Back

Johnson Mountain Boys

Johnson Mountain Boys
OriginGaithersburg Maryland and Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Genresbluegrass
Years active1978–1988, with some "reunion" shows from 1989 to 1996.
LabelsRounder
Past membersInitial line-up:
Dudley Connell - lead vocals, banjo, guitar
Richard Underwood - vocals, banjo
Eddie D'Zmura (musician/vocalist/mandolin/composer who recorded on the first three discs including Rounder 0135 Self Titled The Johnson Mountain Boys
David McLaughlin - vocals, mandolin, fiddle, lead guitar
Eddie Stubbs - vocals, fiddle
Larry Robbins - bass
Other Members:
Tom Adams - vocals, banjo, mandolin (joined 1986)
Marshall Wilborn - vocals, bass (joined 1986)
Earl Yager - bass
Warren Blair - not a band member but played fiddle on the album Blue Diamond.

The Johnson Mountain Boys were a popular bluegrass band throughout the 1980s from the Washington, D.C. area. Their style favored a more traditional approach to bluegrass than some of their contemporaries. They released two 45 RPM single records, one EP record, ten albums and toured widely, playing venues such as Madison Square Garden, The White House, the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Grand Ole Opry in the United States. Other tours took them around the world to Canada, England, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, and Africa. The group was frequently recognized with nominations for Grammy Awards, International Bluegrass Music Awards, and awards from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America.[1][2] Many of the band's members are still active in other musical groups and settings.

In 2020, the band was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.[3]

  1. ^ Rice, Wayne (1988–2007). "BluegrassBios: I - J". Archived from the original on 2008-02-24.
  2. ^ Harrington, Richard (1988-03-06). "Singing the Blues for Bluegrass;As interest in The Music Fades, Even the Award Winning Johnson Mountain Boys Seek Out Alternative Careers". Washington Post.
  3. ^ "2020 winners of the International Bluegrass Music Awards". 2 October 2020.