#1
|
|||
|
|||
Flat picker Mt Rushmore
Heres my list and its hard to deviate for me.
Clarence White Tony Rice Doc Watson Norman Blake These 4 laid the foundation for everyone who came after and tried to play Soldiers Joy, Black Mountain Rag, etc. in my opinion. Many of todays players site one or more of these as the best ever although is there really a best ever? Anyway thats my 4 whats yours? |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Never heard of um.
__________________
"What have I learned but the proper use for several tools" -Gary Snyder Bourgeois DR-A / Bowerman "Working Man's" OM / Martin Custom D-18 (adi & flame) / Martin OM-21 / Northwood M70 MJ / 1970s Sigma DR-7 / Eastman E6D / Flatiron Signature A5 / Silverangel Econo A (Call me Dan) |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Those are certainly landmark players. Doc Watson invented the genre (after being persuaded to set aside his Les Paul solidbody electric) and others followed and expounded on the foundation. I’d add
Dan Crary Molly Tuttle and my current favorite Billy Strings
__________________
Windcheetah Carbon Rotovelo Cervelo P3SL Softride Rocket Trek Y-Foil |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Molly Dan and Billy are all great players and it would take hours to list them all. I was simply stating my 4 best of all time which are subjective as is any list.
Speaking of Billy I so wanted to see him live when he played with Chris Thile in February but it sold out quick. From the few videos that were uploaded it looked like they were both having a blast as they both cut their teeth on Bluegrass. The vibe was undeniable and at times it looked like Billy was being pushed by Thile and loving it. Not too many times you get in a situation like that if your name is Billy Strings. It was fun to watch Billy’s face at times. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I would add Dan Crary to that Mt. Rushmore because he helped found the band Bluegrass Alliance, which gave both Tony Rice and Sam Bush their starts, and he released his incredible album "Bluegrass Guitar" around 1970. So he was right there as a very early soloist in bluegrass bands. Crary also had an academic career, and that limited his musical career a bit.
As far as incredible pickers, one guy who tends to get overlooked sometimes is Bryan Sutton. Russ Barrenburg has also been fairly influential, especially in the Northeast. And Charles Sawtelle with Hot Rize was fantastic and unique. David Grier also drops my jaw every time I hear him. And Don Reno has always got to be mentioned. I also like Cody Kilby, Josh Williams, Chris Eldridge, Jake Workman, Jake Eddy, Trey Hensley, David Rawlings, Ron Block, Mark O'Connor, Beppe Gambetta, and lots of people whom I am forgetting right now.
__________________
Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyM...Ek2LconK-gQDFg |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
I'd put Bryan Sutton up there in the first 5 or 6. Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Norman Blake, Clarence White and then Bryan Sutton!
__________________
Martin D-28 2017 Martin D-18 2020 VTS Martin 0000-18 Sinker Gruhn 2018 Martin J-40 Adi custom 2018 Martin OM-28 Adi Gruhn Special McPherson Sable Fender American Professional II Telecaster Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Northfield Big Mon Engleman top Northfield Big Mon Adirondack top Companion custom woody banjo Fender '68 custom Vibro Champ Reverb amp |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I'd say put Don Reno up there, too; even though he played more bluegrass banjo than guitar, he's nevertheless the musician who really started Bluegrass flatpicking--even Doc Watson remarked that the first person he'd heard play fiddle tunes on guitar was Don Reno. Don Reno on lead, with Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups, 1974: Don Reno talking at a guitar workshop, 1966 (he plays guitar quite a bit, as well, demonstrating styles and techniques through his musical journey): And here's a collection of instrumental guitar numbers Don Reno originally recorded in November, 1972, intended for a vinyl album release that unfortunately never happened, although his guitar and the fiddle accompaniment (could well be Buck Ryan) were later assembled and released in CD format in 2007 under the title The Golden Guitar of Don Reno (Don's sons Ronnie, Dale, and Don Wayne dubbed in the additional musical parts). Additional information about the history of those November, 1972, Don Reno recordings, from a page over at https://www.countysales.com/products/22405 : In early 1973, just before the demise of the Starday Record Company, there were rumors in the Bluegrass community that Don Reno had recorded an all guitar instrumental album for that label--for most of us this new King label release is the first real proof that this was more than a rumor, as the recordings had never surfaced through various changes of label ownership. For many the album will be a revelation, though those of us fortunate enough to have seen Reno & Smiley's shows in person well knew that Reno was as good a guitar picker as he was a banjo player. Apparently Don decided to put down some guitar tracks in Starday-King's Nashville studios when his partner Bill Harrell came up hoarse and could not fulfill a scheduled recording date for their band. It's possible that it is Buck Ryan's fiddle in the background here, but the other instrumental parts have been dubbed in recently by Reno's sons Ronnie, Dale & Don Wayne. The 15 cuts are pure Reno and a rare and unexpected treat to find & hear at this late date. Obviously a must for Reno fans and guitar pickers in general! GREY EAGLE, TRAIN MEDLEY, LADY HAMLET, HOT RIZE FLOWER, DIXIE MEDLEY, PEACOCK RAG, TURKEY IN THE STRAW, POLKA ON THE GUITAR, OLD SPINNING WHEEL, TARNATION Playlist: 01. 