Mountain View Bluegrass Festival
Held twice annually at the Ozark Folk Center Auditorium in beautiful Mountain View Arkansas!
Fall Festival Line-Up
Nov 7-9, 2024
Fri & Sat
Whatever you do, don’t call The Kody Norris Show ‘retro’.
Because while the reigning SPBGMA Entertainers of the Year are known for the rhinestones that shine from their lapels and the fringe that hangs from their collars seem to conjure up memories of times gone by, The Kody Norris Show are very much directing their gaze forever forward.
Now, more than ever before.
The talented group, made up of frontman Kody Norris, Josiah Tyree, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, and Charlie Lowman, finds themselves with a growing legion of fans craving the comfort that comes from their retro look, but equally craving dynamic instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics – all of which can be heard throughout their epic new album Rhinestone Revival.
“There is a whole chapter of country music that’s just kind of faded away,” The Kody Norris Show’s frontman once said. “I believe The Kody Norris Show has been instrumental in bringing back some of that nostalgia and some of that classic look that country music and bluegrass music used to have.”
The foundations of the electrifying four-piece band can be found within the roots of Kody Norris himself, a once inquisitive youngster from Mountain City, Tennessee who would spend hours sitting in the passenger seat of his Uncle Jack’s Chevrolet El Camino listening to the entirety of The Stanley Brothers 16 Greatest Hits tape, wondering if he would ever be able to match the sweet harmonies coming through the speakers.
It was those very harmonies that Norris also would recognize wavering through the rafters of the Baptist church he attended as a kid. There was a bluegrass quartet that would play in the Free Will Baptist Church, and soon Norris became infatuated with the music that could materialize from a banjo and a guitar. So, at nine years old, he picked up the mandolin.
And he never put it down.
It was a similar love affair of music for Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, who started playing classical violin in the fourth grade, but by the fifth grade, she knew it wasn’t for her. Instead, in a quest to differentiate herself from her musical counterparts in her grade school orchestra, she took up the fiddle. She began playing the festival circuit alongside the likes of the legendary Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers and soon became one of the most dynamic females on those festival stages.
It was on that stage she eventually met her husband Kody, who had already gone on to play alongside the likes of Ralph Stanley, Ralph Stanley II, and Joe Isaacs throughout his already impressive career. In 2017, banjo extraordinaire Josiah Tyree signed on with The Kody Norris Show, and soon his old-time clawhammer style fit right into the bluegrass style that the band was becoming known for across the country. And when bass player Charlie Lowman joined in on the fun, armed with a giddiness and love for the music that he plays that soon became infectious, The Kody Norris Show as we now know it was complete.
It was musical magic at its finest.
It’s this easy-going nature that became downright illuminated on 2017’s When I Get the Money Made, which was named Bluegrass Album of the Year by the National Traditional Country Music Association. The Kody Norris Show followed it up with 2019’s All Suited Up, which debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts. Now playing over 100 dates a year across the country and around the world, The Kody Norris Show have been part of the University of Chicago Folk Festival and are part of two weekly programs on the acclaimed RFD-TV’s network, The Cumberland Highlanders Show and The Bluegrass Trail.
But with the release of Rhinestone Revival comes a feeling that listeners have just begun to witness The Kody Norris Show’s very own revival, as the band finds themselves sprinkling their iconic rhinestones on a few different music genres to solidify their place on the musical landscape.
And the fans can’t get enough.
In fact, it’s those fans that have raised The Kody Norris Show to a place in which they stand today, a place where the four-piece, multi-instrumentalist, bluegrass band are quickly becoming four of the most epic entertainers of our time. Add that to the songwriting displayed on the Kody Norris-penned “Baltimore I’m Leaving,” “Fiddler’s Rock,” “Please Tell Me Why,” and the infectious “Gotta Get My Baby Back” on Rhinestone Revival, and there is no doubt that The Kody Norris Show is as current as ever.
They ain’t retro. They have something different. They have something uniquely theirs. They have something that makes them stand out.
“We want people to know who we are,” Norris once said.
And they will!
More Info!
