Jesse McReynolds Archives - Bluegrass Today

Jesse McReynolds passes (updated)

Jesse McReynolds, surely among the most consequential mandolinists, singers, and songwriters in the history of bluegrass music, died earlier this afternoon at his home in Nashville with his wife by his side. He had been in hospice care this past two weeks, and slipped away from natural causes at age 94.

Jim & Jesse, his partnership with his brother, the late Jim McReynolds, left the bluegrass world with a wealth of classic songs and recordings. They came from a musical family in Virginia, very near where the Stanley Brothers were raised. Their grandfather, Charlie McReynolds, was recorded as part of the RCA Bristol Sessions in 1927.

Jesse sang the lead part and Jim the tenor, in what would become one of the most popular and influential brother duets of the 20th century. They cut dozens of records, starting in 1952 with Capitol Records. At that time, there wasn’t much distinction between what we now call bluegrass and country music, as far as radio was concerned, and their first single when they switched to Columbia Records, The Flame of Love backed with Gosh I Miss You All The Time, spent weeks on the charts back in 1960. Many other such hits were to follow.

Familiar classics from Jim & Jesse, many written by Jesse, include Cotton Mill Man, Diesel On My Tail, Are You Missing Me, I Wish You Knew, Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes, She Left Me Standing On The Mountain, Old Slew Foot, I’ll Love Nobody But You, Please Be My Love, and many others.

As a mandolinist, Jesse represented the first deviation from the style pioneered by Bill Monroe in the 1940s, itself a radical approach. While he could play easily in the Monroe style, he developed his own technique based on how the five string banjo stated the melody of a song within a roll pattern. The McReynolds style, often called crosspicking, involved using left hand positions and open strings in such a way that he could pick the strings of the mandolin across three sets of strings, with the tune always in the forefront. It did sound remarkably like banjo picking, and it set him apart quickly from the others.

A number of mandolin instrumentals that are still played at jams were written by Jesse, among them Dixie Hoedown and Stony Creek.

Jim & Jesse joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1964 after appearing several times for Martha White Flour, who also sponsored them on radio. They hosted a very popular program from Live Oak, FL, the Suwannee River Jamboree, throughout the ’50s and ’60s, which was syndicated to other US markets on radio and television.

They continued to record and perform together until Jim’s passing in 2002, at which point Jesse continued on as Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys. Until the pandemic shutdowns in 2020, he kept a band together and made regular appearances on the Opry. In those later years he found a new audience by recording a tribute to Robert Hunter and The Grateful Dead.

Completely aside from his long and distinguished musical career, Jesse McReynolds will be remembered for his warm and welcoming personality, and his dependable kindness and generosity to others.

At this early time, no arrangements have been announced by the family.

This is a momentous loss for the bluegrass community. There is no way to overstate the importance and influence of Jesse McReynolds in the development of bluegrass music. A giant is gone.

R.I.P., Jesse McReynolds.

UPDATE 6/25: The McReynolds family has asked that we include the following:

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Matthew McReynolds and Savannah Prudence Robinette McReynolds; loving wife of 41 years, Darlene McReynolds; son, Keith McReynolds, brother, Jim McReynolds, sisters, Stella McReynolds and Virginia Greear, and great grandson, Andrew Keith McReynolds. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Joy Tipton McReynolds; daughter, Gwen McReynolds; sons, Michael K. McReynolds and Randy Q. McReynolds; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, from the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Brother James Bell and Randy McReynolds officiating. Entombment will follow at Sumner Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation will be Monday, June 26, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 27, from 2:00-8:00 p.m., and Wednesday, June 28, from 9:00 a.m. until the service begins.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for contributions to be made to:

Opry Trust Fund
One Gaylord Drive
Nashville, TN 37214

…or:

Dogingham Palace Rescue
5912 Colchester Drive
Hermitage, TN 37076

Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be submitted online. (615-512-0011).

Jesse McReynolds passes (updated)

UPDATE 5:41 p.m. – Joy has just told us that Jesse passed peacefully with her at his bedside at 3:58 p.m. today.

We will publish a more detailed remembrance of this pioneer and founder in the bluegrass world soon.

Very sad news from Nashville today, as Joy McReynolds has shared that her husband, Jesse McReynolds, he of Jim & Jesse fame, has been moved into hospice care.

It seems impossible to say, but Jesse has been a professional bluegrass artist for 70 years. Starting with his brother Jim on guitar, they had their first record as Jim & Jesse in 1952. There followed a career streak of five decades playing and singing on the radio and in live performances, until 2002 when both McReynolds brothers were struck with cancer that same year. While Jesse survived to another 20 years in music, Jim succumbed to the cancer.

