Second Generation: Larry Sparks, Del McCoury, J.D. Crowe, Country Gentlemen

By the 1970s, a new generation of bluegrass bandleaders began to take center stage, including many who apprenticed under the first generation pioneers: Larry Sparks with Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury with Bill Monroe, and J.D. Crowe with Jimmy Martin. Meanwhile, Charlie Waller carried on with his influential Washington D.C.-based group, the Country Gentlemen. These performances illustrate the continued evolution of bluegrass during this era, with artists expanding the boundaries of traditional bluegrass style and repertoire. The Gentlemen are heard here with a bluegrass version of the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young classic, “Teach Your Children” (1984). Larry Sparks gives a powerful instrumental rendition of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” (1973), with help from Wendy Miller on mandolin. Del McCoury takes on the country classic, “What Made Milwaukee Famous” (1977), while J.D. Crowe and the New South dabble in western swing with “My Window Faces the South” (1977).

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