| ...about Vassar Clements |
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Vassar Clements, who died on August 16, 2005
at the age of 77, is considered one of the world's finest and most
versatile fiddle players. His phenomenal ability to virtually play
any kind of music (bluegrass, country, pop, rock, jazz and swing) has
garnered him various awards, including five Grammy nominations and a track
record that involves multitudes of recording performances. Vassar's career
spans over fifty years. His association with Bill Monroe began when he was
only 14 years old and still in school. . From 1957 to 1961 he performed
with bluegrass stalwarts, Jim & Jesse McReynolds.
Vassar did recording sessions and played tenor banjo in Nashville 's "Dixieland Landing" club until October 1969. He then started touring with Faron Young. In February 1971, he joined John Hartford and his "Dobrolic Plectral Society", Vassar then found himself with the legendary Earl Scruggs and the "Earl Scruggs Revue". During this time, was his participation on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 1972 Landmark album 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken". This historical event was produced by William McEuen and featured an extravaganza of bluegrass, country and folk's greatest artists. It was the turning point that re-kindled Vassar's career and at the same time introduced him to a much younger non-country audience. Vassar was recorded and performed with Dicky Betts, Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, David Grisman, Paul McCartney et al. In May 1973 -more on Vassar- -BACK- |