The Bluegrass Album Band

The Bluegrass Album Band were an all-star, “supergroup” bluegrass act formed in 1980, centered around Tony Rice (guitar/vocals) and J.D. Crowe (banjo/vocals), with an original lineup that also included Doyle Lawson (mandolin/vocals), Bobby Hicks (fiddle), and Todd Phillips (bass). Conceived largely as a studio project for Rounder Records, the group was built to spotlight the traditional side of musicians who were otherwise known for pushing progressive bluegrass forward. (Wikipedia)

What started as a “one-shot” collaboration quickly became a benchmark: their 1981 debut The Bluegrass Album was successful enough to launch a celebrated series of follow-ups (multiple “Vol.” releases), prized for their tight ensemble drive, tasteful virtuosity, and reverence for classic repertoire. Over the years, the lineup occasionally shifted—bringing in major names like Jerry Douglas and Vassar Clements—and the band’s legacy has endured through compilations and occasional reunions, including a notable return to the stage in 2013. (Wikipedia)