[Johnd]

Scrapple, thanks a lot for your specific recommendations. I’ve checked out your list and Tim O’Brien looks very interesting. I’m on the hunt for some of his stuff. I’ve already been through Del McCoury’s whole catalog and have plenty of his work. I think he’s terrific. I’m very familiar with Bela Fleck and would put him in the picker category. I don’t like heavily instrument bluegrass. Steve Martin is also in this category.

Sam Bush is more into progressive bluegrass. Progressive just doesn’t appeal to my ear. A good example is his treatment of the song Memphis in the Meantime. It just doesn’t work for me whereas I think the original by John Hiatt is a great song. I’d also put Chris Thile in the progressive camp. He was a player in the group nickel Creek and I could never get to like their stuff either.

I’ve listed my favorites in my original post. Here’s a few more. Doc Watson, Hazel Dickens, Ralph Stanley, the Stanley Brothers, Rhonda Vincent. Some other artists not known for bluegrass have a decent catalog. Patty Loveless, Jim Lauderdale, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton.

Thanks again.