Georgia’s bluegrass foundation is built by early pickers, family bands, and community musicians whose playing preserves Appalachian roots while shaping a uniquely Georgia flavor. Small gatherings, barn dances, and early radio shows begin introducing bluegrass to audiences across the state. The groundwork is laid for the first organized festivals and influential musicians who will define the state’s identity.
The Bluegrass Scene in Georgia
Bluegrass music in Georgia, during the 1960s, was deeply shaped by Bill Monroe, the “Father of Bluegrass”, along with Flatt & Scruggs and The Stanley Brothers. This exposure was typically through radio and limited television broadcasts.
While professional bands occasionally appeared in concert across Georgia, especially at theaters and school auditoriums, local musicians yearned for more. They would frequently travel to other states, including North Carolina and Tennessee, to seek out other like-minded musicians and absorb new sounds and styles. Some of these important destinations were the DJ Conventions in Nashville and the Old Time Fiddlers Conventions in Union Grove, North Carolina and the Asheville Folk Festival in Asheville, North Carolina. Returning back to Georgia with new musical ideas and influences, the Georgia Bluegrass Scene began to develop and expand.
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Summaries of Influential Bands in this Era include:
The Lewis Family – Lincolnton, Ga
The family band got its start in 1947 as the Lewis Brothers, playing mostly country and fiddle tunes at square dances, etc. In approximately 1951, when other family members joined, they became “The Lewis Family” and switched to all gospel music. With the exposure provided by a local television station WJBF in Augusta, the group grew in popularity and visibility throughout the late 1950’s and 1960’s. In the early 1960’s, most of the band members left their day jobs and devoted themselves to music full-time. The band members at this time were: Pop Lewis on bass, Wallace on guitar, Talmadge on mandolin and fiddle, Little Roy on banjo and Miggie, Polly and Janis on vocals. The Lewis Family played their first bluegrass festival in 1969 in Hugo, Oklahoma and the world of bluegrass gospel was off and running thanks to The Lewis Family and this new festival format. The Lewis Family are members of the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame, The IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
On April 11th, 2026, The Lewis Family was inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame!
Walter Butler And The Sun Valley Boys
Leonard Pickins – fiddle, Walter Butler – guitar, Ron Norman – guitar, Nippy Green – bass, Don Norman – banjo. Listen To Audio-file. (credit North Georgia Bluegrass Chronicles)
Walter Butler was widely known as a catalyst to the growth of bluegrass music in the North Georgia area in the 1960’s due to his efforts to bring musicians from different areas together. But Walter was a musician himself first. Walter was playing bluegrass in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and formed his only bluegrass band during that period. This early membership configuration anchored around Walter on guitar, Leonard Pickens on fiddle, Don Norman on banjo, Ron Norman on guitar and Nippy Green on bass. The group played a weekly radio show in Hapeville called the “Dixie Jubilee” and also many other venues and were known for their love for the traditional sounds of Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs.
On April 11th, 2026, Walter Butler And The Sun Valley Boys were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
The Bluegrass Five – Carrollton, Ga
J.N. Baxter and Onie Baxter, both from West Georgia, married in 1954. While J.N. was serving in the US Army in the mid 1950’s, Onie, who was already an accomplished musician, started teaching JN to play guitar. Their initial foray into music was “hillbilly” but later morphed into what we know now as bluegrass. In the early 1960’s, JN and Onie formed their own band called The Bluegrass Five along with Hughie Wylie, Howard McGuire and Joe McGuire. The band configuration of the mid to late 1960’s was what anchored the band’s prominence on the bluegrass circuit during that time. The members during this period were JN on guitar, Onie on guitar, Hughie Wylie on mandolin, Ron Norman on banjo and Howard McGuire on upright bass. With Onie’s vocal coaching, the Bluegrass Five developed a reputation for outstanding harmony vocals, anchored by J.N.’s strong lead voice. The band gained notoriety during this time with their performances and also began to meet a lot of the professional musicians on the scene. JN and Onie were always known for nurturing young musicians, and with many different accompanying members, would continue to front the group for approximately 50 years.