0:00:00 Gray Eagle 02. 0:01:59 Polka on the Guitar 03. 0:04:35 Lady Hamlet 04. 0:07:11 Italian Waltz 05. 0:09:37 Guitar Medley in "G" 06. 0:12:49 Old Spinning Wheel (In the Parlor) 07. 0:15:09 Hot Rize Flower Medley 08. 0:17:37 Turkey in the Straw 09. 0:20:01 Rocking Alone in a Old Rocking Chair 10. 0:22:09 Dixie Medley 11. 0:23:53 Peacock Rag 12. 0:25:55 I Like Mountain Music 13. 0:29:01 Rangers Waltz 14. 0:31:27 Train Medley 15. 0:33:21 Tarnation - (take With Intro, with intro)
__________________
The Acoustic Guitar of Inyo: 30 solo acoustic covers on a 1976 Martin D-35 33 solo acoustic 6-string guitar covers 35 solo acoustic 12-string covers 32 original acoustic compositions on 6 and 12-string guitars 66 acoustic tunes on 6 and 12-string guitars 33 solo alternate takes of my covers Inyo and Folks--159 songs Last edited by Inyo; 03-22-2024 at 11:14 AM. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
All of these are great pickers, for sure. The first time I ever heard flatpicking was at a Bluegrass festival in 1974 where I had the opportunity to hear Grant Boatwright and his group, Red White & Blue(grass). They played a song called Palmerdal Postal Service that just fascinated me, never heard anyone play like that!
__________________
David My Woodworking YouTube channel - David Falkner Woodworking -------------------------------------------- Martin, Gallagher, Guild, Takamine, Falkner |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
When I read the title of this thread, I thought for a moment, then listed "my" 4 flatpickers for a "Mount Rushmore"...
My 4 were exactly the ones you first mentioned!
__________________
"Home is where I hang my hat, but home is so much more than that. Home is where the ones and the things I hold dear are near... And I always find my way back home." "Home" (working title) J.S, Sherman |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Hi Inyo. Why would you exclude Clarence White?
Everyone has their favorites, but I'm interested in what you find wrong with Clarence. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
I lean more contemporary. I think it's more (for me) of a combination of flat-picking AND tone. Tyminski just has a sonic and touch that resonates with me. Carl Miner of course. Ron Block is a sleeper who continues to fly well under the radar and continuing with the contemporary player's Sean Watkins.
|
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Great thread !
I second every name mentioned above, include Clarence White ... and add Bob Minner.
__________________
Blazer & Henkes, vintage Martins & Gibsons, Altman, Martin 00016 Streetmaster mandolin family, Weissenborn, dobro, lap steel, pedal steel, 5-string banjo live gear: Dazzo, Schatten, K&K, Mimesis Kudos, Schoeps CMC6MK4, DPA4061, Neumann KM85, Grace Felix 2, SunnAudio, ToneDexter, RedEye https://www.youtube.com/@roberthasleder1526 |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
I think the Norman Blake, Doc Watson time was era #1, Bryon Sutton and peers era #2, Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle era #3. But the era #3 players are well versed in era1 and era 2.
Just like Bill Monroe, then David Grisman, Chris Thele more or less define eras. Sub you age appropriate heroes here.
__________________
2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
it really is about genres isnt it. i heard an interview of some cigar guy talking to Jordan about the greatest of all time. He said he cringes when he hears people say he is because you will never know. he didnt get to play against russell, chamberlin, etc so its an unfair comparison and hes 100% right in his thinking. is there ever a GOAT? people have their opinions sometimes strong and you cant sway them.
when TR passed there was a lot of talk that he was from highly respected players that dont play guitar. most of them brought up a lot of the same names but no one would commit to saying who was the GOAT as it should be. for sure my choices have stood the test of time and Ill stand by them. This is interesting reading as there is no right answer except in the posters mind. However if your talking mandolin Thile is the GOAT in my mind by a long way. Seen him solo, with the Punch Brothers and others. Its like watching and listening to Mozart. The ability creativity and mastery of the instrument is unparalleled. I sat two rows back and he came out to play a Bach piece before a show. The silence was defining. |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Flat picker Mt Rushmore
Quote:
I cannot improve on your list. Good choices! Of these four, only Norman Blake is still with us. As for Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings, their time may well come, and we’d have to expand the mountain sculpture, not replace any of these.
__________________
Doerr, Skytop, Henderson, Kinnaird, Edwinson, Ryan, SCGC, Martin, others. https://youtu.be/_l6ipf7laSU |