Doug Dillard
Musician · 1937–2012 · Salem, Missouri
Best known for
Banjo
Doug Dillard was a Missouri-born banjoist who co-founded The Dillards in 1962 with brother Rodney, played the Darling Boys on "The Andy Griffith Show," and helped invent country-rock through Dillard & Clark with Gene Clark — an IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee with the band.
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- Born Douglas Flint Dillard on March 6, 1937 in East St. Louis, Illinois; grew up on a farm near Salem, Missouri.
- Began guitar and fiddle at age 5 and banjo at age 15; banjo heroes were Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, and Don Reno.
- With younger brother Rodney Dillard, Dean Webb (mandolin), and Mitch Jayne (bass), founded The Dillards in 1962.
- With The Dillards, played the Darlings on The Andy Griffith Show from 1963–1966, making six appearances.
- Played banjo on Glen Campbell's recording of John Hartford's "Gentle on My Mind," which won four Grammy Awards in 1968.
- Left The Dillards in 1968 to tour Europe with The Byrds, then formed Dillard & Clark with Gene Clark; their two albums helped launch country-rock alongside the Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, and the Eagles.
- Inducted into the IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame with The Dillards in 2009.
- Died May 16, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee at age 75.
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The DillardsPlayed on recordings with The Dillards
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Byron BerlinePlayed on recording with Byron Berline
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Dillard and ClarkPlayed on recording with Dillard and Clark