On April 11th, 2026, The Bluegrass 5 were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
Curtis Blackwell and The Dixie Bluegrass Boys – Toccoa, Ga
In the early 1960’s, in the Toccoa area, a teenage Curtis, his brother Haskell Blackwell and Junior Crowe (father of The Crowe Brothers), were playing bluegrass music in the Northeast Georgia area as The Sunshine Melody Boys. When they won a local radio talent contest, they were ecstatic when the first prize was a chance to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. In approximately 1965, Junior Crowe left the band. Around this time, Curtis united with Sam Cobb on bass, Al Osteen on banjo and Larry Jefferson on mandolin to form the original Dixie Bluegrass Boys. Then in 1966, a partnership with fiddler Randall Collins was formed. The band would continue to be busy traveling and performing at various festivals throughout the Southeast and Curtis’ lead vocals contributed greatly to their success. Around 1968, Curtis took the opportunity to play a short stint with Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys as the lead singer. But home and family beckoned and Curtis once again became a Dixie Bluegrass Boy. This band configuration would remain extremely popular for many years and they were leading the bluegrass sound into the future. Here is an audio file of Curtis singing Sitting On Top Of The World with Bill Monroe at the Lavonia Bluegrass Festival. Audio File ( credit: North Georgia Bluegrass Chronicles )
On April 11th, 2026, Curtis Blackwell and The Dixie Bluegrass Boys were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
The RidgeRunners
In the mid-1960’s, Murray Freeman was living in Austell and started attending weekly jam sessions at a store owned by Dillard Rogers. Murray had previously played country music, mosty at home, but had always loved bluegrass music since his days of seeing Flatt & Scruggs perform in and around Camp LeJeune NC when Murray was still stationed there in the Marine Corps.
At Dillard’s store, Murray met Ralph Abernathy, Cahrlie Abernathy, Paul Rogers (Dillard’s son) and many other pickers from the South Cobb area. In 1966, Murray and some of the musicians from the store were asked to play at a shopping center grand opening in Mableton. EWhen the emcee asked for the bands name, they were at a loss as they had not even given consideration to a name. The emcee then introduced the group as the “Mableton RidgeRunners”. A band was soon formed of Murray on Guitar, Ralph on mandolin, Charlie on guitar, Paul on banjo and Dillard on bass.
The “Mableton” was eventually dropped from the name and the band became permanently known as The RidgeRunners. Dillard soon turned over the bass fiddle duties to his 10 year old son, Jerry “Jug” Rogers, but by the late 1960’s, Paul, Charlie and Jug had left to play with other bands.
The line-up of the RidgeRunners by 1969 had become Murray and Ralph joined by Lee Melton on bass, Billy McKinley on Banjo. The band was know for their hard-driving traditional bluegrass anchored by Murray’s lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Murray Freeman would remain the front-man and lead singer for the band throughout it’s 30 plus years of existence.
On April 11th, 2026, The RidgeRunners were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
The Everett Brothers – Suwanee, Ga
Formed in 1968, band members included Randall Everett -guitar, Roger Everett – banjo, Leroy Everett – bass, Dallas Burrell – Fiddle, Jimmy Ross – Dobro
Leroy, Randall and Roger Everett were budding musicians in the mid 1960’s when a tragedy struck their family. (See Everett’s Music Barn history). The brothers initially played as The Country Ramblers with Roy Westray, Weldon Westray and Bill Holsomback and were sometimes joined by Ruth Westray, Pauline Deaton and Ray Deaton. Some of the group’s first performances were playing regularly on WDXY, a local radio station in Buford and where many new friendships were formed with fellow musicians from North Georgia. When Roy and Weldon left the band, the brothers changed their name to The Everett Brothers and brought in Dallas Burrell on fiddle and Jimmy Ross on dobro. It was also during this time that the Everett Family started hosting Saturday night jams and shows at their home with The Everett Brothers acting as host band. This was the beginning of a long tenure as one of Georgia’s best bluegrass bands, renowned for Randall’s smooth lead vocals and the band’s instrumental capabilities.