Thurs & Fri
Although Greg Blake was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia and will always be an Appalachian mountaineer through and through, most of his life has been spent living and working in the Midwest cowtown of Kansas City – yes, on both sides of the State Line. After graduating from high school in West Virginia, Greg left the hills and hollows to pursue a calling to train for the ministry in the Kansas City area. He attended bible college in Overland Park, KS where he met his wife. They both pursued further education and careers, and raised a family for twenty-five years in America’s breadbasket before moving to Colorado in 2007.
The Blake family spent 10 years in Colorado before deciding to move back to the Kansas City area. Greg built a solid reputation and loyal fan base in the Midwestern states while living there. He was a member of the Bluegrass Missourians for nearly fifteen years, helping them to secure multiple awards from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA), as well as establishing himself as one of the Midwest’s premier vocalists (twice nominated for SPBGMA’s Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year) and guitarists (an amazing five consecutive awards as Guitarist of the Year and nine nominations AND a Kansas State Flatpicking championship to boot).
When Greg returned in 2017, the Midwest fans were wondering if his world travels as a professional musician would leave any room and time for him to perform at “home”… They were thrilled when he put together a band consisting of former Bluegrass Missourian band mates Grant Cochran and Brian McCarty, one of Missouri’s finest Scruggs-style banjo players, Todd Davis and, most recent addition, young multi-instrumentalist, Jaron Bryant on the fiddle. This is a Midwest band with a traditional, Midwest flavor performing primarily for Midwest audiences. But invitations are already coming from many different places outside the familiar plains and rolling hills of the Midwest for what this band has to offer. If you’re vacationing across the plains of Kansas, or the rolling hills of Missouri & Arkansas, or you happen to find yourself staring at miles of corn fields in Iowa and its “festival season”, there’s a good chance that you’ll hear this local favorite with a world-wide appeal.
Thurs & Fri
The Waddington family (nine of them in all) spent many years touring the United States and Canada, performing gospel music. Music has been in these men’s blood since early childhood. When Seth was 15 and the twins were 12 they played in the “Frozen Fingers” Bluegrass Festival in Minot with their sister Amanda playing the Bass Guitar. Since then the brothers have performed at Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri, they have been featured guests on “Dakota Air, the Radio Show” on Prairie Public radio as well as performing for North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple’s inaugural ball in 2013.
Meet The Boys
Seth Waddington
Seth Waddington is the only married member of the Waddington Brothers. With 4 small children to keep him running, when does he find time to practice? The joy of Seth’s life is Rachel, his lovely wife. Seth’s hobby is collecting vintage guitars, but it’s such an expensive hobby that he can only afford to own one. He also taught himself how to tune pianos. Seth is the leader of this quartet because he is the oldest and wisest. He started playing guitar under the tutelage of their father, Caleb Waddington, when Seth was just 10. It was Seth who mentored his younger brothers in mandolin and banjo and encouraged them to practice. (If you guys don’t practice I will break your arms, so help me.) Nowadays, Seth plays guitar, and he does it with grace and style.
Ethan Waddington
Ethan first picked up a 5 string banjo when he was 11 years old. When he was 18 he took second place in the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship back in 2009. He also plays upright Bass.
Between Jacob and Ethan, it’s sometimes hard to determine which brother is the smart one and which one is the good looking one. (Only the shadow knows.) These twin lumberjacks stay busy building and finishing log cabins with hand tools and the sweat of their brow. Ethan and Jacob find great enjoyment hunting raccoon and wildcats with their hounds when they aren’t making music.
Jacob Waddington
Jacob spent many hours toward earning a private pilot’s license. He has been playing the Mandolin since he was 12. He also plays the four string tenor guitar. Tenor guitars came into prominence in the 1920s and 30s with Jazz bands and dance orchestras. Until recently , these instruments were considered by modern musicians to be a musical oddity.
Job Waddington
Job is the youngest of the brothers at 17. When he isn’t driving his 1953 International pickup around the farmstead he is wishing that it was running. In addition to music, Job has multiple interests to occupy his free time. No video games or social media for this lad. Selling hoods that he makes for falconry enthusiasts and helping his father with the family tree trimming business keep him busy. Job specializes in playing the upright bass and also plays the chromatic harmonica.
More Info!
