Fiddler Jeremy Abshire, who has been featured as a member of Dale Ann Bradley’s band of late, has been announced as the newest member of The Grascals, replacing original fiddler Jimmy Mattingly, who is leaving to work with Dolly Parton full time.
Mattingly has been a member of Dolly’s band for 20 years, but her dates had been sporadic enough for him to juggle them with The Grascals schedule. Her more active current schedule has made that impossible, hence the fond adieu to his Grascal pals.
Jeremy had filled in with The Grascals earlier this year when Jimmy was away, and they all agreed that he was the perfect fit when the fiddle spot opened up.
The guys will be performing on The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night (5/17) in the 9:30-10:00 p.m. and midnight to 12:30 a.m. slots if you want to catch Jeremy in his new gig.
The Opry is broadcast over the air in the Nashville market on WSM AM 650, simulcast live worldwide via online streaming at wsmonline.com, and on XM Track 11 (Nashville).