Looking to get inspired by bluegrass dobro players? Look no further!
In this blog post, we will list off 15 of the best bluegrass dobro players out there. Each of these artists brings their own unique style to the table and is sure to inspire you to create your own music.
So sit back and enjoy!
List of the 15 Best Bluegrass Dobro Players
1. Jerry Douglas
Jerry Douglas is a bluegrass legend. He has been playing dobro for over 50 years and has won 14 Grammy Awards. Douglas has played with some of the biggest names in bluegrass, including Alison Krauss and Union Station.
2. Rob Ickes
Rob Icke is a bluegrass dobro player who has been playing the instrument for over three decades. He has won many awards and accolades, including the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Dobro Player of the Year award an unprecedented 15 times.
Rob has been a member of several bluegrass bands over the years, including the bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway and the bluegrass/newgrass band Hot Rize. He has also released several solo albums and instructional DVDs.
3. Mike Auldridge
Mike Auldridge was a member of the Seldom Scene and won a Grammy for his work with the bluegrass supergroup The Great Dobro Sessions. He was also inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
Auldridge’s Dobro style was influenced by jazz and he was known for his use of humor and entertaining stage presence.
4. Josh Graves
Josh Graves is considered the father of bluegrass Dobro playing. He was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee in 1927 and began playing guitar at age eight. In 1945, he bought his first Dobro and played it in various bluegrass bands throughout the years.
In addition, he is best known for his work with The Foggy Mountain Boys and The Earl Scruggs Revue. Graves was inducted into the bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2016. He passed away in 2006.
5. Cyril Neville
Cyril Neville is a bluegrass dobro player from Louisiana. He is known for his work with The Neville Brothers and The Meters. Cyril Neville has been playing the dobro for over 50 years.
Cyril Neville’s style of bluegrass dobro playing is influenced by New Orleans R&B and funk music. He often uses a slide technique called “chicken picking.” This style of bluegrass dobro playing is unique to Cyril Neville and is a major influence on other bluegrass dobro players.
6. Béla Fleck
Béla Fleck has been playing since he was a teenager. He is considered one of the best bluegrass dobro players in the world and has won many awards for his playing.
7. Tony Rice
Tony Rice is a bluegrass guitar legend who has been influential in shaping the sound of the genre. He is also an accomplished dobro player and has released several solo albums featuring his Dobro work.
Tony Rice’s playing is characterized by a clear, clean tone and a mastery of bluegrass guitar licks. He has been an inspiration to generations of bluegrass and acoustic guitarists.
8. David Lindley
David Lindley is a master of many string instruments, but he is perhaps best known for his work on the Dobro. His playing style is unique and instantly recognizable. He has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in music, including Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, and Ry Cooder.
9. Doc Watson
Doc Watson is a bluegrass legend who has been playing the dobro for over 50 years. He is known for his Flatpicking style and has influenced many other bluegrass musicians. Watson was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, and began playing the guitar at age 15. He lost his sight at age 19 after an accident.
Watson continued to play music and soon became one of the most popular bluegrass musicians. He has won several Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
10. Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger is an American folk singer and activist. He is credited with popularizing bluegrass music in the 1940s. Seeger was a member of the Weavers, a bluegrass band that was influential in the American folk music revival. He is also known for his work with Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly.
11. John Hartford
John Hartford was an American bluegrass musician and composer. He was born in New York City and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Hartford is best known for his song “Gentle on My Mind”, which won five Grammy Awards.
Also, he wrote the theme song for the television show The Waltons. Hartford played the fiddle, banjo, and guitar. He was inducted into the bluegrass music Hall of Fame in 2006.
12. Merle Travis
Merle Travis was born in Rosewood, Kentucky. He is best known for his work with the band The Kentucky Colonels.
13. Larry Sparks
Larry Sparks has been playing since the early 1950s. He is considered to be one of the founding fathers of bluegrass music and has influenced many other bluegrass artists.
14. Sammy Shelor
Sammy Shelor is considered one of the best in the business. Shelor has been playing bluegrass music for over 40 years and has won many awards for his work.
15. Tut Taylor
Tut Taylor is a bluegrass dobro player who has been playing since the 1950s. He is known for his work with The Dillards and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Taylor has also released several solo albums and has been inducted into the bluegrass music Hall of Fame.
Conclusion: Bluegrass Dobro Players
We hope you enjoyed our list of bluegrass dobro players. These are just a few of the many talented bluegrass musicians out there. If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out these players’ websites and social media pages.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: What kind of Dobro does Jerry Douglas play?
A: Jerry Douglas plays a Gibson Mastertone Dobro.
Q: What is bluegrass music?
A: Bluegrass music is a genre of American roots music that is influenced by the music of Appalachia. bluegrass is typically played on acoustic string instruments and features improvisation, close-harmony vocals, and a high level of musicianship.
Q: What is the difference between a Dobro and a resonator?
A: A Dobro is a type of resonator guitar that has a metal body and a cone-shaped resonator. The Dobro was invented in the 1920s and has been used in a variety of genres, including bluegrass, country, and rock.
Q: Is a Dobro tuned like a guitar?
A: Dobros are typically tuned to an open G tuning, which is the same as a guitar tuned to standard tuning. However, Dobros can also be tuned to other tunings, such as an open D tuning or a standard E tuning.
You can also check out Top 12 Famous Bluegrass Songs of All Time and 21 Best Banjo Players of All Time (Iconic Players).