Thurs & Fri
With a musical past as colorful as a Van Gogh painting, Donna found her way from Nashville’s Music Row to a lily filled mountainside where the sound of the music she loves to write and sing these days was born. Wedding the love of her life, Rick Stanley introduced her into bluegrass royalty when none other than the Doctor himself, Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys kicked off her big Italian wedding reception with “Little Maggie” Together, Donna and Rick have been touring, writing and enjoying life linked by the love they have for mountain music and each other.
Country music fans remember Donna Ulisse from her days as an Atlantic Records recording artist in the early 1990’s with her critically acclaimed album Trouble at The Door, producing three singles and two videos. During this time in her career, she was offered the opportunity to be a guest on many national television shows, including Hee Haw, Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, Ralph Emory and NBC’s Hot Country Nights.
These days Donna Ulisse is a key figure in the bluegrass, folk and acoustic music scene as a singer and songwriter. Her single “It Could Have Been The Mandolin” from the album Hard Cry Moon topped the Bluegrass Unlimited chart at #1 for two months in a row in 2016 and the album topped the Roots Music Report chart at #1. In 2016 she was awarded International Bluegrass Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year and IBMA’s 2017 Song of the Year for “I Am A Drifter” recorded by Volume 5. Albums and awards kept coming; in 2018 and 2022 she won the award for SPBGMA’s Songwriter of the Year and also 2022’s SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year!
In 2019 Donna signed with Billy Blue Records, home to some of bluegrass music’s brightest stars. Her first two projects with Billy Blue, Time For Love and Livin’ Large were once again produced by bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson. The current project, Where The Mountain Lily Grows, will make the 4th production with Doyle Lawson at the helm and her 14th commercially released CD.
Donna’s appearance on RFD-TV’s Simply Bluegrass show hosted by Ricky Skaggs and Bill Anderson, and her month long stint hosting Bluegrass Ridge, a video television show on Heartland TV Network, introduced her to a wider viewing audience as her albums continued to chart prominently in the Bluegrass Unlimited charts, The Folk DJ National chart, The Americana Music Charts and Billboard Bluegrass chart. Edward Morris, writer for CMT.com dubbed her “one of the most commanding voices in bluegrass music.”
In 2012, the release of Donna’s Christmas album, All The Way To Bethlehem was called “a masterpiece” by Kyle Cantrell, host of Bluegrass Junction on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and currently BanjoRadio.com. She continues to perform this self-written musical of the Nativity in her live Christmas performances during the months of November and December.
As a songwriter, she has gratefully had her songs recorded by bluegrass artists Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Claire Lynch, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, The Larry Stephenson Band, Volume Five, Christy Cox, Alan Bibey and Grasstowne and The Grascals to name a few, as well as a song on the 2014 Grammy winning album Streets of Baltimore by the Del McCoury Band.
Author of the book The Songwriter in Me: Snapshots of My Creative Process and founder of Little House Songwriting Workshops has Donna busier than ever. Always eager to offer aspiring songwriters the opportunity to write with her and pro writing partners Rick Stanley and Jerry Salley, she and her husband host these exclusive workshops on her beloved Wee Farm in hopes of getting these hungry songwriters to the next level in their craft.
Bluegrass music paves the way for Donna Ulisse to continue to tour with her band, The Poor Mountain Boys, bringing her unique, original brand of mountain music to stages across the country.
