Doyle Lawson Named SPBGMA Mandolin Player of the Year – Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Music

NASHVILLE, TN (February 5, 2013) –  Doyle Lawson was named Mandolin Performer of the Year by the SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) at the 39th Annual SPBMA Bluegrass Music Awards held on Sunday evening at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

Lawson received a total of four SPBGMA Award Nominations including Entertainer of the Year, as well as Vocal Group of the Year and Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary) with his band Quicksilver.

Also celebrating his 50th anniversary in music on Sunday, the ride for Doyle Lawson seems to be only gathering momentum, as his group is reigning Inspirational Country Music Association (ICM) Vocal Group of the Year, and Lawson is still basking in the glow of his induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in September at Nashville’s world famous Ryman Auditorium.

“Doyle is legendary in both bluegrass and gospel genres,” said Bob Cherry of Cybergrass, “and he frequently mixes them to deliver something special.  He has given so much for so long to the music we all love, and he’s never let us down.  Who wouldn’t be proud of Doyle? The bluegrass and gospel community definitely loves this man and his music!”

Lawson was honored by the Governor and State of Tennessee in 2012 for his contributions to the state and nation through his music, was heralded by journalist Craig Havighurst as “one of music’s lions,”  and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver appeared on Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 12-time Grammy winner Paul Simon’s recent album “So Beautiful or So What.”  DLQ also appeared on the acclaimed “Mark Twain: Words and Music” with such heavy-hitters as Jimmy Buffet, Clint Eastwood, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, and Emmylou Harris.   DLQ’s album “Drive Time” spent several weeks atop the Alternate Roots Top 66 International Bluegrass Chart at #1 and was proclaimed an Essential Album of the Year by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, while the single “Precious Memories” spent an impressive five months at #1 atop the Singing News Bluegrass Gospel Chart.  “I Saw Him Walk Out of the Sky” from the most recent gospel album “Sing Me a Song About Jesus” spent two months atop the Singing News Bluegrass Gospel Chart at #1 and was nominated as IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year.

Sounds like Lawson and his band are just getting warmed up!  Attorney and fellow musician Charlie Sizemore echoed the sentiment, saying recently, “I would not be the least bit surprised if the best music from Doyle Lawson is yet to come.”

In a statement written just before the SPBGMA Award was announced on Sunday, and in reflecting on his career in music, Lawson said:  “From the depths of my heart, I thank everyone who ever stood on stage with me, those who work behind the scenes, all of the people who have shown your support by coming to the concerts and buying the recordings, and most of all almighty God and His only begotten Son Jesus for watching over me and guiding my footsteps when I may have taken the wrong road of life. God bless you all, and stay with me! It’s a great ride!”

 

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Doyle Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Music

Sunday, February 3, 2013

“Fifty years ago today I began my professional career in Bluegrass. I arrived in Nashville on a Trailways bus in the wee hours of the morning and called out to Jimmy Martin’s house to tell him that I had arrived. Barbara said that he wasn’t home, but he knew that I was due in. When he called in, she would tell him to come and get me. After waiting for a good while, I began to wonder if he was going to show… and if he didn’t, how I was going to get back to East Tennessee, as I didn’t have bus fare to get back home. But then in walks Jimmy accompanied by the banjo player I was hoping to replace, Billy Edwards — a great and underrated banjo picker in my opinion — who was moving back to High Point, NC. So we get into Jimmy’s car, and he said, “Get your banjo out of the case,” and I said “Here?” And he said “Yes, Here!!” (with authority). I get it out, and he told me to play Cripple Creek, so I did and he said, “You’re hired!” My first thought was, “Well, that was pretty easy!” Boy was I ever wrong. Rehearsals were intense to say the least. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I was so fortunate to have started my career with one of the best that’s ever been. For an 18 year old kid from East Tennessee to be on stage in 1963 with Jimmy Martin, Paul Williams, Lois Johnson and Kirk Hanserd was an experience I have never forgotten.. And then to be able to go to work with the man whose banjo playing I so admired and patterned my banjo playing after, Mr. Tone and Timing, JD Crowe. I spent over 5 years in JD’s band, and we were always looking for ways to be innovative and yet keep the roots of bluegrass music intact.

In 1971, I was asked to become a member of The Country Gentlemen, and it was an important move in my career. I had long admired their music because they were known to think outside the box when it came to song selection. Charlie Waller was one of the greatest vocalists our music has ever had. Bill Emerson made every note count in his banjo picking and had an ear for a good song, second to no one. Bill Yates laid down a solid bass rhythm for us to pick to and possessed a work ethic you rarely see. Incredible stamina who could and did go that extra mile so often needed in those days. It was an exciting time for me.

In 1979, I felt the need to try my wings solo, and so began what will soon be 34 years of being a band leader. And it has been an exciting and joyful journey with a few rough spots along the way. As you well know, there has been numerous personnel changes over the years but that’s to be expected. I suppose that I’m like most folks, in that I would rather things things stay the same, but I know they won’t, and I do think that many times it only adds to the excitement of my musical journey. I have tried and continue to try to keep my music fresh and innovative for your listening pleasure. I know that some have questioned a few of my undertakings, but I truly feel that I have stayed within the boundaries of the bluegrass music that our first generation folks put down. I have gone back and listened to our pioneer’s recordings, and feel good about my efforts. And so here I am, 50 years later, and I am as excited about the music in every aspect as I was at the beginning.

From the depths of my heart, I thank everyone who ever stood on stage with me, and those who work behind the scenes, all of the people who have shown your support by coming to the concerts and buying the recordings, and most of all almighty God and His only begotten Son Jesus for watching over me and guiding my footsteps when I may have taken the wrong road of life. God bless you all, and stay with me! It’s a great ride!”

~ Doyle Lawson

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Photo by Kim Angel Hornsby

For a full list of SPBGMA Award winners, please go to:  http://www.musicrow.com/2013/02/2013-spbgma-award-winners/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2013-spbgma-award-winners

To view all SPBGMA Nominees, please go to:   http://www.spbgma.com/level2/natnom2013.html