Thanks folks, will look into all of them! The Stanley brothers were, perhaps, my first love in the bluegrass category. I saw them back in 1985 at the Graves Mountain lodge Bluegrass Festival (close to me). I've seen old Ralph a BUNCH of times, he's usually at Merle Fest (bluegrass festival in North Wilksboro, NC), saw him in Greenville and Columbia, SC.
I think my other "first loves" of bluegrass were the Osborne Brothers, Country Gentlemen, Bill Monroe, and OF COURSE Doc Watson (although I guess he kinda falls into the folk category, too). I liked Ricky Scaggs towards the beginning of his career, then kind of got a way from him.... but, then he came out with a bad ass album, which I think was called The Three Pickers.
I got to see Dar Williams, Natalie McMaster, and Iris Dement at Merlefest.
I was privileged to see John Prine at Bonaroo. It seemed to be largely a young crowd. John played in one of the "side stages" and not the main stage. It was great to see that the place was packed and overflowing with persons yards and yards away from the tent in which he was playing under. That was only five years ago or so...... he sounds just the same as he always has.... what a man!
For any bluegrass fans out there, there are a lot of newer bands that are great. Yonder Mountain String Band, Ryan Shupe and the Rubberbands, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Steel Drivers, and Sam Bush are names that come to mind.
If anyone is interested in Folk type music, you're missing out on life if you've not listened to John Gorka. I love the band Eddie From Ohio, Christine Kane, and I love Lucy Kaplansky..... of course, I could go back to Gordon Lightfoot---- an all time favorite of mine (I can't forget Mary Chapin Carpenter).
Anyhow, John Gorka has a lot of the folks we've talked about singing with him on various songs... Iris Dement, Lucy Kaplansky, emyloo, ect.
As for Celtic music.... I never knew how true it was that the roots of bluegrass are from Ireland until I spent a few weeks in Irish pubs. I amazed how many songs I knew/ recognized. ... some of the best music I have heard were in those pubs! hmmmmmm.... or was that the Guiness? HAHA
Bela Fleck is a band I have no idea how to classify.... you'd just have to check it out.
I just started listening to a John Prine album while writing this.... I have to admit, the lyrics to the song "In spite of ourselves" is truly HILARIOUS!!!! I forgot how much that song makes me laugh!!!!
Well,
cheers,
bird