2016 IBMA Songwriter of the Year
2017 IBMA Song of the Year
2018 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year
2022 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year
2022 SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year
Sat Only
Based out of Southwest Missouri, Route 3 is comprised of veteran musicians that have a love of traditional bluegrass, yet incorporate many original songs that have developed into their own distinctive sound. In 2019, Route 3 released their debut album on 7 Flat Records, resulting in being nominated, and received the Arkansas Country Music Awards 2020 Bluegrass Artist of The Year award. In 2022 they were signed by Pinecastle Records and released their 2nd album “Losing Time”. The first single, “Cartersville” spent multiple weeks on the Bluegrass Today charts, peaking at #4. “Losing Time” has done very well on the airwaves and continues to be played on radio stations across the country. Route 3 has been blessed to have played many of the top festivals across the midwest, appeared on television shows, and has had the honor of playing the world-famous Station Inn in Nashville TN on multiple occasions. For more information, please visit www.route3bluegrass.com
Jason Jordan
When nine-year-old Jason Jordan met Bill Monroe, he got to play his mandolin, and his love for bluegrass music began. Shortly after that, Jason began playing mandolin in his first band, an all-youth band called The Parking Lot Pickers. This young group won a music contest that allowed them to then make their first recording. Jason subsequently was a founding member of Just In Tyme. It was around this time, that he started writing and arranging his own songs. Shortly after he got a call from long time friend, Lynn Coones, who extended the invitation for him to join Brightwater Junction as their guitar player. Jason, along with Lynn, Tonya, and Eric Coones, played for over 15 years together, and won the 2012 National Single Mic Championship. Jason co-wrote the song “Captain” that was recorded and made popular by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and also wrote seven of the songs on the Route 3 debut album. Jason has also written 10 songs on the follow up album “Losing Time”
Doug Clifton
At the age of 12, Doug Clifton began playing bass at his home Church, Macedonia Freewill Baptist in the Southwest Missouri town of Purdy. Soon after, he and best friend Brandon Rickman, along with Brandon’s brother Heath and dad Gary, formed The Rickmans. In 2000, Doug was a part of New Reflections, winners of the S.P.B.G.M.A International Band contest in Nashville, Tennessee. Doug has played with multiple bands over the years including The Messengers, Breakaway, The Signature Quartet, The Kellys, The Drifters, Roaring River Sound and New Road. He has also filled in with National touring bands including New Tradition, Bradley Walker, Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Primitive Quartet, and The Isaacs.
Janice Houk
Janice was born and raised in central Missouri. The love of bluegrass started at a very young age. She grew up listening to records of Flatt and Scruggs, Reno and Smiley, Jim and Jesse and The Stanley Brothers just to name a few. Her dad took the family to bluegrass festivals as kids, and getting to see Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and Jim and Jesse live, sparked the love of the music even more. At the age of 12, she picked up the banjo and along with her family, formed The Bluegrass Martins who toured nationwide for nearly 18 years, winning the S.P.B.G.M.A International Band Championship in Nashville TN, in 2007.
Over those years she was awarded Banjo player of the year, 9 times for S.P.B.G.M.A Midwest. Janice endorses Hopkins Banjos and is honored to have a Signature series model named after her. Highlights over the years include collaborating with some amazing artist such as Leona Williams, and was recognized as one of “The Daughters Of Bluegrass” which took her on a tour of Canada, and a bluegrass cruise with Rhonda Vincent, just to name a few.
In 2018 she took a hiatus from touring and playing music to raise a family, playing a few shows here and there with The Bluegrass Martins as time allowed.
When the call came to audition for Route 3, there was no doubt this is what God was calling her to do. Being asked to be a part of Route 3, is surreal and amazing to be following in the footsteps of two of her musical heroes and mentors, but also just to be able to play music alongside incredible artist of like-minded faith, is something Janice had been praying for and for God to allow her to use her talents, and to tell people about Jesus and what He’s done for her and what God’s love can do for you.
Greg Potter
While attending College of the Ozarks, Greg developed an interest in playing guitar and soon, with the help of his uncle James Potter, purchased his first quality guitar. Together they began attending local jams, including the longstanding Monday night jams at McClurg, MO where he learned to “second” on guitar. During this time, he met long-time friends Justin George, Tim McClung, Jeremy George, and John Combs and began playing festivals throughout Missouri and Arkansas. This group of friends has continued to play together for over 30 years. Around 2002 Greg joined the group Southwind as the mandolin player and was fortunate to record two albums during this period. Following the time with Southwind, Greg was asked to join the well-established group Arlington and hold down the guitar and harmony parts for the next two years until his family started growing and choosing to take a break from the busy schedule of a touring band. In 2010, Darrell Turnbull called and asked if he would be interested in filling in at his Back Forty Bluegrass festival to fill one of the band slots. This resulted in the formation of the Missouri River Band and produced a self-titled, debut album in which Greg was nominated for S.P.B.G.M.A. songwriter of the year in 2012. For the past several years, he has been spending time with family and filling in with various bands when the opportunity arises.