Until the pandemic shutdowns in 2020, Jesse was a regular on the Grand Ole Opry, and kept an edition of The Virginia Boys going until his advanced age made it unwise to face the risk of infection.

Joy tells us that Jesse is very weak, and at age 94, they fear he is slipping away. Joy hopes that anyone who wants to say goodbye or share their support in his final days will do so by commenting here, or on her Facebook page, as they are able to read him messages. Jesse is not awake, but his nurses have assured Joy that he can hear them.

If you would like to send cards by postal mail, the address is:

PO Box 1385
Gallatin, TN 37066

Jesse is not able to receive visitors.

We are facing a very sad day, when the bluegrass world no longer has one of it’s earliest practitioners here participating in it.

Jesse McReynolds resting after heart scare

Jesse McReynolds is resting comfortably at the Ascension Saint Thomas Heart hospital in Nashville after a scare that has kept him hospitalized since Saturday.

Jesse is an early pioneer of bluegrass mandolin, developing his own unique style following on the success of Bill Monroe with their chosen instrument. He toured with his brother for 50 years as Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys, and the two are honored with induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame, and Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

At 93, Jesse is one of the last living members of the first generation of artists who formed and shaped what we now know as bluegrass music, and while performing is difficult, he still plays his mandolin regularly.

This past Saturday (3/18), Jesse suffered a fall at home, and his wife, Joy, fearing that he might have broken his hip, took him to the emergency room. Doctors there found no broken hip, but did detect that his heart was beating quite irregularly, stopping and starting up again. Concerned that his fall may have been a result of the irregular heartbeat, they have kept him admitted for observation.

Joy tells us that they were considering implanting a pacemaker to maintain a regular heartbeat, but have just today decided against it, with an eye towards his age. She is hoping to take him home tomorrow.

She also shared that when Jesse was in his 80s, doctors discovered that he had a tiny hole in his heart, but given that he had survived and thrived without treatment all those years, elected to leave it be. But she was told that this defect allows additional blood flow into the lungs, and can lead to vessel deterioration over time.

For now, Jesse is expected to be released soon to go home, but will continue to receive special therapy and be closely monitored.

Very good news. Get well soon, Jesse McReynolds!

UPDATE March 21: In a change of plans, doctors at St. Thomas have decided that a pacemaker is warranted, and Jesse is receiving it today.

Happy Birthday Jesse – Jim & Jesse video from 1989

Today, July 9, 2021, is the 92nd birthday of mandolin legend Jesse McReynolds, and we join all of bluegrass music in wishing him a very Happy Birthday!

To help celebrate this auspicious date, Danny Clark with The Bluegrass Bus Museum has uploaded another of the vintage videos shot by his father, Don Clark, back in the late 1980s. This one features an entire set from Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys at the Grass Valley Festival in California. Don sets the date as probably 1989 or so, but whenever it was, it was a great version of the band. In addition to Jim on guitar and Jesse on mandolin, The Virginia Boys included another legend, Allen Shelton, on banjo, Keith McReynolds on bass, and a young Jimmy Campbell on fiddle.

Jesse had a look at the video earlier the afternoon and gave it a thumbs up.

“That is one of the best shows we’ve ever done, I was picking the fire out of that mandolin!

We had just hired Jimmy Campbell and that must have been one of his first shows with us.”

Their set that day consisted of several absolute Jim & Jesse classics like Don’t Say Goodbye If You Love Me, Blue Ridge Mountain Blues, El Cubanchero, Paradise, Air Mail Special, and Johnny B. Goode.

If you have a passion for bluegrass history, or just love traditional bluegrass, you owe it to yourself to take a break and enjoy this 40 minute video.

Many thanks to Danny for converting and uploading this presentation, and hats off to Don for capturing it.

Danny also manages a Facebook group called Jim & Jesse – Bluegrass Legends for fans of this early bluegrass brother duet. Be sure to check it out. There are a number of former Virginia Boys participate there.

And a very, very Happy Birthday to Jesse McReynolds!

Tears of Regret video from High Fidelity with Jesse McReynolds

Rebel Records has released a new music video for High Fidelity from their recording of Tears of Regret, included on the band’s recent project, Banjo Player’s Blues.

Regular followers of High Fidelity know that while they are a relatively young group, the focus of their music is the bluegrass sound of the 1950s and ’60s. And they do a brilliant job of resurrecting songs from that era, retaining the uniqueness of that era and adding to them the enthusiasm of youth.

Tears of Regret was originally cut by Jim & Jesse in 1955, so they reached out to Jesse McReynolds to see if he might be willing to join them in the studio when they were recording. He was, and ended up not only singing a verse, but playing mandolin as well.

