Flatpicker - Posted - 01/30/2011:  12:17:30

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Tony Rice, is my No. 1 favorite, but Cody Kilby is just amazing too. I've been listening to a lot of music my Kilby lately, and he's just incredible. Spot-on timing and amazing licks all over the fretboard.

Who is your favorite?

Kallesandria - Posted - 01/30/2011:  12:55:09

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Steve Kaufman, followed by Dan Crary, (the late) Charles Sawtelle, Tony Rice.

delboy - Posted - 01/30/2011:  15:00:18

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Clarence White for me. I love the Kentucky Colonels, I think they brought some great arrangements and a lot of fun to the genre. And Clarence is just always amazing. But there are so many great players...

JW Nelson - Posted - 01/30/2011:  20:04:54

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It's hard to pick just one (pun intended) but Doc Watson is the one that started it all for me, so I will choose him. I still remember they day I found out he was BLIND!

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Edited by - JW Nelson on 01/30/2011 20:05:45

Guitar-Gord - Posted - 01/30/2011:  20:50:10

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David Grier.

DaddyJ - Posted - 01/30/2011:  20:54:39

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Clay Hess.

Guitar-Gord - Posted - 01/30/2011:  20:57:26

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I need to learn more about Clay Hess. I keep hearing that name, but haven't had much exposure. Where do I start?

kentucky blaise - Posted - 01/31/2011:  00:09:08

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quote:

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Originally posted by Guitar-Gord

David Grier.

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Seconded.

mandolinman31639 - Posted - 01/31/2011:  04:35:53

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Don't forget Kenny Smith

MitchellB - Posted - 01/31/2011:  05:00:28

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Hearing Doc Watson for the first time turned me onto flatpicking. It was an album called Strictly Instrument by Flatt & Scruggs featuring Doc Watson. Up to then all I wanted to play was the banjo.

tomm - Posted - 01/31/2011:  05:01:06

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Gosh there are so many great players now, but over all I think I'll agree with flatpicker....Cody Kilby youtube.com/watch?v=53MJtAgDkg..._embedded

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Edited by - tomm on 01/31/2011 05:03:28

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 01/31/2011:  05:37:23

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I have to agree with everyones choices, not a tastless lick in the lot. I would like to add Bryan Sutton to the list and Norman Blake my personal favorite. Play Long and hard. R/

bfloyd6969 - Posted - 01/31/2011:  15:36:17

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My favorite, and biggest inspiration and influence is Norman Blake.

MapleNuts - Posted - 01/31/2011:  15:57:41

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I really like the skill and technique of Ron Block of Union Station. What an excellent musician, and plays banjo not to shabby. Also Dan Tyminski is excellent..
If I was only 20% as good as them, I would have it made.

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Edited by - MapleNuts on 02/01/2011 19:43:50

KI4PRK - Posted - 02/01/2011:  19:46:11

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Don Reno

fpeay - Posted - 02/01/2011:  19:52:04

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+1 for Sutton and Blake!

Pickerwannbee - Posted - 02/02/2011:  04:13:02

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Tony Rice and Doc Watson

Steven B - Posted - 02/02/2011:  09:43:11

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You guys have listed some excellent flatpickers. I've got a couple to throw in the pile......I think they are pretty dang good plus they are North Carolina boys.....

Clay Jones plays pretty well. He's got an extremely strong left hand and I've heard him do string bending (a little) on acoustic. Back in the day, he used medium gauge strings too. I don't know about now though. (Something about bending a .013 makes my fingers, wrist, and shoulder hurt.)

Although not widely known as a guitarist, Mr. Lou Reid can tear the strings off of a guitar too. He's one that I've never met, but I have always liked his musicianship (on any instrument he plays) and he does have a very distinctive and pleasing voice when he takes out singing...(at least to my ears).

bsorr - Posted - 02/03/2011:  13:56:15

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Your Favorite(s)
Kenny Smith
Josh Williams
TR
Clay Hess
Bryan Sutton
Bull Harmon
There are more but I'll stop

SLKmartin - Posted - 02/05/2011:  10:28:20

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Herb Peterson...............

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Edited by - SLKmartin on 02/05/2011 19:57:47

cdecosse - Posted - 02/05/2011:  10:38:49

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quote:

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Originally posted by Flatpicker

Tony Rice, is my No. 1 favorite, but Cody Kilby is just amazing too. I've been listening to a lot of music my Kilby lately, and he's just incredible. Spot-on timing and amazing licks all over the fretboard.

Who is your favorite?

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cdecosse - Posted - 02/05/2011:  10:39:37

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quote:

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Originally posted by Flatpicker

Tony Rice, is my No. 1 favorite, but Cody Kilby is just amazing too. I've been listening to a lot of music my Kilby lately, and he's just incredible. Spot-on timing and amazing licks all over the fretboard.