On April 11th, 2026, The Everett Brothers were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
The Brakemen – Marietta, Ga
The Brakemen have a unique origination story. In the early 1960’s, Paul Gilreath and Ken Hutson met at Emory University while attending dental school. Both loved traditional music and when they both ended up in Marietta after graduation, they continued to play and enjoy acoustic music. After meeting Fred Williams, another doctor in the area, a new band was formed known as The Brakemen. This period saw a few different musicians in and out of the band but by the late 1960’s the line-up consisted of Paul on banjo, Ken on guitar, Jen Bristol on mandolin, Bill Paden on bass, Fred Williams on guitar and Gary Palmer. The Brakemen were very popular throughout the area and popularized bluegrass music for a new generation. The future would bring many exciting performances and encounters.
On April 11th, 2026, The Brakemen were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
Johnny & Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys
Blairsville Georgia, USA — In the rolling hills and small-town communities of North Georgia, long before bluegrass festivals filled fairgrounds and stages across the state, the sound of Johnny & Gerald and the North Georgia Boys echoed through schoolhouses, churches, and local radio airwaves. Though largely absent from mainstream bluegrass history books, the group stands today as a compelling example of the region’s deep and often undocumented music
Led by Johnny Jones (fiddle) and Gerald Heaton (banjo, baritone vocals), the North Georgia Boys delivered a traditional, no-frills bluegrass sound shaped by the influence of pioneers like Bill Monroe and the brother harmonies of The Stanley Brothers.
Other members include:
Cleve Oliver – guitar / tenor vocals
Earl De Hart – mandolin / bass vocals
Larry Nichols – bass / Soprano vocals
The band had a total of three 45 singles and 4 LP Albums
Singles:
1. “I Caught a Heartache / Look For Me” recorded on Express Records released between 1960 – 1962.
2. “If We Had The Change / Mothers Prayers Will Live On” – Express Records between – 1960-1962.
3. “There’s Something About The Way You Love / That’s The Reason” – Country Gems – 1962.
LP Albums
1. “Original Bluegrass: was recorded on Rally Records and released in 1965.
2. “Jesus Is Rocking Me” was recorded on Atteiram Records and released in 1972
3. “Sing Gospel Songs” was recorded on Atteiram Records and released in 1972
4. “Bluegrass Hits” was recorded on Atteiram Records and released in 1974
Calico Valley Boys – Fairmount, Ga
With their great harmony, flashy stage attire, this band made an impact on the 1960’s Georgia bluegrass scene. While their base was around the Fairmont / Ranger, Georgia area, they often traveled to North Carolina and Tennessee to perform gathering a fan base throughout the southeast.
Darrell Wilson – Banjo
Hubert Wilcox – Mandolin
John McAfee – Guitar / Kenneth Hood Guitar
Hertis Patterson – Fiddle
Gene Wilson – Bass
On April 11th, 2026, The Calico Valley Boys were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
Bluegrass Rebels – Brunswick, Ga
David Lipthratt – bass, Dub Cross – mandolin, Liz Cross – guitar, Curtis Burch Sr – guitar,
Curtis Burch Jr – guitar, Ricky Burch – banjo
Bluegrass music was alive and well in South Georgia in the 1960’s, although in the hands of only a few active bands. The Bluegrass Rebels were one of the most well known and all these members would go on to be influential in future years.
On April 11th, 2026, The Bluegrass Rebels were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
The Blue Ridge Gentlemen – Lawrenceville, Ga
Roy Fowler – mandolin, Tim Talton – Bass, George English -guitar, Joel Aderhold – banjo
The original Blue Ridge Gentlemen 1968
In the mid-1960’s, Joel Aderhold, Tim Talton, George English, Leonard Pickens and Louis Ellis formed a band to concentrate more on a combination of vocals and instrumentation, rather than just being a square dance style band. They called their band The Green Valley Boys. At one of Walter Butler’s weekend pickin’ parties, they met a mandolin player named Roy Fowler. In 1968, Joel, George, Tim and Roy formed The Blue Ridge Gentlemen. With George’s “Bobby Osborne” style vocal range, the band was able to structure harmonies with a high lead which made their sound very unique for this period. The band played many festivals in the last two years of the decade, including the first bluegrass festival in Lavonia GA in 1969, and continued to deliver top notch performances in the following years.
