Celebrity Concert with Jesse McReynolds

Jesse McReynolds is a mandolin stylist known for his musical wizardry, songwriting, singing and arranging. A member of the award-winning brother duo, Jim & Jesse until Jim’s death in 2002. Grand Ole Opry member for more than 42 years. Has performed throughout Europe and Africa, as well as in the U.S. Multiple Grammy nominee and winner. Co-winner of the IBMA Instrumental Recording, "Mandolin Extravaganza". Nominated in 2005 for IBMA Instrumental Recording of the Year for his stellar collection of mostly original songs, "Bending the Rules." Currently celebrating his 61st Anniversary in music! Best known as a mandolin innovator and stylist, Jesse created the intricate and hard to duplicate “cross-picking" and "split string" styles. His virtuosity is on a plane with Paganini's impossible violin style.

Interesting facts: He played mandolin on the Doors’ The Soft Parade album, toured and recorded as a member of The Masters, a quartet of "superpickers" that included fiddler Kenny Baker, dobroist Josh Graves and banjoist/guitarist Eddie Adcock. He also performed and recorded with the Glenville State College Percussion Ensemble.

Instruments: Mandolin, Guitar, Fiddle lead and harmony vocals.  
Jesse is an innovator who also created the Mandolobro, a combination of the mandolin and dobro.

Best-Known Albums & Songs: Berry Pickin’ In The Country (an album of Chuck Berry songs bluegrass style); Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza (with David Grisman); Masters Of The Mandolin (with Bobby Osborne); and the hit singles "Diesel On My Tail," "Paradise," "Better Times A-Coming" and "Cotton Mill Man."