Steve Dilling
Best known for
Banjo
Steve Dilling is a North Carolina banjoist and singer who spent two decades as one of bluegrass's busiest emcees and harmony singers in IIIrd Tyme Out, then turned a part-time side project called Sideline into a full-time IBMA-winning band.
- Born in Puerto Rico while his father was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base; raised in North Carolina. Took up banjo at age 10 and was playing professionally by 12.
- Early career with the Bass Mountain Boys, then the Lonesome River Band, before joining IIIrd Tyme Out.
- Banjo player and prominent on-stage emcee with Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out for 21 years (1993–2013).
- Founded Sideline as a part-time North Carolina bluegrass project in 2010; made it his full-time band after leaving IIIrd Tyme Out in 2013.
- Sideline won IBMA Song of the Year in 2019 for "Thunder Dan."
- Recorded extensively for Rounder Records with IIIrd Tyme Out, helping define the band's '90s/2000s sound (e.g. "Erase the Miles," 1994; "Live at the MAC," 2003).
- Sideline records for Mountain Home Music Company ("Crescent Bend," 2014; "Front and Center," 2018; "Breaks to the Edge," 2021).
- Strong baritone harmony singer in addition to his banjo work.
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IIIrd Tyme OutPlayed on recordings with IIIrd Tyme Out
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SidelinePlayed on recordings with Sideline