4 Country Music Legends Who Started in Bluegrass

Bluegrass is one of many influencing genres behind modern country music, and quite a few country legends got their musical start in the classic American roots genre. These four legends, in particular, made a new for themselves in country music after starting in bluegrass. A couple of these might just surprise you!

1. Vince Gill

It’s no surprise that Vince Gill is on our list of country legends who got their start in bluegrass. After all, he’s a bit of a chameleon when it comes to genres. He made a name for himself as a country songwriter and musician, and has since gone on to join the rock band Eagles. Gill has spoken fondly about his early years as a member of the folk/bluegrass outfit Mountain Smoke.

2. Carly Pearce

This fresh country star is making waves nowadays, and she actually got her start in bluegrass. It makes sense that Carly Pearce got her start in traditional Appalachian folk music and bluegrass. Her current songwriting ability is excellent; few of her contemporaries can tell a story quite like she can. Her roots can be traced to bluegrass artists back in her native Kentucky as well as her stint in Dollywood as a performer.

3. Marty Stuart

Marty Stuart’s rise to fame started when he was much younger than many of his contemporaries. Stuart started making and performing music at the fresh age of 13, notably while on tour with famed bluegrass guitarist Lester Flatt. Stuart learned a lot about the art of song through bluegrass, and it only makes sense that he would eventually climb the ranks in Nashville. One could say he was one of a few country stars from the 20th century that made the mandolin cool again.

4. Joe Diffie

Joe Diffie was quite the country star in the 1990s, when he brought his unique brand of honky-tonk ‘tude to the airways with songs like “A Night To Remember” and “John Deere Green”. But before that, Diffie perfected his craft as a musician through bluegrass. He was a harmony vocalist for the bluegrass outfit Special Edition in his home of Oklahoma. You might have to dig deep, but there are some surviving tracks from his era with Special Edition out there.

Photo by Sachyn Mital/Shutterstock

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