Thurs & Sat
The Gospel Plowboys is a bluegrass gospel group from North Carolina that is dedicated to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving grace. It is by His blood that we are saved. They dress in denim bib overalls, white shirts, and red ties. These are not only the colors of Old Glory but also a tribute to the 1930’s when bluegrass music was first becoming popular. Band members are original founding member Michael Jenkins of Concord, North Carolina, on guitar and lead vocals; David Brown from Rowan County, North Carolina, on bass; Andrew Brown of Rockwell, North Carolina, on mandolin and vocals; Kris Miller from Salisbury, North Carolina, on guitar; Peden Williams originally from Bucharest, Romania, and now living in Concord, North Carolina, on banjo; and Alec McAllister of Mocksville, North Carolina, on fiddle. All band members accepted Jesus as their Savior as youngsters and are grateful for the opportunity to share His love with others through music.
Thurs & Fri
North Carolina can once again be credited for producing great bluegrass. Hailing from just east of Charlotte, Deeper Shade of Blue is comprised of Troy Pope (guitar/vocals), Frank Poindexter (dobro/vocals), Scott Burgess (bass/vocals), Chad Day (banjo), and Milom Williams II (mandolin/vocals). The band has been together for 21 years and self-produced six albums. A quick search on YouTube will no doubt prove why this band has been a favorite in their region for so long. With their tight harmony singing, dynamic instrumentation and energetic stage show, they’ve been lauded as one of the best touring groups in the industry and one that festivals have added to their lineup year after year.
THE BAND:
Troy Pope brings to the band his powerful lead vocals. Having been raised in his Father’s church, he acquired a deep background in gospel music that adds to the unique arrangements of the bands material. He has sang with his family his whole life and with other groups as well. Troy’s big smile and personality, along with his well known vocals have helped make A Deeper Shade of Blue what it is today.
Milom Williams II of Spartanburg, SC, started playing music at age eight, and by 14, joined his first bluegrass band. He has performed with some of the best in the genre. From 2009-2012, he served as mandolinist for Kevin Richardson and Cuttin’ Edge. The following year, he became a member of the Skip Cherryholmes Quintet. Williams then toured with Nu-Blu in 2015. Two years later, he joined The King James Boys featuring his talents on both the guitar and mandolin. In 2019, Williams became a member of Spartanburg’s Backline
Frank Poindexter is no stranger when it comes to the acoustic music scene. He is an accomplished and champion Dobro player. He has recorded and performed with many of the worlds greatest musicians in all sorts of genres from bluegrass to country and rock to movie soundtracks. Frank has played on the Grand Old Opry stage and with the late, great Vassar Clements, Dickie Betts, Larry Rice and Brothers Leon and Walt from the All American Music Tour. Frank has also released two solo projects, and has recorded with the Rice Brothers, including several of the late Larry Rice projects. He has toured Japan twice, Europe with nephews Wyatt and Larry, Richie Simpkins, Sammy Shelor and Ronnie Simpkins. His dobro playing is included in two movie soundtracks as well.
Scott Burgess grew up with bluegrass music. Both of his parents played bluegrass and his earliest memories include going to church with them as they played various churches and small venues around home. His first regular group was a family band with his two brothers and their mother called Right Track. They performed from 1996 until 2005. After a short break from music, Kevin Richardson asked him to help him form KRACE which enjoyed regional success from 2009-2015. A Deeper Shade of Blue reached out to Scott in April 2015, and Scott says he was excited to join such an incredibly talented group of musicians. In each band, he had sung lead, tenor and played bass. He enjoys writing songs, and is honored to have had several of his songs recorded and played on various stations including Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction. “Bluegrass is the purest form of acoustic music. I appreciate the opportunity to play music with great friends.”
Chad Day was born in West Jefferson, NC, where bluegrass is part of the common heritage. Destined to play banjo, Chad started picking at age 14. After relocating to Cleveland County, birthplace of Earl Scruggs, he began to perform and hone his talent and expertise. He has clearly been influenced by J.D. Crowe, but Chad has also developed his own style that incorporates explosive, hard-driving sound with tasteful and technical picking. A songwriter, too, his other interests include bass fishing and camping, while spending time with his daughters, Sarah and Mady, and his wife, Jenny.
