James Dee Crowe (August 27, 1937, in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American banjo player and bluegrass band leader. He first became known during his four-year stint with Jimmy Martin in the 1950s.
Biography [edit]
Crowe began playing the banjo early on and was offered a job with Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys in mid-1950s. He cut his first recordings with Jimmy Martin on December 1, 1956, and his last on August 17, 1960, recording a total of 33 songs on Decca Records. In the late 1960s, Crowe formed the Kentucky Mountain Boys, principally performing in the Lexington, Kentucky region. By the early 1970s, Crowe changed the band's name to The New South and included material from rock and country music sources. Crowe's New South band is widely considered one of the most influential bluegrass groups since the 1970s. Many influential musicians have been a part of the band over the years, including Keith Whitley, Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, and Doyle Lawson.
Discography [edit]
- 1968: Bluegrass Holiday (Lemco)
- 1969: The Model Church (Lemco)
- 1971: Ramblin' Boy (Lemco) - reissued as Blackjack (Rebel)
- 1973: Bluegrass Evolution (Starday)
- 1975: J.D. Crowe & The New South (Rounder)
- 1977: You Can Share My Blanket (Rounder)
- 1978: My Home Ain't in the Hall of Fame (Rounder)
- 1981: Somewhere Between (Rounder)
- 1982: Live in Japan (Rounder)
- 1986: Straight Ahead (Rounder)
- 1994: Flashback (Rounder)
- 1999: Come on Down to My World (Rounder)
- 2006: Lefty's Old Guitar (Rounder)
Some banjo bridges have "Crowe" spacing. The strings remain equally spaced, but the outside strings are then, at the bridge, 1/16 inch total between the 1st and 5th strings (i.e., 1-3/4 inches instead of 1-11/16 inches, which is considered "standard" these days), or 1/64 inch between each pair of adjacent strings.[1]
Some players say this improves tone by reducing overtones. The wider spacing is usually chosen, however, because it is slightly easier to play. Some players claim it is not easier, however, and slows them down. Some banjos are made with a slightly wider neck to keep the strings solidly over the fretboard with Crowe spacing.
Media appearances [edit]
Crowe took part in a brief banjo jam session on the episode "Sawmill Slasher" of the Animal Planet television series Call of the Wildman.
References [edit]
External links [edit]
| Persondata |
| Name |
Crowe, J. D. |
| Alternative names |
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| Short description |
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| Date of birth |
August 27, 1937 |
| Place of birth |
Lexington, Kentucky |
| Date of death |
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| Place of death |
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