Guitarist Jeremy Stephens, who formed the group with his wife, fiddler Corrina Rose Logston, shared that Tears of Regret was one that Jesse co-wrote with Lucille Hutton. She was an amateur songwriter from around Bristol who had sent him her lyrics.

“According to Jesse, Ms. Hutton would send lyrics of songs she had written to many of the artists who played on radio in that region of the country. It’s likely that many of her songs have been recorded, but not all of the artists gave her credit, so it’s impossible to know for sure.”

Corrina added that they were so pleased that McReynolds was willing to collaborate with them on one of his songs, and encouraged him to add some of his non-crosspicked mandolin for the solo.

“Because Jesse has made so many amazing technical advancements to mandolin playing, Jeremy and I have always felt his ‘straight picking’ never got the attention it deserved. We told him we’d love to hear him do some of that on this recording, and he did an incredible job. Jesse’s singing on the third verse and final chorus is so excellent, it’s hard to fathom that he is performing on this recording at 90 years old! Jesse McReynolds is nothing short of a treasure, and collaborating with him was indescribably special!”

Here’s what they came up with.

High Fidelity also features Daniel Amick on mandolin, Kurt Stephenson on banjo, and Vickie Vaughn on bass.

Tears of Regret and the entire Banjo Player’s Blues album are widely available wherever you stream or download music online, and on CD directly from the band. Radio programmers can find the tracks at AirPlay Direct.

The Bull Mountain Moonshiners’ Way – Jesse McReynolds & Friends

There’s something to be said for adhering to tradition. Yet, there’s even more to be said for those who established that bedrock template in the first place. Those pioneers who are still with us — and making music still — are owed our absolute appreciation because if it wasn’t for them, there would be no one to follow in their footsteps, nor any lessons to be learned for anyone attempting to take the music forward.

At age 90, Jesse McReynolds retains a hallowed stature as one of those individuals who brought country and bluegrass into the modern mainstream, and even well beyond. Best known as half of the seminal duo Jim & Jesse, a popular recording group Jesse founded with his brother Jim in the late ‘40s, he’s been making music ever since. The pair hit their stride in the early to mid ‘50s after being signed to Capitol Records, and then continued to play and record until Jim’s death in 2002. Today, they boast the same revered reputation as the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Doc Watson, Del McCoury, and other members of that first generation of modern musicians spawned in the mid 20th century. Like his contemporaries, McReynolds pursued that passion into his later years.

With his latest album, The Bull Mountain Moonshiners’ Way, he brings his legacy full circle by recreating the music originally recorded by his family and forebears during a series of field sessions in 1927 that later came to be known as The Bristol Sessions. For the musicians involved, it was the first opportunity to share their music with a wider audience, and for Jesse’s grandfather and great uncle, it helped establish a sound and style that Jesse would always admire and appreciate.

It’s significant then that Jesse not only sought to recreate the flavor and finesse of that early music, but also to do so using an actual fiddle and banjo played at the Bristol sessions. He also enlists a knowing group of backing musicians to delve into some 16 archival offerings. Most of the songs are well ensconced in the public domain — Turkey in the Straw, Soldier’s Joy, Bonaparte’s Retreat, Sally Johnson, and the like — but the verve and vitality that shines through this array of mostly instrumental pieces gives each offering an ageless quality that makes them as appealing today as they were when initially produced more than 90 years ago. Jesse himself takes center stage with a combination of craft and creativity that remains undiminished by the decades past.

Some 70 years into a prolific and proficient career, he still sings and plays with an enthusiasm that would make most younger musicians blush with envy. A masterpiece, The Bull Mountain Moonshiners’ Way caps a career that’s clearly still far from finished.

Jesse McReynolds 90 today

Today, July 9, 2019, mandolin artist and long-term member of the venerable Grand Ole Opry cast, Jesse McReynolds, celebrates his 90^th birthday.

Although he is a talented lead guitarist and fiddle player, he is best known for his innovative cross-picking and split-string styles of mandolin playing.

He and his brother Jim began performing together in or around 1947, originally with the name The McReynolds Brothers.

Alongside Jim, he recorded more than 50 albums, featuring one of the smoothest and most influential vocal duets in bluegrass music. These recording can be found on the Capitol, Columbia, Epic, Opryland, CMH, Rounder, and their own Old Dominion, among other labels.

Jesse McReynolds has solo releases before and since his brother’s passing; these have been on J & J Music / Double J, Atteiram, OMS, and Pinecastle.

