kenny ingram Archives - Bluegrass Today

Kenny Ingram passes

The bluegrass music world is in shock today at the news that lifelong banjo player Kenny Ingram died yesterday evening after suffering a massive stroke. He was 67 years of age.

Kenny had spent his youth performing with two of the legends of bluegrass. He was the banjo player with Lester Flatt’s Nashville Grass following the breakup of Flatt & Scruggs, and similarly replaced J.D. Crowe with Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys. It’s hard to imagine a better opportunity to master the basics of bluegrass banjo.

Continuing as a professional player, Ingram worked a ten year stint with the Larry Stephenson Band, and one with Rhonda Vincent & The Rage. You could also find him as a guest performer on numerous recordings, including projects from Benny Martin, Marty Stuart, Josh Williams, and Tony Trischka.

Throughout all this time, Kenny – or Big K, as he was sometime known – was known for his preservation of the Earl Scruggs style, and the power and passion in his playing. He was also a very effective teacher, appearing often as a featured instructor at banjo camps around the world.

It’s hard to overstate how admired Ingram was within the banjo community, where there is universal agreement placing him among the all-time greats of traditional, Scruggs/Crowe-style pickers. That legacy is further reflected by the American Made Banjo Co making a signature Kenny Ingram model instrument.

Here’s a look at how well he did as a young man playing Flint Hill Special with Lester in 1977. That’s a even younger Marty Stuart between he and Flatt.

And a more recent example on Road Rage, included on Rhonda Vincent & The Rage’s 2005 live DVD, Ragin’ Live.

And one more, doing the J.D. Crowe classic, Bear Tracks, with Larry Stephenson at SPBGMA 2011.

Family and friends are devastated by his death, as are all who had the chance to meet him on the road, remembering the kind-hearted, soft-hearted man whose gentleness was in such sharp contrast with his stature.

Given the sudden and unexpected nature of his passing, Kenny’s family has not yet announced any information about funeral arrangements.

R.I.P., Kenny Ingram.

New look for Larry Stephenson Band

Larry Stephenson is gearing up for a busy September, closing out with a bang at the IBMA World of Bluegrass convention and Wide Open Bluegrass festival in Raleigh, NC.

Serious Larry Stephenson Band fans will notice a new face in the lineup, and the return of a familiar one, next time they catch up with the group. Matt Wright has been on bass with Larry for much of the summer, and plans to continue on with them as he starts his senior year in the bluegrass music program at ETSU next month.

Returning to the fold is Kevin Richardson on guitar and vocals. Kevin had worked with Larry previously for several years, only to take his leave to focus on his own band. He will rejoin LSB later this month, while keeping tabs on Kevin Richardson & Cutting Edge as time allows.

One thing that won’t be changed is the rock solid, hard driving banjo of Kenny Ingram, who has been with Larry this past five years. And, of course, Larry, on mandolin and heart-stopping tenor vocals.

Stephenson is also preparing to drop a first single from his next album before the end of the month. The record is all-Gospel, entitled Pull Your Savior In, and we understand that the single will feature contributions from Jimmy Fortune, David Parmley, and Dale Perry.

Larry Stephenson in the studio

We just got an update from the Larry Stephenson Band, who have been hard at work this week at the Compass Records studio tracking for their next project, coincidentally set for release on Compass in 2012.

With Larry was his current touring band: Kenny Ingram on banjo, Kevin Richardson on guitar and Danny Stewart on bass. Stephenson is on mandolin and sky-high tenor vocals.

Larry’s wife Dreama, who serves as the band’s manager, shared this news about what went down in the studio while she was taking pictures.

“Our 2 year old daughter cut her first track with her Daddy this past Wednesday afternoon while we were visiting at the studio.

It’s the best cut of Jesus Loves Me, that you’ll ever hear! We’d been meaning to take her at about 20 months old, and just didn’t make the time. Maybe she’s the youngest bluegrasser around?

Next will be Ruby or I’ll Be Loving You Always, since she’s sings them often as well.”

The Larry & Falon Stephenson Band?

Kenny Ingram joins up with Larry Stephenson

Just a few short weeks after leaving Rhonda Vincent, banjo man Kenny Ingram has cast his lot with Larry Stephenson. In addition to Kenny’s 7 years with Rhonda, he has toured with bluegrass legends Lester Flatt and Jimmy Martin over the course of his career.

Needless to say, Larry is stoked to bring such a stellar picker into the band.

“I am so honored to have Kenny on board. And there are really no words to express what a great player he is, other than, this will be the best addition to the band we’ve ever seen. I’m fortunate to have him and I’m looking forward to a powerful 2009 with solid Kenny Ingram beside me.”

Fans of Kenny’s hard driving style can catch him at any of Larry’s shows, starting with the New Year’s Day show at Jekyll Island.

Changes in the wind for Rhonda

Rhonda Vincent’s management has just announced that two members of her band, Kenny Ingram and Darrell Webb, will leave The Rage effective December 31, 2008.

The following statement was released by Upper Management last night (11/5):

Kenny and Kaye have been loyal supporters of Rhonda Vincent for the past 7 years, and will be sorely missed by all of us. A consumate professional, and a legend in the bluegrass world.

Darrell Webb for the past year has been a great person to travel with and has performed admirably. I couldn’t ask for anything more than what these 2 gentlemen have brought to our organization and family of friends.

We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. Replacements will be announced at a later date. We ask you for your continued support for the band, Rhonda, and these 2 fine gentlemen.