Dudley Connell Explained

Dudley Connell
Birth Date:18 February 1956
Birth Place:Scherr, West Virginia, U.S.
Genre:Bluegrass music
Occupation:Musician
Instrument:Vocals, 1943 Martin D-28 herringbone guitar[1]
Years Active:1975–present
Associated Acts:Johnson Mountain Boys, Hazel Dickens, Laurie Lewis, Longview, The Seldom Scene, Don Rigsby, Seneca Rocks!

Dudley Dale Connell[2] (born February 18, 1956) is an American singer in the bluegrass tradition. He is best known for his work with the Johnson Mountain Boys, Longview, and The Seldom Scene.

Biography

Early years

Connell grew up in Rockville, Maryland. His parents were bluegrass enthusiasts.[3] Connell initially played banjo like his father, but switched to guitar when he realized his strongest asset was his voice. Carter Stanley was a major influence on Connell's singing style.[4]

Johnson Mountain Boys

In 1975, Connell founded and led the Johnson Mountain Boys, playing guitar and singing lead vocals. Other members included Richard Underwood (banjo), David McLaughlin (mandolin), Eddie Stubbs (fiddle) and Gary B Reid (bass).[5] The band ended in 1988 due to road life stresses, but have since played reunion shows and another album Blue Diamond.[6] Connell and other band members also provided musical support for Buzz Busby.[7] [8]

Touring and session work

Connell has recorded with Hazel Dickens, and toured with her in 1992.[9]

In 1993, Joe Wilson organized the "Masters of the 5-String Banjo" tour, with Connell, Laurie Lewis, Ralph Stanley, Will Keys, Seleshe Damessae]l, Kirk Sutphin, Tony Ellis, Seamus Eagan, and Carroll Best.[10] Music from this tour was collected and released on the 1994 album Masters of the Banjo on Arhoolie Records.[11]

Longview

In 1994, Connell formed Longview with Don Rigsby (mandolin), Marshall Wilborn (bass), Joe Mullins (banjo), James King (guitar), and Glen Duncan (fiddle).[12]

Seldom Scene

In 1995, Connell joined the Seldom Scene, playing guitar and singing lead vocals, and has remained with them since.[13]

Dudley Connell and Don Rigsby

Connell recorded two albums with Don Rigsby: Meet Me By the Moonlight in 1999 and Another Saturday Night in 2001. They drew on the Appalachian brother style of singing in country music made popular in the early 20th century by groups such as the Blue Sky Boys and the Monroe Brothers.[14]

Stony Point Quartet

The Stony Point Quartet, featuring Connell, David McLaughlin (mandolin), Linda Lay (vocals), and Billy Lux (bass), focuses on gospel music.[15] [16]

Seneca Rocks!

2006, Connell formed the band Seneca Rocks! with Tom Adams, David McLaughlin, and Marshall Wilborn from the Johnson Mountain Boys along with Sally Love Connell, who previously sang in a duo with Connell and is his wife.[17] [18]

Audio Archival

From 1989 to 1998, Connell worked as manager of the Smithsonian Folkways office in Rockville, Maryland. He currently is an Audio Archivist for the National Council for the Traditional Arts, cataloging and digitizing their collection of recordings for the Library of Congress.[19]

Awards

Connell won the 2000 International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA) award for Male Vocalist of the Year.[20] [21]

In Sept of 2020 Connell was inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame with the Johnson Mountain Boys.

Discography

Besides his ensemble work, Connell has contributed his vocal and guitar support to recordings by numerous artists.

With The Johnson Mountain Boys

With Longview

With Don Rigsby

With The Seldom Scene

With Stony Point

Also appears on

1983–1989

1990–1999

2000–present

Notes and References

  1. News: Verlinde. Jason. Interview: The Seldom Scene. August 22, 2017. Fretboard Journal. April 1, 2014.
  2. Web site: ORPHAN GIRL . ASCAP . American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers . April 26, 2023.
  3. News: Gilder. Sharon Allen. SCENE-chronized in Perfect Harmony. https://web.archive.org/web/20170824094248/http://towncourier.com/scene-chronized-in-perfect-harmony/. usurped. August 24, 2017. August 23, 2017. Gathersburg Town Courier. July 2, 2014.
  4. Web site: The Seldom Scene Cover the Classics on Long Time. CMT Edge. August 23, 2017. Brian T. Atkinson. April 28, 2014.
  5. Book: Goldsmith, Thomas. 2004. The Bluegrass Reader. University of Illinois Press . 9780252029141 . 1. August 23, 2017.
  6. News: Lawless. John. Johnson Mountain Boys reunion this summer. August 23, 2017. Bluegrass Today. February 3, 2011.
  7. News: Harrington. Richard. Old-Fashioned Bluegrass. August 23, 2017. The Washington Post. April 26, 1981.
  8. Book: Wright, John. 1995. Traveling the High Way Home: Ralph Stanley and the World of Traditional Bluegrass Music. University of Illinois Press . 9780252064784 . 1. August 23, 2017.
  9. Book: Dickens, Hazel. Bill C. Malone. 2008. Working Girl Blues: The Life and Music of Hazel Dickens. University of Illinois Press . 9780252033049 . 1. August 23, 2017.
  10. News: Buckley. Daniel. Laurie Lewis' music may be addictive. August 23, 2017. Tucson Citizen. March 10, 1994.
  11. Web site: Masters Of The Banjo: A National Tour Of Traditional Banjo Styles. Clinch Mountain Echo. August 23, 2017.
  12. Book: Wolff, Kurt. 2000. Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides . 9781858285344 . 1. August 23, 2017.
  13. Web site: MD bluegrass band's lead playing for 20 years. FlipSidePA. August 23, 2017. Jossie Carbonare. January 8, 2016.
  14. News: Himes. Geoffrey. Longview: A Mountain-Wailing Ensemble. August 23, 2017. The Washington Post. January 14, 2000.
  15. News: Netherland. Tom. Linda Lay bring summer jams to Bristol. August 1, 2017. Bristol Herald-Courier. June 21, 2017.
  16. News: Thompson. Richard. Gospel Choices #4 – Bob Webster. August 26, 2017. Bluegrass Today. October 18, 2015.
  17. Web site: Johnson Mountain Boys regroup as new Seneca Rocks. Gazette.net. August 23, 2017. Nathan Oravec. August 3, 2005. August 24, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170824093522/http://www.gazette.net/gazette_archive/2005b/200531/entertainment/musicfeat/287899-1.html. dead.
  18. Web site: About Us. Blue Moon Cowgirls. August 23, 2017.
  19. Web site: Remembrances of Joe Wilson. Blue Ridge Music Center. August 23, 2017. Dudley Connell. June 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160624042316/http://www.blueridgemusiccenter.org/jw-dudley-connell.htm. dead.
  20. Web site: Recipient History. IBMA. August 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011642/https://ibma.org/awards/recipient-history. January 3, 2018. dead.
  21. Evans Price. Deborah. Bluegrass Awards Go to McCoury, Vincent. August 23, 2017. Billboard. October 28, 2000.
  22. News: Havighurst. Craig. Dudley Connell / Don Rigsby - Meet Me By The Moonlight. August 22, 2017. No Depression. October 1, 1999.
  23. Web site: Dudley Connell and Don Rigsby – Another Saturday Night. Vintage Guitar. August 22, 2017. Steven Stone. October 1, 2001.
  24. News: Joyce. Mike. "Springfield Exit". August 26, 2017. The Washington Post. September 12, 2003.

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