During their career they had toured all 50 states, with the exception of Alaska, and have travelled worldwide including destinations in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Europe, the British Isles, and, in 1985, they visited Africa for the U.S. State Department. Among the notable venues that they played are the Newport Jazz Festival, Smithsonian Institution Folk Life Festival, Great Lakes Folk Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, and the American Folk Festival.

Their numerous honors include induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Walkway of Stars; the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame; IBMA’s Hall of Honor (now the Hall of Fame) (in 1993); and Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

Also, they received the National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, presented by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Jane Alexander at the White House, September 23, 1997.

Individually and together they earned many Grammy nominations, including one for their 1991 album Music Among Friends (Rounder Records). Jesse McReynolds has received four nominations for work with other artists.

Following Jim’s death in 2002, Jesse carried on the McReynolds tradition touring with his band, the Virginia Boys, playing festivals and concerts across the country. Jesse has remained active as singer, instrumentalist and bandleader.

For a period in the late 1980s and early 1990s, McReynolds toured and recorded with banjoist Eddie Adcock, fiddler Kenny Baker, and Dobro player Josh Graves, as part of the supergroup, The Masters.

Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza, recorded with David Grisman, Bobby Osborne, Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, and other top mandolin super-pickers, won double IBMA awards in 2000 for Best Instrumental Recording and Special Recorded Event of the Year.

In 2005 Jesse McReynolds earned another IBMA nomination, this time for Instrumental Recording of the Year for his project of mostly original tunes, Bending the Rules.

Jim & Jesse joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in 1964, and Jesse is still a quite regular performer on the show.

A selection of people from the family, former and current band members have shared some thoughts, anecdotes and greetings.

Luke McKnight, Jesse’s grandson, played with the Virginia Boys from 1995 till 2010. He is featured on four Jesse McReynolds’ recordings between those years …

“De-Daddy…..The 15 years I spent on the road with you playing music was the best years I could have asked for….being a Virginia Boy was something that I will always cherish and be proud of…..I’m a better person because of Jim & Jesse…..Happy Birthday….I love you.”

Travis Wetzel is featured on Bending the Rules and Dixie Road, while McReynolds played on a couple of Wetzel’s albums; Take My Spirit to the Wind and Inspirations ….

“I am very grateful to Jesse McReynolds for being a huge part of my life and wonderful friend since I was a boy.”

Wetzel’s mother Donna adds ….

“God Bless you, Jesse, for giving Travis an opportunity in Nashville.”

Charles Whitstein, along with his brother Robert, owe a lot to Jesse McReynolds for his considerable help in taking the brothers’ career to a significantly new level. Charles Whitstein is featured on Jesse McReynolds New Horizons CD …….

“My love and appreciation for Jesse McReynolds’ music and friendship goes back decades.

Jesse was like a music mentor to The Whitstein Brothers and actually hand-delivered a demo tape of our music to Ken Irwin at Rounder Records, who signed us to the label — after which, Jesse was at almost every one of our recording sessions, lending his advice and support.

My experiences with Jesse McReynolds go beyond my imagination. I’ve had the honor of doing some recordings with him, including A Tribute To Brother Duets album — and the privilege of traveling around the country, standing beside this humble legend, playing guitar and singing tenor.

I came to realize just how very talented and creative he really is, as a musician, singer and song writer.

Thank you Jess for your contributions to the world of great music — And for being my good friend!

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY.”

This Charles Whitstein and Jesse McReynolds version of Hugh Moffatt’s Rose of My Heart is a track from the A Tribute To Brother Duets album …..

Martino Coppo, of Red Wine, sends best wishes from Italy …..

“To have a legend like Jesse singin’ harmony to me was pure magic: I thought I was dreaming and for few seconds I imagine what Jim felt over all those years of such beautiful singin’ together.

I have never been able to play a decent cross picking style on mandolin, but I have always admired master pioneers like Jesse who have set a new and different path for generations of pickers to follow.

Thanks Jesse, for all these and many, many, warm greetings for a wonderful Happy Birthday!”

As Jesse said, Gospel songs were oft-requested parts of Jim & Jesse shows – Walking My Lord up Calvary’s Hill (1976) …

Carl Jackson joined the Virginia Boys in 1967 ….

“When Jim & Jesse hired me as their banjo player and officially made me a Virginia Boy fifty some odd years ago, it placed me on a career path that has been blessed beyond belief. They were certainly bluegrass music icons, but they were also something much more than that… they were truly good men. My Mom and Dad recognized that in them and knew beyond any shadow of doubt that not only was their fourteen-year-old son getting a huge musical break, but that he also would be well taken care of after that bus drove away. Mama and Daddy were right and although I can still see them and my sister waving goodbye, I knew then and know now that God placed me right where He meant for me to be.

