New South (band)

New South
The New South performing with J. D. Crowe on August 8, 2008.
Background information
Origin	Kentucky, United States
Genres	Bluegrass
Years active	1973–present
Labels	Rounder, Starday
Associated acts	J. D. Crowe
Members	Rickey Wasson Dwight McCall John Bowman Steve Thomas
Past members	Doyle Lawson Tony Rice Larry Rice Bobby Slone Ricky Skaggs Jerry Douglas Keith Whitley Jimmy Gaudreau Mike Gregory Steve Bryant Tony King Phil Leadbetter Richard Bennett Robert Hale Randy Hayes Paul Adkins Darrell Webb Curt Chapman Barry Crabtree Harold Nixon Ron Stewart Scott Risner

The New South is a bluegrass band formed around 1973 by banjo player J. D. Crowe. Their first two albums, Bluegrass Evolution and the eponymous record known by the album number, "Rounder 0044," established them as a dominant force in bluegrass, though the two albums are wildly different.

The New South have recorded and toured with a variety of different lineups. One of the most notable lineup changes came in 2002 when the entire band quit out of desire for a more active performing schedule, forming the band Wildfire. Crowe quickly found replacements (rehiring mandolinist/vocalist Dwight McCall and guitarist/ vocalist Rickey Wasson who had both been members previously) and the New South has continued a moderate performance schedule.

Current and past members include: J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, Larry Rice, Bobby Slone, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Keith Whitley, Jimmy Gaudreau, Mike Gregory, Steve Bryant, Tony King, Phil Leadbetter, Richard Bennett, Robert Hale, Darrell Webb, Curt Chapman, Dwight McCall, Rickey Wasson, Wayne Fields, Harold Nixon, and Ron Stewart.

J.D. Crowe formed the prototype for the New South, the Kentucky Mountain Boys, in the late 1960s. Members of the line-up included Red Allen, Larry Rice, Bobby Slone, and Doyle Lawson. The group recorded three albums on Lemco Records: Bluegrass Holiday, Ramblin' Boy, and a gospel album, The Model Church. Lawson left the group in 1971 to join the Country Gentlemen, and was replaced by Larry Rice's younger brother, Tony Rice, a guitar prodigy and student of Clarence White.

The first album recorded as the "New South" was Bluegrass Evolution. This album seems to have been influenced by the Osborne Brothers and by more mainstream country music; it incorporates drums, pedal steel and electric instruments to a far greater degree than most bluegrass bands of the period.