New Grass Revival was an American progressive bluegrass band founded in 1971 and composed of Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker, Curtis Burch, Butch Robins, John Cowan, Béla Fleck, and Pat Flynn. They were active between 1971 and 1989 releasing more than twenty albums as well as six singles. Their highest-charting single is "Callin' Baton Rouge", which peaked at No. 37 on the U.S. country charts in 1989 and was a Top 5 country hit for Garth Brooks five years later.

In 2020, the group were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Origin

The origins of New Grass Revival lay in the Bluegrass Alliance, which Bush (vocals, fiddle, guitar, mandolin) and Courtney Johnson (banjo, vocals) joined in 1970. At the time, the Alliance also featured bassist Walker and fiddler Lonnie Peerce.

History

Separation from mainstream bluegrass

The New Grass Revival bucked tradition, with long hair, informal clothing, and performances of songs from a variety of genres including music by Jerry Lee Lewis ("Great Balls of Fire"), the Beatles ("Get Back"; "I'm Down"), and Bob Marley ("One Love/People Get Ready") plus protest songs ("One Tin Soldier"). The break from bluegrass tradition was not well received in some quarters—some thought it was not the way Bill Monroe meant for bluegrass to be played. "Our reason for doing the newer-type music wasn't pretentious or irreverent or sarcastic or disrespectful," said Curtis Burch. "We just felt like people were ready to see that you could really expand the sound, using those same instruments." In 1979, they became the backup group and opening act for Leon Russell. Bush, Fleck, Cowan, and Burch reunited for one concert (September 24, 1996) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to benefit his widow. The concert included a number of musicians and groups including John Hartford, Hot Rize, Tim O'Brien, Vassar Clements, Del McCoury Band, Ricky Skaggs, Pete Rowan, Jerry Douglas, and others.

Personnel

Members

  • Sam Bush — mandolin, fiddle, guitar, vocals
  • Curtis Burch — guitar, vocals
  • Courtney Johnson — banjo, guitar, vocals
  • Ebo Walker — bass, vocals
  • Butch Robins — bass
  • John Cowan — bass, vocals