Thurs & Fri
L – R: Terry Smith, Jamie Harper, Kristin Scott Benson, Jamie Johnson, Danny Roberts, John Bryan (Photo credit: Laci Mack)
Great musicians will always find a way to make good music, but for great musicians to make great music, they must form a bond – one that, more often than not, goes beyond the purely musical to the personal. For The Grascals, that bond has been forged at the intersection of personal friendships, shared professional resumes and an appreciation for the innovative mingling of bluegrass and country music that has been a hallmark of the Nashville scene for more than forty years.
Their cutting-edge modern bluegrass is delivered with a deep knowledge of, and admiration for, the work of the music’s founding fathers. Timely yet timeless, The Grascals make music that is entirely relevant to the here and now yet immersed in traditional values of soul and musicianship. It’s a unique sound that has earned three Grammy® nominations and two Entertainer of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, as well as national media attention that seems to perpetually elude acts entrenched in niche genres. Such appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox & Friends, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and CBS’ The Talk. Honors also include performing twice for President George W. Bush and at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball at the Smithsonian.
The Grascals have over 200 guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry to their credit and have also performed on the revered stages of Radio City Music Hall, the Ryman Auditorium and the Kennedy Center as well as music festivals such as MerleFest, Stagecoach, and the CMA Music Festival. In addition to performing across the United States and Canada, the awarding-winning band has traveled the world to take bluegrass music to Japan, Greece, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, and Belgium.
The Grascals have also had the opportunity to record and share the stage with several country music legends including Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Hank Williams, Jr., George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Brooks & Dunn, Patty Loveless, The Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Wariner, Tom T. Hall, The Jordanaires, and more.
As their recordings prove, The Grascals’ rare musical empathy gives them an unerring ear for just the right touch to illuminate each offering’s deepest spirit – whether they’re digging into one of their original songs or reworking a bluegrass classic or a pop standard. Take for instance, fan favorite, “Last Train to Clarksville.” Non-bluegrass listeners enjoy a new take on a familiar song, while diehard bluegrass audiences who may have never heard the Monkees classic, respond in-kind, not even realizing that the song has been Grascalized.
As they look toward their 20th anniversary, The Grascals can truthfully say they have the best of both worlds — the steadiness of a veteran group that knows who they are and where they’re going, and the excitement and energy of an ensemble that knows it still has something to prove. With a renewed spirit and zeal to continue create and blazing new music trails, be on the lookout for much more to come from The Grascals!
Awards & Honors
IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards
- 2005 Emerging Artist of the Year – The Grascals
- 2005 Song of the Year “Me and John and Paul”, The Grascals (artists), Harley Allen (songwriter), Rounder Records (label)
- 2006 Album of the Year – Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (Compilation Project/Various Artists), Skaggs Family Records (label)
- 2006 & 2007 Entertainer of the Year – The Grascals
- 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2019 & 2023 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
- 2021 Album of the Year – Industrial Strength Bluegrass: Southern Ohio’s Musical Legacy, Various Artists, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings (label)
- 2021 Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year “Ground Speed”, Various Artists including Kristin Scott Benson, Earl Scruggs (songwriter), Mountain Home Music (label)
SPBGMA (Society of the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) Awards
- 2006 Song of the Year – Me and John and Paul by The Grascals for Rounder Records
- 2006 Bluegrass Album of the Year – The Grascals by The Grascals for Rounder Records
- 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014-2017 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts
- 2006-2009, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
- 2007-2008, 2010 and 2019 Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall) – The Grascals
- 2009 Bluegrass Album of the Year – Keep On Walkin’ by The Grascals for Rounder Records
- 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
- 2022 Bass Performer of the Year – Terry Smith
Grammy Nominations
- 2005 Best Bluegrass Album – The Grascals (Rounder Records)
- 2006 Best Bluegrass Album – Long List Of Heartaches (Rounder Records)
- 2012 Best Bluegrass Album – Life Finds A Way (Mountain Home)
Miscellaneous Honors and Awards
- 2016 Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree – Blue Blaze Award for “actively cultivating a love of bluegrass music.” – Danny Roberts
- 2017 Uncle Dave Macon Days – Trailblazer Award – The Grascals
- 2018 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass – Kristin Scott Benso
Saturday Only
Rick Faris was born to play music.
