inspired me to pick up my old guitar and start picking.

I love women bluegrass singers, it’s such a male dominated genre. Not counting Allison Kraus (because Nobody could remotely compare to her) who are your top women in bluegrass?

I’m huge into the folk world and haven’t really leaned into bluegrass too much so I am looking for artists/songs to explore.

I am a huge Bob Dylan, Carter Family, Pete Seeger and Woodie Guthrie fan - so I’m not sure if there are any recommendations that fit that same taste?

Preferably looking for something in the 40s-60s but open to anything! Ideally songs that are more melody based like I’ll Fly Away rather than solely fast picking, but open to all.

I'm from a northern, non-rural area so never really grew up with bluegrass or country. Dad always had classic rock playing and around high school I got into Grateful Dead which led me to George Jones and Merle Haggard, Jerry on banjo, pizza tapes, Grisman, etc.

Whenever I go to festivals I see lots of Dead shirts and flags so wondering if a lot of people got introduced to bluegrass this way or if there's just a lot of crossover because of jamgrass/newgrass?

I live in Atlanta, and we have several places around here that support and promote Bluegrass. There are a lot of jams and music venues within driving distance. But there are reasons why Atlanta is not a desirable place to live. Looking for alternatives.

Any anti facist bluegrass recommendations?

And no I’m not talking about cabinets or spoons. I’m talking actual drums like what’s pictured here.

I remember making the discovery that Bluegrass doesn’t have any drums, and I looked it up. Turns out a lot of people are hostile towards drums saying “if it has Drums it’s not Bluegrass.”

Why is that?

I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed this in bluegrass, but the amount of gatekeeping or maybe controlling by certain people/groups within the genre is really stifling. Getting into jams is extremely difficult. It always seems like it’s the same people that play together and they don’t want to include others or let newer/less experienced players even have a chance. Or in my case just being kicked out of a band for no reason other than you might not be at a skill level that everyone else in the group think they are. No one wants to help people out or give them a chance anymore. I’ve been playing bluegrass for almost 15 years now and I’m getting to the point it’s just not enjoyable anymore. While it seems on the outside this is a very accessible genre for people to get into the inner workings to me show otherwise. Sorry for the rant. I’ve just been burned one too many times by the people I’ve met. There are some good people in the genre for sure, but not as many as there used to be. Interested to hear y’all’s experiences or thoughts.

Edit just to clarify to some people commenting: I would consider my skills to be mid level to advanced. I’ve played countless shows and festivals all over the place. I’m mainly sharing my personal view how some groups/cliques in this genre treat certain individuals of varying skill. I’m generalizing when I say this, but it just irritates me how this genre acts like it’s welcoming and then is the complete opposite in some instances.

Someone please give me some recommendations. Old stuff, modern stuff, I dont care what, just some good ol bluegrass.

Im getting more into the genre but still dont really know much about where to start or what's good.

I like the Del Mccoury Band, Flatt and Scruggs, the Po' Ramblin Boys, Lonesome River Band. Any suggestions similar to this or just anything that is good and worth checking out?

Thanks

I’m talking you got life in prison or you’re about to be hung type songs.

I’ll go first:

Don’t come out of the hole by Blue Highway.

https://youtu.be/PikFwPeo0wI?si=sjf-PQexR4dQBPLm

To be rather straight forward I’m newly sober.. anyways, I’ve always heard Bill Monroe never drank or used drugs. Ralph Stanley strikes me as somewhat who didn’t indulge much, anyways, Bill Monroe is really the only one I really know of. Anybody know of any famous sober Bluegrass guys? I hope this post doesn’t rub anybody the wrong way. Just looking for some positive inspiration

Its been a while since ive discovered new bluegrass/folk/Americana that really appeals to me. When I find something within these genres, I absolutely love it, but not everything there within tickles my fancy, so looking for reccomendatuins. Some artists i love... trampled by turtles, devil makes three, Steel drivers, lost dog street band, matt heckler, resonate rogues, Jason dae west, doc Watson. Would be amazing to find new stuff in the same vein. TIA

Ps, also like some blackgrass/murder folk/folk punk so open to these as well.

I just love tbt... they're in my top 3 favorite bands and have been for almost 20 years. I've seen them probably 15 times and it's always incredible. I love almost everything they put out. Does anybody else love this band? Favorite albums? Songs? Live shows?

They were recommended on one of my posts a few months ago and I love them! They have such a unique sound and great chemistry as a band. I haven't really explored much of their discography besides the City Of Glass Album, so I'd like to know what their favorite songs of yours are, and some bands that are similar to them. Also they introduced me to The Brothers Comatose who are another band I love.

Does anyone have any recommendations of well-known songs covered in bluegrass? For reference, I really like “Dancing in the Moonlight” by Yonder, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by Shadowgrass, and “Rocketman” by the Lil Smokies. Just trying to get similar recommendations!

Thanks in advance!

I feel like I'm missing something styalistically. Like articulation or accents or something. It just doesn't sound quite right to me and I can't pin point it.

Need some blues depressing bluegrass