Richard Bailey
Best known for
Banjo
Richard Bailey is a Memphis-bred, Nashville-based banjoist and founding member of The SteelDrivers since 2005 — a Best Bluegrass Album Grammy winner ("The Muscle Shoals Recordings," 2015) and longtime sideman to Bill Monroe, Roland White, Vassar Clements, Loretta Lynn, and Chet Atkins.
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- Founding member of The SteelDrivers (formed 2005 in Nashville); has remained with the band continuously since inception.
- Won Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album with The SteelDrivers for "The Muscle Shoals Recordings" (2015).
- Earned multiple Grammy nominations with The SteelDrivers, including a 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Blue Side of the Mountain" and the 2025 "Outrun" album.
- Long-tenured Nashville sideman who has performed with Bill Monroe, Roland White, Vassar Clements, Loretta Lynn, Chet Atkins, Larry Cordle, Laurie Lewis, and Dale Ann Bradley.
- Session work credits include Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Al Green, George Jones, and Michael Martin Murphey.
- Previous band affiliations include The Cluster Pluckers, the Roland White Band, and the J.T. Gray Band.
- Released solo banjo album "Night Light" (1986).
- Has performed at Carnegie Hall and Austin City Limits.
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The SteeldriversPlayed on recordings with The Steeldrivers
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Blaine SprousePlayed on recording with Blaine Sprouse
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Dolly PartonPlayed on recording with Dolly Parton
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Larry CordlePlayed on recording with Larry Cordle
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Rhonda VincentPlayed on recording with Rhonda Vincent
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The Cluster PluckersPlayed on recording with The Cluster Pluckers
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The Roland White BandPlayed on recording with The Roland White Band
