What are the Three Generations of Bluegrass Music?
Although bluegrass music had developed in the post-war era, the genre is generally classified in three generations.
The First Generation
The first batch of bluegrass artists dominated the scene from the earliest days of bluegrass up till the 1960’s. This period is often referred to as the golden age of bluegrass music as it featured some of the best artists of the genre.
Bill Monroe and his band, the Blue Grass Boys, had also risen to fame during this time. Monroe is generally acknowledged as the genre’s founding father, and the instruments played by his band as well as the styles employed by his band members are considered standards for the genre. The band’s banjo player Earl Scruggs, for instance, had been credited for making the three-finger playing method for the banjo popular for bluegrass songs.
Other famous artists during this era include the Osborne Brothers (not to be confused with the Osmond Brothers), Carl Story and the Rambling Mountaineers, and Ervin T. Rouse, who created the bluegrass classic “Orange Blossom Special”.
The Second Generation
The fame of the second generation of bluegrass artists lasted till the 1980’s. Some of them had started young and were part of first generation bands. These include Tony Rice, Norman Blake, Doyle Lawson, and a lot more.
The second period of bluegrass music is commonly described as a period of refinement. Progressive bluegrass had been developed by artists like The Kentucky Colonels and the New Grass revival.
Collaborations between first and second generation bands did occur from time to time. Old and in the Way, for instance, is a band composed of Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, playing the banjo, fiddler Vassar Clements of the first generation, second generation David Grisman, playing the mandolin, and with Peter Rowan as vocalist.
Later on, bluegrass merged with rock music, thanks to bands like the Stanley Brothers. Jazz had found its way to bluegrass as well with Vassar Clements self-naming his music as “hillbilly jazz”.
The Third Generation
This period was a time in which bluegrass music had encompassed various sub-genres and matured substantially. Third generation bands had given mainstream bluegrass a whole new meaning with increased use of electric musical instruments and sound technology. Solos played by band members were given more significance since each instrument can now be independently miked while traditional songs were revived but played in modern styles. Bands with all-female members like Sweet By and By had also emerged in this era.
Tags: bluegrass music
I hope Bluegrass never loses its way like country music has.
I was so thrilled to see the country Gentlemen on PBS not long ago. and so happy that son sings like his great Dad and while he has his own songs, keeps the sound genuine. Love to hear them sing Two Little Boys
Bluegrass Reigns!!!!!