Posted by Mary on July 11, 19102 at 10:32:24:
In Reply to: "That ain't Bluegrass!" posted by barry on July 08, 19102 at 14:57:28:
I think that my original post about Nickel Creek may be misunderstood. I like all sorts of music, and music evolves; I know that. ALL music, no matter the style, began centuries ago with simple homophonic sounds, but evolved over time and branched off into many styles. Each distinctive style needs its own distinctive name to define it.
Bill Monroe started a new country sound called Bluegrass. He based it on traditional country, but it was indeed a "new" sound with a combination of instruments played in a "new" way! It, in turn, has given birth to other forms of music. But the term "Bluegrass" should be reserved for the style of music Bill Monroe invented! Maybe Bill did not like the dobro; but the dobro really did not alter the basic Bluegrass sound that much; so Lester and Earl's sound was a slightly evolved form of Bluegrass and worthy of the name. One might say true Bluegrass reached its pinnacle with Lester and Earl. And there are groups today worthy of the name.
Ricky Skaggs was mentioned in this thread. Ricky plays very good Bluegrass; but he plays other styles as well, which he does not call "Bluegrass." I will continue to have complaints when someone brands as "Bluegrass" that which is not!