Keith Little
Best known for
Banjo
Keith Little is a California-bred multi-instrumentalist and singer whose career runs from West Coast traditionalists Vern & Ray to a long Country Gentlemen tenure to Dolly Parton's Grammy-winning bluegrass projects, with a parallel life as a songwriter, teacher, and bandleader.
- Native of the Sierra Nevada foothills around Sonora, California; plays banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle.
- First professional gig in fall 1969 at age 13; soon performing with West Coast bluegrass legends Vern & Ray.
- Long-tenured banjoist and harmony singer in the Vern Williams Band, including the milestone Rose Maddox / Vern Williams collaborations.
- Joined the Country Gentlemen in Washington, D.C. in 1986 — his first full-time salaried band gig.
- Played on Dolly Parton's albums "The Grass Is Blue" (1999) and "Little Sparrow" (2001).
- Songs covered by Claire Lynch, Tim O'Brien, the Country Gentlemen, Longview, Crystal Gayle, the Whites, and Vern Williams.
- Currently leads LittleBand and works as a producer, teacher, and California Bluegrass Association mentor.
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The Vern Williams BandPlayed on recordings with The Vern Williams Band
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The David Grisman Bluegrass ExperiencePlayed on recordings with The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience
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Dolly PartonPlayed on recordings with Dolly Parton
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Kathy KallickPlayed on recordings with Kathy Kallick
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David GrismanPlayed on recording with David Grisman
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Laurie Lewis and Kathy KallickPlayed on recording with Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick
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Rose Maddox and the Vern Williams BandPlayed on recording with Rose Maddox and the Vern Williams Band
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The Country GentlemenPlayed on recording with The Country Gentlemen