On April 11th, 2026, The Blue Ridge Gentlemen were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
The Shenandoah Boys – Austell, Ga
Lewis Ayres – Mandolin, Paul Rogers – Banjo, Ed Morris – percussion, Kenneth Hood – guitar, Jerry “Jug” Rogers – bass
In the late 1960’s, Dillard Rogers encouraged his sons, Paul and Jug, to form a band with their good friend, Kenneth Hood. With Paul on banjo, Kenneth on guitar, Jug on bass, they were joined by Ed Morris on vocals and snare drum and Lewis Ayers on mandolin. This band formation began a long stretch of performances and distinctions as a result of their vocals, featuring Ed’s mellow and country style lead, and the band’s instrumental support of their bluegrass and country repertoire. They would plow into the 1970’s wide open.
On April 11th, 2026, The Shenandoah Boys were inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
Robert “Tut” Taylor
The above audio was recorded by Tut Taylor with the Bluegrass 5 in a mid 1960 jam session.
Robert Taylor was given the nickname Tut by his brother at a very young age. He grew up in a poor household in Georgia, but one filled with music as his entire family played. Additionally, Tut would follow around two black, blind musicians that would play in and around the area – likely where he developed his bluesy style of playing. In the 1940s Tut would play dance halls and he started playing an electric steel guitar as well as mandolin. But it was when Tut heard Brother Oswald playing the dobro with Roy Acuff on the Grand Ole Opry that he had found his instrument. Actually, he didn’t even know what the instrument was. He had to write a letter to Roy Acuff, and Roys’ wife Mildred wrote Tut back and told him that Brother Oswald played a dobro.
He didn’t know that the majority of people played the dobro with fingers picks, so he flatpicked the dobro. And he held the bar in his left hand in a very unique way. When Tut was seven, he fell off a plank and scratched his hand on a rusty nail. He got blood poisoning and almost died. A doctor lanced his hand between the fingers, and his aunt helped him with physio, but it never was 100%. But despite playing with a flatpick and the issue with his left hand, he got to be a very good picker.
Tut started to travel to Galax, Bean Blossom, Camp Springs. Tut would organize bluegrass picking parties. He ingratiated himself into the Fiddler’s conventions popular at the time. Tut would reserve blocks of rooms and would organize bluegrass jam sessions. After the Asheville Fiddler’s Convention, Tut moved everyone out to the Westgate Shopping Center parking lot to play late into the night, possibly the first parking lot picking event. This was years before the first bluegrass festival ever developed.
Tut, George Gruhn and a young luthier named Randy Wood, from Georgia, formed GTR Incorporated in Nashville Tennessee. in 1972, Tut and Randy had left and the business then became Gruhn Guitars.
Tut went on to record with many Bluegrass stars through the years but remained close to his Georgia friends. Tut has an extensive recording library that features many Georgia bands and pickers.
On April 11th, 2026, Tut Taylor was inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
Dillard Rogers
Dillard Rogers was born in Marietta in 1921. He was exposed to old-time music in his youth and always loved what we now call bluegrass music. In his late teens, his family moved to North Carolina where he was further immersed in the sounds of hillbilly/country/bluegrass music.
Dillard and his wife eventually moved back to Georgia and Dillard started a construction business in Cobb County. With a successful business as livelihood, Dillard also lent his talents to promoting and managing various musicians and bands in the area. In the 1960’s, while Dillard was also running a small grocery store in the South Cobb area where weekly jam sessions took place, he met many young and aspiring musicians from the area. In addition to his son, Paul, who played banjo, some of the musicians who frequented these jams included Ralph Abernathy, Charlie Abernathy, Murray Freeman, A.J. Jackson, Hoyt Pruett, JD Fortenberry and many others.