Happy 90th birthday, Jesse! You are a legend, dear friend, who created not one, but two styles of mandolin playing that are rarely even attempted by anyone else. You and your dear brother, Jim, made such a difference in my life and for that I am forever grateful.“

Recorded circa April 1972 this instrumental version of The Monkeys’ Last Train to Clarksville features Jesse McReynolds, Carl Jackson and Vassar Clements ….

Mike Scott, who has been a professional entertainer for over 45 years, was inspired by Jim & Jesse at an early age …..

“It would be difficult to say how much inspiration Jesse McReynolds has been to me through all these years. To share Jesse’s memory, I also have to include Jim. I first met Jim & Jesse McReynolds and The Virginia Boys when I started playing the banjo. Shortly after receiving my first banjo December 1972 at 10 years old, my Mom and Dad took me to their shows as a kid to various bluegrass festivals and concerts. I was drawn to their music and harmonies, especially Jesse’s creativity in instrumentals, song writing, etc. I was so inspired that at 10 and 12 years old I traded for their LPs at my elementary school when you could trade with pocket-knives and save your daily lunch money for old bluegrass records you got from your classmates. Those parents are still looking for their old Jim & Jesse records. I still have them.

I eventually was offered a job with them when I was fifteen, about 1977, after they had heard me perform. It didn’t work out at that time for me to go on the road, as my being under-age, but it did later after I graduated high school. I came to work for them in February 1983 for nearly four years… until the end of 1986. These were some of the best times in my life, performing in nearly every state in the US, tours throughout Europe, Canada and South Africa. Between 240-260 play dates per year, including TNN, CMT, PBS European TV, Nashville Now, New Country, Austin City Limits, and of course…The Grand Ole Opry. We travelled and performed…least to say… extremely heavy.

This being said, and all these many years later, you really get to know someone, especially when you are on the road with them this much. Jim and Jesse were true Gentlemen and even as we have lost Jim on December 31, 2002….I will never forget how they played a vital part in my musical career here in Nashville and have been mentors to me even after all these years.

Jesse continues to do that even today. I look at all the time I have been fortunate enough to have performed professionally and spent time personally with Jesse. Thank you, Jesse, for being a continued inspiration to me. For the past nearly four months, we have been able to attend a men’s Saturday morning Christian Bible Study here in Gallatin, TN, and it has been awesome! I look forward to so many more.

I want to wish you a Blessed Happy 90th Birthday and so many more from my wife Brenda and I… as well as I want you to remind you of all the many people all over the world who admire you for your talents and being the great man you are. You are a great man and mentor to me!

Thank you so much!

Happy Birthday Jesse!”

A young Mike Scott sings lead for Jim & Jesse & the Virginia Boys on this rendition of A Beautiful Life on the TV show Fire on the Mountain…..

Mike Drudge played guitar on I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing and played bass on Introduces the Mandolobro …….

“I went to work for Jim & Jesse in 1989 and worked for them for nearly four years – started out on guitar, singing the third part in the trio, and then about six months later switched to bass during the time that Jesse’s son Keith was starting to have health issues. I learned the art of booking from Jim McReynolds. On the road, Jesse was the musical glue that held it all together.

Jesse was and still is a class act in every sense. A stylistic pioneer on the mandolin that no one has been able to duplicate (mostly because they can’t) and one of bluegrass music’s great lead singers. Jim and Jesse trading leads on Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes will forever be considered one of the classic sounds of bluegrass.

Besides being an incredible musical talent, Jesse has always been friendly, approachable, and generous. It’s rewarding when you meet one of your musical heroes and they turn out to be as nice as you hoped they would be. And in Jesse’s case, that rings true. A class act for sure.”

Drudge (playing guitar), along with Jimmy Campbell, Vic Jordan, and Keith McReynolds, is featured on this rendition of Dream of Me, a recording of which was released by Vern Gosdin in 1981 (Ovation Records) …

Lauren Price Napier of The Price Sisters, one group that definite honors the roots of bluegrass music, began playing mandolin around the age of nine …….

“The first time I saw Jesse was in 2010 when I was a student at August Bluegrass Week in Elkins, West Virginia, for the first time. Just shy of 16 years old, it was really my first exposure to the world of bluegrass music. I didn’t know much about bluegrass specifically, but I had taken mandolin lessons, an instrument that was better recognized as a bluegrass music instrument.

Jesse was Augusta’s special guest Master Artist for that year, which meant he came to the camp for one day out of the week, gave a little demonstration/workshop for the entire camp audience, and then was featured in the week’s all-star staff concert that evening. To be honest, I really didn’t even know who Jim & Jesse were, only having heard a cut or two of theirs on a 20 greatest country hits album or something like that as a kid. But seeing Jesse with his mandolin interested me. He played El Cumbanchero and Okeechobee Wind, and I was completely impressed.

