Jamie Sparks Archives - Bluegrass Today

Jamie Sparks to Nick Chandler & Delivered

Nick Chandler & Delivered have announced a new member of the band, with Jamie Sparks coming on board to play banjo.

Bluegrass fans will remember Jamie from his time with The Bluegrass Brothers, standing out as one of the few left-handed banjo pickers you may run across on stage. He is a Virginia native living these days near Richmond.

Nick tell us that Sparks has been a perfect fit with the group.

“He is a fantastic banjo player and overall excellent musician. He fits in with the group so well and he is a lot of fun to travel with. We are so honored to have him with us and can’t wait for folks to hear this new lineup.”

Chandler has a new single, Darlin’ Please Come On Home, coming up later this month with Pinecastle Records, which will feature the current lineup of Nick on mandolin and lead vocal, Gary Trivette on bass, Bobby Powell on guitar, and Jamie on banjo. Nick has beefed up the group a good bit this year, and he is stoked to get some new music out with this bunch.

Keep an eye on the band’s tour schedule online for a chance to catch them near you. Nick Chandler & Delivered will be Bluegrass Ramble showcase artists at this year’s World of Bluegrass convention in Raleigh, NC at the end of September, so you can certainly see them there.

Jamie Sparks to The Dowdy Brothers

Jamie Sparks with his daughter, Janie, and his backwards banjo

Jamie Sparks has been announced as the new banjo player with The Dowdy Brothers, a southwest Virginia band known for their mega-traditional approach to bluegrass music, with a heavy Stanley influence.

The Stanley sound has come to Donald and Steven from their dad, Victor Dowdy, who had led The Bluegrass Brothers this past 25 years. Starting as a group featuring Victor and his brother, Robert, the younger Dowdy boys joined the show as they got older, staying on when Robert stepped aside. Known all over the US for their unapologetically hard-driving mountain bluegrass sound, The Bluegrass Brothers could set a festival site a blaze with their whoopin’ and hollerin’ music, all the more so for the contrast it provided against the smoother-sounding modern groups.

Sparks was their banjo player for the last few years of the band, providing them interesting visual bookends with one of our music’s few left handed banjo pickers on one end of the stage, and Donald Dowdy’s lefty mandolin on the other.

And now he is taking that look and sound to The Dowdy Brothers, a natural transition as Victor has decided he is through with the road.

Jamie said that it feels very natural going from one Dowdy to a couple of others.

“Well in a nutshell, I was sad to hear that Victor was ready to retire and enjoy his home life. However, I figured it was well deserved for him. It was a great run to be part of The Bluegrass Brothers for the last 6 years. I could never repay Victor for all the kindness and wisdom he had shown me. I figured amidst the pandemic the music was pretty much over with for the year, but when Steve call me and asked if I would like to play with him and Donald, I jumped at the chance not only to get back on the music scene, but to play music with two fellers I consider my family and my brothers on the road. I can’t wait to see what this run will have in store for me but I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Dowdy Brothers continue on in the style pioneered by their dad and their uncle. Ragged but right, always rough and rowdy, but highly entertaining.

They have shows starting up again in the next few months. A schedule is posted on Facebook.

Welcome Kenzie Sparks!

Congratulations to Jamie and Erin Sparks on the birth of their first child. Jamie is the banjo player with The Bluegrass Brothers.

Kenzie Marie Sparks was born at 11:48 p.m. on February 11 in Farmville, VA at the Centra Southside Community Hospital. She came into the world at 6 lbs, 10 oz, and stretched out to 19.5”.

Kenzie gave her parents a scare when she was born two weeks early, but Mom and baby are doing well and are hoping to be home tomorrow.

Next time you see The Bluegrass Brothers, give Jamie a big slap on the back.

Congratulations to the Sparks, and a big Bluegrass Today welcome to little Kenzie!

Congratulations Jamie and Erin Sparks

Jamie Sparks, banjo player with The Bluegrass Brothers, was married to Erin Melton on December 10 at the Ruritan Club in Rustburg VA. The young couple had been dating this past two years.

After a honeymoon in the Bahamas, they will reside in Cumberland, VA, between Richmond and Charlottesville.

If you’ve ever seen The Bluegrass Brothers on stage, you’ll remember Jamie as the tall, left-handed banjo picker. Not too many of those around.

Congratulations to Jamie and Erin. Here’s to a long, happy life together!

Jamie Sparks hospitalized

Jamie Sparks, the young banjo picker with The Bluegrass Brothers, was hospitalized on Monday near his home in Richmond, VA. Bluegrass fans will quickly recognize Jamie, as he is one of the very few left-handed banjoists working in our music.

According to Bluegrass Brothers bassist and band leader Victor Dowdy, Jamie was experiencing complications from his diabetes, leading to dehydration and unusually high sugar levels. He was placed in the ICU when he was first admitted, but stepped down to a regular room yesterday afternoon.

When Victor spoke with Jamie last night, he told him that he was anticipating being released today.

Anyone who suffers from diabetes, or is close to someone who does, knows that it doesn’t take much to throw your metabolism into a tailspin if you aren’t careful. Hopefully Sparks will be released today as expected and will be able to successfully manage his illness going forward.