Jesse McReynolds
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The 2007 Uncle Dave Macon Days Heritage Award winner is one of the most acclaimed and popular figures on today’s bluegrass scene, Jesse McReynolds. He has been a member of the WSM Grand Ole Opry since 1964 and has recorded more than 50 albums and CDs with his brother, Jim. Widely known as “Mr. Mandolin,” this multi-instrumental legend is perhaps best noted for his innovative “McReynolds style” of mandolin “cross-pickin” and “split-string” style of playing. With over 200 of his original songs in his arsenal of show material, such as “Dixie Hoe-Down,” “Drifting and Dreaming,” “Hard-Hearted,” “Just Wondering Why,” “Border Ride,” “Blue Ridge Mountain Sunset,” plus frequently requested popular country, gospel and bluegrass classics, there is no limit to the type of show McReynolds is capable of performing.
In 1997, the Jim and Jesse McReynolds duo earned the National Endowment for the Arts prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award in recognition for their contribution to American folk and traditional music, our nation’s highest honor for the arts. McReynolds is a four –time Grammy nominee and winner of numerous International Bluegrass Music Association Awards. The IBMA inducted the brothers into their “Hall of Honor” in 1992. Jim and Jesse received a Grammy nomination for their joint effort “Music Among Friends”, while Jesse individually has received four Grammy nominations for recordings with other artists, namely “Best Country Instrumental Recording” in 1979 with Vassar Clements and others, “Instrumental Recording of the Year” in 1990 with Kenny Baker, Eddie Adcock and Josh Graves, and with “Mandolin Extravaganza” notably receiving double honors in 2000 from the IBMA for “Best Instrumental Recording” and “Special Recorded Event of the Year” for his contribution to the David Grisman /Ronnie McCoury project. Jesse has recorded with many other artists, including a memorable session with The Doors on their Soft Parade LP. He has performed in many other countries throughout Europe and Japan and gone on a State Department sponsored tour of Africa.
Since the passing of his brother Jim in December 2002, Jesse continues to perform on the Grand Ole Opry and carry on the tradition of the Jim and Jesse sound that they did together for over 50 years. With Jesse’s open and appreciative regard for all music, every show holds its own surprises. Jesse’s band, The Virginia Boys, which includes mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar and acoustic bass, travels throughout the United States and Canada, playing concerts and bluegrass festivals.
The clean, wholesome music that originated in the mountains of southwest Virginia back in 1947 from this unique and versatile first generation music legend continues to be in great demand today.
The Board of the Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival is proud to recognize this formidable musician as the 2007 Heritage Award Winner. Each year the Board honors an individual who has spent a lifetime in the perpetuation and preservation of traditional “roots” music. Jesse McReynolds hails from one of the first families of country and traditional music. His grandfather, Charles McReynolds, recorded at the historic “Bristol Sessions” in 1927 along with Jimmie Rogers and the Carter Family. Jesse, along with his brother Jim, kept the family tradition as well as traditional music alive throughout their 55 year-long careers. This year marks Jesse’s 60th anniversary in the music business. If there were such a thing as royalty in this genre of music, Jesse McReynolds would top the list.
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