I went up to Jesse after he played and got to meet him, and I believe my parents bought me a DVD copy he had with him of an older Jim & Jesse show taping. Our meeting then was no longer than a quick conversation, but he was friendly and approachable, especially for me who at the time was a young, fairly inexperienced and pretty shy teenage musician.

I ran into Jesse briefly a few years ago at IBMA one evening while heading down a hallway with my now husband, mandolinist Scott Napier. Jesse said ‘hi’ to us both and played around a bit on Scott’s 1939 Gibson F5 mandolin. I doubt Jesse recognized me from our meeting several years prior, but he was still just as humble and friendly.

Just last week Scott, my sister, and I were invited to Jesse’s 90th birthday party at the home of Mike and Brenda Scott in Gallatin, Tennessee. Jesse played several original tunes with the party’s house band, before all mandolin players in attendance were asked to join the group and pick together. Getting to be a part of that evening was very special.

For being such a legend in this music, Jesse’s kindness, enthusiasm to play, and creative drive have always stood out to me.

Here’s wishing him the happiest 90th birthday, and a thanks for all the inspiration he’s shared to myself and countless others over the years!”

As further exemplified by the addition of Rafael Hernandez’s El Cumbanchero to their repertoire, Jim & Jesse were constantly adventurous in sourcing new material to perform and record ….

Casey Campbell is another young, thrusting mandolin picker ….

“I’ve been lucky enough to know Jesse since before I was born! It’d be a fool’s errand to try to put into words how vital his mandolin playing and singing have been to the bluegrass world and beyond, so I’ll let some other fool do that. I’ll just say that if ever there were a Mandolin Mount Rushmore, Jesse’s face (and perfectly coiffed jet-black hair) would be included.

If you’re reading this right now and haven’t heard Jesse’s Mandolin Workshop (Hilltop HT-202), or his recent reissue of Jesse McReynolds Introduces the Mandolobro (JM-CD01), you owe it to yourself to take a listen.

He has always been so kind and encouraging to me, always asking what tunes I’m working on and eager to share the tunes he has been working on lately. I’ll forever cherish the times spent sitting backstage at the Grand Ole Opry or in his bus parked in the yard pickin’ mandolin tunes and trying to figure how in the world he makes that split-string and cross-picking work.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with as much well-deserved clout and selfless humility than Jesse. A true mentor in music and life.

Happy Birthday, Jesse! At the rate you’re going, I just hope to make it to half your age! I hope you can take the Border Ride over Stoney Creek and end up at a Dixie Hoedown with a birthday Cakewalk!”

Daniel Grindstaff, a co-founder of the group Merle Monroe, played with Jesse McReynolds for about four years ….

“As I look back over my years playing music, I will always say I was blessed to start out on top. My professional career began at the age of 18 with Bluegrass Royalty, Jim and Jesse McReynolds. I was with Jim and Jesse as a Virginia Boy the last year Jim was with us and continued with Jesse for around three years after Jim passed. There is no one that I know of more of a musical genius and innovator than Jesse McReynolds. I learned more about music from my time there than I could ever repay. More so than that Jesse was always kind, delightful and the example of someone who never quits working on their craft. I am blessed to know Jesse and to have shared the stage with such a man and legendary musician.

Jesse- I love you and thank you for taking a chance on an 18-year-old kid and making my musical dreams come true, may you have the happiest of birthdays and many more!”

This video of Jim & Jesse & The Virginia Boys singing I Heard the Bluebird Sing was recorded during the Easter weekend April 1983, at Wembley Arena, London, England (I know, ‘cause I was there)…….

Ashley Lewis began singing and performing at the age of seven in her family band …….

“Jesse is a true treasure! When I was just a little girl my mom took me to see Jesse perform at a festival at Pontiac in my home state of Illinois. I bought his latest CD, he autographed it for me and took a picture with me, that I still have today. As a mandolin player myself, it really inspired me, watching his unique style, and also that he took the time to talk with me. Just a few years ago, I watched him perform on the Grand Ol Opry, and thought to myself, this is what a living legend looks like…”

As requested, Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes from 1976 ….

Corrina Rose Logston and Jeremy Stephens, when available, have continued to play with Jesse McReynolds at the same time as in their own group High Fidelity ….

“What an honor and blessed privilege it has been to be able to call ourselves Virginia Boys for the last three years! Aside from being one of the greatest mandolinists of all time and an amazing vocalist, Jesse is one of the kindest, most thoughtful, and exceedingly considerate people we’ve met in the music business.

