New Grass Revival
Band · Active 1972–1990 · Louisville, Kentucky
Progressive Bluegrass
New Grass Revival was the band that named and codified "newgrass" as a genre — pioneering progressive bluegrass that absorbed rock, jazz, blues, and reggae over an 18-year run that produced two distinct lineups, multiple Grammy nominations, and an alumni roster (Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, John Cowan, Pat Flynn) that has shaped acoustic music for decades since.
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- Formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1971 with Sam Bush (mandolin/fiddle), Curtis Burch (guitar/dobro), Courtney Johnson (banjo), and Ebo Walker (bass).
- Released the self-titled debut Arrival of the New Grass Revival on Starday in 1972; recorded a string of Flying Fish albums through the 1970s including Fly Through the Country (1975) and When the Storm Is Over (1977).
- John Cowan replaced Walker on bass and lead vocals in 1974, anchoring the band's sound through to its end.
- Toured as Leon Russell's backing band and opening act in 1979, exposing acoustic stringband instrumentation to large rock audiences.
- Reformed in 1981 with Bush and Cowan joined by Béla Fleck (banjo) and Pat Flynn (guitar); this lineup recorded the band's most commercially successful work for Sugar Hill, EMI America, and Capitol.
- Earned multiple Grammy nominations during the Capitol era, including for "Seven by Seven"; charted on country radio with "Callin' Baton Rouge," later a hit in Garth Brooks's hands.
- Disbanded in 1989; Sam Bush launched a solo career, Béla Fleck formed the Flecktones, John Cowan went solo and later joined the Doobie Brothers as touring bassist, and Pat Flynn became a Nashville session guitarist.
- Inducted into the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2020.
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Rhythm & Bluegrass (Hank Wilson, Vol. 4)2001 · BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
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Hold to a Dream1987 · Capitol CLT 46962
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On The Boulevard1984 · Sugar Hill SH-CD 3745
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Commonwealth1981 · Flying Fish FF 254
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When the Storm is Over1977 · Flying Fish FF 032
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Fly Through the Country1975 · Flying Fish FF 016
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New Grass Revival1972 · Starday 482-498
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Sam BushPlayed on recordings with New Grass Revival
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Courtney JohnsonPlayed on recordings with New Grass Revival
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John CowanPlayed on recordings with New Grass Revival
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Curtis BurchPlayed on recordings with New Grass Revival
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Bela FleckPlayed on recordings with New Grass Revival
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Pat FlynnPlayed on recordings with New Grass Revival
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Ebo WalkerPlayed on recording with New Grass Revival
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Leon RussellPlayed on recording with New Grass Revival
