The Grascals
Contemporary Bluegrass
Gospel
The Grascals are one of the defining modern bluegrass bands of the past two decades, two-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year winners, and Dolly Parton's longtime opening act and bluegrass band — she heard their first sessions in 2004, sang on their debut, and called the album "one of the greatest I've ever heard."
- Founded in February 2004 in Nashville by Terry Eldredge, Jamie Johnson, Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle), Dave Talbot (banjo), Terry Smith (bass), and Danny Roberts (mandolin); debuted at the Station Inn with Bobby Osborne as guest.
- Released the self-titled The Grascals on Rounder in February 2005 (US Bluegrass #3); won the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year and Song of the Year awards that fall for "Me and John and Paul."
- Won the IBMA Entertainer of the Year award in 2006 and 2007 — back-to-back — alongside IBMA Album of the Year (2006) for the band's compilation.
- Banjoist Kristin Scott Benson, who joined in January 2009, has won IBMA Banjo Performer of the Year five times (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2019), more than any other player.
- Recorded a long string of #1 Bluegrass-chart albums on Rounder and Mountain Home, including Long List of Heartaches (2006), Keep on Walkin' (2008), and And Then There's This... (2016).
- Earned three Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album over the band's run.
- Toured for years as Dolly Parton's bluegrass band and opening act; collaborated with her on the 2011 video "I Am Strong."
- Current six-piece lineup: Jamie Johnson (guitar / vocals, returned 2022), Danny Roberts (mandolin), Kristin Scott Benson (banjo), John Bryan (guitar / vocals, since 2015), Jamie Harper (fiddle, since 2023), and Edgar Loudermilk (bass, replaced Terry Smith on his 2025 retirement).
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Son of a Sawmill ManThe Famous Lefty Flynn's (2010)
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Sweet By and ByThe Grascals (2005)
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Danny RobertsPlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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Terry SmithPlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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Terry EldredgePlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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David TalbotPlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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Jamie JohnsonPlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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Jimmy MattinglyPlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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Jeremy AbshirePlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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Kristin Scott BensonPlayed on recordings with The Grascals
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Adam HaynesPlayed on recording with The Grascals
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Chris DavisPlayed on recording with The Grascals
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John BryanPlayed on recording with The Grascals
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Krstin Scott BensonPlayed on recording with The Grascals
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Lloyd GreenPlayed on recording with The Grascals