Richard Underwood
Musician · b. 1956 · Seabrook, Maryland
Best known for
Banjo
Richard Underwood is a Maryland-born banjoist best known as the hard-driving Scruggs-style banjo voice of the Johnson Mountain Boys (1979–1986, returning part-time 1989–1996) — a session player on records by Hazel Dickens, Del McCoury, and Bill Grant whose JMB tenure earned IBMA Hall of Fame recognition.
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- Born July 14, 1956 in Seabrook, Maryland; caught bluegrass fever in the early 1970s after seeing Earl Scruggs on public television.
- First professional work was with Buzz Busby and his Bayou Boys.
- Best known as the hard-driving Scruggs-style banjo player for the Johnson Mountain Boys (1979–1986, returning part-time 1989–1996).
- Recording credits include Hazel Dickens ("A Few Old Memories," "By the Sweat of My Brow"), Del McCoury ("High Lonesome and Blue"), The McCoury Brothers, Delia Bell & Bill Grant ("Dreaming"), and Gloria Belle ("The Love of the Mountains").
- Later worked with Bob Paisley's Southern Grass, the Lynn Morris Band, the Seth Sawyer Band, Scott Brannon Band, Seneca Rocks, Zion Mountain Boys, and the Reunion Band (Boston).
- The Johnson Mountain Boys were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
- Replaced Franny Davidson in JMB in 1979; Tom Adams replaced him on banjo in September 1986.