Audie Blaylock
Contemporary Bluegrass
Audie Blaylock was a Texas-born, Michigan-raised guitarist and lead singer whose nine-year apprenticeship with Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys, multiple stints in front-line bands, and own Audie Blaylock & Redline made him one of the strongest Martin-tradition lead voices of his generation.
- Born August 18, 1962 in El Paso, Texas; raised in Lansing, Michigan in a musical household; later lived in Garrett, Indiana.
- Started his professional career in 1982 at age 19 with Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mountain Boys, where he spent roughly nine years primarily playing mandolin.
- Worked with Red Allen from 1990 until Allen's death in 1993, then with the Lynn Morris Band starting in 1993, then with Harley Allen 1997–2000.
- Played guitar and sang harmony with Rhonda Vincent & The Rage 1999–2003 — appearing on "The Storm Still Rages" (2001) and "One Step Ahead" (2003) on Rounder.
- Co-founded Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock in 2006, recording "Flame Keeper" (2002) and "Let 'er Go, Boys!" (2006) on Rounder; left in 2007.
- Founded Audie Blaylock & Redline in 2004; relaunched the band in 2007 after the Cleveland hiatus, releasing six albums on Rural Rhythm, Patuxent, and 615 Hideaway.
- His Bill Monroe tribute "I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky" (2011) featured guests including Del McCoury, Bobby Osborne, Ronnie McCoury, Jason Carter, and Carl Jackson.
- Lead vocals were repeatedly compared to his mentor Jimmy Martin; "Cryin' Heart Blues" (2010) drew particular notice for its Martin-grade phrasing. Died January 10, 2024 at age 61.
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Audie BlaylockPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock
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Jesse BrockPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock
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Jim CornellPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock
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Ron StewartPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock
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Tom AdamsPlayed on recording with Audie Blaylock