When Murray, Charlie and Ralph decided to form a band called “The Ridgerunners” with Paul Rogers on banjo, Dillard initially filled the bass player role and was later replaced by his youngest son, Jerry “Jug”.
Dillard continued to showcase his business skills while managing different bands throughout the late 1960’s, including The Shenandoah Valley Boys, which included his sons.
At the time of Kenneth Hood’s December 1968 pickin’ party, Dillard, Kenneth and some Cobb County officials decided that a local bluegrass festival could be a great draw for Georgia musicians. So in 1969, Dillard promoted the first “Cobb Bluegrass Festival” at what was then known as the Cobb County Fairgrounds (now the North Georgia State Fairgrounds). This was the first “open-stage” bluegrass festival in GA. Dillard and his family would continue to promote this festival as a semi-annual event for many years and the band line-up would include numerous bands, not only from GA but from the surrounding states.
On April 11th, 2026, Dillard Rogers was inducted into the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame.
Important Events
Walter Butler Pickin’ Parties
In the 1960’s, Walter Butler and his wife Faye, hosted numerous bluegrass pickin’ parties at their home in Pine Lake, Georgia. Many of these were weekend events and included not only Georgia musicians, but also prominent musicians from other states. Walter’s inviting personality and Faye’s hospitality, brought cohesiveness and a sense of “family” to the Georgia bluegrass community.
On April 11th, 2026, The Walter Butler Weekend Pickin’ Parties was recognized by the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fames as an Important Event in the history of Georgia Bluegrass Music.
Saturday Night Pickin’ at the Everett Homeplace
In 1964, Jerry, one of the sons of Lee and Carrie Everett, who was also a Gwinnett County Police Officer, was murdered while on duty along with 2 other officers. Lee and Carrie (fondly known as Ma & Pa) encouraged their other remaining children to continue playing music to help cope with the tragic loss. As the music grew, a band was formed called The Country Ramblers with Leroy, Randall, Roger, and friends Roy, Ruth and Weldon Westray, and Bill Holsomback. As the Westrays and Bill moved on to other interests, and with new members, the band officially became The Everett Brothers. Each Saturday night, the home place was filled with music as family and friends began to gather. In 1968, a room and stage was added to the home and other bands were invited to perform along with the Everett Brothers Band acting as hosts.
On April 11th, 2026, The Saturday Night Pickin’ at the Everett Homeplace was recognized by the Georgia Bluegrass Hall Of Fame as an Important Event in the history of Georgia Bluegrass Music.
Kenneth Hood Garage Pickin’
In December 1968, Kenneth Hood hosted a bluegrass pickin’ party in his transmission shop in Austell. At this event, the concept of a local and public bluegrass festival was born. Acting on this idea, Dillard Rogers and others proceeded to organize and promote what would be the first Cobb Bluegrass Festival.
On April 11th, 2026, The Kenneth Hood Garage Pickin’ Party was recognized by the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame as an Important Event in the history of Georgia Bluegrass Music.
Georgia State Bluegrass Festival at Shoal Creek Music Park, Lavonia, Ga
July, 1969 Shoal Creek Music Park in Lavonia, Ga – The 1st Professional Bluegrass Festival in the state Georgia. Roy Martin and Alton Waters bring a treasure trove of professional bluegrass bands to Georgia.
On April 11th, 2026, The Georgia State Bluegrass Festival at Shoal Creek Music Park in Lavonia – July 1969, Ga was recognized by the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame as an Important Event in the history of Bluegrass Music In Georgia.
Cobb Bluegrass Festival 1969
The 1st Cobb Bluegrass Festival was held at the Cobb County Fairgrounds in October, 1969. This was the first “open” stage bluegrass festival in Georgia allowing any and all bluegrass bands to perform. An estimated 2000 people attended the weekend event!
On April 11th, 2026, The Cobb Bluegrass Festival October 24th & 25th 1969 was recognized by the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame as an Important Event in the history of Bluegrass Music in Georgia.
