20 years of Druha Trava

Here’s another notable anniversary to note during Bill Monroe’s centennial year. Czech grassers Druha Trava are celebrating their 20th year in 2011, and Lilly Pavlak has a nice retrospective published on The European Bluegrass Blog.

The band was formed in 1991 when vocalist Robert Krestan and banjo picker Lubos Malina left another band where they were performing together to start this new group. They called it Druha Trava, which translates to “second grass,” an apt description for this new venture working at each other’s side a second time.

The name stuck, and so did the band, with the expected changes in personnel over the years. But Krestan and Malina have been the constant, recording for a number of labels in both Czech and English, and touring extensively across Europe and the United States.

They spent this July on the road with American harmonica ace Charlie McCoy, something they have done regularly since 2003.

Here are just a few of Lilly’s fine photos from Druha Trava’s 20 years together. You can see more at The European Bluegrass Blog.

Congratulations on 20 years!

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2004 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.