Danny Roberts
Best known for
Mandolin
Danny Roberts is a Kentucky-born mandolinist who co-founded The New Tradition gospel-bluegrass group in 1982, ran Gibson's Original Acoustic Instruments division, and is a founding member of The Grascals (2004) — a multi-time SPBGMA Mandolin Performer of the Year and Grammy-nominee.
- Born and raised in Leitchfield, Kentucky on a farm adjacent to childhood friend (and later bandmate) Jimmy Mattingly.
- Co-founded the bluegrass-gospel group The New Tradition in 1982; the band toured nationally for nearly two decades, recorded ~10 albums, and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry.
- After New Tradition dissolved in 2000, worked at Gibson Musical Instruments, rising to plant manager of Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments (luthiery).
- Founding member of The Grascals (joined 2004, reuniting with Mattingly); group is two-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year and three-time Grammy-nominated.
- Released solo album "Mandolin Orchard" (2004; Chicago Tribune Top 10 bluegrass releases of 2004) and "Nighthawk" (2014, Mountain Home) featuring Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, and Mike Compton.
- Multiple-time SPBGMA Mandolin Performer of the Year.
- Runs an instrument setup/repair business "Just Off The Bench" and collaborates with builder Jonathan McClanahan on McClanahan Mandolins.
- Lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with wife Andrea and daughter Jaelee Roberts (also a bluegrass artist).