Most kids learn to fish or hunt from their dad. Rick learned G-runs, fiddle tunes and musical insights from his.
Rick’s dad was a touring musician that rendered Bluegrass in the Ozarks, swung wide in western swing bands in dance halls and even played with legends like Reba McIntyre on Hee Haw, Nashville Now and the Grand Ole Opry. Rick’s love for music is one that can only be carefully cultivated when conditions are right and the stars just align. Rick says, “I didn’t know anyone who didn’t play or at least have an instrument in their house until I was 5.” The family of a humble musician’s means didn’t have a radio in the car so the 4 Faris boys spent the 9-hour trips up to grandma’s house singing and entertaining each other.
The four brother plus mom and dad made up the award winning Faris Family Bluegrass Band. They played festivals, taught Bluegrass in the Schools programs and shared real connections for the 12 years they toured professionally. After the family decided to stop touring, Rick was looking for a new full-time gig. He got his first break when the Bluegrass stalwart, Greg Cahill, called and asked him to audition for Special Consensus. The job was to be transformative for Faris because Greg hired him to play mandolin rather than the guitar he had been honing since he was a child. With 5 weeks to learn the mandolin and win the audition, Rick Faris stepped into the next stage of his career. After 6 years, 1 Grammy-Nomination and 2 IBMA Awards he switched back home to guitar and the band picked up another 3 IBMA Awards and a 2nd Grammy-Nomination. Rick spent a total of 11 years with the globetrotting Special Consensus. Under Greg Cahill he learned the meaning of professionalism and giving back to the Bluegrass community .
Rick’s strong desire to shine out with a genuine connection to the fans and players on stage caught Stephen Mougin’s attention. His label, Dark Shadow Recording, signed Rick Faris on as a solo artist in September of 2018. Rick started writing songs and selecting the right personnel that could handle anything. With watertight harmony singers and mind-blowing pickers, Rick set out to show the world what his brand of Bluegrass sounds like.
The first single, the blazing-fast title track written by Rick, “Breaking In Lonesome”, was released in March of 2019. It debuted at #2 on the Bluegrass Today Charts only to climb to #1 the next week. The album and its tracks are still appearing on the charts. Rick’s album, “Breaking In Lonesome”, was ranked #6 in the Top 12 Albums of 2019 by Bluegrass Today only a month after the albums official release in November.
“Rick Faris has constantly wowed me with his powerful vocals and virtuoso mandolin and guitar playing…I immediately noticed he is a great singer live…In short, I thought of the guy as the vanguard of younger musicians who are carrying Bluegrass forward…Bluegrass music might be entering its 9th decade, but Breaking in Lonesome proves it’s more vital than ever, and this project is a perfect showcase for one of its truly bright lights. ” – Tim Stafford of Blue Highway
in early 2021 Rick stepped away from his musical comrades the Special Consensus to start his own Rick Faris Band. Rick’s 2nd release on Dark Shadow Recording “The Next Mountain” released mid 2021 hitting the charts with the silver bullet of a song “Deep River” hitting #1 in it’s Second week! The album “The Next Mountain” spent 17 months in the top 5 slots on the album charts and hit #1 on the Contemporary Bluegrass Album Chart for the last time during the 18th month. It seemed a heralding of the IBMA Nominations and Awards to come…Rick was awarded the “New Artist of the Year” award at the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Awards and was Nominated for “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year” for the song “Deep River”!
Rick’s newest album “Uncommon Sky” opened with the first single being a cover of the Huey Lewis and the News hit “Power of Love” turning heads and garnering two more nominations at the 2023 IBMA Awards for “Song of the Year” and Rick for the first time was Nominated for the “Songwriter of the Year” IBMA Industry Awards
Rick is about to move to Kentucky, to base his music career and Faris Guitar Co. shop in the “Bluegrass Music Capitol of the World” Owensboro, KY! This puts Rick in the heart of the bluegrass music that has shaped his life and career choice.