Here’s to a Happy and Blessed 90th Birthday to our friend and hero Jesse McReynolds!! We pray the Lord’s blessing for many more to come!”

Matthew Madden, from Olive Hill Kentucky, has often played upright bass with Jesse McReynolds in recent years …..

“Jesse McReynolds has a broad influence across many genres of music, from influencing George Shuffler’s guitar playing while he worked with Jim and Jesse, to recording one, if not the first, concept albums Berry Pickin’ in the Country. Also breaking barriers and recording with Jim Morrison and the Doors in 1969 on their The Soft Parade album.

I’ll always be indebted to Jesse for allowing me to work as a Virginia Boy, on many stages, especially WSM’s Grand Ole Opry.”

Johnny B. Goode is one track on Berry Pickin’ in the Country, featuring Allen Shelton and Jim Buchanan (Epic Records 1965) …

Over in California, Roland White was very much aware of his mandolin-playing colleague …..

“Jesse’s playing caught my attention in the middle 1950s when my brothers and I were playing together in Burbank, California. I was playing a Monroe-based style but, I really liked Jesse’s cross-picking and tried to emulate it when we played Hard-Hearted. I could never do it as well as Jesse! The other mandolin players out there at the time, there were maybe five of them, also had Jim and Jesse’s records and tried their hand at Jesse’s style. He had a huge influence in that way, and of course Jim and Jesse’s wonderful playing and harmony singing together created a vital part of the bluegrass style and repertoire we all love.

Happy 90th, Jesse!”

Jim & Jesse recorded It’s Mighty Dark to Travel for the Bill Monroe album Bluegrass ’87 ….

Paul Schiminger, Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Association, offers an official birthday wish.

“The entire bluegrass community sends a happy 90th birthday wish to Jesse McReynolds! Jesse, your contribution to bluegrass music is immeasurable. As a member of the first generation of bluegrass, you have never stopped innovating and inspiring. You are a true Hall of Famer in every way!”

Happy 90^th birthday Jesse, from all at Bluegrass Today.

Sparks fly for Jesse McReynold’s 90th Birthday

Jesse McReynolds was born on July 9th, 1929 in Coeburn, Virginia. The country was facing the great depression, and southwest Virginia was no exception to the hardship faced by many at the time. As was the case throughout several moments of struggle in America’s history, troubled times brought forth great instances of creation and art. In the instance of a young mandolinist trying to emulate the three-finger roll of Earl Scruggs banjo playing over clear channel radio, a new, unique style was born.

My intention here is not to present a bio or a run-down of Jim & Jesse & the Virginia Boys, as their musical achievements have been well-documented through time. I simply wish to write from the perspective of a modern-day bluegrass mandolinist who has reaped the benefits of having Jesse McReynolds on the playing field. I hope to impart the significance of a musician who found a way to always push the boundaries of a musical genre on his instrument, while still retaining a strong sense of tradition – yet even a tradition that he helped create. Jesse has always been searching for new, expressive ways to play the mandolin – whether it be crafting a new twist on an old song, gathering material from unlikely places to mold into his music, or most importantly writing his own music to play, a practice that he still continues to date.

The term “cross picking” has become synonymous with Jesse’s playing style, although the technique has been done on other instruments in several styles of music. That approach even made brief appearances in Antonio Vivaldi’s mandolin compositions of the eighteenth century, but Jesse McReynolds made cross picking a musical reality, and gave us a vocabulary that will carry forward in time across the world of mandolin playing – and he didn’t stop there!

Another equally trademarked trick of the mandolin in Jesse’s hands is his split-string playing technique, where you literally take the fingernail of your pinky finger and fret an additional note within the pair of stings that are tuned together. This gives you far more harmonic possibilities. Jesse uses this often while playing back-up and on slow tempo pieces, such as his mandolin masterpiece, Okeechobee Wind. It can’t be stated enough the impact that he has made with raising the bar of creativity on the mandolin. Even players that don’t follow his suit or style of picking will attest that their greatest goal as a musician would be to have such an individualistic style on their own instrument, in the same manner that Jesse does.

This past Fourth of July was the time to celebrate Jesse’s 90th birthday at The Grand Inheritance, home of banjo player, and former Virginia Boy, Mike Scott and his wife Brenda. The Scotts host a yearly get-together with family and friends for the Nashville-area music community, and top the night off with jamming and a fireworks show. This year was to be a special occasion marking the big upcoming birthday for Jesse. The setting couldn’t have been better, with several musicians in attendance to honor the bluegrass legend; while there were far too many to list, some directly involved with the evening’s program were Carl Jackson, Larry Stephenson, Aubrey Haynie, Roland White, Bob Minner, David Harvey, Keith Williams, Mike Bub, Canadian cross-picking mandolin guru Bob Burch, Raymond and Ruth McLain, The Marshall Family, The Price Sisters, yours truly, and of course Jesse McReynolds and Mike Scott. The mood was fairly informal, yet in quite a formal setting, with a stage show environment and audio sound run by Nashville great Steve Chandler.

