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‘Indiana boys’ making good with bluegrass’ The Grascals

By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It must be the dream of every musician who takes the stage to do so in front of thousands of adoring fans night after night, and travel the world.

That dream is coming true for a couple of “Indiana boys” who are part of the bluegrass music phenomenon known as The Grascals. The group, in a relatively short time, has become arguably the biggest name in the world of bluegrass music. One of their most recent concerts was the 2010 Kentucky State Fair.

Hoosiers Terry Eldredge and Jamie Johnson, two of the six-member band, hail from Terre Haute and Milan, respectively, and while both have similar likes when it comes to their musical heroes, they took very different routes to get to where they are today.

Eldredge’s interest in bluegrass came early from his family, most notably his brother when he began to take banjo lessons, and from his grandmother, who liked Bill Monroe. Eldredge began taking lessons from a local bluegrass musician and eventually worked with a multitude of different artists. He even played the same state fair stage years ago, at the age of 13.

Johnson was well into college in Louisville before he became interested in music; he recalls sitting in Cardinal Stadium listening to a new opening artist by the name of Garth Brooks. This state fair marked the first time Johnson had played in that same venue, since then.

He began to get noticed for his talent more than a decade ago as a member of such groups as the Boys from Indiana and The Wildwood Valley Boys, which brought Eldredge and Johnson together musically.

The blend obviously has worked well. The Grascals began recording together in 2004 and have been a presence on the bluegrass scene since then. Some of their honors include International Bluegrass Music Assoc. (IBMA) Entertainer of the Year in 2006 and 2007, Grammy nominee for Best Bluegrass Album in 2007 and a Dove Award nominee in 2007 and Album of the Year in 2006, to name a few.

The 2010 IBMA award nominations were released in mid-August, with the band receiving several – including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Recorded Event of the Year (“I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome” recorded with Hank Williams Jr.), Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for “Blue Rock Slide” and another Banjo Player of the Year for band member Kristin Scott Benson, who has won the honor twice before.

Johnson said getting to the level where the band is today was wanted but never expected. “We had a dream and we wanted that, and that’s what we set out to do,” he said.

“But you can never take advantage of it, and it sure has been one incredible ride to be where we’ve been in a short amount of time.”

Some of those places include stops at Radio City Music Hall, 94 appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, the Grammy Awards, national television and bluegrass festivals and venues all over the country and the world. The group even played a command performance for former President George W. Bush.

They have also toured with such musical legends as Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr., the Oak Ridge Boys and Charlie Daniels. It is those tours that have brought their music to a whole new audience, according to Eldredge.

“I think that one thing that has helped, especially for us, is doing the country shows. We are getting introduced to a different genre of people that otherwise probably wouldn’t have ever known of us,” he said.

Eldredge added another big help in getting exposure for the band has been through satellite radio, which has its own bluegrass channel and music videos.

The group’s latest album is called “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s,” which contains the old Monkees’ tune “Last Train to Clarksville.” During their stage show, The Grascals play this and a number of cover songs from other non-bluegrass artists, magically converting them into rousing renditions all their own.

“It’s been an amazing ride and we are very, very thankful for that,” said Johnson.

Eldredge chimed in, with a laugh: “It couldn’t have happened to any better guys!”

That the group has an incredible sound didn’t hurt, but the two remain humble as they talk of their journey. “We’ll thank the Lord for that,” said Eldredge.

The other members of the band, in addition to Benson, are Danny Roberts, Terry Smith and  Jeremy Abshire. While staying true to their roots in bluegrass music, The Grascals have gained a new following with their unique sound noticed here and abroad. On recent trips to Europe and Japan, Johnson said he was surprised the audience knew the words to songs they had written.

“It was an amazing reception. It made you want to cry,” he said. “Now I know how the Garths and the Kenny Chesneys feel when the audience takes over singing their songs. Hopefully that will catch on here.”

The Indiana natives have high hopes for the future of The Grascals. “One of our biggest goals is to become members of the Grand Ole Opry,” said Johnson. “And maybe be nominated for some country music awards and get some ‘grass back in there.”

If the crowd reaction from this year’s Kentucky State Fair is any indicator, bluegrass will be in sooner rather than later.

9/1/2010