Expert: Nancy Wood - 2/9/2009

Question
Hi Nancy, this one is probably a no brainer for you,but I cannot find anything on the web and live in NJ so theres no one local to ask!

Last year I attended the Grand Old Opry with friends from Nashville.  One of the performers was an older gentlemen who was introduced as "the top" mandolin player in country western and blue grass.  I wrote down the name so that I could buy his music, but misplaced it.  Can you help?

Answer
Hi, Bernadette,

The ranking really depends on who you ask and even what rating group you choose, like CMT, the Society of Preservation of Bluegrass Music.
"TOP" just a judgement call, depending on who's talking or doing the introduction.  

CMT lists Ronnie McCoury as the top mandolin picker. He has been listed by CMT  as the top mandolin player for last 7-8 years. He's also been in his father's group for years.  It is Del McCoury.   The one listed with SPBM is Loyd Hinch.

Ricky Skaggs  has played mandolin for years with about everyone in bluegrass before he came into his own in country music.

There is also Sam Bush, recognized as a top mandolin player in both country music and bluegrass. .  Sam's been around a long time, both in bluegrass and in country music. His picking is probably the most recognizable, because he has done so much session work with so many country and bluegrass artists.
He was in New Grass Revival, No Name Bluegrass and several other groups.  He's probably more well known if you check credits on the back of about any cd or even vinyl album for the performers who were on the recordings of a lot of folks in Nashville.  He's actually my pick.  I've been a very avid fan of his music - can pick out his picking from most of the other musicians. He's very innovative, even does Bluegrass Fusion (was on several of Bela Fleck's Fusion cds.  Bela also was in NewGrass Revival, playing banjo).

Marty Stuart  has also been around a long time.  

Mike Snider - is multi-talented being able to play about anything with strings extremely well. He's backed up probably more than 1000 shows @ the GOO!

Jesse McReynolds of Jim and Jesse also is among the GOO listing of top mandolins.  Jesse and brother Jim were members in long standing with GOO, Jesse having more than 42 years as a member. He's 79 years young and still picking.  This year marks his 62nd aniversary in music.

Each has websites with photos available.  I'm not exactly sure who you saw; but I'm sure that person should be among the ones I listed.

There's also ??   Croft of Seals and Croft.  He won many contests @ bluegrass festivals.