Jesse was in sharp form with his cool demeanor and friendly smile, seated in a captain’s chair at the front of the room next to the massive mandolin-adorned birthday cake. It didn’t take long, however, before Jesse took center stage with his signature Stiver mandolin and unique way of playing it. After performing Dixie Hoedown and a few other original tunes, all other mandolinists in attendance were invited up to join the show and pick together in tribute to the guest of honor. Jesse and Roland White would lead the way and call out the tunes, while they were also more than eager to pass around solos and give everyone their time to play in a relaxed manner.

The house band and guests took a break just after dark to go out on the beautiful lawn and enjoy the city of Gallatin’s fireworks. As the fireworks drew to a close, most of the musicians and listeners returned to the dining hall where the music started again, becoming even more informal and fun. The grounds were filled with love and respect for a great man and his music, and for his giving of a lifetime’s worth of talents.

For me personally, it was a special place and occasion, and a memory which I will hold in high regard for the rest of my life. Happy 90th, Jesse!

Honorary Doctorates for bluegrass pioneers

Jesse McReynolds receives a letter of intent from Megan Darby for his honorary doctorate from Glenville State

Glenville State College in West Virginia, one of several institutes of higher learning to offer a bachelors degree in bluegrass music, has announced plans to confer honorary doctorates on a number of bluegrass pioneers deserving of the recognition.

Letters of intent have been delivered to Mac Wiseman, Jim and Jesse McReynolds (to Jim’s daughter), and Bobby and Sonny Osborne. The plan is to schedule a time in Nashville early in 2019 where a formal hooding ceremony can take place.

Glenville President, Dr. Tracy L. Pellett, made the announcement on December 15, but Megan Darby, Asst. Professor of Music and Director of the bluegrass music program at GSC, tells us that this has been in the works for several years.

“Our current administration understands the value in doing the right thing. The first generation bluegrass masters have left such a legacy for us to study, and it was an honor to be given the opportunity to hand deliver the invitations to participate.

The most powerful thing for me about bluegrass music is that I have memories of watching and sharing the stage with many of these pioneers. Our students still have an opportunity to meet and learn from this amazing generation.”

As she mentioned, Dr. Darby traveled to Nashville with the letters and met privately with Mac at his Christmas party, visited Jesse at his home, met Jim’s daughter Janeen while she was out shopping, and stopped by Bobby’s home to present them with the letters of intent. She was unable to catch up with Sonny, but he has received his by mail.

Megan shared these photos that were taken on her trip.

Congratulations to Mac, Jim and Jesse, and Sonny and Bobby, and hats off to Glenville State for honoring these musical pioneers while most of them are still with us.

Well done all!

Jesse McReynolds home after latest hospital stay

Jesse McReynolds returning home from the hospital (11/29/18)

Bluegrass mandolin icon Jesse McReynolds is home again after yet another brief hospital stay. He has been forced to endure several such visits over the past 14 months, dealing with infections that resulted from a serious health scare that nearly took him from us in September of 2017.

His wife, Joy, shared this update with us earlier today.

“It’s a little over a year since Jesse had a ruptured aneurysm that almost killed him. He’s been dealing with a nagging complication from that trauma ever since. The doctors have tried all sorts of antibiotics, but nothing has worked.

They decided to put Jesse in the hospital where they could administer an antibiotic intravenously. They say that his blood work showed real improvement with the new antibiotic, so they let him come home. So right now we are just trying to get him better.

Jesse said sometimes it seems like the side effects of antibiotics are worse than the problem. So we are just trying to sort it out and do what’s best for him to get back on track, and be able to get out and play music again – where he would most love to be.”

Wonderful news, and best wishes to Jesse as he regains his strength at home.

Now 89 years old, McReynolds is undoubtedly among our most senior statesmen of bluegrass. His lifetime of music, both with his late brother as Jim & Jesse, and since Jim’s passing as a solo performer, Jesse’s impact on the music is indescribably vast. From showing the bluegrass world a new way to play the mandolin, mimicking the forward roll sound Earl Scruggs got on the banjo, to the dozens of classic songs he has written, Jesse has been enlarging and improving the music since 1947.

Anyone wanting to send a card or get-well message card can direct them to:

PO Box 1385
Gallatin, TN 37066

Get well soon, Jesse!