Who is your favorite?

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oogaboogachief - Posted - 02/05/2011:  11:03:02

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I like Tony Rice a lot and Norman Blake too. Think I may go see Tony pick this eve. Mike

WildJimbo - Posted - 02/10/2011:  10:33:42

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quote:

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Originally posted by Flatpicker



Who is your favorite?

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Roy Curry

lbuhler - Posted - 02/10/2011:  17:43:58

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LARRY SPARKS! I just love the style he plays and the way he sings - his whole presence on stage is amazing. I never knew bluegrass could be so cool. He is the one I want to be like when I grow up (my wife actually doesn't think that will ever happen.... that I'll grow up..... or be like Larry Sparks). But, for me, Larry Sparks is as good as it gets.

bazzer - Posted - 02/14/2011:  02:26:33

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well, i've listened to all of those guy's thats been mentioned and i could'nt pick a favourite they are all amazing,the last one i listened to was Roy Curry(gobsmacked i was ).what about Jamie, terrence,montanaoke,and all the others that p ost their prowess on FPH,all just brilliant to me,all this 71 year old can do is try and play catchup.

Mar10Guitar - Posted - 02/19/2011:  19:50:47

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quote:

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Originally posted by DaddyJ

Clay Hess.

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Check out Sierra Hull and Highway 111, that's who Clay primarily picks with, he was with Mountain Heart for a quick second too

ThePicker - Posted - 02/23/2011:  06:19:02

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As far as guitar pickers: Bryan Sutton, Jeff Autry, Cody Kilby. Banjo: Jim Mills, Mark Barnett, Scott Vestal, Raymond Fairchild. Mandolin: Wayne Benson, Sierra Hull. Fiddle: Greg Luck, Aubrey Haynee, Justin Haynes

drbluegrass - Posted - 02/23/2011:  13:27:19

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quote:

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Originally posted by mandolinman31639

Don't forget Kenny Smith

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Arguably the most melodic flat picker in bluegrass. I absolutely LOVE Kenny's style. He and Tony are my favorites but, my goodness, there are soooooo many outstanding players in this genre of music.
At times I feel really overwhelmed and somewhat intimidated by the shear numbers of highly technically proficient pickers. And some of them are just kids. Dang it, it's not fair.
I came from jazz and blues to bluegrass about a year and a half ago. And I was kind of used to being one of the "top dogs" (locally) in both those genres and even rock. Not so in bluegrass. It's like starting over. I do have 50 years of guitar playing skills to draw from. And I've come a long way in a fairly big hurry. But even some moderately experienced flat pickers that have been playing bluegrass for 10 years or so can blow me away. I mean, look at The Cherryholmes family. They've only been playing their instruments for a little over ten years. It's frustrating and I'm not used to it. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm doing it for the enjoyment of it and not to take it too seriously.
Anyway, I have a whole new respect for the talent of really good bluegrass pickers. I'm determined to get there someday. I just hope it doesn't take too long...I just turned sixty one, LOL!!


Tom

elevate155 - Posted - 02/24/2011:  12:31:40

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Another vote for Kenny Smith.
Other favorites..
Clay Hess
Cody Kilby
Brian Sutton
Brad Davis

Steven B - Posted - 02/24/2011:  16:24:08

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very truthful and entertaining post, drbluegrass. I'm so glad to meet another "old timer" on here that loves the music.....but maybe ain't up to speed quite yet....hehe....Hey, think of it this way. Maybe some of the younger flatpickers may make us go sit in the closet and practice for a while. But, you can whip off some of those augmented, inside-out, screwed up jazz chords and might make the youngster scratch his head for a while. We all have something unique to offer on the guitar. You hang in there, partner, and keep flatpicking. Maybe if we get lucky, we'll have adjoining rooms at the Senior Center and I can join you on a rousing version "Gold Rush" or something. (just make sure you ain't playing it in F Sharp 7 with a flat 5th or some other wierd, jazz key....lol)

Oh yea......I have listened to a lot of Kenny Smith since this thread was introduced. The man does play very well. I do like his style and approach to the guitar. So, throw me in the same boat with drbluegrass and elevate155. He's a good'un.

martinboy - Posted - 03/08/2011:  11:28:41

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Tim Stafford is awesome! i love is rhythm to! i like josh Williams, clay Hess, and Keith mckinnon.

larry - Posted - 03/08/2011:  20:25:18

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I'd have to say my favorite would be Doc Watson. First heard him on the "circle' album back in the '70's, and he was so fast and clean. Couldn't believe it when I found out he was blind. Got a chance to see him live in Mt. View AR a couple years ago. He's gettin' on up there but he can still tear it up!!