Prescription Bluegrass has learned tonight that Bobby Slone, a fiddler and bassist with the original J.D. Crow and New South band has died after a long battle with cancer and other health problems.
Following the disbandment of the Kentucky Mountain Boys, J.D. Crowe formed the New South, which was the most revolutionary bluegrass outfit of its time. Originally, the band consisted of guitarist Tony Rice, mandolinist Ricky Skaggs, dobroist Jerry Douglas, and fiddler/bassist Bobby Slone, and they played a wildly eclectic brand of bluegrass on electric instruments.
When they released their debut, J.D. Crowe & the New South in 1975 on Rounder Records, it caused an instant sensation -- it marked a genuine turning point in the sound of the genre.
Slone is also credited with contributing to the albums of Tony Rice, The Kentucky Colonels, The Rounder Records Story, and numerous compilation discs playing bass and or fiddle and in some cases, even guitar.
Grasstowne’s Steve Gulley remembered his friend Bobby Slone tonight: “I lost one of the best people and friends I've ever known tonight. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him for many years at Renfro Valley and hearing him on so many great recordings with J.D. Crowe. He was a fine musician but an even better person. He was a loving, kind and fun loving soul. One of the funniest guys ever and just a joy to be around.
(L-R) Larry Rice, J.D. Crowe, Tony Rice, Bobby Slone (Photo courtesy of Fred Robbins)
4 comments:
thanks for publishing an obit on Bobby Slone, with Steve Gulley's words, but I don't think the New South used electric instruments.
Thank you for your time and interest in commenting. We appreciate all comments and opinions. Like you, we often shutter when the two words, "Bluegrass" and "Electric" come together. However in this case the information came from a very reliable source: (JDCrowe.net).
Yes, on occasion they would use electric instruments and drums. Sorry to hear about Bobby.
Yes, they sure did use electric. For a time, I tho't they were leaving us BG Fans!
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