- Curtis
Blackwell is a member of the Atlanta Country & Bluegrass Music
Hall Of Fame and a former member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass
Boys, replacing Peter Rowan. He has performed on the Grand Ole Opry
and traveled extensively throughout the eastern U.S. performing
at many of the historic Bluegrass festivals during the 1960's and
‘70's.
- In
June of 2010, Curtis Blackwell was honored by the International
Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky as one of the official Legends
of Bluegrass!
- His
expansive repertoire of songs seems endless, and when it comes to
Bluegrass, as many have said, this is the real deal.
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| BIOGRAPHY
It started
in 1960 when seventeen-year-old guitarist/singer Curtis Blackwell, along
with his brother Haskell on bass fiddle and banjoist Junior Crowe (father
of The Crowe Brothers) won a talent competition sponsored by WNEG in
Toccoa, Georgia. The prize was a performance on The Grand Ole Opry.
Shortly
thereafter, Curtis was joined by four other talented musicians including
Sam Cobb on bass and baritone vocals, Larry Jefferson on mandolin and
tenor vocals, banjo virtuoso Al Osteen, and well-known north Georgia
fiddler, Randall Collins, with Charles Hudson occasionally joining on
second fiddle. Together they formed the classic Dixie Bluegrass Boys
and quickly developed into a topnotch bluegrass band.
They began performing extensively throughout the eastern US at many
of the historic early bluegrass festivals of the 1960's and early 70's.
These included: Bean Blossom in Indiana; Shoal Creek in Lavonia Georgia;
Lake Norman in North Carolina; Watermelon Park in Berryville, Virginia
and many of the early bluegrass festivals made famous by promoter Carlton
Haney. They also began performing at large package shows where they
shared the stage with many of the country music greats and played for
large audiences. In 1970, they received first place in the band contest
at the prestigious Union Grove Fiddler's Convention. Quickly attaining
a reputation for quality and originality in the world of bluegrass music,
they became one of the top bands in the southeast.
During the mid 70's, Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Bluegrass Boys regrouped
and developed into an extremely versatile, highly skilled bluegrass
band. The personnel varied somewhat during this time with South Carolina
fiddler Verner Foster joining the band and Curtis's son Terry Blackwell
stepping in on mandolin and tenor vocals. Most of the banjo work was
supplied by Tom Roach during this time. Other musicians, including banjoist
Eddie Hoyle and guitarist/fiddler Wallace Crowe of The Crowe Brothers,
performed with the band during the 70's. The Dixie Bluegrass Boys remained
extremely busy during these years performing throughout Georgia and
South Carolina and occasionally in western North Carolina.
During the mid and late 80's, the band members found themselves somewhat
returning to the Bluegrass festival circuit playing festivals in the
southeast.
The group has recently produced several recordings. The newest is a
CD entitled, "Where Did the Good Times Go", which was released
in April of 2003.
Curtis
Blackwell has also recently been inducted into the Atlanta Country and
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Based on the traditional bluegrass sound, the band also possesses a
progressive repertoire and is characterized by powerful vocals, tight
harmony, excellent instrumental work and overall superb performances.
They are among the most versatile of bluegrass bands.
After more than 40 years of playing bluegrass music, Curtis Blackwell
still captivates audiences with his high, powerful voice and the sincerity
expressed in his singing. Along with the Dixie Bluegrass Boys, he has
achieved what few Bluegrass bands today do: a purely unique, versatile,
professional sound.
The Curtis Blackwell Bluegrass Band is a band with the personality and
vitality necessary to capture the attention and praise of even the most
elite Bluegrass audience. With every performance, the band seizes the
devotion of new fans and rises above the expectations of its old ones.
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