Audie Blaylock and Redline
Band · Active 2009–2024 · Based in Michigan/Nashville
Contemporary Bluegrass
Audie Blaylock and Redline was one of the most consistently driving traditional bluegrass bands of the 2000s and 2010s — a group built around guitarist/lead vocalist Audie Blaylock's nine years with Jimmy Martin, which cemented his “hard-driving, take-no-prisoners” aesthetic. Multiple #1 bluegrass radio singles and a Grammy nomination for their Jimmy Martin tribute placed them squarely in the traditional-camp lineage.
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- Blaylock was born in El Paso, raised in Lansing, Michigan; began playing with family and local bands at age eight.
- Joined Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys in 1982 at age 19 on mandolin; stayed nine years. Subsequent sideman credits: Red Allen (1990–1993), Lynn Morris Band (1993–1997), Harley Allen (1997–2000), and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage (1999–2003, when that band won IBMA Entertainer of the Year).
- Played with Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (2007 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year) and the Crowe Brothers.
- Primary coordinator and featured vocalist on A Tribute to Jimmy Martin: The King of Bluegrass (2004), which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album and IBMA nomination for Recorded Event of the Year. Featured J.D. Crowe, Paul Williams, Kenny Ingram, and other former Sunny Mountain Boys.
- Formed Redline around 2008 and signed with Rural Rhythm Records. Founding lineup: Blaylock (guitar, vocals), Jason Johnson (mandolin), Evan Ward (banjo, vocals), Patrick McAvinue (fiddle), Matt Wallace (bass).
- Debut Audie Blaylock & Redline (Rural Rhythm, 2009) produced the #1 charting single “Lonesome Weary Heart.”
- Cryin' Heart Blues (Rural Rhythm, 2010) produced additional #1 singles in the title track and “Matches”; compared favorably to Jimmy Martin's hard-driving style.
- I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky: A Bill Monroe Celebration (Rural Rhythm, 2011) featured Ronnie McCoury, Glen Duncan, Jason Carter, Bobby Osborne, Lou Reid, Del McCoury, and Carl Jackson as guests on Monroe material.
- Hard Country (Rural Rhythm, 2012, produced by Scott Vestal) emphasized the bluegrass-country overlap with material by Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie (“Philadelphia Lawyer”), and the Louvin Brothers.
- Later album The Road That Winds (Patuxent Music, 2016) featured an evolved Redline with Blaylock, McAvinue, Evan Ward, and Jones.
- Blaylock died unexpectedly on January 10, 2024, at age 61 — a significant loss to the traditional bluegrass community.
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The Collection2022 · Rural Rhythm ?
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Originalist2019 · 615 Hideaway HID 575
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The Road That Winds2016 · Patuxent CD 289
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Hard Country2012 · Rural Rhythm RUR 1100
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I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky2011 · Rural Rhythm RHY 1081
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Cryin’ Heart Blues2010 · Rural Rhythm RHY 1060
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Audie Blaylock and Redline2009 · Rural Rhythm RHY-CD 1042
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Audie BlaylockPlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Patrick McAvinuePlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Russ CarsonPlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Billy HurtPlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Ronnie McCouryPlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Evan WardPlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Matt WallacePlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Reed JonesPlayed on recordings with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Glen DuncanPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Jason CarterPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Jason JohnsonPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Jason MoorePlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Jesse BrockPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock and Redline
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Mason WrightPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock and Redline