Jesse_McReynolds

Jesse McReynolds

Jesse McReynolds

American bluegrass musician (1929–2023)

Jesse Lester McReynolds (July 9, 1929 – June 23, 2023) was an American bluegrass musician. He was best known for his innovative crosspicking and split-string styles of mandolin playing.

Quick Facts Background information, Birth name ...

Biography

McReynolds was born in Coeburn, Virginia. He and his brother Jim begin performing together[1] in or around 1947. They originally performed under the name, "The McReynolds Brothers."[2] In 1951, Jesse and Jim, joined by Larry Roll on guitar, made their first recording, ten gospel songs for Kentucky Records under the name "The Virginia Trio".[2] In 1952, Jim and Jesse signed with Capitol Records, who asked them to change their name from the "McReynolds Brothers," so they started recording under the name "Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys."[2] They recorded 20 songs for Capitol over three sessions in 1952, 1953, and 1955.[2] During this time (1952-1954), Jesse also served in the US Army in Korea (they recorded sessions in 1953 while he was on leave).[2] While serving in Korea, he and Charlie Louvin of the Louvin Brothers (who was also serving in Korea) formed a band called the "Dusty Roads Boys" and played regular concerts for other troops.[3] After Jesse's return from Korea, Jim and Jesse continued to perform and release albums until Jim's death from cancer in 2002. McReynolds was married to his wife, Joy.[4]

From 2002, Jesse continued to perform and record as a solo artist. McReynolds played between 60 and 70 shows each year. Jim and Jesse became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1964; Jesse maintained the duo's Opry membership since Jim's death in 2002. He became the oldest standing Opry member in March 2020, following the death of fellow Opry member Jan Howard. In 2019, he celebrated his 55th anniversary as a member of the Opry. In January 2017 he appeared on the CMT network show Nashville as a blind singer who inspires the character Rayna Jaymes (played by Connie Britton). McReynolds died in Gallatin, Tennessee, on June 23, 2023, at the age of 93.[5]

Honors

Recordings[2][7]

More information Year, Album(s) ...

References

  1. [1]
    Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Vinopal, David. "Biography: Jim & Jesse". AMG. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  2. [2]
    Statman, Andy. Bluegrass Masters: Jesse McReynolds. Oak.
  3. [3]
    Louvin, Charlie; Whitmer, Benjamin. Satan is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers. Igniter.
  4. [4]
    Harvey, Ellen (July 19, 2010). "Owners Hope to Sing Praises of Their 2YO". Harness Racing Communications. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  5. [5]
    Lawless, John (June 23, 2023). "Jesse McReynolds passes". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  6. [6]
    "Jesse McReynolds". December 6, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  7. [7]
    Recordings after 1979 from Old Dominion Masters liner notes
  8. [8]
    "Jim & Jesse|First Sounds:The Capitol Years". amazon.com. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  9. [9]
    Statman reports these Starday recording sessions but does not report an album name, as it had not been released at the time of Statman's writing. The album info comes from www.jimandjesse.com and amazon.com
  10. [10]
    while the date of this and several other of the Epic sessions is unknown, they are listed here in chronological order as reported by Jesse to Andy Statman for his book
  11. [11]
    "jimandjesse.com". Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  12. [12]
    Statman reports this as having been recorded in 1975. The liner notes of "The Old Dominion Masters" reports 1974
  13. [13]
    Liner notes for "Old Dominion Masters," 4 album set released by Old Dominion and Pinecastle Records in 1999.
  14. [14]
    Bill Monroe: The Life and Music of the Blue Grass Man by Tom Ewing
  15. [15]
    "amazon.com". Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  16. [16]
    "allmusic.com". Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  17. [17]
    "Masters of the Mandolin - Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds | Songs, Reviews, Credits". Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  18. [18]
    "jimandjesse.com". Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  19. [19]
    "compassrecords.com". Retrieved August 7, 2022.
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